THE EVERLASTING FIRST: Quick Takes For P [music edition]

Continuing a look back at my first exposure to a number of rock 'n' roll acts and superheroes (or other denizens of print or periodical publication), some of which were passing fancies, and some of which I went on to kinda like. They say you never forget your first time; that may be true, but it's the subsequent visits--the second time, the fourth time, the twentieth time, the hundredth time--that define our relationships with the things we cherish. Ultimately, the first meeting is less important than what comes after that. But every love story still needs to begin with that first kiss.

PEZBAND



"Sparkling Power Pop!" While it might seem unlikely that I could possibly resist that specific hype in the late '70s, the truth is that I didn't really get Pezband at the time. I think I picked up the Laughing At The Pieces album on a trip to Cleveland, and I may have purchased Cover To Cover somewhere in that time frame, but neither moved me, so I traded 'em in. Fast-forward to the early '90s, and it suddenly dawned on me that I needed Pezband records, so I tracked down each and every one of the band's releases. "Love Goes Underground" and "Stop! Wait A Minute" are my favorites.

THE PENETRATORS



I probably read about this band billed as "Syracuse's Only!" in the pages of our local punk/new wave fanzine Poser in 1979, before I ever heard their music. I bought their debut 45 "Gotta Have Her"/"Baby Don'tcha Tell Me," and loved it (particularly the B-side); I liked the follow-up, "Teenage Lifestyle," even more. Years later, I wrote the liner notes to a Penetrators live album, and to a solo EP by Penetrators lead singer Jack Lipton; I never had an opportunity to see the band play live.

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Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes,Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it here.