My favorite power pop group the Flashcubes ended in 1980. They'd actually suffered a change in lineup the previous year, so the original Flashcubes really split in the summer of 1979. Either way, by 1980, the prospect of new Flashcubes recordings seemed an unlikely prospect.
In 2021, we've played two new tracks by the Flashcubes, the original four guys, Paul, Gary, Arty, and Tommy. Each track is cause for celebration, but it's a familiar celebration, one we almost take for granted. Because there've been a ton of new Flashcubes recordings created and made available over the last three decades or so. That's not even counting the various '70s tracks that have been rescued and renovated for retail, nor the killer 1979 live tapes currently being prepped for commercial release. No, these were brand-new recordings, starting in the early '90s, continuing through today. Covers. Studio versions of old live 'Cubes favorites. New songs. New albums.
Who could have foreseen that fresh bounty of rockin' pop forty years ago? The Flashcubes were done. Until they weren't done anymore. They came back. They plugged in. They made the lights brighter again. No promise, no guarantee. But for right now? It's Flashcubes time.
I still appreciate every new Flashcubes track. Each one is a cherished opportunity, a gift I couldn't have anticipated in 1980. The Flashcubes remain my favorite power pop group. More of my favorites? Yes, please. And thank you.
We opened this week's show with a new track from the Flashcubes, a freshly-recorded cover of the Dwight Twilley Band's "Alone In My Room." The Flashcubes' 2021 cover of Pezband's "Baby It's A Cold Outside" is already on a collision course with our year-end countdown show. We're grateful to live in a world where there is still such a thing as new music from the Flashcubes. Here's to that. This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on a Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, and on the web at http://sparksyracuse.org/ You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO).
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The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
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http://sparksyracuse.org/support/ TIRnRR # 1101: 10/31/2021
TIRnRR FRESH SPINS! Tracks we think we ain't played before are listed in bold
THE RAMONES: Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? (Rhino, End Of The Century)
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THE FLASHCUBES: Alone In My Room (single)
SHAUN CASSIDY: Hey Deanie (Curb, Greatest Hits)
BARON DAEMON & THE VAMPIRES: The Transylvania Twist (WSEN, VA: The Syracuse History Of Rock-N-Roll)
SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS: I Put A Spell On You (Legacy, Cow Fingers And Mosquito Pie)
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KELLEY RYAN: The Church Of Laundry (single) THE TUESDAYS: What Is Love (Arista, The Tuesdays)
THE CATHOLIC GIRLS: Someone New (Renaissance, The Catholic Girls)
RICHARD HELL & THE VOIDOIDS: Love Comes In Spurts (Sire, Blank Generation)
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THE REVILLOS: Motorbike Beat (Captain Oi!, Rev Up)
PINK FLOYD: See Emily Play (Capitol, The Best Of Pink Floyd--A Foot In The Door)
MILLIE SMALL: KIller Joe (Caroline, The Best Of Millie Small)
THE REPLACEMENTS: I Will Dare (Sire, For Sale)
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THE STEVE DEATON THREE: Open My Eyes (Plow Handle, 3)
QUINT: Good Morning London (Zero Charisma, single)
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DAVID BROOKINGS: Women Of L.A. ( Mania At The Talent Show)
PUFFY AMIYUMI: Love So Pure (Epic, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi)
EELS: Eyes Down (Disney, VA: Holes OST)
SHONEN KNIFE: Top Of The World (A & M, VA: If I Were A Carpenter)
THE CARPENTERS: Only Yesterday (A & M, Singles 1969-1981)
THE BEATLES: Ticket To Ride (Capitol, single)
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THE GRIP WEEDS: Lie, Beg, Borrow And Steal (Jem, DiG) THE PRETENDERS: Day After Day (Sire, The Singles)
THE POLICE: Can't Stand Losing You (A & M, Every Breath You Take)
SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES: The Tears Of A Clown (Motown, VA: Hitsville USA)
THE PLIMSOULS: Everyday Things (Rhino, The Plimsouls...Plus)
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TALL POPPY SYNDROME: Come Some Christmas Eve (Or Halloween) (single) THE PANDORAS: That's Your Way Out (Rhino Handmade, Stop Pretending)
EDDIE HOLLAND: Leaving Here (Motown, VA: Hitsville USA)
THE MONKEES: Love To Love (Rhino, Good Times!)
NICO: I'm Not Saying (Polydor, The Classic Years)
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THEE HEADCOATEES: First Plane Home (Damaged Goods, THEE HEADCOATS: The Kids Are All Square--This Is Hip! + Girlsville) THE KINKS: You Still Want Me (Sanctuary, The Anthology 1964-1971)
THE LINDA LINDAS: Claudia Kishi (single) MANDY MOORE: I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week (Storefront, Amanda Leigh)
THE RAMONES: Judy Is A Punk (Rhino, Ramones)
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THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY: Singing My Song (Razor & Tie, The Partridge Family Album)
THE MUFFS: Sad Tomorrow (Reprise, Blonder And Blonder)
RONNIE SPECTOR & THE E STREET BAND: Say Goodbye To Hollywood (Cleveland International, VA: Cleveland International Records 1977-1983)
MICHAEL CARPENTER: That's Alright By Me (Not Lame, VA: Full Circle)
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JAY AND THE AMERICANS: Only In America (Fuel 2000, Absolutely The Best)
The Tuesdays! Yeah BABY! :-)
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