THE FLASHCUBES TRIBUTE ALBUM: First tease

As announced on this week's exciting edition of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl, we are hard at work on a tribute album celebrating Syracuse's own power pop powerhouse the Flashcubes. The tribute album is called Make Something Happen! A Tribute To A DIY Power Pop Band Called THE FLASHCUBES, and it's due in September from the good folks at Big Stir Records. The album's title is remarkably similar to the title of my forthcoming book Make Something Happen! The Story Of A DIY Power Pop Band Called THE FLASHCUBES. One presumes that similarity is not a coincidence.

We're not quite ready to reveal all of the details of the tribute album just yet, as a lot of Cubic parts are still being fitted into their proper places. It has long been my wish for the tribute to include at least one new track written and recorded by the Flashcubes themselves, so the disc will open with "Reminisce," a superb new tune written by 'Cubes guitarist Paul Armstrong. Now, the Flashcubes have agreed to provide two more new tracks, one apiece written by bassist Gary Frenay and guitarist Arty Lenin. I did not think those two tracks would be available for the tribute, and I'm giddy that we've secured them for Make Something Happen!

The album is still a work in progress. For now, here's a heavily redacted look at its current blueprint:

Make Something Happen! A Tribute To A DIY Power Pop Band Called THE FLASHCUBES

1. THE FLASHCUBES: Reminisce

2. sparkle*jets u.k.: Make Something Happen

3. [REDACTED]: Gone Too Far

4. [REDACTED]: Radio

5. [REDACTED]: Christi Girl

6. CHRIS VON SNEIDERN: No Promise

7. [REDACTED]: Pathetic

8. [REDACTED]: When We Close Our Eyes

9. THE FLASHCUBES: [REDACTED]

10. [REDACTED]: Girl From Germany

11. [REDACTED]: Five Personalities

12. POP CO-OP: Wait Til Next Week

13.[REDACTED]: A Face In The Crowd

14. THE KENNEDYS: Walking Through The Park

15. [REDACTED]: It's You Tonight

16. [REDACTED]: Got No Mind

17. THE FLASHCUBES: [REDACTED]

18. [REDACTED]: Fourth Of July

19. [REDACTED]: I Won't Wait Another Night

20. [REDACTED]: She's Leaving

21. [REDACTED]: You're Not The Police

22. [REDACTED]: Muscle Beach

23.[REDACTED]: Welcome To The Working Class

24. THE SPONGETONES: Nothing Really Matters When You're Young 

I can just about guarantee that the final product will stray at least a little bit from this blueprint. I'm awaiting word from a few artists regarding their commitments and/or song choices, and two of the songs listed above have not yet been assigned to a performer. But a lot of them are set, and that's a start. Specifically, it's a start on making something happen.

Worthy goal, that. Set your bright lights on September. It's ALL happening in September.

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My new book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get my previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books, OR an autographed copy here. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.

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, streaming at SPARK stream and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Recent shows are archived at Westcott Radio. You can read about our history here.