This week's show begins with a brand-new, as-yet-unreleased track by my power pop heroes the Flashcubes. "Reminisce" was written by 'Cubes guitarist Paul Armstrong, it's the first new Flashcubes track since their epic 2023 all-covers album Pop Masters, and it's the first new Flashcubes recording of an original Flashcubes song in a couple of decades.
It's terrific. And it's a pretty big deal to us. I can't overstate the importance of the Flashcubes in my own rockin' pop history. It's no exaggeration to say that This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio With Dana & Carl--at least the "& Carl" part--would not have willed itself into existence if not for the inspiration of my pop Trinity: The Beatles, The Ramones, and The Flashcubes. Nor would I have spent the last forty years writing so much and so often about music. I saw my first Flashcubes show 47 years ago last month. That impact was and remains nothing short of seismic. I would be a different person if not for the Flashcubes.
All I want to do is reminisce with you....
This irresistible track called "Reminisce" will be the opening track on a project we've been developing in secret for quite a while now. Until now, we've referred to this clandestine operation as [REDACTED]. It is no longer redacted. In September, our friends at the mighty Big Stir Records will release a new compilation of songs written by members of the Flashcubes, performed by a number of your TIRnRR Fave Raves: Make Something Happen! A Tribute To A DIY Power Pop Band Called THE FLASHCUBES.
I have wanted someone to put together a Flashcubes tribute album since the dawn of ever. That wish finally prompted us to step up and make something happen ourselves awready. More details about this Flashcubes tribute album will follow in due time, as lights get brighter and the bands get louder. For now, we open this week's show with three tracks--by sparkle*jets u.k., the SpongeTones, and of course a DIY power pop band called the Flashcubes--from the project formerly known as [REDACTED]. There's much, much more to come, including a book that will detail an oral history of Syracuse's own power pop powerhouse. The work continues. Something is happening, and I think you're gonna like it.
NEXT WEEK: THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO celebrates BLACK HISTORY MONTH! There's more than one way to make something happen. Smile everybody! It's the Flashcubes. And this is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on another 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, streaming at SPARK stream, and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Recent shows are archived at Westcott Radio
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).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
Carl's new book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get Carl's 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.
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