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This past Friday, our friends at Big Stir Records released the new digital single "Reminisce" by the Flashcubes with Mike Gent. Other than Big Stir's 2022 digital single release of a 1979 live version of the group's 1978 debut 45 "Christi Girl," I believe "Reminisce" is the first Flashcubes single written by the 'Cubes since "Wait Til Next Week"/"Radio" in 1979.
The Flashcubes write great original songs. Yeah, they do great covers, too; most of the very best original bands are also capable of executing amazing covers, like the Beatles did, like the Ramones did. But in recent years, there has been too much emphasis on the Flashcubes' winning way with a Shoes or Pezband tune. It's time to direct the spotlight back to where it oughta be: Shining brightly upon the Flashcubes' own nonpareil songbook.
The new single is connected to the forthcoming various-artists blockbuster Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, due for digital and physical release from Big Stir on September 12th. The album contains 24 tracks, each written or co-written by members of the Flashcubes. Three of the tracks (including "Reminisce") are by the Flashcubes themselves, and they're joined by 21 other talented acts covering Cubic classics.
Last Monday, I completed the last bits of my part in willing this wonderful album into existence. And I knew I wanted to commemorate that moment on this week's show by debuting three more never-before-heard tracks from Make Something Happen! (by Ballzy Tomorrow, Dolph Chaney, and the Verbs), offering an encore spin of the Choosers' cover of "Christi Girl," and continuing TIRnRR's commitment to pounding the freakin' console on behalf of "Reminisce." And while we didn't wanna play too too much from Make Something Happen!, we figured we'd also tip the ol' topper to all of the other acts on the Flashcubes tribute album--sparkle*jets u.k., Librarians With Hickeys, Chris von Sneidern, Graham Parker, Joe Giddings, the Kennedys, Pop Co-Op, the Peppermint Kicks, Tom Kenny and the Hi-Seas, Hamell On Trial, the Armoires, Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin, the Mayflowers, Super 8 Featuring Lisa Mychols, Callan Foster, Sorrows, and the Spongetones--by playing a track apiece from their own stellar library.
It's important--cathartic and rejuvenative--to reminisce when one needs to reminisce. It works best if one can reminisce and look forward at the same time. Make something happen. Damned right, man. Damned right.
NEXT WEEK: On July 6th, we will have a special edition of TIRnRR called GOOD VIBRATIONS: Brian Wilson and the Legend of Summer. 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.
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). You can follow Carl's daily blog at Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
Carl's latest 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.
THE FLASHCUBES: Reminisce (Big Stir, single)
BOBBY SHERMAN: Little Woman (Varese Sarabande, VA: Bubblegum Classics: Volume Three)
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