10 Songs is a weekly list of ten songs that happen to be on my mind at the moment. The lists are usually dominated by songs played on the previous Sunday night's edition of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl. The idea was inspired by Don Valentine of the essential blog I Don't Hear A Single
This week's edition of 10 Songs draws exclusively from the playlist for This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio # 1361
THE FLASHCUBES WITH MIKE GENT: Reminisce
On Saturday November 7th, Dana and I had the privilege of emceeing and witnessing the final performance by Syracuse's own power pop powerhouse the Flashcubes. It was a magic, emotional night, all offered in memory of Flashcubes guitarist Paul Armstrong, who succumbed to cancer earlier this year. The night raised a ton of money for Cancer Can Rock, a charity that assists working musicians facing aggressive cancer. You can learn more about Cancer Can Rock at their website, and we hope you'll consider a donation in memory of the late, great PA.
Meanwhile: We reminisce.
Yes, the United States of Existence then, and the United States of Existence NOW! I love it when a plan comes together, especially when it wasn't, y'know...planned.
The United States of Existence were part of the garage psychedelia revival in the 1980s. Here's the description from the band's Bandcamp page:
"United States Of Existence were early pioneers of the American neo-psychedelic movement, formed in Baltimore in 1978 with a deep devotion to the sounds of the late '60s. Using vintage gear and analog recording techniques, they crafted an authentic psychedelic sound that caught the attention of Bomp! founder Greg Shaw and led to appearances on landmark compilations like Battle Of The Garages."
USE lead singer Dennis Davison is no stranger to the TIRnRR airwaves. When Dennis sent me the group's psychariffic new album Lavender Glory Trip, I earmarked its track "Less Is More" for this week's show. Independent of my plan, Dana programmed "Welcome Tomorrow, Goodbye Today" from the group's eponymous 1986 album. Serendipity! And I knew "Less Is More" had to follow that immediately.
United States of Existence then and United States of Existence now! And "Less Is More" will return to our show this Sunday. MORE "Less Is More!" That's the plan anyway.
THE SHIRTS: Tell Me Your Plans
"Plans?" See, now you're just being snarky. But it's okay! Some 1979 live music from the Shirts will adjust the ol' attitude in a positive way.
Big Star's "September Gurls" was the very first track this show ever declared The Greatest Record Ever Made!, and that was long before we realized the gimmick..er, LARGER TRUTH that an infinite number of tracks can each be THE greatest record ever made, as long as they take turns. "September Gurls" is one of the top acknowledged classics of power pop, and it is far and away the most-played track over the course of TIRnRR's long and storied history. Nothing else even comes close to matching this song's accumulated spins.
And I first heard the song via the Flashcubes, when they started including it in their live sets around 1978 or so. It's just one more debt my popsmacked self will always owe to the Flashcubes.
DONNA SUMMER: I Feel Love
The Greatest Record Ever Made!
MICKEY AND SYLVIA: Love Is Strange
Is love strange? Absolutely. But ain't it grand? And it sure is worth it. Oh, Syyyyyyyylviaaaaa...!
THE FLASHCUBES FEATURING TOM KENNY: Got No Mind
ALSO The Greatest Record Ever Made! And the new 45 of "Got No Mind"/"Reminisce" is available here.
HOLLY AND THE ITALIANS: Just Young
Holly and the Italians' 1981 debut (and only) album The Right To Be Italian is one of my all-time favorite records. I mean top twenty at least, probably top ten. I wrote an extended appreciation of the album, and I shared that piece with my paid patrons. It will eventually appear publicly on the blog as well, but not in the immediate future.
Coming into this week's show "Just Young" was the only one of the ten tracks on the original release of The Right To Be Italian that had never before been played on TIRnRR. And now it has. "Like a left-of-the-dial Pat Benatar (in a good way)," "Just Young" represents an album that earned its rightful place in my pantheon. God, I love this record.
THE BEATLES: In My Life
"In My Life" is overdue for its own turn as Greatest Record Ever Made!, and I hope I get around to writing that some day, for the places and faces I'll remember all my life. As the song that started this week's show and this week's 10 Songs says: All I want to do is reminisce with you.
 |
| Rock in peace, Paul |
If you like what you see here on Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do), please consider a visit to CC's Tip Jar. You can also become a Boppin' booster on my Patreon page.
My new book of short stories Guitars Vs. Rayguns!! Short Stories And Other White Lies is out now, and you can get autographed copies of the new book, its six-chapter novelette digest A Band Called GUITARS VS. RAYGUNS!, and my previous book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) directly from me. You can still get my previous 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.
I compiled a various-artists tribute album called Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, and it's pretty damned good; you can read about it here and order it here.
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 about our history here
