This week’s show is going to be a Power Pop Party, featuring lots of fun tunes
from the classic 70s and 80s power pop era. Some featured artists include the
Flamin’ Groovies, Real Kids, Shoes, 20/20, Bangles, the Knack, Vapors, and
many more. This will be the first of two spring membership drive Stronger Than
Dirt shows, so please consider showing your support for KOOP 91.7, Austin’s
community radio, by making a donation. And thanks!
PICTURE SLEEVE OF THE WEEK: Besides being one of the most important
independent labels of the 70s and 80s, Bomp! Records was a major purveyor of
power pop (this week’s theme), releasing records by bands like 20/20, the Shoes,
Stiv Bators, the Last, and a lot more. “Experiments in Destiny” compiled Bomp!
and Bomp! related bands, with an impressive selection of garage rock, new
wave, and power pop. It appeared in 1980 as a 2-record set in a gatefold jacket,
and featured the artwork of Diane Zincavage. Zincavage did cover art for many
California based labels like Bomp!, Posh Boy, Frontier, and others, and was
featured on a previous Party Stains pic sleeve of the week. Click to enlarge.
LAST WEEK’S DUSTY DIAMOND (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): The
Dropouts were a high energy, R&B tinged garage rock band from San Antonio.
They were active from the mid to late 90s, and released in that time one album
and four singles. “Come On” is a sweaty stomping rocker with full throated vocals
by singer Dave Demel. It appeared in 1996 on the “Come On!” album on Unclean
Records. Also of note, it was recorded at Sweatbox Studio just below the old
KOOP Radio office and studio in downtown Austin. They even made a video for
it, which you can check out here:
Promo art from the Flamin’ Groovies’ 1976 “Shake Some Action” album on Sire
Records. Photo by Armand Haye.