Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, May 18, 8-10pm) include Blackfoot Sue, Sparks, Damned, Normals, F.U. 2, Jane Aire and the Belvederes, Ideal, Sons and Daughters, La Femme, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: This week’s featured picture sleeve is not cover art per se, but it does provide an interesting if somewhat kitsch-y snapshot from the 70s. The Teens were a pop rock band from (West) Berlin and were active mainly in the late 70s and very early 80s. They were billed as “the youngest rock group in Europe,” averaging 14 years of age when this record was released in 1977 on the Hansa label. Both songs are great, one glam pop and the other more bubble gum. Three of them reunited to record and release an album in 2020. Cover design and photography are uncredited. (Click on image to enlarge)
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): The Mullens are a garage rock band from Dallas that have been preforming since the mid 90s. They have released several singles and albums including an LP in 2023 on Get Hip. “Step on the Gas” is an up-tempo scorcher with some sweet ’77 punk riffing. It appeared in 1997 on a 7” EP on 1+2 Records as well as their eponymous first album, also on Get Hip. Listen to it here:
Promo art from The Damned’s 1977 “Damned Damned Damned” album on Stiff Records. Original design by Erica Echenberg.