Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, April 26, 8-10pm) include Masters Apprentices, Michel Polnareff, Victims, Surf Punks, Edith Nylon, Teenage Head, Embarrassment, Shonen Knife, Prissteens, Flashing Lights (RIP Henri Sangalang), lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: The Surf Punks were a late 70s and 80s poppy punk band from Malibu, CA. Founded in 1976 by drummer and vocalist Dennis Dragon (brother of Daryl AKA the Captain of Captain and Tenille) they specialized in fun, often goofy (in a good way) beach themed tunes. They also included guitarist and keyboardist Drew Steele, whose stepfather was television actor Gavin MacCleod (McHale’s Navy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat). Their first album, a self-titled release on their own Day-Glo label, came out in 1979 and featured a logo and design by Tommy Steele (no relation to Drew) and photography by Kevin Roberts and Patty Reynolds.
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): The Jessica Fletchers (named after the “Murder, She Wrote” character) were a Norwegian indie rock band that were active from the late 90s through the mid 00s. They released four albums and several singles. “Let’s Go” is a dance-y, bouncy mod garage beat rocker with nice keyboards and crisp guitar riffs. Fun song! It appeared on their 2003 “What Happened to The?” album on the Rainbow Quartz label. Listen to it here:
Promo art from The Embarrassment’s 1981 s/t EP on Cynykyl Records. Original lithograph by John Boyd.