Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, June 14, 8-10pm) include the Electric Prunes (RIPJames Lowe), Brigitte Bardot, Come On, Wire, Wild Giraffes, The Last, Fastbacks, Rip Offs, Melenas, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: The Last were one of many bands that sprang up in the fertile and diverse Los Angeles music scene of the late 70s. Featuring a line-up with three brothers, Joe, Mike, and David Nolte, they favored a garage pop and rock sound inspired by the Modern Lovers. They in turn, were a major influence on bands like the Three O’ Clock and Bangles and others in the Paisley Underground scene of the 80s. After disbanding, and various line-up changes, they were still active as recently as 2020. Their debut album, L.A. Explosion! was released in 1979 on Bomp! Records and featured a cover design by Mick Toohig and band photography by Robert Bruce.
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): Impala were a prolific instrumental rock and roll band from Memphis. Like many of the instro bands that were active during the 90s garage scene, they were influenced by the 60s surf and spy movie soundtrack sounds. They had numerous releases throughout the decade and put out an EP as recently as last year. “Ltd A Go-Go” is a high energy beach party ripper with Dick Dale inspired guitar licks and nice accompanying keyboard. It appeared on their very first record, a 1993 EP on The Power of Bob label. Listen to it here:
Promo art from the Rip Offs 1994 “Got a Record” album on Rip Off Records. Photography by Jennifer Simpson.