It's Christmas!

Have a very merry one...  :-)

The Rubinoos Turn 45!

It's nothing less than mind-boggling to comprehend, but those lovable rascals the Rubinoos are currently celebrating their 45th year as a working unit.  And although only singer Jon Rubin and guitarist/main songwriter Tommy Dunbar still remain from the original pre-teen line-up (bassist Al Chan is also a longish serving/suffering member), it's pretty darn impressive to have stayed together this long, never mind sustained a career out of it (the band enjoys especially loyal following in both Japan and Spain), but to be still issuing albums of new and original material truly tops it all.
Admittedly, although primarily a big fan of their first two albums, 1977's "The Rubinoos", and 1979's "Back to the Drawing Board" (and the career-spanning "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About The Rubinoos" CD box set from a few years back is also a must), I haven't been keeping up much with the Rubes recently.  So, the other day, after reading a favorable review of their latest outing, the simply and aptly titled "45", I found myself inclined to improve on that sad situation.  And, upon heading straight to www.rubinoos.com I dutifully ordered their two latest CD's, the aforementioned "45", as well as 2010's Spanish-import "Automatic Toaster" - not to mention, for good measure, an XL-sized T-shirt.
In 2010 the Rubinoos teamed up with Power Pop legend and former child actor (I'm not even going to mention cousin Oliver here!) Robbie Rist, who not only produced the "Automatic Toaster" album, but also played drums on it.  Clocking in at just under the half hour mark, it's a sparse and to the point effort.  It's also ample in energy and sheer power...pop, as opener "Two Guitars, Bass, And Drums" very ably demonstrates, like this live version from Spanish television perfectly proves.

 

The Rubinoos' goofy, Monkees-like humor is also never too far from the precedings, which might be one of the reasons why "Earth #1" was also recorded for their children's album(!) "Biff-Boff-Boing!" (2010).

 



 

All in all, "Automatic Toaster" is an enjoyable and hook-heavy Power Pop primer from true masters of the genre.  The wheel isn't exactly being invented here but who cares.  Only unnecessary cover "Black is Black" and novelty (children's?) songs "Zombie Night in Madrid" and "Cave Girls" test this listener's patience.

*** (3 out of 5)

 

 

Four years later and we're up to date with the brand-spanking-new Rubinoos album "45".  Off the bat,  it's obviously not quite as energy-driven as its predecessor.  The guitars have been turned down a tad, there's balladry a plenty and the Rubes' love of early pop styles such as Doo Wop is very well served indeed - especially in the sole cover here which comes in the form of Lou Christie's "Rhapsody in the Rain" (their cover of Christie's "If My Car Could Only Speak" from a good decade back is excellent and far exceeds the original IMHO).  Their love of Richard Berry's Garage Rock classic "Louie Louie" is even addressed in, well, "I Love Louie Louie".  But it wouldn't be a proper Rubinoos album without the pure pop hooks and here they are in abundance.

Unfortunately there don't seem to be any videos to songs from the album on the otherwise almighty YouTube, so you, much like I did, just have to head over to www.rubinoos.com and order the ACTUAL CD - you won't be sorry.

**** (4 out of 5)   

And yes, the T-shirt's very comfy.  ***** out of 5, as a matter of fact :-)

 

And just in case you aren't entirely convinced of the Rubinoos proper '70s Teen Pop credentials, here are a few minor, near and non-hits they scored during the latter part of that fabulous decade.  Enjoy...



 

Update, February 10th 2015.

 

I received the following e-mal from Rubinoo Tommy Dunbar yesterday:

 

Thanks for the nice review of our recent recordings, glad you liked them! I only wanted to mention that our drummer Donn Spindt has been with us since 1970. He was off doing other things for a moment in the 80s, but he's been with us almost all of that time. Our bass player (Al Chan) has been with us since 1980. He's the NEW guy! ;-}  

 

Duly noted, Tommy.  And sorry for the blunder!  Rock & Roll on :-) 

Alvin Stardust R.I.P.

 

A chart maker in three consecutive decades, Alvin Stardust first emerged as "moody guy" Shane Fenton during the mid '60s, although he is undoubtly most fondly remembered for his early to mid '70s Gene Vincent-inspired Glam Rock persona responsible for top flight U.K. hits such as "Jealous Mind" (#1, 1974), and "My Coo Ca Choo" (#2, 1973).

And, as if that wasn't enough, he made an unlikely second comeback a decade later with hits such as "Pretend" (U.K.#4, 1981), and "I Feel Like Buddy Holly" (U.K. #4, 1984).

 

Well, to make a long story short, we lost Alvin this past week.  And, according to all accounts, he was an all around professional and a nice guy to boot.  He will be sorely missed.  R.I.P., Alvin Stardust/Shane Fenton...

 



Glam Rock Cinema

"The Glitter Band Will Save Us!"
 

 

 

Finally out on DVD (by Odeon Entertainment) are a couple of mid-'70s curios, namely British musical comedies "Side By Side", and "Never Too Young To Rock".
Both were made in 1975 by G.T.O. Films and featured a number of Glam/Teen Pop acts of the day, such as The Glitter Band (NTYTR), MUD (in both films), The Rubettes (in both), Slik (NTYTR), Kenny (SBS) and Hello (SBS).  Needless to say, the musical performances, although all of them are mimed, are the most interesting scenes in both films.  A case in point, the earliest known Slik appearance on film...

 

"The Boogiest Band in Town" (1975) was Slik's debut single and as the clip clearly demonstrates, the familiar, later image of short hair and baseball shirts was still someways off.  The single flopped, and a year or so later the Arrows also had a crack at it, albeit with similarly underwhelming results.

The late Dave Mount, drummer of MUD, had a starring role in "Side By Side" and really holds his own compared to some of the "real" actors appearing alongside him.

 

 

Likewise, singer Stephanie de Sykes ("Born With A Smile On My Face") had an acting role in "Side By Side", where she also performs her signature song, while former Herman Hermit Peter Noone made a bizarre cameo in "Never Too Young To Rock", which served little or any evident purpose to the overall plot (or lack thereof) of said film.

Plot wise - as if that matters any - "Side By Side" has little more going for it.  Centering around feuding night club owners, there's aplenty opportunity for both music and mayhem.  Kenny makes an appearance, and so does Hello...

 



 

"Never Too Young To Rock", on the other hand, is set in the none too distant future where Rock 'N' Roll has been banned.  So, secretly a savior is sent (by exactly whom isn't made entirely clear) in something resembling an old ice cream van, roaming the English country side in search of MUD, The Glitter Band, The Rubettes, and others in order to stage a big Rock concert.  

Aside from the Slik clip, the concert-cum-finale part of the film is also the most riveting bit in it.  There, MUD, The Glitter Band, and The Rubettes stage a Battle-of-the-bands style show where each band performs a couple of its biggest hits before they are all joined together on stage for a fun romp through the title track of the film. 

 

 



Although the overall artistic and/or cinematic value of these films is, at best, questionable it's nice to see them finally easily available as officially issued DVD's (They've both been around as bootlegs for years) to enjoy in the privacy and tranquility of one's home.  Next up then - hopefully - the 1980 car racing film "Burning Rubber" featuring the music of - and starring - the Bay City Rollers...

 



 

Pete Leay (Buster) R.I.P.

 

Peter Robert Leay, April 4. 1959 - December 26. 2013.

 

Guitarist Pete Leay, best known as a member of '70s Teen Pop Band Buster, has died.  He was 54 years old.

Recently, the four original members of Buster came together for the first time in 35 years to record ten new tracks to be included on a double "Best & New" Japanese CD compilation which will be released later this month.  Watch this space.

R.I.P., Pete.

 

 

 

The '70s Teen Pop (Re) Release of 2013.

 

Including at least an album's worth of top-notch unissued material, The Paley Brothers' "The Complete Recordings" (Real Gone Music) is truly a treasure trove.  But not entirely without its rarities and oddities, since, for starters, it seemingly contains a COMPLETELY different mix of the Paleys sole album release from 1978.  And, in theory, this was supposed to be the long-awaited re-issue of that very album!  Well, never mind.  I, at least, got over that fact fairly fast.

 

Influenced by Spector, Wilson, Everlys, et al, for better or worse brothers Jonathan and Andy Paley always wore their musical hearts on their their collective sleeve.  Much like the Rubinoos, they just seemed a bit out of place and time during the angst-ridden late '70s - although there certainly were other acts around (for instance Blondie) at the time which sought obvious inspiration from the more innocent sounds of the late '50s and the early '60s.
Furthermore, Andy's work as an up-and-coming songwriter and producer for other acts (As early as 1977, he worked on an unreleased material with the Shangri-Las for chrissakes!) also seemed to interfere with the natural progression of the Paley Brothers as a proper performing and recording act in their own right.  But "The Complete Recordings" clearly shows they had the material as well as the chops to succeed in that area.
Among the unreleased gems included in the collection is "Boomerang" (Featuring future Andy Paley collaborator Brian Wilson on backing vocals), the Phil Spector-produced "Baby Let's Stick Together" (A cover of the 1976 single Spector did with Dion), as well as a couple of exciting excerpts from their now legendary warm-up slot for Shaun Cassidy at the Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1978.

 

The rarities are nothing to sneeze at either.  With The Ramones (Minus Joey, who was sick in the hospital) the Paleys recorded a cover of the Ritchie Valens classic "Come on Let's Go" for the "Rock & Roll High School" soundtrack, and under the nom de plume The Young Jacques, the brothers (with a little help from a few of The Cars) did the irresistible one-off surf single "Jacques Cousteau" in 1979.

 

Further high points include previously unissued originals such as set opener "Here Comes My Baby", and track number 2, "Meet the Invisible Man" - both done in the Paleys' exemplary early '60s pop meets late '70s power pop style - not to mention the previously mentioned remix of the Paley Brothers first and only proper LP, plus its adjoining singles.

Without a doubt, the (re)issue of the year!

 

One helluva session!  From L to R: Darlene Love; Phil Spector; Joey Ramone; Andy and Jonathan Paley.

 

See also: THE PALEY BROTHERS