It’s been more than a decade since the Embrooks dropped their second album, Yellow Glass Perspections, and parted ways. But they’re back with a terrific pair of freakbeat tunes that include the garage, mod and psych influences that made their earlier work so exciting. They’re as good as ever, if not better! Shades of early Who, Small Faces, the Creation and more. 
Category Archives: Blog
The Mobbs: Jolly Good
From their upcoming fourth album Piffle!, this “pale and interesting” Northampton trio play 60s-styled rave-ups with a punk rock edge. And at one-minute-twenty, they don’t waste a second of your attention.
Matthew Szlachetka: Heart of My Hometown
The first single from Matthew Szlachetka’s upcoming album adds a hint of John Mellancamp’s heartland sentiment to Szlachetka’s California canyon rock. Produced by David Bianco, who’s worked with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams, and featuring Doug Pettibone, Kevin Savigar, Shiben Bhattacharya, Derek Brown and Dave “Mustang†Lang. A nice taste of what’s coming early next year!
Barry Mann: On Broadway
Legendary songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil appeared in San Francisco for a conversation with the creative team of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Mann wowed the audience with a solo piano rendition of “On Broadway,” the 1963 hit he and Weil had with the Drifters, and again in 1978 with George Benson.
Mozes and the Firstborn: Great Pile of Nothing
The title track from this Dutch band’s upcoming release takes a more ’80/90s alt-rock turn than their power-pop debut, Power Ranger. This would fit nicely alongside the Replacements, Posies, Velvet Crush or Teenage Fanclub (or, better yet, Swedish Polarbears) on college radio.
Psycotic Pineapple: Live 1978
First-ever release of this 1978 live set by Berkeley’s own Psycotic Pineapple. Limited edition of 250 cassette-only copies. See them live June 25-26, 2016 at the Burger Boogaloo in Oakland, California. Also on the bill: The Lyres, Real Kids, Mummies, Flamin’ Groovies, Young Fresh Fellows and more!
Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis: Today I Started Loving You Again
If you’re going to pay tribute to a fellow musician, there’s no better way to say it than with music.
Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis – Vocals
Warren Hood – Fiddle
Scott Davis – Banjo
David Grissom – Guitar
Kelley Mickwee – Background Vocals
Geoff Queen – Steel Guitar
Dom Fischer (Wood & Wire) – Bass
Trevor Nealon (The Band of Heathens) – Keys
Trevor Green: Red Road
Great new track from Trevor Green’s upcoming album Voice of the Wind. Terrifically recorded acoustic guitar, gently rolling percussion and a vocal that’s both introspective and inspirational at the same time.
Queen of Jeans: Rollerdyke
This Philadelphia quartet’s first single sounded like something you’d have heard on Girls in the Garage or perhaps from the Pussywillows, or the Bangs before they became the Bangles. The group’s second single moves from the garage to the ballroom with a flowing neo-psych sound and a driving beat. Their debut EP is slated for January 22!