Another fantastic find from Germany. How this didn't blow up MTV during the hey days, I'll never know. This has the feel of a what every European Band of that era had. Great harmonies, and dynamic synths through out.
Give it a Listen!
Avion - I Need You (1983)
Yet another band I never heard from the 80s. Obviously buried during the onslaught of videos thrown at MTV which drove the hits. This straightforward rock band has that eclectic late 70s Rock sound. These guys are from Germany and have another release that I will be giving a listen to. Here is the song I heard that grabbed me.
Give it a Listen!
Sons Of Heroes - Strange Eyes (1983)
Here is another band I never heard from the 80s. A straight forward rock band with some very listenable tunes. I don't know much about this release, except that I like it. Looking at the cover art, it's not very impressive and perhaps why it went undiscovered.
Give it a Listen!
White & Torch - Miracle (1983)
Fresh new find! Synth-Pop at it finest! The masterfully written and incredibly produced 1983 song is an auditory pleasure. I have no idea how this one never made it to the forefront of the Mtv era UK influence. It has a such a welcoming familiar sound as well as it's own unique feel. I will definitely look into other songs from this group. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Give it a Listen!
White & Torch - Miracle (1983)
City Boy - The Day The Earth Caught Fire (1979)
I remember the first time I heard this on the radio. It was either the late 70s or early 80s. It blew me away! An intricate song with a melding of symphonic components and rock guitars. AMAZING! Only until recently have I listen to a little more of what City Boy has to offer. There is some good stuff on their releases. Here is the title track from their 1979 album.
Give It A Listen!
The Wigs - You Say Ono (1981)
A Milwaukee 3 piece treat that I had the opportunity to see play live many times. This is a less than two minute tune that has everything I like about Power Pop, especially the bass line. What a great song!
Give It A Listen!
The Limits - Uh Oh (1983)
Newly discovered today! There is so much music out there and when you hear something for the first time that is nearly 40 years old... for me it's quite a find. Here is a tune from a Power Pop group out of New Orleans. I cannot wait to find some more songs from these guys and give them a listen! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Give it a listen!
Sorrows - Christabell (1981)
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. Easily in my top 100. Originally discovered on a CBS sampler called Exposed: A Cheap Peek At Today's Provocative New Rock. This Power Pop song comes from their 1981 album named Love Too Late. Maybe I love this song because I grew up with it. I hope you love it too.
Give It A Listen!
The Tarney/Spencer Band - No Time To Lose (1979)
I have always loved this song, it's so easy on the ears and melodic. From the UK comes The Tareny/Spencer band of their 1979 album, Run For Your Life. I will need to give their other songs a better listen, but I am doubtful I will find anything as good as this one.
Give it a Listen!!
The Tarney/Spencer Band - No Time To Lose (1979)
Crumbächer - Name Droppers (1986)
I recently discovered this little gem about a year ago. It's really catchy Synth-Pop/Rock tune from what seems to be a California Christian band. My first reaction when I saw the name was they were from Europe, Germany perhaps, But not so. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do
Give it A Listen!
Crumbächer - Name Droppers (1986)
Gary Moore- Out In The Fields (1985)
Gary Moore was easily my favorite guitar player above all. For me you could feel his emotion in notes. When I first heard of him, I had no idea he was once in Thin Lizzy. When I saw Phil Lynott sing with him on this song, it all made sense. I love this song, from the explosion guitar work to the memorable lyrics. I hope you enjoy it as well.
Give it A Listen!
New England - Never Wanna Lose Ya (1979)
I loved this song ever since I first heard in in 1979. There was some sort of new music by telephone based on an ad I believe in Circus Magazine. It was an era of New Wave and Rock and this fit in perfectly.
Give it a listen!
The Producers - Certain Kinda Girl (1981)
This has been one of my favorites for quite awhile and I thought I would share it here. The Producers, from Atalanta Georgia, put out a few songs in 1981 that Mtv would play during their heyday. This was one of them. Catchy hooks, and to me, Power Pop, at it's finest.
Give it a listen!
The Arrows - Meet Me In The Middle (1984)
Once in a while you discovers something by accident...And this is one of these discoveries. A mix between Power Pop and Synth-Pop is a Canadian band called The Arrows. The debut album "Stand Back" is simply awesome. Never heard of these guys until today, 03/11/2022.... This deserves to be on here.
Give this a listen!
The Arrows - Meet Me In The Middle (1984)
Dominoe - In The Heat Of The Night (1990)
Every once in a while, I come across something that blows me away. This is an example of that. A band, I never knew existed, that clearly deserves to be on this list. I cam across this in February of 2022. From Germany, for whatever reason the band, Dominoe flew under my radar. It sounds like it just missed it’s window of acceptance being released a few years after songs like this were lighting up the airwaves. This sounds like Craaft meets Dare, and it’s fantastic. From their1990 release, "The Key", I bring you this.
Give it a listen!
Dominoe - In The Heat Of The Night (1990)
The Front - Hide And Seek (1983)
I often grab shared music files from various blogs, forums and whatever is floating around on the internet. I have drives, and CD. DVDs full of tunes and had this in my collection, but with the selection so immense, there are some songs I have simply never heard. Why do I do this, I dunno...but I am glad I did.
I load music from these sources into iTunes and play them in shuffle as I work. I came across this song and a didn't recognize the album cover. As soon as it started playing, it turned my head. It was an immediate, 'What is this?!'. Early 80s rock along the likes of Toto or Orleans, I found a band called 'The Front'. Coming out of Canada, on their 1983 'Gina's At A Party', I bring you this.
Give it a listen!
The Front - Hide And Seek (1983)Breakwater - Release The Beast (1980)
Just freshly discovered today! Man!, Do I love me some Funk! Never heard of the band before, and I didn't think much from the Album cover. This is mighty fine! Formed in 1971 in Philielphia, these guys put put two albums, one in 1979 and the other from 1980. I will have to take a deeper dive and see what else might be on their albums.
Give it a listen!
The Vapors - News At Ten (1980)
Here is an instance where a phenomenal band was dismissed, during the onslaught of music coming at you in the early 80s. I actually think in addition to that, the success of their one hit, caused the masses to turn their ears to their next audio meal. I bought this when it was released, and it's been a truly undiscovered treasure that most of you ignored.
The worst song on The Vapors - New Clear Days (1980) is Turning Japanese.
I Picked one of my favorites and this is Power Pop heaven.
Give it a listen!
The Vapors - News At Ten (1980)
Blue Angel - Maybe He'll Know (1980)
I have only recently discovered this, about 5 years ago and it needs to be posted here.
Before Cyndi Lauper became popular with her "She's So Unusual" release in 1983, she as with a band named, Blue Angel.
I have always loved her vocals, as they stand out and are clearly recognizable. This is my favorite, which is a B side on their "I'm Gonna Be Strong" single they released in 1980, called Maybe He'll Know. It has a rockabilly 50's flavor and in my opinion, is one of Cyndi's best vocal performances. Give it a listen!
Blue Angel - Maybe He'll Know (1980)
Johnny Kidd And The Pirates - Shakin' All Over (1960)
Recently I came across this in my collection and just had to share it. For 1960, this song is clearly way ahead of it's time. The opening riff draws you in, and the song's cadence does the rest. Nothing magical or groundbreaking. Rock and Roll in it's basic and simplistic form. Visually, it's looks like a cheesy 45, using a gimmicky Pirate patched guy, I can only assume is Johnny Kidd. This song has been covered ma, many times....heck this could be a cover...but it's worthy of being posted here.
Give it a listen!
The Elektrics - 1981 Overture (1982)
I came across this on one of the forums or blogs I follow. I never heard of the artist before today so it's get labeled as Discovered. I am not a fan of spoken word sections in songs, but this really works well. Visually, I would have passed this over in a CD or record bin. But goodness, what a song!, If you like early 80s Power Pop, you should love this! The synth orchestra like intro leads into it's simple rhythmic three note chord backing. This Power Pop song is full of hooks, from the stellar vocals, to the the eerie synth effects.
Give it a listen!
