Welcome to the very first edition of the Pop Rocks Radio newsletter! As always, I am your host, Bijan. We're thrilled to have you on board as we kick off this monthly journey through the electrifying world of Power Pop.
Each month, we'll be serving up a mix of fresh album reviews, sharing the tunes we can't stop listening to, and keeping you in the loop with tour dates from our favorite artists. Plus, we'll spotlight the latest videos and news from our Pop Rocks Radio YouTube channel.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of Power Pop, we've got something for everyone. So, grab your headphones, crank up the volume, and let's dive into the music that moves us!
Bijan Marashi
Reviews
Thank God for Porky's: Dwight Twilley's 'Jungle' turns 40
Reflecting on 1984, I wonder if my fellow teens knew of Dwight Twilley’s resume as they watched him on MTV. I know I didn’t. Full disclosure, I liked him because as a horny teenage boy, I liked the video he did for “Girls” (even the censored version…I was just that horny). The song was insanely catchy with Tom Petty’s unmistakable vocals in the background and Twilley clearly had the good looks made for TV. Little did I know that this “Porky’s”-themed video would lead me to one of the most talented and underappreciated artists of his, or any, generation.
Jungle, his third official solo album released in 1984, boasts contributions from legends like Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Susan Cowsill, and the direction of Twilley’s long-time producer, Noah Shark. This album, a trove of pop gems, updated his sound for the MTV generation and proved Twilley’s most successful work, landing two singles on the charts. Fans have been clamoring for a CD release for years, and the ever-awesome Iconoclassic Records granted our wishes, with Maria Triana handling remastering duties.
Latest from Pop Rocks Radio on YouTube
From Garage Rock Heroes to MTV Darlings: Mike Skill of The Romantics!
Coming Soon!
Volume 4 of our series on Forgotten Power Pop Bands That are Actually GREAT.
The Bings! - learn about the L.A. band whose excellent debut album sat forgotten in a drawer for 40 years!
Tales from Bomp! - tales from Greg and Suzy Shaw’s seminal record label and L.A. store that saw the early releases of such legendary bands as Shoes, 20/20, and The Romantics - from someone who was there!
On Tour
Redd Kross
The Lemon Twigs
Nada Surf
dB’s Tour and re-release
One of the greatest Power Pop albums of the 80s is finally getting a US release on vinyl, courtesy of Propeller Sound Recordings! Not only that, but the original lineup for the dB’s is out on tour this fall, as well!
What’s Spinning at Pop Rocks Radio
Merch!
Pop Rocks Radio now has merch! Head on over to Pop Rocks Radio online and make your friends jealous.
Long Lost Power Pop
The Cavedogs
The Cavedogs emerged from Boston’s vibrant Power Pop scene, following in the footsteps of legendary bands like The Cars, The Real Kids, The Atlantics, and Gigolo Aunts. Active from 1986 to 1992, this talented trio gifted us with two outstanding albums.
Here’s a track from their 1990 album Joy Rides for Shut-Ins:
Happy Summer! We’ll see you next month!
Bijan @Pop Rocks Radio