Showing posts with label Brad Marino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brad Marino. Show all posts

Sunday, June 08, 2025

Brad Marino - "Reason or Rhyme"


Welcome to the Faster and Louder 25-timers club, Brad Marino! That's right: this is my 25th posted review of a Brad Marino solo release. That puts him in some pretty exclusive company. Now he enjoys the same rights, privileges, and secret discounts as Vista Blue and Kurt Baker. New single "Reason or Rhyme" is a straight-up rocker featuring a star-studded lineup of Marino, Dave Strong, Bobby Davis, and Zack Sprague. Call it garage rock. Call it power pop with an emphasis on the power. Call it good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll. Call it whatever you like — either way, it's classic Brad Marino and a surefire smash. You looking for a killer riff? Check! A memorable hook? Check! A rippin' guitar solo? Check! When you need a hit, the New England Mafia always comes through. 
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Friday, March 07, 2025

Brad Marino - On The Brink: Rarities, Remixes and Unreleased


Alright alright! Rum Bar Records release #200 is the fifth (or sixth, if you count Subterranean Jungle) album by Mr. Brad Marino. The label's debut release was Seven Nights To Rock by The Connection, which came out 13 years ago. So Brad Marino has been there with Malibu Lou from the start, and the two have decided to celebrate in style. On The Brink is an odds and sods compilation of some standout singles that have never appeared on a Brad Marino LP along with some unreleased tracks and alternate versions of old favorites. What I like about this release is that since it was designed to be a vinyl LP, they couldn't just throw every single non-album Marino track on there. Editorial decisions had to be made. Marino hand-picked all these tracks, which together give us an ass-kicker of a new album to enjoy while we await new material from one of the greatest artists of the present-day rock 'n' roll universe. 

Some of these tracks rate among Marino's very best — like 2022's digital-only Kinks homage "Girl, I Want You," "On the Brink" and "Should've Known" from 2018's Four Track Attack 7", and "Over My Head" from Marino's collaboration single with Natalie Sweet. These are essential songs in Marino's catalog, and it's great that they now appear on a proper LP (most of them remixed for this release). I'm also a huge fan of some of the cover tunes. Marino's versions of "What's My Scene?" (Hoodoo Gurus) and "Peggy Sue Got Married" (Buddy Holly) are absolutely killer. "Dame Darcy," Marino's take on a song by his old band Rydells, was originally released as a virtual B-side for the digital version of Marino's classic "Ramones and Stones" single. Fans will welcome its inclusion here, as it's one of the finest Ramonescore tracks of recent memory. The Michael Chaney–penned "True Love" was previously only available as a bonus track on the digital release of Marino's album Looking For Trouble. It has been given a proper polishing for this release, and it's one of my favorite cuts on the album. 

Unlike some compilation albums that have to resort to heavy filler, On The Brink can stand toe-to-toe with any of Marino's studio albums. This is a dandy selection of songs, and delivers a nice mix of Marino's '60s pop & garage side and his Ramones-loving side. It highlights a guy who's a triple threat: a really good singer, a superb songwriter, and a red-hot guitar player. He's certainly one of my favorite artists, and I've spent several hours enjoying this release in the car. Another reason why this album matters is that vinyl still matters. Even in this age of streaming and downloading, there's still something special about taking an LP out of its jacket and putting it on the turntable. I mean technically you can collect MP3s, but can you truly collect them? For those of you whose tangible format of choice is the compact disc, the CD version tosses in the Ramones and Stones 7" in its entirety. Any way you slice it, this is a super-cool release and an absolute treat for fans. Let's drink to another 200 releases from Rum Bar Records (at least)!

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Sunday, December 22, 2024

Brad Marino - "Not Fooling Me"

Check it out: we've got ourselves a new Brad Marino tune for Christmas! And it's a hot one! In advance of the new compilation album On The Brink: Rarities, Remixed & Unreleased (due out early next year on Rum Bar Records), Marino has leaked the song "Not Fooling Me." The track features Marino backed by a stellar supporting cast of Craig Sala, Dave Strong, and Bobby Davis. I dig this song because it's got that classic '60s pop sound. It reminds me of being a young punk rocker back in the '90s and refusing to listen to any radio station except the oldies station. If you like timeless melodies, stellar hooks, and really great rock 'n' roll guitar, this song is for you. Rum Bar is gonna be bringing the heat in 2025!

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Thursday, June 27, 2024

Brad Marino - Hot Rod Rampage

Anything Brad Marino does is gold in my book, but he's really hitting a sweet spot for me with his new EP Hot Rod Rampage. This release is an homage to one of the most iconic styles of American rock 'n' roll: early '60s hot rod & surf. Since I wasn't born until the '70s, I've often imagined what it would have been like to have been a teenager circa 1963-64 — spending your summers driving around in a hot rod, hitting the beach, and listening to rock 'n' roll on the radio. Marino describes that era of surf rock as "Chuck Berry with some sweet harmonies," and that particular influence has always been palpable in his songwriting. It was what first drew me to The Connection, one of the bands that most influenced my evolving musical tastes in the 2010s. So it's no surprise that Marino has been wanting to do a hot rod record for 15 years. He just never got around to it: until now! The lineup for this release is incredible. Craig Sala is on drums and saxophone. Dave Strong and Bobby Davis play guitar. Kris Rodgers plays piano on one track. You won't find a better hot rod rock 'n' roll band! The track list includes covers of three classics along with Marino's original instrumental "Tripwire." Effectively, this is also a mini-tribute to songwriters Gary Usher & Roger Christian. The songs covered are "D-Gas Chevy" from The Super Stocks' 1964 album Thunder Road, "Wax, Board and Woodie" from The Surfaris' Hit City 64, and "Shut Down" from the Beach Boys' 1963 release Surfin' U.S.A. These are all great versions. Marino, Strong, and Davis all shine on lead guitar, and Marino's work layering all those harmonies is masterful. There's nothing in the world that goes together better than driving, summer weather, and rock 'n' roll; so you know the timing of this release was no accident. Download these tunes and hit the road! 

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Sunday, January 28, 2024

Brad Marino - Ramones and Stones EP


The man is back! Brad Marino releases his first new tracks since his album Grin and Bear It on a new 7" which features his 2023 digital smash "Ramones and Stones" and three brand-new songs. Essentially, this is the sequel to Marino's 2022 Ramonescore album Basement Beat. All four of these songs are in the style of early Ramones. And Marino continues to be an exception to my rule that no mere mortal has any business trying to sound like the Ramones. I don't know what it is about Marino, but he has a real talent not just for pulling off Ramonescore but also truly thriving at it. Perhaps it comes down to this guy just being a damn good songwriter who can put his own personality into a tune even when he's worshipping at the altar of the almighty Ramones. 

The title track is one of Marino's signature songs — a proclamation that there are really only two bands in all of history that he truly needs in his life. This was too good of a song to only exist in the digisphere, and now you can own it on orange vinyl thanks to Ghost Highway Recordings. It's backed by three more quality cuts. "Theodora" hits the pure pop side of the Ramones and could almost pass for a missing track off Rocket to Russia. I always like it when Marino channels his inner Joey Ramone, so of course this track is a favorite. "A.D.H.D." is a total thumper worthy of a position on the top shelf of Ramonescore. "Teenage Monstrosity" has that raw first album Ramones feel and would have fit right in on Basement Beat. Amazingly, this EP is almost a one-man show. Bobby Davis plays bass on two tracks. But otherwise, Marino plays everything and does a stellar job of recording himself. All in all, this is a perfect EP and a must-own if you're a Marino fan. Copies from Marino's Bandcamp are sold out, but this vinyl is well-worth tracking down. Just when I thought I was out on Ramonescore, Brad Marino pulls me back in!

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Friday, November 03, 2023

Brad Marino - Grin & Bear It


It's no news flash that a new Brad Marino album is something I would be excited about. Marino has authored two albums that ranked #3 on my year-end lists, and today he releases another one that's gonna be way up there. Out on Sioux Records on vinyl and Rum Bar Records on CD, Grin & Bear It is another stone cold gem of three-chord pop rock 'n' roll. Within three seconds of "Back Again" kicking off, you just know you're listening Brad Marino. Once again, Marino manages to deliver killer tunes that have the style and spirit of early-to-mid '60s rock 'n' roll without coming off consciously "retro." The earworm title track dispenses essential life advice and red-hot guitar work. If aliens came to our planet and asked you what Brad Marino sounds like, you'd play them "Up and Up." The Kurt Baker–penned "Hung Up" is pure '60s pop — sounding like the second hit The Wonders could have had. "Looking Then" channels poppy Ramones and tells a relatable story about a faded beauty. "I'm Broke," a Marino/Baker co-write, is a mega-catchy rocker that brings back memories of The New Trocaderos. Marino puts so much of his own style into the Rolling Stones' unreleased track "She's Doing Her Thing" that you might mistake it for one of his originals (I know I sure did!). Marino also has at the Bobby Fuller Four classic "Another Sad and Lonely Night" and totally smashes it. 

Marino enlisted a slew of talented friends to help make Grin & Bear It. Geoff Palmer, Kris Rodgers, Craig Sala, Zach Sprague, Bobby Davis, and the aforementioned Baker all play on the record. Joe King sings backing vocals on "Another Sad and Lonely Night." All that formidable musical talent is in service of 11 absolutely fantastic songs. Brad Marino as a singer, songwriter, and guitar player represents everything that's great about rock 'n' roll. For this release, he has written some smash hits and mixed in a few covers that fit the album perfectly. If rockin' pop tunes are your thing, Brad Marino is your man. The Sioux LP is on white 180-gram vinyl and limited to 300 hand-numbered copies, so you'll want to jump on that while supplies last. Compact discs are available from your home of the hits, the mighty Rum Bar Records!

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Friday, August 25, 2023

Brad Marino - "Lucy"


The man is back! Brad Marino is set to release a new album called Grin and Bear It this fall. Out today is "Lucy," the first single from the new record. For this track, he's mining the gold of classic '60s pop. Marino's ability to write fantastic new material in this old school rock n' roll style is quite impressive. "Lucy" manages to evoke the joy and timelessness of oldies radio without trying too hard to be "retro." This track is a total earworm with instant sing-along appeal. Marino does triple duty on guitar, bass, and keyboards. Zack Sprauge on drums is awesome as always. This song is a stone cold hit! Grin and Bear It will be out November 3rd — on vinyl on Sioux Records and compact disc on Rum Bar Records!


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Saturday, June 03, 2023

Brad Marino - "Ramones and Stones"


I'm always excited for new music from Brad Marino, and he's back with a ripping new single that's not to be missed! "Ramones and Stones" is essentially Marino's musical mission statement. The premise of the song is that the only two bands Marino can't live without are the Ramones and Rolling Stones. Any longtime Marino fan could surmise that these are the two biggest influences on his songwriting. This track makes it all perfectly clear. "Ramones and Stones" is a total banger and easily one of Marino's finest singles. Coming off the tremendous success of the Basement Beat album, Marino continues to keep it simple in that timeless Ramones style. The lyrics examine Marino's thoughts (some of them quite hilarious) on other notable classic rock and roll artists. But when all is said and done, Marino proclaims, "I just need Ramones and Stones." A lot of you will relate! On the virtual B-side, "Dame Darcy" is a new version of an old Rydells song penned by Chris Lamy from The Jabbers. All in all, another great release from one of our top modern-day rock and rollers!

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Sunday, October 30, 2022

Brad Marino - Basement Beat


Ramonescore as a musical genre is hit-or-miss for me, with usually more misses than hits. The issue, as I see it, is that this style of music is very hard to pull off. All those classic Ramones records are literally flawless. Imitations rarely satisfy. Ramonescore bands I genuinely enjoy tend to mix a Ramones influence with their own identifiable style. Yet on rare occasions, somebody will straight-up copy the formula of the first couple Ramones albums and manage to pull it off spectacularly. That's what Brad Marino has done with his new album Basement Beat (out now on Rum Bar Records, Hey Pizza! Records, and Memorable But Not Honorable). Of course, Brad Marino is one of my favorite artists in today's music scene. So I did approach this release with an open mind. But I've got to say that he's achieved the near-impossible here: making an unapologetic Ramones knock-off record that I actually want to listen to!

From the style to the production to the lyrics to the vocals, Basement Beat basks in the devout worship of the first two or three Ramones albums. In most cases, an album like this would just make wish I were listening to the actual Ramones. But because Brad Marino is such an exceptional songwriter, he has managed to make what sounds like the missing Ramones album between Leave Home and Rocket To Russia. He enlisted drummer extraordinaire Beau Basement to be his Tommy Ramone and played everything else himself (and also produced). On his previous solo outings, Marino has frequently visited the more "pop" side of the Ramones. But with this release, it's pure three-chord downstroke punk glory as he powers through 12 tracks in 23 minutes with song titles like "Communist Creep," "Rubber Room," "Spy for the B.B.I.," and "Nancy Is Narcoleptic." The songwriting, while derivative by design, is truly inspired. A new arrangement of "Brain Gone Dead" proves to be just as good as the original. "That Girl" would not sound out of place on any of Marino's albums. "Dream Last Night" is surprisingly profound. You could say that Marino is doing something that's been done a thousand times before, yet somehow he makes me thankful that it's now a thousand and one. 

Given that Basement Beat is such a departure from his usual solo work, Marino had considered releasing this project under a different name. But as he says, "it's all rock and roll" to him. And so the music gods have given us a new Brad Marino album we weren't even expecting. If you're a fan of his, you will enjoy this release. If you're into Ramonescore, you will enjoy this release. If the first Riverdales album and The Hanson Brothers' Sudden Death are the perfect ten albums of this musical style, Basement Beat is a solid nine. Hit up the links below to buy it on CD, vinyl, or tape!

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Friday, August 26, 2022

Natalie Sweet & Brad Marino - "Second Time"/"Over My Head"


You can probably imagine how excited I was when I heard that Natalie Sweet and Brad Marino would be collaborating on a new single. These are two of my favorite people in music joining forces to make a record with my two favorite labels. I knew this was a huge deal, and the resulting release does not disappoint. Out today on Reta Records and Rum Bar Records, "Second Time"/"Over My Head" features brand-new smash hits from both of these amazing artists. But this is no ordinary split single -- it's a true collaboration! Sweet and Marino each came to this project with a new song idea and then benefited from having the other add parts to it. Each track is in the signature style of its lead artist, but the input of both songwriters is easy to hear. That says a lot about the talent of these two individuals, but it also says a lot about how well their musical styles complement each other. 

If you're a fan of the punky new wave power pop that Sweet specializes in, "Second Time" will have you shouting in delight. I love the way Sweet and Marino have crafted a massively-catchy and musically upbeat tune that tackles a bummer theme: getting dumped...twice. Songs about heartbreak are the lifeblood of power pop, and this one doubles down on the formula. Perhaps you'll relate due to personal experience. Perhaps you'll be moved by Sweet's genuine storytelling. Either way, you'll be dancing and singing along in no-time flat. In some alternative universe where it's eternally 1982, this song is already rocketing up the charts! Storytelling also looms large in the Marino/Sweet duet "Over My Head." With the two singers trading parts, you get immensely differing points of view of the same romantic entanglement. In fact, it seems the male character is slow to realize that it even is an entanglement. That is the source of the tension -- and joy -- in this song. Somehow "Over My Head" ends up being both hilarious and relatable -- quite a winning combination. Marino has a knack for writing songs like this that recall the pure pop side of the Ramones, and Sweet's additions put this tune over the top. 

It all started with Natalie Sweet seeking connection during the pandemic. She went looking for cool people to write songs with, and Brad Marino answered the call. I knew these two would make an awesome record together, but "Second Time"/"Over My Head" is even beyond what I was expecting. These are two of the best pop songs of this year or any other. Sweet and Marino make a formidable duo, and it will be a major disappoint if they don't record together again. If you wish to own a vinyl copy (three versions are available!) of "Second Time"/"Over My Head," you are advised to hit up the Reta and Rum Bar Bandcamps sooner rather than later! Seriously: do it!  

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Monday, May 09, 2022

Brad Marino - "Another Sad and Lonely Night"


What could be more perfect than Brad Marino covering Bobby Fuller? If Bobby Fuller was Buddy Holly's rightful heir, Marino is in many ways a modern-day Bobby Fuller. He plays a timeless style of rock and roll steeped in the tradition of the two-to-three minute pop song. While Fuller's life and career were tragically cut short, he left behind a treasure trove of great American rock and roll with his band The Bobby Fuller Four. While Marino was in Atlanta for Downsouth Showdown earlier this year, he and his pals Geoff Palmer and Zack Sprague recorded some new songs at Joe King's Scabby Road Studio. One of the tracks they laid down was a cover of "Another Sad and Lonely Night," one of Bobby Fuller's best original songs. Marino has released the track as a digital single, and of course it's totally amazing. You can hear the reverence for Fuller's classic original, but Marino puts his own twist on it as he always does with his covers. And, yes, that's Mr. Joe King on backing vocals! If you're a Brad Marino fan and don't own any music by the Bobby Fuller Four, that situation needs to be rectified immediately. And if you're a Bobby Fuller fan who has happened to stumble upon this post, do yourself a favor and check out all of Brad Marino's releases!

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Thursday, February 17, 2022

Brad Marino - "[She's] Doing Her Thing"

Brad Marino is on some kind of roll! He's back with his second single of the year already, and it freaking smokes! Arriving hot on the heels of the Kinks-inspired rocker "Girl, I Want You", "[She's] Doing Her Thing" is an upbeat pop tune with a pronounced '60s feel. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Brad's early Connection stuff. It's right there in that garage rock meets British Invasion wheelhouse, and you just won't hear this style of music done better. My first reaction to "[She's] Doing Her Thing" is that it sounds like the sort of song the Ramones would have covered. Listen to it once or twice, and you'll be whistling that melody all day! How amazing do those guitars sound? Check out this killer tune via your favorite streaming platform today!


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Saturday, January 08, 2022

Brad Marino - "Girl, I Want You"


Boy, the new tunes for 2022 are coming in hot! Out now is a brand-new single from one of my favorites, Mr. Brad Marino. "Girl, I Want You" was co-written with Marino's frequent collaborator Michael Chaney. The idea was to write an homage to the early Kinks. And if that's what they were going for, they sure nailed it! Marino wrote the music, Chaney wrote the lyrics, and here we are with the first great song of the new year. This sounds like the single The Kinks might have released immediately after "All Day and All of the Night" in early 1965. It's got an infectious chorus, a super-catchy riff, cool lyrics, and a totally smokin' guitar solo. Joining Marino on this recording are Bobby Davis on bass and Craig Sala on drums. Together, these guys kick up some righteous garage rock racket that ought to have you tapping your toes, singing along, and rocking out on air guitar. Look for this song to appear on a split 7" with Tommy Ray later this year on Bickerton Records. For now, "Girl, I Want You" is available from Spotify and all the other major streaming platforms. Good lord, what a banger!

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Sunday, September 05, 2021

Brad Marino - "Monkey Man"


Brad Marino, one of my favorite recording artists of present day, has just released an exceptional track that's more than worth the asking price of $1.49. You surely recognize "Monkey Man" as an iconic song by the Rolling Stones. Marino got together with his talented pals Craig Sala and Kris Rodgers and recorded an amazing cover of "Monkey Man". It was just released last week in memory of Charlie Watts. It's a really cool take on a classic that features Marino on slide guitar and superb work from Rodgers on organ and Rhodes piano. On drums, Sala honors Charlie Watts in the ultimate way by holding the entire song together. If you're a fan of Brad Marino, the Rolling Stones, or just great music in general, you'll wanna give this a listen. Sweet artwork by Glenn Robinson!

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Friday, April 30, 2021

Brad Marino - Looking For Trouble


All year long, I've been counting the days until the release of Brad Marino's second full-length album! The album's first teaser single, "What Do You Know?", was released in January. A second teaser, "Even The Score", came out in March. This all led up to Looking For Trouble being perhaps my most highly anticipated album release of 2021. Well release day has finally arrived, and Looking For Trouble does not disappoint! Out today on CD on Rum Bar Records (with digital and vinyl releases from Spaghetty Town Records, Beluga Records, and Ghost Highway Recordings coming soon), Looking For Trouble is very much up to the tall task of topping Marino's superb debut Extra Credit. 

While Marino did enlist several talented friends (Craig Sala, Bobby Davis, Chris Barnard) to play on this release, he remains a veritable one-man band: playing guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums while producing and mixing the album himself. In classic Marino fashion, this is an album full of simple rock and roll songs with great lyrics and killer hooks. There aren't many people who do it better! What I enjoy about this album in particular is that it features a great variety of songs. No two tracks sound the same. Marino touches on just about every sub-style of rock and roll that he's ever been known for. That includes everything from twangy, Stonesy numbers ("Even the Score") to stripped-down rootsy rockers ("Taillights Fade") to upbeat British Invasion style pop hits ("Take Your Time") to Ramones-inspired earworms ("To Bleed") to top-notch surf rock instrumentals ("Tripwire") to vintage Brad Marino shots of power poppin' garage rock and roll ("Something For Nothing"). "Local Show" -- which will strike a chord with anyone who has ever endured the struggles of trying to make it in a band -- is one of Marino's finest songs to date. Also included are new mixes of a couple of old favorites: "False Alarm" and "At Night". When favorite artists of mine re-record old songs, I almost always find myself preferring the original versions. But I've got to hand it to Marino here: he managed to make both of these songs even better! These tracks bookend the album's outstanding second side. You've got to love a record that finishes just as strong as it starts! 

I love that Looking For Trouble is everything you could want from a Brad Marino album without being a copy of Extra Credit. Marino, who excels at blending no-nonsense rock and roll with catchy pop melodies, is very much in his element on this release. But the album also shows a progression in Marino's artistry. It's cool hearing him experimenting with new instruments (like slide guitar) and widening his stylistic repertoire. He shines not just as a songwriter but also as a singer and musician. And isn't that the whole point of making solo records? Looking For Trouble is so stacked with great tunes that I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite. Whether I'm in the mood for something poppy, punky, or straight-up rocking, this album always hits the spot. If you're looking for a modern-day example of what rock and roll is all about, it doesn't get much better than this.

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Saturday, March 13, 2021

Brad Marino - "Even The Score"


We are now just seven weeks away from the release of Brad Marino's new album Looking For Trouble! Ahead of this upcoming full-length release on Rum Bar Records, Spaghetty Town Records, Beluga Records, and Ghost Highway Recordings, Marino has given us another sneak peak with his new single "Even The Score". Backed by his Connection bandmates Craig Sala and Bobby Davis, Marino delivers the goods on this twangy mid-tempo rocker. The cool blend of Marino's slide guitar and Davis's acoustic guitar gives this tune a country rock tinge that brings to mind peak-era Rolling Stones. And Marino's lyrics are fantastic has always. "Well you can keep trying to dig my grave/I got a head start already" is gonna be a hard line to top in 2021! You can grab a download of "Even the Score" for $1 from Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify. What a killer tune! I am so pumped for the full album!


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Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Brad Marino - "What Do You Know?"


Well, what do we have here? A new single from Brad Marino? Well that's always a cause for celebration! "What Do You Know?" is the first teaser for Marino's new album Looking For Trouble - due out this spring on Rum Bar Records, Spaghetty Town Records, Beluga Records, and Ghost Highway Recordings! It has been almost two years since Marino released his brilliant solo debut long player Extra Credit. And if "What Do You Know?" is any indication, he just might top himself with Looking For Trouble! Backing Marino on this track is a crack unit comprised of a couple of his bandmates from The Connection (Craig Sala on drums and Bobby Davis on guitar) along with the legendary Chris "B-Face" Barnard on bass. "What Do You Know?" meets at the intersection of straight-forward rock and roll and the poppier side of the Ramones - which has always been a sweet spot for Marino. In my fantasy world where millions of people still buy rock and roll records, this tune is a hit! If you dig rockin' two-minute pop songs, you need to be all over Looking For Trouble - and every other record that Brad Marino has ever been a part of!

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Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Brad Marino - Subterranean Jungle


I can never resist writing about a Ramones cover album - especially when one of my favorite artists is involved! Subterranean Jungle is by no means one of the most celebrated albums in the Ramones catalog. But like any perceived "lesser" Ramones LP, it's still a damn good record (and definitely underrated)! By the time the Ramones were writing and recording Subterranean Jungle in the latter months of 1982, they had clearly set out to get back to their punk rock roots. Brad Marino notes that this album falls somewhere in between "poppy" Ramones and their harder-sounding efforts of the later '80s. And that's a real sweet spot for a lot of fans. Marino has always been a big fan of this particular Ramones album. Having thought about covering a lesser-known Ramones album for years, Marino used his 2020 quarantine time to make his own version of  Subterranean Jungle. If nothing else, this release ought to get people thinking and talking about Subterranean Jungle again! 

One of the worst things I can say about Subterranean Jungle is that it made no sense for a Ramones album to start out with two covers! But with that said, Marino's versions of "Little Bit O' Soul" and "I Need Your Love" are as excellent as you'd expect given his talents and musical background. He makes the latter sound like it could have been written by the Ramones! While Marino is no stranger to straight-up Ramones worship due his time in Rydells, he also brings his love for classic pop and rock and roll into the mix on this album. So while he's covering Subterranean Jungle, he's not totally trying to copy it. It's no surprise that he does well with Joey-penned songs like "My My Kind of Girl" and "Everytime I Eat Vegetables It Makes Me Think of You". If you don't already think of those two as great Ramones song, Marino's versions just might have you re-evaluating your stance. Other particular high points on this release include the Dee Dee compositions "Outsider" and "Somebody Like Me".  

Perhaps the best thing about a re-do of Subterranean Jungle is that it lifts these great songs from the shadow of the abysmal production and drum sound of the original album. Marino, a huge fan of both the Ramones and the '60s pop music that so heavily inspired them, truly "gets" all of these songs. His treatment of this material reminds us what a terrific album Subterranean Jungle still is and how it could have been even better had more sympathetic producers been at the helm. Obviously, you've got to be a Ramones super fan to even consider buying a cover version of a Ramones album. Then again, who isn't a Ramones super fan? Vinyl for this release sold out in just four days! Look for a new album from Brad Marino in 2021! 

-L.R.

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Monday, May 18, 2020

Brad Marino - False Alarm

Well I've been teasing it for weeks, and here it is! False Alarm is the new 7" from Brad Marino, which magically doubles as a new album of sorts. Official release date is this coming Friday, but it went live on all digital platforms late last week. As expected, this Rum Bar Records release is hot! Marino continues to blur the lines between timeless rock and roll and perfect pop, and in my dream world "False Alarm" would be a million-selling smash hit. Oh man, this is what 7" records are all about: you drop the needle on the vinyl, and it's instant magic. "False Alarm" is a rocker that will make you wanna get up and dance - with hooks that will have you playing the song on repeat. It's a tune about lingering heartbreak, which sounds like a bummer until you actually hear the song. It's got a beat you won't be able to resist and a chorus that will have you singing along instantly. As always, Marino proves to be an appealing vocalist and a very clever wordsmith. And I love how a lot of the little details push this song over the top. The guitars sound simply amazing, and those backing vocals are spot-on! Track 2 "At Night" hits that Rock 'n' Roll High School era Ramones sweet spot - which has proven to be a Marino specialty. Again Marino takes some serious subject matter (insomnia) and manages to make it 100% fun. If you love upbeat, hard-driving pop music (and let's face it, you wouldn't be here if you didn't), this song will be right up your alley. To finish, Marino does a fantastic rendition of The Hoodoo Gurus' classic "What's My Scene" that Dave Faulkner himself recently endorsed. This song fits in nicely with the two previous tracks. It's largely faithful to the original, but Marino adds plenty of his personal touch.

If you're listening to False Alarm on 7", "What's My Scene" is the perfect ending point. If you buy the CD, you get five bonus tracks that transform this EP into a mini album. The CD tacks on the entirety of Four Track Attack - Marino's first 7" from 2018 along with a cover of "Peggy Sue Got Married" that was originally released last Christmas. Now between False Alarm and Extra Credit, you've got almost every track that Marino has released as a solo artist. All 7" orders from Rum Bar's Bandcamp will receive a download for the full 8-song release. The Four Track Attack stuff is really great and includes a couple of tunes written by Michael Chaney. And who wouldn't want to hear Brad Marino cover Buddy Holly?! Whether you're into vinyl, CDs, or digital, this release has got you covered. False Alarm is a mandatory purchase for all fans of rock and roll aged 9 to 90!



-L.R.

https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/album/false-alarm-ep
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/false-alarm
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
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Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Brad Marino - "What's My Scene"

Last month, I teased you with the title track from Brad Marino's forthcoming EP False Alarm (due out later this month on the always fantastic Rum Bar Records!). Well now Rum Bar has leaked a second track from False Alarm - a cover of the Hoodoo Gurus' classic "What's My Scene". I love this selection of cover material. The Hoodoo Gurus are a band that unites the worlds of garage rock and power pop much like Marino does. They are surely a big influence on his songwriting style and overall vision of what rock and roll ought to be. "What's My Scene" in particular is a fine choice of a song. It's off of the Gurus' third album Blow Your Cool! from 1987. Marino doesn't mess with it too much. But if you didn't know any better, you'd think it was something that he wrote. The song definitely fits perfectly with the rest of the EP. The coolest thing is that Dave Faulkner himself is a big fan of this cover! If you enjoy this track, go check out the original. And be on the lookout for False Alarm, which comes out on May 22nd!



-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/false-alarm
https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic 
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
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