Geoff Palmer - "Many More Drugs"

Smash hit alert! Geoff Palmer is back with a new solo single, and it's a total banger! That should hardly be a surprise considering the consistent quality of his solo output in 2018-19. And of course his collaborative EP with Lucy Ellis almost saved 2020. "Many More Drugs", off of the forthcoming album Charts & Graphs, is a vintage Geoff Palmer number. It's upbeat pop/punk that's catchy as hell and above all else FUN! Seriously: if this song doesn't put a smile on your face, there's probably no hope for you! "Too Many Drugs" tells the hilarious tale of a young Palmer mishearing the lyrics to the Dickies classic "Manny, Moe And Jack" and his subsequent challenges in finding the song on record. That's a funny story --- and it's one that almost all of us can relate to. The Dickies were surely a rite of passage for anyone who came to love poppy punk rock over the last 40 years. And as much as I love the way modern technology gives us instant access to a seemingly limitless library of recorded music, I must admit there was something really thrilling about the days when you had to track down a record if there was a particular band or song you wanted to hear. "Many More Drugs", while definitely an homage to "Manny, Moe And Jack", is above all else an anthem for music geeks. It's available now as both a digital single and a 7" release from the mighty Stardumb Records. The 7" features two exclusive non-album B-side tracks. They're so exclusive that if you want to hear them right now, you'll have to --- you guessed it --- buy the record! Charts & Graphs will be out July 23rd, 2021 on Stardumb, Rum Bar, Memorable But Not Honorable Records!

-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/many-more-drugs-single
https://www.stardumbrecords.com/products/geoff-palmer-many-more-drugs-7
http://www.themachineshoprocks.com/Geoff_Palmer_Many_More_Drugs_7_p/gp7inch2.htm
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/
https://www.facebook.com/stardumbrecords/

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.

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/looking-for-trouble
https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/brad-marino-looking-for-trouble-lp
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/
https://www.facebook.com/punkrecords.se

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!

-L.R.

https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/album/looking-for-trouble

https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic

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!

-L.R.

https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/
https://www.facebook.com/punkrecords.se/
https://www.facebook.com/GhostHighwayRecordings/

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

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

Brad Marino - "False Alarm"

Oh boy, I've got something special to kick off the new month! One of the best albums released by anyone last year was Extra Credit by Brad Marino. It was my third-ranked album of 2019, and I'm psyched to say we're getting a follow-up of sorts next month. The False Alarm 7", out May 15th on Rum Bar Records, will feature two new original songs plus a cover of Hoodoo Gurus' "What's My Scene". The CD version will come with five bonus tracks - effectively making False Alarm a mini album! Brad Marino is one of my favorite people in music, and I love how he injects poppy, hook-driven songwriting into the style of pure rock and roll. The lineage of Buddy Holly to the Flamin' Groovies to the Ramones to Rockpile is carried on in Marino's solo recordings. While we'll have to wait another six weeks for the release of False Alarm, the title track came out today and is of course absolutely killer. It's rocking, catchy, and full of Marino's typically clever lyrics (favorite line: "I've been thinking/And I've been drinking/Sometimes I mix the two"). This, my friends, is how you do rock and roll with hooks. If Brian Wilson had written a song for the Stones back in the day, it might have sounded an awful lot like this. I am so pumped to hear the rest of these songs! Pre-order for False Alarm is up now on the Rum Bar Bandcamp!



-L.R.

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

Geoff Palmer - Pulling Out All The Stops

I believe we've found our album of the summer! If you're like me, you heard all of Geoff Palmer's digital singles last year and thought, "Damn, these songs are WAY too good to not be on an actual record!". Well, a couple of pretty swell label guys were thinking the exact same thing. And in relatively short order, Geoff Palmer's solo debut album has been willed into existence. Out today on Stardumb Records in Europe and Rum Bar Records in the U.S.A., Pulling Out All The Stops is the pop-punk album for people who usually only listen to power pop. Or is it the power pop album for people who usually only listen to pop-punk? Either way, it's one of the best albums we'll hear this year. This all started out as a fun project for The Connection singer/guitarist Palmer. He wrote some solo songs and recorded them with pals like Brad Marino, Adam Cargin, Craig Sala, and B-Face. For good measure, he set out to cover songs by everyone from The Invalids to The Vapids to Gino and the Goons. Once these tracks started hitting the old Internet, even Palmer's biggest fans were blown away by how good they were. We all had to wonder why Palmer had taken so long to reveal his magnificent solo artistry to the world!

If Pulling Out All The Stops had just been a vinyl pressing of Palmer's digital singles, nobody would have complained. But Palmer took it a step further. Pulling Out All The Stops of course features smash hits such as "This One's Gonna Be Hot" and "Velcro Shoes". But even if you already heard all of the singles, a lot of the songs on this album will be new to you. 8 of 14 tracks are previously unreleased. We got a little taste of the new songs thanks to recent videos for "Giving In" and "All The Hits". The former is a big, slick power pop number that brings to mind Palmer's pal Kurt Baker. The latter finds Palmer digging deep into his pop-punk roots and goofing on classic bands that load their live sets with the dreaded "new material". The rest of the new songs are of the same caliber and run the gamut from punky power pop ("Cha-Ching") to kick-ass Ramonesy punk ("Everything Is Cool") to British Invasion/'60s pop goodness (the Michael Chaney co-write "Paper Heart") to pop-rock worthy of late '70s/early '80s radio ("Make It"). This might seem like a weird thing to say about the guy who co-fronts the best damn rock n' roll band on Earth. But this album demonstrates to me that Geoff Palmer is an immensely underrated songwriter! As much as I've praised his bands over the years, I don't think I've ever given him enough credit. He just has a knack for writing really great pop songs, and he has a particular flair for lyrics that are both funny as hell and totally on-point. If the likes of "Velcro Shoes" and "I Like Murder Too" have you chuckling because they hit a little too close to home, I can assure you that you're not alone!

In a day and age of pronounced divisions between the pop-punk, garage, and power pop camps, Geoff Palmer has delivered an album that makes all of that seem really stupid. Of course the pop-punk faithful will go totally nuts for these songs. But I bet Little Steven heard "Paper Heart" and cried tears of joy. I really dig the idea of an album where covers of Sinkhole and Gino and the Goons fit in equally well! While Palmer wears his Ramones/Queers/Beach Boys loving heart on his sleeve, he also draws inspiration from just about every great era of rock n' roll. Even if you usually hate pop-punk, this could be the album that turns you to the dark side. Download is just four bucks via Bandcamp. Vinyl and CD are available from the fine establishments linked below!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/pulling-out-all-the-stops 
https://www.stardumbrecords.com/products/geoff-palmer-pulling-out-all-the-stops-lp 
http://www.themachineshoprocks.com/Geoff_Palmer_Pulling_Out_All_the_Stops_LP_p/gp2.htm 
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/pulling-out-all-the-stops 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 
https://www.facebook.com/stardumbrecords/ 

Geoff Palmer - "This One's Gonna Be Hot"

You might be asking, "Didn't you already review this one last year?!" I sure did! But a second post for Geoff Palmer's solo smash "This One's Gonna Be Hot" is warranted because it's finally available on record! And if ever there were a song that needed to be on a 7", this was the one! The legendary Stardumb Records has ventured to release the 7", and I've got a feeling this thing is gonna fly off the shelves! The Connection singer/guitarist has gone back to his pop-punk roots and delivered an instant classic party song. I am somewhat notorious for disliking party anthems, but I must admit that I have been fully converted by "This One's Gonna Be Hot"! I might even be persuaded to drink some of that Miller Lite! That line "This one's gonna be hot/When it drops" is what I call truth in advertising! As you gather that big stack of vinyl to spin at your next house party or DJ outing, this one is a mandatory inclusion!

The release of this single comes in advance of a full solo LP from Geoff Palmer titled Pulling Out All The Stops. Out next month, the album will be a co-release between Stardumb and Rum Bar Records. Backing "This One's Gonna Be Hot" are two tracks exclusive to this 7". "Punker Than Me" is a cover of an Invalids song that was a rite of passage for almost every pop-punk kid in 1995. Here Palmer and friends have given it their own twist and actually outdone the original in my humble opinion. In a much different vein, "That's What You Do" is a perfect slice of the Beach Boys/Beatles influenced pop that has long been a Palmer specialty. Head on over to Stardumb Records to snag the single and pre-order the album. Both of these fine products are available in the States from The Machine Shop!



-L.R.

https://www.stardumbrecords.com/ 
https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/this-ones-gonna-be-hot-ep 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 

Brad Marino - Extra Credit

I'm just going to come right out with my hot take: Extra Credit is as good as any album that Brad Marino has ever been a part of. And given that I recently proclaimed The Connection "America's best rock n' roll band", that should tell you how high I set that bar. We are talking about a guy who has authored eight of Little Steven's Coolest Songs In the World!

When I first heard that Brad Marino was working on a solo project, I was pretty stoked. The dude is one of my favorite vocalists and songwriters. But I had to wonder: how would solo Marino stack up to The Connection? The answer is: even better than I could have imagined! I think the whole point of doing a solo record is that it's 100% your baby. That is certainly the case with Extra Credit. Marino basically serves as a one-man-band here. He sings and plays guitar, bass, and drums. The only outside musician to make an appearance is co-producer Kris Rodgers, who contributes his usual stellar work on keyboards along with additional vocals on a few tracks. The songs written for this record would not necessarily sound out of place on a Connection or New Trocaderos album. Yet somehow Extra Credit feels a little different from any other record Marino has lent his name to. He has never sounded more "pop" - or more inspired by the timeless sounds of the '60s. If I had to summarize what this album sounds like, I'd say, "Joey Ramone and Chuck Berry walk into a bar and run into the Rolling Stones."

A few of the tracks on Extra Credit were previewed on-line last year, and they are well worth hearing again. Every time I hear "C'Mon C'Mon C'Mon", I imagine Marino performing it on some '60s TV show in front of a studio audience packed with screaming teenage girls. If the Michael Chaney penned rocker "Fit To Be Tied" were any catchier, we'd all be receiving emergency alerts from the CDC. The newer songs are absolute gold as well. "No One Else Tried It" is Stonesy rock n' roll done to cocksure perfection. "Wake Up Baby", a songwriting collaboration between Marino and Kurt Baker, is the finest slice of British Invasion pop heard since...The New Trocaderos! If there were any justice in the world, "What Comes Naturally" would be a #1 smash on seven continents. It's pop and it's country, but don't call it pop country! If your sweet spot for the Ramones is the run from Rocket To Russia through End of the Century, "Broken Record" and "It's Not Right" will take you straight to your happy place.

Listening to Extra Credit, I'm pretty wowed that it's just one guy doing (almost) everything. But if you're a talented multi-instrumentalist like Brad Marino, I can see why a solo project would be a lot of fun. When you're playing all the instruments, you're not asking anyone else to interpret your songwriting vision. You have the luxury of attending to every last detail. And it's the details that really set this album apart - from the guitar solos to the backing vocals to those wonderfully clever lyrics. There's nothing I enjoy more in music than power pop rock n' roll with a touch of punk. With this release, Marino takes his swing at that style and crushes it like J.D. Martinez jumping on a hanging curve. This album has been in heavy rotation in my car player since the dead of winter, and it remains there as summer approaches! 

When a member of a great band ventures into solo territory, you never know what you're going to get. In this case, Brad Marino has managed to turn out a solo debut that is uniquely his vision but still guaranteed to delight fans of his existing bands. If you were worried that Extra Credit was going to be Marino's She's The Boss, I can assure you it's more like his own Jesus of Cool. Stream and vinyl pre-order are available now from the Ghost Highway Recordings Bandcamp. LP is a co-release with Beluga Records. Digital and CD coming out in the states on Rum Bar Records!



-L.R.

https://ghosthighwayrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/extra-credit 
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/extra-credit 
https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic 
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://www.facebook.com/GhostHighwayRecordings/

Geoff Palmer - All the Hits and Some Other Shit

This will likely be the last proper review I write in 2018, and I can't think of a better way to wrap up such a fine year in music. This really has been the year of The Connection. The band released the brilliant Wish You Success -  its first new album in three years. On top of that, Brad Marino and Geoff Palmer both released a number of digital solo singles. Palmer released so many singles this year that I wasn't able to keep up! Luckily he has compiled them all onto a digital collection called All The Hits and Some Other Shit. For whatever price you choose, you get all eight (!) singles plus four bonus tracks. And let me tell you: this is not a bunch of throwaway stuff that Palmer released just for kicks. These are smokin' tracks! The name of the first single was "This One's Gonna Be Hot", and I suppose it isn't boasting if it's true! I've really enjoyed hearing Palmer return to his pop-punk roots with these solo recordings. Covering the likes of Sinkhole, The Invalids, and The Vapids, Palmer has made this project a veritable tribute '90s/2000s pop-punk. And on the terrific original "I Like Murder Too", he has written the ultimate anthem for all of us who are way too obsessed with true crime shows on television. Elsewhere Palmer shows off his power pop chops on the hilariously self-deprecating "Velcro Shoes" and indulges his '60s pop worship on the magnificent "That's What You Do". The latter brings to mind his stellar contributions to The New Trocaderos. If Palmer ever did a full album of Beatles/Beach Boys inspired songs, I would be SO into that! 

Part of the fun of this project was Geoff Palmer allowing himself to record songs that might not have fit on a Connection release. On top of that, he had the opportunity to work with talented friends like B-Face and Adam Cargin. Perhaps he didn't set out to make one of the best albums of 2018, but that's sure what he ended up with! Whether you're a Connection fan or go even further back to Palmer's previous band The Guts, you would be crazy to pass up all of this pop and punk goodness!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-hits-and-some-other-shit-singles-collection 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 

Brad Marino - Almost Here

Brad Marino has been releasing new music way faster than I can keep up with it! Since my review of Four Track Attack back in June, Brad has released another four digital singles and now a brand-new Christmas EP! It's like every time I blink, I miss another essential track! So I decided to put my time off this week to good use and play some catch-up! Almost Here features two Marino originals along with a cover of "Blue Christmas". The title track hits so close to home for me. It has that wonderfully festive feel right down to the sleigh bells, but ultimately it celebrates a quiet Christmas spent with your significant other. The lines "But this year it will be only you and me/Because we don't need gifts under our tree" describes my own Christmas experience to a T! If you prefer more traditional holiday sentiment, "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year" is a perfect combination of every happy Christmas song ever written. It's an instant classic in my book, and you know how suspicious I am of any Christmas song written after 1970! The "Blue Christmas" cover is terrific - but would you expect anything less from Brad Marino?!

I suppose, given my tardiness on the Brad Marino front, I ought to say a few words on the recent digital singles. Here are my words: go buy them! "Broken Clocks" and "It's Not Right" are Marino originals, while "Fit To Be Tied" and "Don't Do The Crime" were written by Michael Chaney. Brad plays guitar, bass, and drums on all of these tracks with Kris Rodgers joining in on keyboards. I'm especially partial to the rocker "Don't Do The Time". With great lyrics from Chaney about a drug smuggler done dirty by his lady, this one has a definite New Trocaderos feel. "It's Not Right" is another highlight for me. It sounds like something Joey Ramone might have written, and you know I'm a sucker for that sort of perfect pop!

Given that The Connection Christmas album is one of my go-tos at this time of the year, it's no surprise that I'd be into a Brad Marino Christmas release. While sometimes I'll use the word "free" to describe a "name your price" download at Bandcamp, I will highly encourage paying for this one. Brad is donating all proceeds to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Now that is the true spirit of Christmas.



-L.R.

https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic 

Geoff Palmer - "Got The Skinny"

And now we have installment number three from Geoff Palmer's on-going series of digital singles! Having unleashed back to back smash hits with the first two, he was certainly in perfect position to make the third one a cover. And I love the choice in material here. "Got The Skinny" is a song I consider a modern classic of rock n' roll. It's the opening cut off of Gino and the Goons' 2014 LP Shake It! If you don't own that album, stop reading this right now and go buy it! For this recording of "Got The Skinny", Palmer worked with Rodger Shosa and the legendary B-Face. This is exactly my idea of what a cover song should be. It's very much in the spirit of the original, yet Palmer found a way to put his signature on it. So whether you're into trashy garage-punk or straight-up poppy rock n' roll, you're gonna love the hell out of this track. While you never really know what to expect from these Geoff Palmer singles, you always know to expect something great! Keep 'em coming, man!

  
-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/track/got-the-skinny 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 

Brad Marino - Four Track Attack

I've been teasing it for a while, and now it's finally here! Out on Beluga Records, Four Track Attack is the debut solo release from Connection singer/guitarist Brad Marino. Naturally I was enthused to receive new music from one of my favorite singers. And the bonus is that two of these songs were contributed by New Trocaderos songwriter Michael Chaney! 

Four Track Attack is a solo effort in the truest sense: all instruments and vocals are by Brad Marino. With Marino breaking out on his own for this EP, there was always the possibility of him doing something way different from The Connection. I would have been perfectly okay with that, but at least on this release Marino is keeping it in his wheelhouse. If you've loved all of the Connection and New Trocaderos records, you'll love Four Track Attack as well. "Should've Known" hits that sweet spot where power pop intersects with good old rock n' roll. It's got it all: a great hook in the chorus, stellar backing vocals (imagine: an army of Brad Marinos!), and a fade-out ending tailor made for radio. Chaney wrote "Hey Girl" especially for this project, so it's no surprise that this Stonesy number suits Marino's talents so well. Marino absolutely rips it on guitar - recalling Keith Richards AND Mick Taylor all at once! Lyrics about a fellow finally giving the heave-ho to his shamelessly unfaithful lady are timeless in a way that we've come to expect from Michael Chaney. This song could easily have been written by a blues man 60 years ago, yet it's no less relevant today. "On The Brink" hints at a Ramones influence, but really it's vintage Brad Marino hard-driving rock n' roll. That "things are changin', and I'm on the brink" refrain is gonna be stuck in my head for weeks! To finish, the Chaney-penned "Special Friend" has that Dave Edmunds type feel that should appeal to any fan of Marino's bands. Again, that guitar work is smokin'!

What I'll say about this four track attack is that none of 'em are throwaways! All four of these songs are top-notch rockers. And serving as his own rhythm section, Marino more than holds his own. Even when you already play in the best band in the world, I think it has to be super fun to go into the studio and make a record that's entirely yours. I was definitely keen on the idea of a Brad Marino solo record, and Four Track Attack does not disappoint. I dare Mick Jagger to make a solo record this good! 



-L.R.

https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/album/four-track-attack 
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic 
http://punkrecords.se/ 

Geoff Palmer - "Velcro Shoes"

Ok, now I'm getting a little worried. With these new recordings from Geoff Palmer and Brad Marino being so off the hook good, might they both ditch The Connection for solo mega-stardom?! All kidding aside, this is turning into the best summer ever for fans of The Connection guys. Marino's Four Track Attack releases in June, and Palmer is in the midst of a series of digital singles releasing every month. "Velcro Shoes" is the second in the series, and boy is it ever a ripper! This one was recorded with Adam Cargin, who many of you already know as one of the best drummers out there. On "Velcro Shoes", Cargin shows he can rock out on guitar and bass as well! Dude is bringing it! Like last month's "This One's Gonna Be Hot", "Velcro Shoes" is a high energy, sing-along banger. This time Palmer is all about the rockin' power pop, and of course he nails it. This tune is just so upbeat and catchy - which is absolutely perfect for a summertime release! How amazing do those backing vocals and guitars sound?! And those lyrics are an absolute hoot! That's two singles in two months from Mr. Palmer, and they're both legit hits. I'm so stoked to hear what's coming next. Luckily, we won't have to wait very long!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/releases 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/

Geoff Palmer - "This One's Gonna Be Hot"

Last week I promised you all some solo Geoff Palmer. So let's get to it! "This One's Gonna Be Hot" is the first in a series of digital singles that The Connection guitarist is doing with various friends of his. This track was recorded with his pal Adam Cargin, and man oh man is it ever a banger! Here Geoff dusts off his pop-punk chops and delivers the ultimate party song. It sounds like Mike Love fronting The Ramones, and it's pretty much the best thing ever! Before I even heard this song, I assumed it was gonna rule just based on the title. I was not wrong! In a perfect world, this tune would be a top ten smash on every continent of the globe. 

Eventually all of these solo Geoff Palmer tracks will be compiled onto an actual record. But you won't wanna wait that long to own "This One's Gonna Be Hot". This is the ultimate warm-weather driving song - one that's guaranteed to get you primed for countless nights of good times. It's everything that's fun about rock n' roll distilled into two glorious minutes. Play it often, and play it loud!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/releases 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 

The Connection - Wish You Success

For those of us who've long been awaiting new material from The Connection, payday has arrived! I've not been fully committal on identifying a favorite band in recent years. But if you bought me a beer and really pressed me on the issue, I'd admit that The Connection are it. They are the perfect mix of everything I love in music: a little bit of power pop, a pinch of American '70s punk, and a whole lot of rock n' roll! They are a true example of rock n' roll being fully alive and as thriving as ever in 2018. Honestly, I didn't really mind the three-year wait for a new record. The thing that makes The Connection (arguably) the best band going these days is the way they combine pure rock n' roll energy with absolutely top-of-the-line songwriting. I really appreciate that the band took the time to work up a fantastic collection of songs. Wish You Success, out on the New Jersey label 2WIN DISC Records, is a stacked set of Marino/Palmer originals that more than holds it own against its formidable predecessor Labor Of Love. At one point in the past, I may have said that Labor Of Love could never be topped. I was wrong!

So after three years between albums, you had to wonder where The Connection would go next. Thankfully, the band has chosen not to mess with a good thing. Wish You Success is simply a great rock n' roll record. It pulls off the tricky task of honoring influences from 50-60 years ago while still belonging to a new generation. "You Know" is the sort of crowd-pleasing number you'd expect to kick off the record - a straight-up rocker that punches up the guitars and gets the blood pumping. The Geoff Palmer penned "Checking" quickly steers things into mid-tempo power pop rock n' roll territory, and I might be inclined to call it my favorite Connection song ever! One thing I quickly noticed with this album was how good the lyrics are. That is especially true on this song. "Checking" is the ultimate statement on the stresses of life in the modern age, and I can't imagine there's anyone who wouldn't be able to relate. This track also demonstrates how you can take a great song and make it even better if you know how to make your guitar sing. Are you convinced that within The Connection, Brad is the "rock" guy and Geoff is the "pop" guy? Marino's "Color Me Unimpressed" kind of shoots that theory to shit. It's such a perfect '60s-inspired pop number that I can't help imagining The Muffs covering it. And those wonderfully bitter lyrics will surely have Elvis Costello smiling in approval.

So I only mentioned the first three tracks, but I hope most of you have stopped reading and just gone and bought Wish You Success! In case you were wondering: that strong start is no tease. The band just keeps on bringing it. The title track is an upbeat rootsy rocker that lays out some serious hard truths in the lyrics. "The Girl Is Trouble" is a winning nod to the Buddy Holly/Bobby Fuller school of rock n' roll. "Heaven Or Hell" finds the band back in that familiar '70s Stones groove, while "In The End" hits that sweet spot where Dave Edmunds intersects with The Ramones. "What A Shame" is vintage Geoff Palmer '60s pop majesty. If much of today's "alt-country" has largely dampened your enthusiasm for country rock, "Thinking Out Loud" should fully restore it.

I suppose I'm out on the limb now. I told you that The Connection have outdone themselves, and surely I will be inundated with angry correspondence if y'all buy this record and are let down. Let's just say that any claims above were issued with the highest level of confidence. Whether you're a garage geek, a '60s rock n' roll fanatic, or a power pop enthusiast, you gotta love The Connection! Both musically and lyrically, this is the band's strongest set of songs to date. Brad and Geoff have never sounded better on their guitars, and this latest rhythm section (Bobby Davis on bass and Zack Sprauge on drums) matches their energy at every step. Wish You Success is out today. Hit up the 2WIN DISC Bandcamp to order on vinyl or CD. Digital album is available from The Connection's Bandcamp. Marino and Palmer fans stay tuned. I'll have much to say about some solo releases of theirs in the coming weeks!



-L.R.

https://the-connection.bandcamp.com/album/wish-you-success 
https://2windisc.bandcamp.com/album/wish-you-success 
https://www.facebook.com/theconnectionRnR/ 
https://twitter.com/theconnection_ 

Brad Marino - "C'Mon C'Mon C'Mon"

Check out my favorite song of 2018 so far! Seriously, how can you go wrong with a title like "C'Mon C'Mon C'Mon"?! Considering that The Connection is the most-reviewed band in the history of this blog, it's pretty obvious that I'm a big Brad Marino fan. I've known for a while that he was working on some solo stuff, but I wasn't quite sure what to expect (beyond Mike Chaney assuring me that it was going to be killer!). The debut Brad Marino solo EP will be releasing later this year, but first we get the "C'Mon C'Mon C'Mon" digital single. I was wondering if solo Brad Marino was going to be more like solo Mick Jagger or more like solo Keith Richards. Well, actually, it's more like Nick Lowe fronting The Ramones in 1979! This is just a great upbeat power pop/rock n' roll song that will have you bobbing your head and clapping your hands almost immediately upon contact. We are getting close enough to spring for me to envision myself blasting this tune while I drive with the windows down! In true solo fashion, Marino authored the song and played all the instruments on the track. His pal and bandmate Kris Rodgers mixed the recording. The full solo EP is slated to arrive this summer following the release of the new Connection album. If you're a fan of The Connection and/or Brad Marino, this is shaping up to be a really great year!



-L.R.

https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic 

The Connection - "In The End"

Yippeee, we've got ourselves a new Connection song! "In The End" is actually the first original song The Connection has released since the summer of 2015, so it's with tremendous excitement that I receive this teaser for the band's forthcoming album Wish You Success! The album doesn't come out until the end of April. But if "In The End" is any indication, we are all in for a real treat with this fourth Connection LP. I'm not gonna waste any time today over-analyzing this track (there will be plenty of chances for that when I review the album!). I'll just say that if you love rock n' roll, you need this song in your life. It'll get your toes tapping and leave you wanting more. Oh my god, that lead guitar! Dang it, do we really have to wait two months for the rest of the record?!



-L.R.

https://the-connection.bandcamp.com/album/wish-you-success 
https://www.facebook.com/theconnectionRnR/ 

Return of The New Trocaderos!

It has been a year-and-a-half since The New Trocaderos released Thrills & Chills - my runaway choice for 2015 Album of the Year and legitimate nominee for album of the decade. So it goes without saying that I'm delighted to announce the arrival of the first new music from this super group in 18 months. New Trox consists of three songs from the Thrills & Chills sessions that the band had saved for the purposes of releasing as an EP. It came out yesterday as a digital-only release available from The New Trocs' Bandcamp.

I always admire bands that are willing to hold out some of their "A" material for singles and EPs, and clearly that's the case here. These aren't outtakes or odds & ends - they're top quality tracks! Kurt Baker handles lead vocals on "You Broke My Heart" - which is the the most straight-up power pop song The New Trocs have ever done. It could almost pass for a Kurt Baker solo track, but with those old school rock n' roll harmonies that this band is so known for. "Come On Girl" features Geoff Palmer on lead vocals. When he takes the mic, you know you're getting pure pop in the '60s style (I still think "Dream Girl" is the band's greatest song to date). Here he and the boys conjure the magic of the '63-'65 era Beach Boys so convincingly that it's clear he ought to be in the Beach Boys! Steve Philp (guesting on lead guitar) and Kris Rodgers (killing it always on piano) take this tune over the top with an amazing pair of solos. Finally, "The Air" is a quintessential rhythm & blues number with Baker back on vocals. This song is a fine example of why I'm such a huge fan of Chaney as a lyricist. He's so good at writing timeless love songs, but then he can turn around and write a song like this with a strong social/ecological conscience. The lyrics are clever and quite funny, but the message is dead serious. Baker - so acclaimed as a songwriter and performer but perhaps a little underrated as a pure vocalist - does an amazing job selling Chaney's call to action.

The New Trocaderos continue to be the best of pop and garage and rock n' roll all in one band. New Trox just might be the finest of their three singles so far. It's available now from Bandcamp and CD Baby for just $3. A vinyl release in the future is not out of the question, so stay tuned!



-L.R.

https://thenewtrocaderos.bandcamp.com/album/new-trox
https://www.facebook.com/thenewtrocaderos/