Shoes - Tomorrow Night

Shoes - Tomorrow Night [1978]

More great non-hits and memories. Here's another slice of lo-fi power pop, this time with more of a garage/freakbeat influence. They achieved a pretty incredible sound on this single considering it was a diy basement four track recording. The mellifluous vocals and crunchy driving guitars are perfect for each other like peanut butter and chocolate. 

Unsurprisingly when Shoes later signed to Electra Tomorrow Night was re-recorded for release during power pop's premier year of 1979 but still failed to crack the top 40... Shoes are undoubtably the great coulda-been band of the era. I mean these tunes just belong on the radio... 

Other Boys Do · The Toms

The Toms - Other Boys Do (1979)

Fuck yes! Bringing you all the olden days jams and non hits and memories. 

1979's the golden year for new wave power pop and the new wave of power pop innit. Other Boys Do is from the lo-fi cult classic album The Toms. Tom Marolda was the Ariel Pink of his era: He sang, played all the instruments and recorded the entire thing on his own in his New Jersey home, coming up with the most charming record of 1979 in the process. 

20/20 - Out Of My Head

20/20 - Nuclear Boy [1981]

Back again with 20/20 and this their second LP. They up the new wave ante here for a blistering guitar driven pop classic. Ace guitar, large harmonies and even larger bass and drums all delivered with great gusto. We're all nuclear boys living in a nuclear world. 

20/20 - Out Of My Head [1981]

Now for the other absolute banger from 20/20's Look Out record. It's got that bass line from The Supremes that's also been recycled by the likes of Iggy Pop, The Jam and er... Jet. This is the best usage though innit. Try not to dance around your lounge room to this one. These guys are right on the money with their youthful exuberance, enthusiastic harmonies and cookin' rhythm section. Hard to believe this wasn't a worldwide smash hit. 

1981 Baby!