Is It Power Pop?!
PART SIX: Bobby Martinez
This is a guest post series about power pop featuring some of my favorite music writers. We’ll be sharing a new installment every week or two in January and February. Full series here.
Is It Power Pop?
By Bobby Martinez
Power pop has had many eras and revivals: the Badfinger era of the early-/mid-’70s; the late ‘70s punk era of Buzzcocks; the skinny tie new wave Knack era of the early ‘80s; the college rock era of the ‘90s; The Exploding Hearts peroxide-and-polka dot-era of the ‘00s, and onto the modern era.
Everyone has their favorite era or definition of the genre, and there is always someone arguing about what is or isn't power pop—and that's fine. Decades of bands have come and gone and left generations of fans with favorite songs.
But sometimes the past bores me.
I'm much more interested in the here and now than trumpeting Halcyon days. I live for hearing bands making the sounds that send electricity down my spine and melt my brain with their instantaneous appeal.
Sure, the genre is mostly men and full of sex pests, creeps, fashion revivalist, incel-core pap, and underwhelming milquetoast approximations of old sounds, but there are still fine records being made by rad bands.
“Worst of Times” by Bread & Butter
Hailing from Seattle, Bread & Butter channeled the ‘70s bar rock-meets-power pop sound of The Heats and Greg Kihn Band with raspy, soulful vocals that give the songs that bit of grit. The band did two albums—2017’s self-titled LP, and 2020’s Psycho World—and both are well worth picking up. Sadly, frontman/bassist Shane Harrell recently passed away but I'll always soak in those sounds like the last days of summer.
“Don't Go Walking Out” by Softjaw
A band that seemingly came out of nowhere, Softjaw are perhaps the best group doing that trad power pop sound. Borrowing the crunchy, punchy guitar of The Beat and The Nerves and combining it with the dual vocals of ‘00s favs The Power Chords and Marked Men, the band really shines when they emphasize their dynamics and arrangements—starts, stops, drop outs, and builds keep things from becoming too predictable. With only a split 7-inch and 5-song digital EP under their belts it's exciting to see what these Long Beach kings do next!
“Following The Taillights” by Supercrush
“Following The Taillights” is a sentimental road song and ode to a departed friend and collaborator of the band, guitarist Sean “The Maestro” Meyer. Conjuring the spirit of ‘90s left of the dial/alt rock era power pop (a la Teenage Fanclub, The Lemonheads, and Redd Kross at their sunshiniest), Supercrush are big guitars, breathy vocals and an earnestness that makes them timeless. Singer/guitarist Mark Palm cut his teeth playing in hardcore bands before he found his true calling as one of the best songwriters in the Pacific Northwest.
“Static Walls” by Josephine Network
The Power Pop Queen of New York, Josephine has been kicking out hits for years fronting The Jeanies and Velveteen Rabbit before fully stepping into her role as a pop chameleon with Josephine Network. “Static Walls” is a buzzy jangle banger with lush harmonies and tight drumming that nod to the likes of Rockin’ Horse. Recorded and mixed by The Lemon Twigs, this track belongs on repeat.
“David Jones Is Dead” by The Goods
I am a bit biased because I produced this track and put out the 7-inch, but this is one of the best power pop tracks of this era. In a minute and thirty-eight seconds you’re hit with massive hooks and guitars over big loud drums straight out of the Cheap Trick arsenal, all while the vocals and lyrics cut straight to the point; David Jones is dead and we miss him, but I’m here right now, babe.
Bobby Martinez is the Head Dandy at Dandy Boy Records and in a past life would have argued about power pop, now he just puts out records that he likes by people he likes.
