With the 70's and Power Pop far in the rearview mirror and Grunge exploding in America, there was something brewing across the Atlantic.  Starting in the late 80's with Shoegaze and Madchester scenes, bands in the UK were rallying around their pride in all things Britain.  In this episode, Craig and Shawn explore the origins of Britpop, what defines the genre, the bands that brought the scene to international recognition and end with their selections of the most Britpop song and the ultimate band of the movement.

What do you do when your podcast successfully covers the best power pop bands of the 1970’s?  When you break down in detail the career and catalog of bands such as Cheap Trick, Big Star and Badfinger?  The answer is simple: you close out the 70’s with a Top Ten List. 

#1 Fanclub continues their pursuit of knowledge on Power Pop, Brit Pop, Shoegaze and Dream Pop with a celebration of perhaps the most important decade of music in a world without The Beatles. 

Craig and Shawn take you through their list of top 10 power pop songs. Some bands are obvious (Badfinger, Big Star), some are obscure (Artful Dodger, The Cryers) but all of the choices are guaranteed to take you back in time to some of the greatest recordings in rock music. Enjoy!

Shawn's Top 10

1. The Cryers - "Shake It Up (Ain't It Time?)" from The Cryers (1978)
2. Badfinger - "No Matter What" from No Dice (1970)
3. Big Star - "Feel" from #1 Record (1972)
4. Cheap Trick - "Hello There" from In Color (1977)
5. The Rubinoos - "Lightning Love Affair" from Back To The Drawing Board!  (1979)
6. Joe Jackson - "One More Time" from Look Sharp! (1979)
7. Artful Dodger - "Wayside" from Artful Dodger  (1975)
8. Nick Lowe - "Cruel To Be Kind" from Labour Of Lust (1979)
9. Raspberries - "Hard To Get Over a Heartbreak" from Side 3   (1973)
10. Shoes - "Tomorrow Night" from Present Tense (1979)

Spotify Playlist Link (note: The Cryers song was unfortunately not available on Spotify)

Craig's Top 10

1. Big Star - "The Ballad Of El Goodo" from #1 Record (1972)
2. Nick Lowe - "Cruel To Be Kind" from Labour Of Lust (1979)
3. The Cars - "Just What I Needed" from The Cars (1978)
4. Big Star - "Feel" from #1 Record (1972)
5. Badfinger - "No Matter What" from No Dice (1970)
6. The Knack - "My Sherona" from Get The Knack (1979)
7. Cheap Trick - "Southern Girls" from In Color (1977)
8. Big Star - "September Gurls" from Radio City (1974)
9. Emitt Rhodes - "Somebody Made For Me" from Emitt Rhodes (1970)
10. 20/20 - "Remember The Lightning" from 20/20 (1979)

Spotify Playlist Link

Selections of the week:

Hoodoo Gurus - Chariot Of The Gods on Big Time
Shake Some Action! - Wide Awake on Satellite 451 Music

Intro music provided by Joe Giddings

"#1" from Star Collector's album Songs For The Whole Family

Cheap Trick Part 2

In Part 2 of our Cheap Trick review we pick up in 1979 with the band deciding to record a live album while on tour in Japan to support their third album Heaven Tonight.  The decision to record a live album to capture the mania surrounding the band in Japan proved to be career changing.  At Budokan, originally slated for release in Japan only, changed the fortunes of Cheap Trick from opening act and small venue headliner to arena kings.  Seemingly overnight, Cheap Trick became a household name in their home country on the strength of their first major hit “I Want You To Want Me.”  

We explore the significance of At Budokan and discuss the absolute brilliance of one of the best live rock albums ever recorded.  From there, Cheap Trick recorded the hit album Dream Police.  Leaving the 70’s, Cheap Trick created a legacy of 4 classic studio albums and 1 all-time great live album.  The early to mid 80’s would not be as successful for the band as they experienced some commercial disappointment.  Then out of nowhere in the late 80’s, Cheap Trick climbed again to the top of the world with a batch of pop songs that would put them back in the forefront.  Many bands get one shot at superstardom and then fade away.  Cheap Trick had two separate runs at superstardom.  Although their music output of the 90’s and 2000’s has not been as commercially successful, the band continue to record and make relevant music.  

We wrap up Part 2 with our personal Top 10 songs by Cheap Trick.  While many of our choices are predictable, you will want to hang around for the end for some surprises (and maybe some songs you were not familiar with).  Enjoy Cheap Trick Part 2 as we celebrate one of the best rock bands America ever produced.

Intro music provided by Joe Giddings

"#1" from Star Collector's album Songs For The Whole Family