Europe: The Final Countdown

Well, it's finally here for some and some can't believe it is already over. What happened this year? Take a moment today and reflect on what was accomplished, procrastinated, liked, disliked, and most importantly loved. I would then advise preparing yourself mentally for the unforgiving New Year Resolution. Gym memberships are at an all time high along with purchases of exercise equipment and diet products. Soak 2010 all in while you can people because it's The Final Countdown!

Europe is a Swedish heavy rock band that assembled in 1979 under the name Force by Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitar), and Tony Reno (drums). This song reached #1 in 25 countries, and managed to reach #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. Amazingly Europe has sold over 20 million records worldwide with a quarter of the sales coming from the United States. The band went on hiatus in 1992 and had a partial reunion in 1999, playing an awkward New Years Eve show in Stockholm. They officially announced their return in 2003, and have released three albums since with another expected in 2011. Well, this gives everyone something to look forward to in the New Year!

http://www.europetheband.com/

Smelly Dog

The Folk Implosion: Natural One

The Folk Implosion was an American indie rock/lo-fi band founded in the early 90's by Lou Barlow (ex Dinosaur Jr. bassist) and John Davis. This was initially a side project started by Barlow to explore different musical lanscapes than that being canvassed by his primary band at the time. Their band name is a play on the John Spencer Blues Explosion. The band was under the radar until this song found its way onto the Kids soundtrack. The song "Natural One" managed to reach #29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. John Davis quit the band in 2000 after the release of their 3rd album. Barlow regrouped and recruited Russ Pollard and Imaad Wasif from the band Alaska! to record The New Folk Implosion. The band saw little to no action from the release and has not been active since 2004. The band's third album One Part Lullaby is probably the most radio/peer friendly and I actually wouldn't mind owning it on vinyl. This version is a bit more raw than the radio single..sick!

http://www.myspace.com/thefolkimplosion

Smelly Dog

Crash Test Dummies: Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian folk/alternative rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The band consisted of Brad Roberts (lead vocals/guitar), Ellen Reid (keys/vocals), Dan Roberts (bass), Benjamin Darvill (harmonica/mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums). Brad Roberts is probably the best known member as the frontman with the distinctive bass-baritone voice. Today only Brad Roberts and Ellen Reid continue as active members of the band. Fans did however get a special performance, reuniting the entire band, for a show in October 2010. The Crash Test Dummies have released a total of 8 albums since 1991. The song Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm managed to reach #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1994.

http://www.crashtestdummies.com

Smelly Dog

Deep Blue Something: Breakfast at Tiffany's

Deep Blue Something is an American rock band founded in 1993 in Huntsville, TX. The band consists of Todd Pipes (lead vocals/bass), Toby Pipes (guitar), John Kirtland (drums), and Clay Bergus and Kirk Tatom (guitar/vocals). Clay was not with the band when they had this one hit wonder, but returned shortly afterward. The band has released a total of four albums since 1993, and frontman Todd Pipes released a solo album in 2008. The lyrics of this song were inspired by Audrey Hepburn's performance in the feature film Roman Holiday, but Todd thought that one of Hepburn's other films would make a better song title. This song reached #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the corresponding UK Singles Chart.

http://www.myspace.com/deepbluesomething

Smelly Dog

The Vapors: Turning Japanese

The Vapors were a new wave and power pop band from England, that existed between 1979-1981. Based in Guildford, Surrey, the band consisted of David Fenton (songwriter/guitar/vocals), Howard Smith (drums), Edward Bazalgette (lead guitar), and Steve Smith (bass/vocals). The band released two albums: New Clear Days and Magnets. The first album was more traditional with themes of social issues and love. The second album however was darker and included themes of alienation and psychotic characters. Sales of the second album were poor and the members disbanded shortly after its release in 1981. Fenton alleged in a later interview that lack of record label support was the chief reason for the split.

"Turning Japanese" was their big hit in 1980. The song managed to reach #3 on the UK Singles Chart and #36 in the corresponding U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This song was also very popular in Australia. "Turning Japanese" was believed euphemistically to refer to masturbation, but has been denied by the band.

Fenton has apparently retired from his days as a music creator and performer to concentrate on legal aspects of the music industry. Edward Bazalgette has since become a television director, credits including a 2005 BBC documentary about Ghengis Khan.

http://www.myspace.com/thevaporsuk

Smelly Dog

One Hit Wonder Week

Now that Christmas is over we must prepare for the New Year. What better way to jog up memories of the past by looking back on One Hit Wonders. This week will feature bands that had their fifteen minutes of fame. Not a bad way to make a royalty check. All these bands did was write a song that earned them fame and fortune. Get a good laugh and some nostalgia this week in preparation for 2011. Here is just a taste of what to expect, Calloway performing their hit "I Wanna Be Rich."

http://www.callowayrecords.com

Smelly Dog