The Telegents were a London-based power pop band formed in 1979. They released one single, "Get Out" b/w "Telephone Romance," in 1982. They recorded a second single, "Seen It Before!," later that year, but broke up before it saw distribution. [SOURCE: LAST.FM]
The Resistance was an english band offering power pop a la XTC and formed by Mark Damron (vocals, guitar), John O'Leary (bass), Ian Reid (vocals, keyboards) and Martin Saunders (drums). Saunders later played in Funhouse, a short lived band named after The Stooges track and formed by members of Another Pretty Face, including future Waterboys founder Mike Scott. The Resistance released two 7" singles, 'Kidnapped'
(1979)
on Maquis Records and
'Survival Kit'
(1980) on Fontana. Fontana tried twice with this release issuing it again a year later in a different picture sleeve.
The Quads were a new wave band from Birmingham, England, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band was formed in Birmingham by three brothers, Josh Jones, Colin "Jack" Jones and Terry "Johnny" Jones, plus bassist Jim Doherty. Their 1979 debut single "There Must Be Thousands" was a favourite of the BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who selected it as his "single of the decade! Despite receiving considerable airplay on the main BBC Radio 1 daytime programmes, "There Must Be Thousands" only reached No. 66 in the UK singles chart, but in 2001 John Peel still listed it as one of his all-time favourite records.
Then, in 2013, to coincide with its use on a promotional video by natural skincare company JooMo, the track was re-released by Big Bear Records. The band released further singles, including "Gotta Getta Job", which they performed during the People's March for Jobs in 1981, a march in which they took part. They continued to perform until the mid-1980s, when Doherty left. They reformed in the 1990s and made further recordings for Don Arden, but they were not released. Josh Jones later moved to Auckland, New Zealand and became an Anglican priest, while still creating and recording new music. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]
Yeh-Yeh is a power pop band from Blackpool in Lancashire, England. They had some local success in the mid-80s, and they released the single "You Will Pay" in 1986. Influences came from the popular mod style of the time, with the group looking at bands such as The Jam. However, Yeh-Yeh never were able to break through commercially to the rest of the U.K. After years of inactivity, the band reformed, and it has resumed touring, inspired by the 'Mod Aid' 20th Anniversary recording session in February 2004.
Reformed and gigging in 2020 as a 3 piece featuring
Andy Houghton (Bass, Vocals), Dean Kelly (Guitar) and
Emma Page (Drums).
The Paranoids were a Power Pop and New Wave formed in 1977, in St Albans, Hertforshire, by Nigel Normal (Nigel Woodward, vocals, guitar), Ricky Rickenbacker (Peter Walker, guitar), Dave Campbell (bass) and Graham "Coggs" Campbell (drums). They released three 7" singles on the Hurricane Records imprint. They would have fit in very well on the contemporary Stiff roster: retro-minded, mining the Motown sound and Phil Spector's sing-along, mixed with new wave with a touch of rockabilly and spikier power-pop.
Formed in Wakefield in the mid 70's, Strangeways enjoyed great success in their time, releasing two classic and now ultra-collectable singles and seeing magazines such as Sounds raving about them.
The band’s powerful live performances were the stuff of legend up and down the country and Power-Pop fans everywhere loved the band. After a while though it all broke down and the band decided to call it a day after only a couple of years. They had a whole load of unreleased tracks and demos, including a rare demo track that was produced by Tommy Ramone and cover versions of The Trogg’s "Wild Thing" (re-titled "Chose Sauvage" on a french version) and The Archies' "Sugar Sugar", released in LP in 2001 as 'Powerpop'. [SOURCE: DETOUR RECORDS]
In 1979 two members of The Gas were in a Pub Rock/New Wave band named Sneeky Feelin's after an Elvis Costello song. That band released one single. When the Sneeky Feelin's split Donnie Burke (lead vocals, guitar) and Dell Vickers (bass) recruited Leslie Sampson (drums) to form The Gas. The Gas released five singles and two LPs between 1980 and 1982 on the Polydor label. More recently Donnie Burke has been playing in an Americana Country Blues band named Roadhouse Dogs.
Chris Bradford (guitar, lead vocals), Mark Hankins (guitar, vocals), Pete Lennon (lead guitar), Dave Powell (drums) and
Brian (Wally) Wallis (bass guitar) put together the Heroes at the end of the 70's, releasing "Some Kind Of Women" in 1980. Besides being released as a 45, this tune was included on the compilation LP 'On The Wave', spanish edition. Kinda reminds of The Jags, actually. They also released the LP 'Border Raiders' (1980) an outstanding album in terms of melody; the vocals and harmonies just click, and the two guitarists do a wonderful work in terms of rhythm and great guitar solos, very melodic and intelligent. Produced by Pip Williams of Status Quo fame.
A particular favorite at college radio on the US West Coast, East London's The Kick released three singles, every one a dynamic blast of melody and beat. "Let's Get Back Together" was the first. They soon signed to noted Stiff Records related indie Countdown, and released a killer take on "I Can`t Let Go" for their follow up. They also had a track, "Stuck On The Edge Of A Blade", included on one of the best compilations of the day, 'The Countdown Compilation', again on Countdown. Star connections here inlcude the fact that Will Birch of The Records produced their Countdown material and drummer Chris White joined Mother Earth, part of the Acid Jazz label, including working with Paul Weller, after The Kick split.
The Keys were an English, London-based band active from 1979 until 1983. The band was formed by bassist Drew Barfield (later of the Big Heat and Los Pacaminos), guitarist Steve Tatler, Ben Grove, and Paul McCartney's former drummer Geoff Britton. Joe Jackson produced the band's only album, 'The Keys Album' for A&M, one of powerpop cornerstones ever. A hidden classic and a real masterpiece. Pop at it's best from which came several singles: "One Good Reason", "I Don't Wanna Cry" and "Greasy Money". [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]
