power pop
AVRIL LAVIGNE
Discography:
Let Go, Arista, 2002.
Avril Lavigne first appeared in summer 2002, touting an addictive debut single (the spunky pop/rock gem "Complicated") and a skatepunk image that purposely clashed with the polished glamour of mainstream pop. Lavigne, who was 17 at the time, quickly rose to teen idol status, selling several million copies of her debut album, Let Go (the best-selling album by a female artist in 2002), while inspiring a genuine fashion craze with her penchant for tank tops and neckties. As the decade progressed, so did Lavigne's marketable sound, which took a contemplative turn on the sophomore effort Under My Skin before reaching an aggressively upbeat tone for 2007's The Best Damn Thing.
Born into a devout Christian household in the small town of Napanee, Ontario, Lavigne sharpened her vocal talents in church choirs, local festivals, and county fairs. She began playing guitar and writing songs in her early teens, focusing her early efforts on country music and contributing vocals to several albums by local folk musician Steve Medd. Arista Records caught wind of the singer and brought her aboard at the age of 16, with CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid personally taking Lavigne under his wing. She quit high school, relocated to Manhattan, and set to work with a handful of prime songwriters and producers, but the partnerships only produced country songs -- not the rock music in which Lavigne had become increasingly interested. Arista relented and instead sent Lavigne to Los Angeles, where she fashioned her melodic, edgy debut alongside such writing teams as the Matrix. Released in 2002, Let Go was the polished product, and its four high-charting singles -- "Complicated," "Sk8er Boi," "I'm with You," and "Losing Grip" -- led the album to multi-platinum status within its second month of release. Lavigne became the youngest female musician ever to have a number one album in the U.K., and she supported the wildly popular disc (which eventually gained eight Grammy nominations) with a tour of Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.
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Compared with the skin-bearing antics of other teen idols -- Britney Spears chief among them -- Avril Lavigne was a new kind of superstar, one whose appeal didn't rely on sexy videos or suggestive music. She further distinguished herself by bypassing the assistance of professional writing teams during the creation of her second album, choosing instead to collaborate with singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, Evanescence's Ben Moody, and Evan Taubenfeld (who had previously worked with Lavigne as her touring guitarist). Released in May 2004, Under My Skin was more serious than its predecessor, dealing with such issues as premarital sex ("Don't Tell Me"), depression ("Nobody's Home"), and the death of Lavigne's grandfather ("Slipped Away"). The album debuted at number one in more than ten countries, went platinum within one month, and further established Lavigne as a pop icon. Incidentally, a song that was co-written by Lavigne and ultimately cut from the final track list -- "Breakaway" -- was later given to Kelly Clarkson, who used it as the title track and leadoff single for her Grammy-winning sophomore album.
Lavigne married her boyfriend of two years, Sum 41's Deryck Whibley, in July 2006, just one month after the animated film Over the Hedge announced her cinematic debut (Lavigne voiced the part of Heather, a hungry opossum). She also appeared in Richard Linklater's fictional adaptation of Fast Food Nation, which was released that November. Nevertheless, she spent most of the year working on her third album, enlisting former blink-182 drummer Travis Barker to play drums and cherry-picking a variety of producers (including her husband) to helm the recording sessions. The Best Damn Thing appeared in April 2007, and its leadoff single, "Girlfriend," marked a return to the bratty, spunky punk-pop of her first album. "Girlfriend" soon became the subject of controversy as the '70s power pop band the Rubinoos sued Lavigne, claiming that her tune reworked their 1979 song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." No amount of bad publicity could hurt the singer, however, as "Girlfriend" became her biggest U.S. single ever and The Best Damn Thing topped album charts worldwide. ~ All Music Guide
Born Avril Ramona Lavigne on September 27, 1984, in Napanee, Ontario, Canada.
Won contest to perform with Shania Twain, 1999; signed with Arista Records, 2002; released Let Go, 2002; released Under My Skin, 2004.
Awards: MTV Music Video Award, Best New Artist, 2003; Juno Award, Single of the Year for "Complicated," 2003; Juno Award, Album of the Year for Let Go, 2003; Juno Award, New Artist of the Year, 2003; SOCAN Awards for "Complicated," "Sk8er Boi," and "I'm With You," 2003.
Addresses: Record company—Arista Records, 6 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Management—Nettwerk Management, 8730 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 304, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Website—Avril Lavigne Official Website: http://www.avril-lavigne.com.
Sources: Andrew Leahey; Sarah Parkin
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
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WEEZER
Discography:
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Spanning nearly 20 years, the geek rock outfit Weezer formed in 1992 are well known for their wacky videos and their fun songs, however they initially got together to play songs from their favourite artists such as The Pixies, Nirvana and Cheap Trick. The band was formed by Rivers Cuomo (lead singer, guitar), Patrick Wilson (drums), Matt Sharpe (bass, backing vocals) and Jason Cropper (guitar, backing vocals).
The band initially played in bars and clubs across L.A. with covers of their favourite artists mixed in with some of their own music. Through these performances, Interscope signed the band in 1992 before releasing their first record in 1994. Before recording their first album, Jason Cropper left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by Brian Bell.
Weezer’s self titled album, later to be called 'The Blue Album', included their first single ‘Undone- The Sweater Song’. The song was not due for release until clubs around California enjoyed the song immensely popularity of the band grew. Spike Jonze directed the video for Weezer’s first two singles. Where ‘Undone- The Sweater Song’ saw success, it was not as innovative as the second video for the second single ‘Buddy Holly’. The video featured Weezer playing a gig in the Happy Days café. The video saw Weezer win four MTV video awards including best break-through act, best video and two billboard music video awards. Other songs released from the three time platinum album include ‘Say It Ain’t So’ and ‘My Name Is Jonas’.
The second album entitled ‘Pinkerton’ was commercially a flop. Upon its release in 1996, their fans were expecting the same fun style of music as they got from 'The Blue Album', instead the album featured a darker feel. That year saw many regarding the album as the worst album of the year. Today however, many fans regard the record being Weezers best and Rolling Stone magazine have changed their initial one star rating to five stars which meant the album being placed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The band took a break after their tour in 1997 to pursue personal conquests. They all returned a year later to work on their new album apart from Matt Sharpe who was replaced by Mikey Walsh. Before the release of their next album, they toured across America which featured 14 new songs. These songs were not to be released to the disappointment to the fans. Weezer released the record ‘The Green Album’ in 2001 which attracted a new generation of fans with a mix of heavy, fun and soft rock sounds. Mikey Walsh was inducted to a psychiatric hospital and was replaced by Scott Shriner.
‘Maladroit’ was Weezers fifth album and featured a harder pop influence to its predecessors with a 80s guitar sound. The record included two singles ‘Dope Nose’ and ‘Keep Fishin’. The music video for ‘Keep Fishin’ featured the Muppets. ‘Maladroit’ remains the bands least successful album. In 2005, Weezer released their next album ‘Make Believe’ which featured the hit single ‘Beverly Hills’. The video for the song was filmed in the playboy mansion that helped the song secure the bands first US number one. The song was nominated for a grammy for best rock song and the video was nominated for best video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Their second US number one came from the single ‘Perfect Situation’. Weezer toured with Foo Fighters that year which was awarded Most Creative Tour Package at the Concert Industry Awards.
2008 saw Weezer release their sixth album in the shape of ‘The Red Album’. The debut single from the album, ‘Pork and Beans’ included the most popular downloaded stars from YouTube star in the video. The song reached number one the American rock chart and the band received a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video. Other singles where ‘Troublemaker’ and ‘The Greatest Man That Ever Lived’.
The seventh album ‘Ratitude’ saw the likes of Lil’ Wayne collaborate with the band. With the help of Lil Wayne and the producer Jacknife Lee, ‘Ratitude’ had a more electro and hip hop sound with the remaining feel of a Weezer record. In December of 2009, Rivers Cuomo broke five ribbed while travelling to a gig in New York. This forced the band to move their tour for the beginning of 2010.
Weezer are still going strong with their cult following that crave new and exciting music which they seem to deliver each time.
Source: Dean Woodhouse
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THE FLAMIN' GROOVIES
The Flamin' Groovies were an American rock music band of the 1960s and ’70s. They began in San Francisco in 1965, founded by Cyril Jordan and Roy A. Loney. The Flamin Groovies’ early recordings reveal a debt to The Lovin’ Spoonful. Their first album, 1969’s ‘Supersnazz’, was something of a mixed bag, containing as it did both re-creations of 1950s rock and roll and more melodic, and songs that anticipated the power pop movement of the 1970s, a genre to which The Flamin' Groovies would eventually contribute significant work.
Their second album, 1970’s ‘Flamingo’, was a considerably stronger effort and revealed a band with a sly sense of humor and a musical approach that continued to draw upon ’50s rock and roll as well as upon the work of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
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In 1971 Roy Loney left The Flamin Groovies, and was replaced by singer and guitarist Chris Wilson, who, along with Jordan, began to move the group in a more overtly power-pop direction.
Between 1971 and 1976, very little was heard of the group except maybe their 1972 anti-drug song ‘Slow Death’. In 1976, they teamed up with British producer Dave Edmunds, and recorded an album entitled ‘Shake Some Action’. This LP and the following effort, ‘Now’, are good examples of their somewhat self-conscious attempt to revive the sound of the classic mid-’60s pop groups.
The Flamin Groovies continued in the same style until somewhere early in the 1980s.
Members include George Alexander (born on May 18, 1946, San Mateo, CA), bass; Ron Greco, drums; Cyril Jordan (born in 1948 in San Francisco, CA), guitar; Roy Loney (born on April 13, 1946, San Francisco, CA), guitar, vocals; Tim Lynch (born on July 18, 1946, San Francisco, CA), guitar; Danny Mihm, drums. Later incarnations include James Farrell, guitar; Terry Rae, drums; Mike Wilhelm, guitar; Chris Wilson, vocals, guitar; David Wright, drums.
Group formed in San Francisco, CA, 1965; released eleven-inch EP Sneakers on Snazz label, 1969; signed to Epic, released first LP, Supersnazz, 1970; signed contract with Kama Sutra, relocated to New York; second LP Flamingo, 1970, followed by Teenage Head, 1971; released singles and a live EP; relocated to England, collaborated with musician/producer Dave Edmunds; Shake Some Action, recorded in 1972, released 1976; Still Shakin', a compilation of earlier recordings, released by Buddah, 1976; second Edmunds-produced LP, Now, released on Sire label, 1978; released Jumpin' in the Night, 1979; band effectively disbanded after 1979; released Bucket Full of Brains, which was recorded live in 1971, 1983.
In 1978 the Flamin' Groovies released the Edmundsproduced Now, comprising original material by Jordan and Wilson along with such covers as the Stones' "Blue Turns to Grey" and "Paint it Black" and the Beatles' "There's a Place." The following year the band released Jumpin' in the Night, produced by Jordan and Roger Becherian, which, in addition to Groovies originals, included covers by Warren Zevon, Roger McGuinn, Lennon/McCartney, David Crosby, and Bob Dylan.
Albums:
Sneakers (EP), Snazz, 1968.
Supersnazz, Epic, 1969.
Flamingo, Kama Sutra, 1970.
Teenage Head, Kama Sutra, 1971; reissued, Buddha, 1999.
Still Shakin', Buddah, 1976.
Shake Some Action, Sire, 1976.
Now, Sire, 1978.
Jumpin' in the Night, Sire, 1979.
Bucketful of Brains, Voxx, 1983.
Flamin' Groovies '68 (live), Eva, 1983.
Flamin' Groovies '70 (live), Eva, 1983.
Slow Death-Live!, Lolita, 1983.
Super Grease, Skydog, 1984.
Live at the Whiskey A Go-Go '79, Lolita, 1985.
Roadhouse, Edsel, 1986.
One Night Stand, Aim, 1987.
Groove In, Revenge, 1988.
Groovies Greatest Grooves, Sire, 1989.
The Rockfield Sessions, AIM, 1990.
Sixteen Tunes, Skydog, 1991.
Step Up, Aim, 1991.
Oh How Groovy, Discurios, 1992.
A Collection of Rare Demos and Live Recordings, Marilyn, 1993.
Rock Juice, National, 1993.
Rockin' at the Roundhouse: Live, Mystery, 1993.
Flamin' Groovies, Polydor, 1994.
California Born and Bred, Norton, 1995.
Live 68/70, New Rose, 1995.
Live at the Festival of the Sun, Aim, 1995.
Groove In, New Rose, 1996.
Supersneakers, Sundazed, 1996.
In Person! (live), Norton, 1997.
Oldies but Groovies, Aim, 1997.
Grease: The Complete Skydog Singles Collection, Norton, 1998.
Yesterday's Numbers, Camden, 1998.
Absolutely the Best, Varese, 1999.
Backtracks, Renaissance, 1999.
Slow Death, Norton, 2002.
Sources: Carly Page; Kevin O'Sullivan
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com.
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THE WHO
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by the original members Pete Townshend guitarist, Roger Daltrey on vocals, John Entwistle on bass and Keith Moon on drums. They were renowned for their energetic onstage performances, sold over 100 million records, according to New York Times and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
The Who first attracted attention through their amazing stage shows in United Kingdom, the release of the top ten hit singles including "My Generation" and five top albums in 1965 including "I Can't Explain". Success followed in the US with “I Can See for Miles” which was a top ten hit in 1967. The Who continued to have massive success in the US with a series of top five albums including Tommy (1969), Quadrophenia (1973) and Who Are You (1978). After Moon’s death in 1978, the band released another two studio albums Face Dances (1981) and It’s Hard (1982) before calling it a day.
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The band continued to perform together at events such as Live Aid and for their 25th Anniversary tour in 1989. Plans to record a new album were delayed with the death of Entwistle in 2002, however Townshend and Daltrey continue to perform as The Who and saw the release of the studio album Endless Wire in 2006.
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THE CARDIGANS
Swedish band, The Cardigans may come across as having all the aspects of the perfect pop-band; sweet, cute, bubbly. It’s true what they say, images can be deceiving. They are often described as the biggest thing to come out of the country since Abba.
They formed in 1992, by two heavy metal musicians; Peter Svensson and Magnus Sveningsson. They enlisted keyboardist Lars-Olof Johansson, drummer Begt Lagerberg and the lead singer Nina Persson.
The bands first album, ‘Emmerdale’, captured everything that is great about this odd mix of musicians. Nina Persson's breathy, girlish voice may seem sweet and innocent, but the words she sings often carry a unique gloom, worthy of grunge’s angriest vocalists. This album also holds a strange disco reinterpretation of Black Sabbath's "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, showing off the bands odd brilliance.
The more upbeat ‘Life’ followed, bringing with it international success. The band soon signed to Mercury Records, releasing their third album ‘First Band on the Moon’, which brought with it the smash hit ‘Lovefool’. 1998 saw the release of the band’s most well-known album ‘Gran Turismo’, which gave way to the release of singles ‘Erase/Rewind’ and ‘My Favourite Game’. The video was banned from MTV for featuring reckless driving, tut.
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Between 1998 and 2002 the band split to embark on solo projects, before returning in 2003 with the release of the album ‘Long Gone Before Daylight’. ‘Super Extra Gravity in 2005’ was released two years later, featuring more down-beat lyrically weak songs. The took a break from the music business shortly after.
Members include Bengt Lagerburg, drums; Lars-Olof Johansson, guitar and keyboards; Nina Persson, vocals; Magnus Svenigsson, bass and Peter Svensson, guitar.
Band formed 1992, Jönköping, Sweden; signed with Stockholm Records and released debut album Emmerdale, 1994; American debut, Life (comprised of tracks from first two Swedish releases), released on Minty Fresh label, 1996; signed with Mercury Records and released First Band on the Moon, 1996; song "Lovefool" featured on soundtrack of film Romeo and Juliet, 1996.
Albums:
Emmerdale, Stockholm Records, 1994.
Life, Stockholm Records, 1995.
Life (U.S. version; includes "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"), Minty Fresh, 1996.
Gran Turismo, Stockholm Records, 1998.
Long Gone Before Daylight, Stockholm Records, 2003.
Super Extra Gravity, Stockholm Records, 2005.
Sources: Carly Page; Simon Glickman
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
