Friday, May 28, 2004

The Whyos - "Full Arms And An Empty Heart"

New York, NY's The Whyos played catchy, neo-rockabilly. They released a few singles and an album and did a cover of a Led Zeppelin song for a tribute record. Their song "1-2-3-4" appeared on The Dirt Club Compilation. Their music also was released in Holland on the Dutch label Rockhouse. The info on the picture sleeve from this song lists only the band members first names, but after doing a little research I can name two out of four: Mike Girao: Guitar (Vocals), Tim: Vocals, Brain: Bass & Joe Geary: Drums. Joe and Mike still play with a band called The Blues Jumpers and Joe also plays with Rick Fink & His Gas House Gorillas. This single was released in 1982 on Steven Nyhoff's and Nels Johnson's Fake Doom Records, once home to The Cucumbers. If anybody has any additional information on The Whyos please add a comment below.


The Whyos - "Full Arms And An Empty Heart".mp3

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

The Mosquitos -"Do You Want To Hurt Me"


Long Island, New York's The Mosquitos released a 5 song EP of fine 60's influenced pop entitled "That Was Then, This Is Now!" on the Valhalla label in 1985 and then disappeared. The Mosquitos, who took their name from the band that appeared on an episode of "Gilligan's Island", were known for their blistering live shows (anybody have any mp3s or cd-rs?) and for writing the song "That Was Then, This is Now" that the regrouped Monkees turned into a Top 20 hit in 1986. The Mosquitos were Vance Brescia, (vocals/guitar), Steve Prisco (lead guitar/vocals), Iain Morrison (bass/vocals), Mitch Towse (drums), and Tony Millions (keybard/vocals).


The Mosquitos -"Do You Want To Hurt Me".mp3

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

The Modulators - "Spin Me Around"



The Modulators were a local New Jersey band that played the small clubs in NJ and New York almost weekly during the early 80's. They released several singles and one nine song E.P., "Tomorrow's Coming", from where "Spin Me Around" appeared on Vintage Vinyl records, an off shoot of the local record store of the same name. Their music was inspired by The Beatles, The Byrds and Marshall Crenshaw among others. Their music was 80's power pop at it's finest. The special effects heavy video for the song "Spin Me Around" received heavy rotation on the Newark, NJ video channel U68. The Modulators may hold the record for playing Bloomfield, NJ's The Dirt Club more times than any other band. Their song "Down At The Dirt" was the clubs theme song and appeared on the "Dirt Compilation Vol. 1." The Modulators primarily were Joe Riccardello on bass & Keyboards, Mark Higgins on Guitar and Mark Westlake on Drums.


The Modulators - "Spin Me Around".mp3