Supergiant MD by Jim Allford

CD REVIEWS

SUPERKREME

By Jim Allford

SUPERKREME is a 4 piece band that hails from Cleveland, Ohio. I expected this band to make ‘superstar static’, but it never happened. The band members are: MATT SOBOL-Guitar, vocals; SUSAN RASCH [RIP]-Guitars, vocals; PAUL LEWIS-Bass and JEFF HARMON-Drums.

Their amazing pop abilities are compared to R.E.M., Pavement and Velvet Crush, but still maintaining a favor of their own. This 1998 12 song CD was produced by Mitch Easter.

This CD kicks off with a song titled, ‘I’LL BE AROUND’ which has a ‘raw tone’ to the song. The band is tight as ever with it’s melodic pop beat and their high energy throughout the song.

MARY JANE highlights Susan’s vocals and she shines from the very first note. Females will definitely relate to this song as she tells the story about being a ‘plain jane’, but wants to become a top model in the magazines.

LETTERS GOING NOWHERE has all the hooks in the book and melody that is strong as ever. Listen very close to the lyrics and there’s a very good chance you can relate to them. This song should have been on the TOP 10 Billboard list.

NIAGARA reminds me a bit of The Cranberries with Susan’s strong vocals, which also includes Matt’s harmonies. This song has a very punkish flavor to it. BLUE MAN has a funky, choppy, backbeat that you’ll be swaying to each beat as the song goes on Once again, the pure rawness of the band shines through.

LONG ROAD GRAVITY brings this amazing CD to end with the sadness that the band does not exist anymore.You can find the band at: AllMusic, www.susanraushfund.com, Amazon Music, Alibris and Pinterest.

THE CELLARBIRDS

By Jim Allford

THE CELLARBIRDS should be a familiar name to you. The band hails from the Scranton/Wilkes Barre area and is quite well known. The band members are: BRET ALEXANDER-Guitar, vocals; PAUL SMITH-Bass and RON SIMASEK-Drums. Do their names ring a bell? They are three members of The Badlees. This 2001 10-song Cd was Produced. Recorded and Mastered by Bret Alexander and Paul Smith and Mixed by Dave Goodermuth.

This CD has been way underlooked for years and a lot of attention and listening. PERFECT SMILE has a great melody as you can hear a moog synth and e-bow as the 12 string guitar is strumming away hard.

HAPPY HOME is one of those hit or miss songs with distorted guitars blasting and a sweet wah wah pedal going. This song has everything thrown at you: anger, revenge and the list goes on.

OPEN ENDED has a great Tom Petty guitar riff and the song tells you about the highs and lows in life and just a matter of getting through them all, one way or another.

TIME FOR PRIDE has a loud and proud guitar riff that reminds me a lot of The Raspberries plus a sweet synth riff that you’ll fall in love with. This song is as sharp as things can get.

YOU ANNOY ME brings this very underrated CD to an end. The song has a punkish favor with a melody that will remind you of The Replacements. The CD is filled with everything and is flawless and in your face from every direction. Also, I would like to mention some of these songs were co-written by Mike Naydock with Bret Alexander.

THIS CD is a MUST TO HAVE.

ROCK ON, JIM ALLFORD

THE JELLYBRICKS

By Jim Allford

THE JELLYBRICKS is one amazing pop rock band that hails from Harrisburg, Pa. The band has recently signed with Wicked Cool Records that, also, has signed Michael Des Barres, The Mistakes, Kurt Baker Combo and quite a few other artists and bands.

SOAP OPERA was released in 1999 on Rite Off Records and was their first release.The band members are: LARRY KENNEDYGuitar,vocals; BRYCE CONNOR-Guitar, vocals; GARRICK CHOW-Bass, vocals and TOM KRISTICH-Drums, vocals.

This 14 song CD was Produced by Dale M. Epperson and The Jellybricks.Also, I’d like to mention the band has been together 26 years and that says quite a lot for the band. SPEECHLESS is quite a clever rock song that has a great intro as they rock away with all their heart and soul. Crank it up and enjoy the ride.

BITTERSWEET DAY reminds me a bit of XTC meets Crowded House and they is quite a excellent combination for a U.S. band. MITE takes a whole different level for the band. This song is quite raunchy and raw, which is so, so sweet.

STUPID ONE is like listening to a Joe Jackson song which will have you singing along, loud and proud.Check this one out. MY FAVORITE FEAR is quite superb as the harmonies are a real gem in this song. This song, definitely, has a great punkish feel.

PREREQUISITE ROCKER is great with a amazing guitar riff throughout the song. Crank this one and rock out, because this song with in your head for days. ONLY SMILE brings this amazing CD to end. A sweet, short ditty is as sweet as ever. You can find the band at: www.jellybricks.com, You Tube, Facebook, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iHeart, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Amazon Music and Soundvapors.

WONDERLUST

By Jim Allford

WONDERLUST should not be confused with the band, Wanderlust, from Philly. Wonderlust hails from Athens/Atlanta, Georgia. The 3 piece band is KEN WILL MORTON:Guitars, Lead and backing vocals, keyboards, kalimbo:DAVE STIFF: Bass; KEVIN WARFORD: Drums, percussion and backing vocals.

This 13 song 1999 CD was Produced by Greg Gentry and Wonderlust and Mixed by Greg Gentry and Mastered by Rodney Mills. If you love Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, this band is for YOU.

STABBING kicks off this CD in a mellow, dirty sound of an acoustic guitar and gnarly vocals and BAM, you get slapped in the face with the greatest melody that will stay with you for a long, long time.

A GREAT RELEASE is the epitome of the heart and soul of this band that will have you wanting so much more. Their lyrics and melodies are as clever as ever. SOAPBOX is laid back as the vocals have a sound of torture and defiant.This song will reach down into your soul and have you wondering where it comes from.Turn it up loud.

WORLD COLLIDE is amazing as everything in the song is Nivana down to ‘T’ .You could swear it’s Kurt Cobain, himself, singing this song. You’ll get the chills and feel all the hurt and pain just seeping out in the song.

CRYSTAL CLEAR is a true pop rock song with every hook in the books. You have to give this one a listen. HARBINGER ends this amazing band’s CD and the song is quite long. Once you have a taste of this band, you’ll, definitely, want more. The band was very short lived and broke up as they were asked to play on the Van Warped Tour. You can find the members on Facebook. Also, beware of other bands with the same name. I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Dave Stiff for being in touch.

ROCK ON, JIM ALLFORD

SUPERGIANT MD

By Jim Allford

SUPERGIANT MD is a 4 piece punk band that hails from Baltimore, Maryland. The band members that played on 2001 CD are: BRYAN-Guitars, vocals; JOE T-Guitars, vocals; CHAD-Bass and Travis-Drums.

If you happen to be a big fan of Green Day or Simple Plan, this band is for you. I saw the band play live in a ‘basement’ in Harrisburg during the MMC and I was impressed with their energy and stage presence.

This 12 song CD is Produced, Mixed, Mastered by Nick Rotundo and Supergiant MD.

SHOWOFF kicks off this CD and they are in your face from the very first note. Turn this song up loud for full effects. Wake up the neighbors, too!

AT THE MOVIES is quite different and you’ll be wondering if it’s the same the band as the intro will throw you off a bit. Once ‘you feel it’, you’ll get into it.

IN STEREO has quite a nice intro and then they pick up the pace and are in your face once again. Close your eyes and just imagine you are there watching them play. You’ll live every minute of it.

THE WAY IT USE TO BE reminds me a bit of The Replacements with their nice acoustic playing in this song. This one will stay in your head for days.

RANDOM METAL GUY is a fast tempo song which will rock your socks off with some great lyrics to boot.

UNDER brings this rockin’ CD to an end and you’ll be wanting to hear more.This band is, definitely, worth checking out. You can find them on: Facebook, Interpunk, Discogs, Apple Music, Last.fm, Joe Teague Music, Bandcamp and Spotify.

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