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The Plimsouls
Just like me, at one time you probably saw Valley Girl, momentarily had it really bad for Nick CoppolaCage, and wondered who the house band were at the dive bar in Hollywood where Randy took Julie on their first date. Enter The Plimsouls, LA's answer to REM, heirs to Big Star and The Byrds, reputed one of the greatest live bands in the history of American pop music, and a cautionary tale of major label hubris, complete with marketing, licensing, and a breakup when they were promised they would be stars.
The Plimsouls are are where chiming American Power Pop Rickenbacker melodies meet New Wave's aggressive rhythm, where classic pop lyrics meet suburban disaffection, and where the grand tradition of bar bands meets "the scene." Much more than a band who did a song optioned for a teen movie, by 1981 The Plimsouls were one of the bands to see in LA, along with Romeo Void and X. But while their aforementioned peers delivered bleak discomfort and The Go-Gos sold out, The Plimsouls' Peter Case capured the power of hooks strong enough to carry through and influence other contemporary artists, creating small acts of radio-ready rebellion.
The Plimsouls - A Million Miles Away
The Plimsouls - Great Big World
The Plimsouls - Hush, Hush
The Plimsouls - How Long Will It Take?
The Plimsouls - Everywhere at Once
Peter Case's official website is here. Buy Everywhere at Once at Amazon or grab it from iTunes (along with One Night in America). The Plimsouls play before The Go! Team at Exodus on Wednesday, March 15. Little Miss Rock'n'Roll and I are wondering if anyone else cares about this showcase besides us. We have to go, and not just to prove that we know the words to "A Million Miles Away."
Shadows tags:plimsouls.
Posted by Last Girl to the Party at 02.25.06 at 3:16 AM
Comments
Yes, this was one great band, and I do remember seeing them in Valley Girl. Do you recall who Nicolas was listening to in the car on the way to the show? The one and only Pat Travers. You can't get any hipper than that.
Posted by: ion at 02.25.06 at 7:44 PM
i care. i'm not totally sure i'll make it to that showcase, but if i don't it will only be because something else was a higher priority.
oh, and i watched valley girl at home instead of going to my prom.
Posted by: karen at 02.25.06 at 9:58 PM
My advice is don't miss it. I saw them in SF in June of this year in a small club. (They only played three shows last year) They ripped the roof off the place. One of the best shows I have gone to in the last ten years. They were rocking so hard it didn't even matter that they, (at times) were playing in different keys. Loud, raw, sweaty like it is supposed to be....
I usually find some excuse to plan a business trip to Austin for SXSW, but this year I can't pull it off. Peter is playing with his band and will most likely play at the "Case for Case" tribute along with James McMurtry.
If you don't go for your own sake, please go for mine and have a ball.
ttc
Posted by: ttc at 02.26.06 at 6:57 PM
I refuse to believe this movie is 23 years old? holy crap.
will be doing my best to make it to this one or one of case's day shows.
susanna hoffs, too. it's like a time machine.
Posted by: Mark at 02.27.06 at 7:21 PM
I assume these mp3s must have been here a week ago, but they appear to be gone now, even though 3-4 older sets of band mp3s are still available.
Sounds like this one might be one worth buying outright anyway... (Damn, I'm gonna need to extend the home eq line for SouthBy...)
Posted by: djm at 03.03.06 at 4:15 AM
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