Just a quick note to let people know that they can listen to fresh Go Go online anytime by going to GoGo Radio:
http://www.gogoradio.com/joomla
One of the nice features is the ability to request a song from their database, then if you like it you can buy yourself a copy of just about everything played.
It’s a great business idea and much needed. DC radio plays little go go, and when it does it puts it into weird time slots. If you aren’t in DC, forget it. Your station doesn’t play this stuff, and if they do, it isn’t all the time.
Those of us who need a solid injection of go go have a place to turn. Give it a try.
Go Go bands are from DC with rare exception. For whatever reason, it doesn’t translate just anywhere, no matter how great it is.
That doesn’t stop Go Go bands from trying. The pattern is like this - Go Go band does well in DC, gets discovered outside of DC, gets signed, then produces a non-Go Go record on the advice of the label. In DC, their support falls apart while they tour. Then they come back and try to recover.
It happened to Trouble Funk and it happened to EU, two of the best bands ever. EU had more success incorporating the Go Go style, since they had a boost from Spike Lee and “School Daze” and their hit “Da Butt” - it probably gave them a bit of negotiating room at the label to keep the go go beat. They stayed as true to their roots as possible, and had some mighty hits in 1988
Here’s a song off of that album - “Buck Wild” - with a great introduction featuring Sugar Bear, the band, and Spike Lee.
Justin Kline of Murfreesboro, TN has the kind of sweet sound made almost popular by Boston’s Candy Butchers back in the last decade of the prior century. Frankly, I’m a sucker for this kind of tuneful pop, and Kline delivers. The catchy, well-crafted melodies of tunes such as Heart Attack, Sunshine and How I Became The Wind are well arranged and impeccably performed, backing harmonies and all. While Kline lacks the edge that made the Candy Butchers the appealing conundrum that they were, Kline’s pure, affecting tenor more than makes up for any lack of irony in his lyrics. Meanwhile, his musicianship and song-writing talent are unarguable. To listen to the new 6-song ep, visit Justin Kline’s web site where it is available for streaming. Sorry, no mp3s available (at least not for free).
I knew I would like “(Angry Kids Of The World) Unite” and of course I did. It’s part 80s synth pop, part shouty anthem, and I share the Tunes’ enthusiasm. I wish them luck with American kids tho’, but hey, we can join the world late, can’t we? At any rate, do check out this free track, available at Tiger Tunes incredibly great web site. I am so in awe of their header navigation — diagonals! Also the way cool hot wheels car track — with car! But seriously, they seem like a nice bunch of kids and even have demos for their next album up for preview. Enjoy.
Robert Michael Reed -aka- Sike Dyke of Trouble Funk passed away of Pancreatic Cancer at the age of 50 on April 13, 2008 at 10:42pm. Dyke founded Trouble Funk in 1977 and served as keyboardist and vocalist including one of his most notable signature rap deliveries in the song “Pump Me Up.”
The band was most famous for their 1982 album, Drop The Bomb, and hits like “Hey Fellas,” “Trouble Funk Express” and “Pump Me Up.”
Homegoing service will be Friday April 18, 9a -11a Jericho Baptist Church, Landover (next to Fed-Ex Field)
I remember seeing Trouble Funk at the old 9:30 Club (and all over Washington). Reed was always friendly, saying hello when he came in to the club, and always put on a great show. His guitar playing was never overreaching, and always worked perfectly for the unique Trouble Funk groove.
Here’s a video of them,featuring Robert “One Time, One Time” Reed, and a pretty vicious guitar lick. He didn’t get a lot of vocal parts, but he’s all over this one.
New hiphop artist out of New York, also known as Santi White. Despite her Brooklyn base, her music just reminds me of London hip hop. Maybe it’s the slight dub influence or the industrial backing. She’s also got the same out-there girl appeal that Betty Boo had back in the day, and good producers to boot. Her new tune is “Creator” and it rocks, as you might imagine. Find it here. Or download an earlier but still very notable track from way back last year, as remixxed by XXXChange.
I ran across a bunch of mp3s from California’s Empty Rooms and was piqued at once by their 2005 demo, “Docks In The Distance”, which had the SY vibe down so perfectly I had to go look to make sure it wasn’t them. Empty Rooms are a guitar band above all, and they do all the styles. “Off With His Head” has a more swirly British feel. “Try Again” goes in for noodly distortion with long vowely vocals. I’m a sucker for guitar bands generally, and especially ones who can write. Empty Rooms have it down in both departments. Look for the new ep Lacuna, out now. And definitely download some tracks from their MySpace page.
Lovely interwoven vocals distinguish “All or Nothing”, a strummy folk ballad by Pinto, who describe themselves as “crazy-ass socialist swedes.” Although it sounds like it was recorded in someone’s living room, that’s really more of a feature than a detraction. But despite the relaxed feel, the arrangement is complex. I’m a big fan of harmony singing, and Pinto must be too the way they execute that gorgeous pop turn on the chorus.
Enjoy their album Hook Me Up, which is available for free download. That’s right, Pinto doesn’t believe in charging for art, however, they would welcome donations. Being something of a starving artist myself, I appreciate their generosity with their music and plan to donate just as soon as I can. So don’t wait, go to Pinto’s web site and check out all their stuff, including new unreleased tracks such as “All Or Nothing.” You’ll be glad you did.
Justin Kline of Murfreesboro, TN has the kind of sweet sound made almost popular by Boston’s Candy Butchers back in the last decade of the prior century. Frankly, I’m a sucker for this kind of tuneful pop, and Kline delivers. The catchy, well-crafted melodies of tunes such as Heart Attack, Sunshine and How I Became The Wind are well arranged and impeccably performed, backing harmonies and all. While Kline lacks the edge that made the Candy Butchers the appealing conundrum that they were, Kline’s pure, affecting tenor more than makes up for any lack of irony in his lyrics. Meanwhile, his musicianship and song-writing talent are unarguable. To listen to the new 6-song ep, visit Justin Kline’s web site where it is available for streaming. Sorry, no mp3s available (at least not for free).
New hiphop artist out of New York, also known as Santi White. Despite her Brooklyn base, her music just reminds me of London hip hop. Maybe it’s the slight dub influence or the industrial backing. She’s also got the same out-there girl appeal that Betty Boo had back in the day, and good producers to boot. Her new tune is “Creator” and it rocks, as you might imagine. 
I ran across a bunch of mp3s from California’s 
Lovely interwoven vocals distinguish “All or Nothing”, a strummy folk ballad by Pinto, who describe themselves as “crazy-ass socialist swedes.” Although it sounds like it was recorded in someone’s living room, that’s really more of a feature than a detraction. But despite the relaxed feel, the arrangement is complex. I’m a big fan of harmony singing, and Pinto must be too the way they execute that gorgeous pop turn on the chorus. 
Enjoy their album Hook Me Up, which is available for free download. That’s right, Pinto doesn’t believe in charging for art, however, they would welcome donations. Being something of a starving artist myself, I appreciate their generosity with their music and plan to donate just as soon as I can. So don’t wait, go to