Cherry Red [Release date : 13.02.26]

In the sixties, the term “Underground Music” bubbled up to the surface. It became associated with the counterculture and psychedelia, as teens and twenties began to find their voice, in life and in music, especially in the USA.

Ten years after the Summer Of Love, a new musical era was beginning, and a new generation was finding its own voice. This compilation looks back on that time.

Content: 3 discs, 67 tracks…and almost as many artists.

Many of those artists still have a voice today, The Dream Syndicate, The Long Ryders (watch out for new album next month), The Rain Parade, Red Kross, The Bangles, The Meat Puppets, Husker Du, The Flaming Lips, Camper Van Beethoven, Drivin’N’Cryin, REM.

The Allmusic website describes The Rain Parade as “one of the key figures in the Paisley Underground movement”, which took its cue from many sources. Not least influential sixties pop giants like the Byrds and Love (and occasionally, The Beatles).

Many will know that this anthology gets its name from the band’s ‘This Can’t Be Today’, which is here along with ‘What She’s Done To Your Mind?’. Quite a coup getting this one too, the band’s self released debut single from 1982.

The Bangles, most famous of the Paisley Underground bands, who ultimately moved on into the pop mainstream, have their 1982 song ‘The Real World’ embedded in Disc 3. Its Beatlish sound is a clear indication of their influences.

Talking of which, ‘I Am The Cosmos’ is the title track from Chris (Big Star) Bell’s one and only solo album. The track’s raga inflected psychedelia, underlined by Bell’s tangled guitar jangle, is vaguely reminiscent of John Lennon’s ‘Across The Universe’, in spirit as much as in content. It’s a fabulous track, one that today’s generation of music lovers seem to have missed out on.

Drivin’N’Cryin’s ‘Count The Flowers’ comes from their critically acclaimed, independently released debut, Scarred But Smarter (1986). This shouty, punky song with a southern rock foundation helped get them signed by the Island label. It’s a gem.

The Dream Syndicate’s ‘Sure Thing’ from their seminal 1982 album, The Days Of Wine And Roses is here (Pitchfork magazine: “60’s rock and 60’s avant-garde combine beautifully on their debut”), along with a rare live version of Neil Young’s ‘Mr.Soul’, a non album track, released in 1983 on an EP spin off.

Naturally, there are a number of lesser known bands here. The compilation is clearly designed to chronicle the early years of Underground Rock. Some achieved fame, some didn’t.

The Last are a prime example of an influential band (The Bangles and the Three O’Clock admit as much), who failed to breakout into the wider musical world.

In turn, The Three O’Clock were admired by The Bangles and Prince (who gifted them the song, ‘Neon Telephone’ for the band’s Vermillion album) was a fan. But the album stiffed and so they decided their time was up.

The Last’s ‘She Don’t Know Why I’m Here’ opens this anthology.

The boxset comes with informed liner notes from Pat (Absolute Grey) Thomas, and fascinating band biographies. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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April 12

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Power Plays w/c 16 March 2026

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Brat With A Baseball Bat (Eonian Records)
ARANDA You Don’t Wanna Know (indie)
MYRATH Breathing Near The Roar (earMUSIC)
DELBHOY KENNEDY Sky’s The Limit (Flip Flop Records)
ALL THEM WITCHES Starting Line (BMG)
HER FURY Use And Abuse (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 16 March 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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