"It's been raining singer songwriters lately, and Ciano Maés has splashed onto the scene with a fresh new flavor. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native is somewhat of a prodigy, having taught himself how to play piano by age 6, drums by age 11; and guitar by age 13. Early in his career, Ciano would perform several shows that would eventually thrust... [+] Read More

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Combining a love for British guitar pop songcraft with crunching power chords and a flair for the absurd, Cheap Trick provided the necessary links between '60s pop, heavy metal, and punk. Led by guitarist Rick Nielsen, the band's early albums were filled with highly melodic, well-written songs that drew equally from the crafted pop of the... [+] Read More

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If there is such a thing as false advertising in rock & roll, then Enuff Z'nuff are one of its textbook examples. Packaged in garish peace-glam attire by their record company, the group was wrongly lumped in with the disposable pop-metal bands of the late '80s (Poison, Warrant, etc.), rather than appreciated for the truly gifted power pop act... [+] Read More

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The Australian power-pop band Ice Cream Hands comprised singer/guitarist Charles Jenkins, guitarist Dominic Larizza, bassist Douglas Lee Robertson and drummer Derek Smiley. Debuting in late 1992 with a self-titled EP, the group issued their first full-length release Travelling...Made Easy a year later. After 1994's Supermarket Scene EP, Ice... [+] Read More

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Few bands embodied the pure excess of the '70s like Queen. Embracing the exaggerated pomp of prog rock and heavy metal, as well as vaudevillian music hall, the British quartet delved deeply into camp and bombast, creating a huge, mock-operatic sound with layered guitars and overdubbed vocals. Queen's music was a bizarre yet highly accessible... [+] Read More

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Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, was the drummer in the Beatles from 1962 to 1970 and thus one of the most famous musicians of the '60s. Though the least prominent member of the quartet, he distinguished himself as an occasional singer of good-natured material and as an actor. Upon the group's split, Starr went solo with two novelty projects:... [+] Read More

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Sloan was one of the most successful Canadian bands of the '90s, which was both a blessing and a curse. While they were well-known in their homeland, where their Beatlesque power pop became a radio staple, they had a difficult time breaking into the American market, especially after their label, DGC, decided not to market their hooky pop in the... [+] Read More

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Playing smart, enthusiastic power pop that at its best suggested a three-way pileup between the Who, Big Star, and Cheap Trick, Boston's the Cavedogs began life in 1987, when guitarist Todd Spahr, bassist Brian Stevens, and drummer Mark Rivers joined forces and put out a locally released single. A self-released cassette-only album followed in... [+] Read More

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The Figgs formed in 1987 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Mike Gent (guitar, vocals), Pete Donnelly (bass), Pete Hayes (drums), and Guy Lyons (lead guitar) were power pop and brash punk freaks, recklessly mixing elements of each but rarely losing sight of a solid hook. The combo issued 7" and cassette releases on the area indie Absolute-a-Go-Go before... [+] Read More

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Although Maryland power-poppers the Greenberry Woods seemed to have the right ingredients for success -- songwriting and musical talent, a quickly secured major-label contract, and a positive reaction from power pop fans -- the band self-destructed after only two albums. Songwriters/vocalists/guitarists Ira Katz and Matt Huseman formed the... [+] Read More

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The Raspberries cut through the epic pretensions and pomposity of '70s-era rock to proudly reclaim the spirit and simplicity of classic pop, recalling the heyday of the British Invasion with their exquisitely crafted melodies and achingly gorgeous harmonies. The group was formed in Mentor, OH, in early 1970 by singer/songwriter Eric Carmen and... [+] Read More

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