rep>>> Surprize - Keep On Truckin' (1972 us, groovy psych blues rural rock)

Surprize were a 1970's psychedelic rock band from Philadelphia. After being together for eight months, the band recorded their one and only, album "Keep On truckin'" in one of Philadelphia’s finest recording studios. Upon release the band started to get TV and radio airplay as well as being booked for larger concerts. The band had great success and growing more and more popular every day. A few years later Surprize were approached by a larger and more well-known record label. They wanted to promote and produce the second album and give it a release on their own label which meant the chance of national distribution. 

Shortly after this approach whilst performing out of town, band leader Peter Accardi had a supernatural occurence, which would change the bands. The next morning Peter Accardi, called for a special meeting. At this meeting Peter shared how something supernatural had happened to him, and how he knew he was going to heaven. His life was changed and he tried to share how we all needed the same thing in our lives. Much to everyone's shock, Peter walked away from his career as the lead singer of the band and decided to go to Bible College in order to become a Preacher. A few weeks later keyboard player joined Accardi in his new calling and followed him on his journey to become a Preacher. Not long after the band decided to call it a day. As for Accardi and Bissel both now serve the Lord at the Elkdale Baptist Church, West Clifford, Pennsylvania. Peter Accardi is the church Evangelist and Frank Bissel serves as the Pastor of the church.

Tracks

1. Earth Odyssey (Pete Accardi, Mark Shapiro, Fred Kieffer, Rick Martin, Franck Bissel) - 6:45

2. Sweet Love 4:18

3. Keep On Truckin' 5:10

4. Ev'ry Day 5:15

5. See The Light 6:29

6. Try A Little More

All songs by Howard Stein, Tony Roccia except track #1

Surprize

*Pete Accardi - Vocals, Percussions, Harmonica 

*Mark Shapiro - Guitar, Backing Vocals 

*Fred Kieffer - Drums, Percussions 

*Rick Martin - Bass, Backing Vocals 

*Franck Bissel - Backing Vocals, Keyboard 

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The Tweeds - I Need That Record The Tweeds Anthology (1977-85 us, fantastic power pop with harder edges)

The Tweeds where from Massachusetts and issued a small string of singles and EPs from 1977 – 1981, the most famous of which is probably 1980’s Perfect Fit which contains their most lasting tracks “I Need That Record” and “The Girl Who Said No”

Pretty much all of their output is included here, even including an alternate recording of “Underwater Girl” from its inclusion on an ’81 b-side that saw it rerecorded for the release and added an intro. The band apparently included Kenny Gorelick (aka Kenny G, the band of your elevator existence) on keys at one point but its unclear how much of the material he may have played on. In general the band has a lot of delightful, but not especially hard hitting power pop and its safe to say this may be the most definitive release of their music that you’d ever need. 

The aforementioned “Underwater Girl” might be the best surprise, as its not included on many compilations and its a solid runner of a power pop jam and gives the band a bit of a harder edge. The rest is probably for the true power pop diggers but I’ve always been a sucker for the fringes of the genre. Not holding my breath for a vinyl issue of this but it would be nice to have a bit more background from the label on this one. Barring that, I’ll just cross my fingers that the Buttons series might start back up (please, please, please), it was promising but I’m sure it sorely undersold those soul comps. One can only hope this might be an indication of turning their gaze back towards power pop.

by Andy (Raven Sings The Blues)

Tracks

1. If I Could Only Dance (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 2:21

2. I'm Thru (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 1:56

3. Shortwave (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 2:25

4. Teen Love (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 2:35

5. Ode To A Glicknick (The Larry Glick Song) - 1:39

6. Underwater Girl (Marc McHugh) - 3:10

7. My Memories (Charles Blackwell, Françoise Hardy, Jacques Datin) - 2:44

8. Postcard (Marc McHugh) - 3:01

9. I Need That Record (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow) - 3:19

10.Hey Baby (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow) - 3:50

11.Later Tonight (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow) - 2:53

12.She's The Girl (Who Said No) (Marc McHugh) - 3:09

13.I've Got Rock In My Heart (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow, George Godding) - 3:39

14.We Ran Ourselves (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow, Paulson) - 3:45

15.Away From You (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow, Paulson) - 4:11

16.Underwater Girl (Eat Records Version) (Marc McHugh) - 3:51

17.Part Of The Game (Marc McHugh) - 4:02

18.No More (Erik Lindgren) - 3:02

The Tweeds

*Jeff Mezzrow - Guitar, Vocals, Bass

*Marc McHugh - Guitar, Vocals

*Gordon Wallace - Brums, Vocals, Bells

*George Godding - Vocals, Percussion (Tracks 1-13)

*Michael White - Bass (Tracks 14-18)

With 

*Kenny Gorelick - Piano (Track 10)

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