STATUS QUO – The Early Years Vol 2 (1970-1972)

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Real Gone

As any big Quo fan knows, the band’s early recordings for Pye Records have been milked to death for the reissue market. From cheapo compilations to multi disc sets, it’s felt as if Pye era material has always been an easy licence for anyone hoping to make a quick quid. Most of the compilations are a little lacking, but occasionally a decent one will creep through, and BMG’s 2024 release ‘The Early Years, Volume 1’ did the best job ever, presenting a 5CD box set rounding up pretty much everything from the band’s archives from between 1966 and 1969.

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REAL GONE GOES OUT: Bowling For Soup – Dreamland, Margate, Kent 25/6/2026

Posted on June 27, 2026 by Real Gone

When Bowling For Soup played in Brighton on their ‘Together Again! You’re Welcome’ tour, the show became notable for three reasons: the tour marked the last time guitarist Chris Burney would visit the UK as a touring musician; the band managed to hit the Sussex coast just as Storm Dennis hit and it was interesting to see fans of all ages and sizes struggling to navigate the seafront and actually get into the venue (at one point, it wasn’t even a guarantee it would be safe to leave once the gig was over), but most importantly – although nobody knew this at the time – this would be the last big night “out out” for many, since everything went into a lengthy pandemic lockdown just a few weeks later.

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Watch: Lost Velvet share new video for ‘Right Back’

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Real Gone

The first thing that’s striking about ‘Right Back’, the current single from Reading based newcomers Lost Velvet, is how perfect it sounds. The rhythm track cracks through the slow arrangement with a genuine edge that’s rather striking. It contrasts the mellow music and hazy vocals brilliantly. The second thing you’ll likely note is how quickly this band are able to set up a great atmosphere: the sharp production contrasting with the trippy vocal sounds evokes a great mood even before the first verse has reached its climax.

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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #162

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Real Gone

Welcome back to the Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the past few weeks. This time around we have the return of a superb instrumental act, some fine retro sounding darkwave, a nod to shoegaze, an interesting offering from a low-key singer songwriter…and more. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!

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MV WELLS – Le Dauphin

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Real Gone

‘Le Dauphin’, the 2026 release from Chicago based songwriter MV Wells, feels like a record out of time. It’s richly layered songs draw from adult pop, 70s AM radio influences, the more accessible end of the Harry Nilsson catalogue, early solo Lennon, and even more contemporary fare in the vein of The Flaming Lips (at least when they’re not trying too hard to be quirky, or pitch the latest idea in their string of novelties). Its nine songs feel familiar, yet repeated listens uncover material that is ultimately far more interesting than mere pop throwbacks, and at it’s best, it’s an album that proves that good pop – despite going through many changes over the decades – will ultimately find its way back to the golden age of the late 60s and early 70s.

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