On one of his social media channels, near the beginning of 2025, musician Daniel James mused how he was always busy. So busy, in fact, that he barely had time to sleep. At that time, he was a member of at least four bands – including Indonesian Junk (who’d just embarked on a hiatus) and reformed punkers Chinese Telephones.
Tag Archives: power pop
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #89
Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the last few weeks. Although this selection digs deeply to showcase recent tunes from up and coming talents, there’s one name here that should be familiar to most. We’ve also got a couple of superb singer songwriters, some classic sounding dream rock, and even a superb sounding single from a cool pop act. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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THE JOHN SALLY RIDE – Melomaniacs
Throughout their fifth album, power pop band The John Sally Ride explore various different topics that’ll be familiar to the obsessive music fan. You’ll find songs here that recall a big “leap forward” in terms of available formats (‘The First Time On CD’), tread the fine line between apprehension and excitement when a much-loved band returns after time in the wilderness (‘Their New Album’), and celebrate the importance of lyric sheets in a pre-internet age.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #87
This week’s Singles Bar is a rock-centric affair, but we’ve attempted to pull together a selection of tracks that really capture a wealth of different moods. There’s a track with 90s dream rock/shoegaze flair, a slab of Finnish metal with thrash elements, a classic sounding and very 90s influenced tune, and something with light prog leanings. Those hoping for something highlighting other genres should also find pleasure within some great power pop and a timeless sounding country-pop number marking the return of a great singer-songwriter. January is often notoriously quiet for new releases, but there should be enough here to pique your interest as usual!
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MUCK AND THE MIRES – Zoom Breakup EP
In the summer of 2023, Muck and The Mires released the ‘Cool Imposter’ single. With a blend of 50s kitsch, late 60s garage rock guitar and one of the most repetitious hooks ever, it quickly marked out a place as one of their strongest tracks to date. Their 2024 EP ‘Zoom Breakup’ doesn’t quite summon the same fire – although always enjoyable in their own way, it would’ve been a tall order for its six numbers to reach the same heights of shameless infectiousness – but the release is certainly a more than welcome addition to the veteran band’s catalogue.