I was surprised that only one passing reference to this record turned up in search (on a thread about wishful reunions for 2007, no less!), I figured more people on ILM would be all over this thing. Its a 1997 album from Kevin Junior, a Chicago musician that spent quite a few years in Europe collaborating with Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks before he headed back to the States to form his own band and release this. Its kept a fairly low profile over the years, but has gained cult status among certain indie pop fans, from what I understand. The influences are pretty clear - you can definitely hear the Sudden influence, as well as Big Star and early 70s Stones, but I think it goes well beyond pure hero worship. Any thoughts? Is the 2001 follow-up, Month of Sundays, worth tracking down?
Anyhow, I say a very solid classic.
― 'what are you, the Hymen Protection League of America?' (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 6 April 2011 21:17 (2 years ago) Permalink
huh, was just thinking about these guys, because i was listening to epic soundtracks last week. I saw them open up for the pernice bros. way back when, but i never ended up getting any of their stuff. i should probably track it down!
― tylerw, Wednesday, 6 April 2011 21:24 (2 years ago) Permalink
Hah, I was actually thinking of you as one of the posters most likely to be into this album!
― 'what are you, the Hymen Protection League of America?' (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 6 April 2011 21:25 (2 years ago) Permalink
yeah, it is probably right up my alley. one of those bands i've always had in the back in of my mind, but never actually gotten into.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 6 April 2011 21:26 (2 years ago) Permalink
I actually love this album. I found it used somewhere in 2003, didn't listen to it for a year or two, and listen to it regularly since then. It's pretty much my default cleaning-the-apartment music, and also one that comes in handy when I need background music for a show or party and want to put something on and forget about it.
― SB Nation (Eazy), Wednesday, 6 April 2011 21:40 (2 years ago) Permalink
The 2nd album is wonderful.
I've been meaning to find out what happened to them, so thanks for the reminder. Kevin Junior got into heroin around the time of the second album and disappeared for 5 or 6 years. They've evidently been back together for a few years now; there are some new songs on their Myspace page but they haven't released anything yet.
Documentary I haven't watched yet:
― Hideous Lump, Thursday, 7 April 2011 04:21 (2 years ago) Permalink
Thanks for the links HL! I definitely need to track down that second album.
― 'what are you, the Hymen Protection League of America?' (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 11 April 2011 18:36 (2 years ago) Permalink
... and I finally did. Picked up a copy for $2 just now.
― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 2 August 2012 18:35 (9 months ago) Permalink
Band was so good. Saw one of the comeback shows - great - but then ... no comeback.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 2 August 2012 18:44 (9 months ago) Permalink
Yeah that was a pretty anticlimactic comeback.
― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 2 August 2012 18:44 (9 months ago) Permalink