Up until the event, every Wednesday we will be featuring bands that are performing at our Johnny Rad Festival in San Diego, CA July 28th-30th. This week we have another one of our favorites: Shannon and the Clams.

Shannon and the Clams will be opening for the Half Rats the second night of our Johnny Rad Fest at the Kensington Club in San Diego. If you have never heard this Oakland trio, you’re missing out. Their music has the feel of an early rock and roll band mixed with classic girl group, doo-whop, and punk all topped of with Shannon’s belting vocals that have been compared to Etta James and Wanda Jackson. Here’s a couple favorites off the I Wanna Go Home LP, and Hunk Hunt EP

“Heartbreak”

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“Troublemaker”

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Brixton is proud to bring you the 4th Annual Johnny Rad Fest on July 28th-30th in San Diego, CA.  The Johnny Rad Fest is 3 nights of shows with artists we support and follow. We have an awesome line-up of bands including The Spits, The Half Rats and Reigning Sound. Good times will be had by all, so come on out! Click HERE to go to the Official Johnny Rad Fest 2011 Page for information about the bands, tickets and venue info.

Click HERE to go to the Official Johnny Rad Fest 2011 Page

This week we had our friend Tyrone Taylor AKA T-Murder of Clean Cuts DJs bring a new release by Hunx and King Tuff‘s solo album!

Hunx and His Punx

First up, the second full-length album from Hunx and His Punx, Too Young To Be In Love. This is a great record; If you are a fan of 60s girl groups like the Ronnettes and the Shangri-Las, you should be into this. If you have never heard of Hunx, let give you a little insight into what you are dealing with. Think of watching the Ronettes singing “Be My Baby”, but replace the female front woman with an over-the-top, openly gay man. Their live show is really something you need to see at least once in your life. Really strong backing vocals from Shannon Shaw from Shannon and the Clams give it a deep soulful feel. Some of my personal picks on this record would be “Lovers Lane”, “The Curse Of Being Young” and “Bad Boy”. Be sure to check out their music videos on YouTube.

“The Curse of Being Young”

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King Tuff

Next up is King Tuff’s album, Was Dead. This is a power pop classic album in the making.  You may recognize the voice of Kyle Thomas aka King Tuff from his other bands, the most notable being Witch with J. Mascis of Dinosaur JR.  The first time I heard this album I thought it must have been straight out of the 70s power pop vault.  If you are a fan of the Undertones, Pointed Sticks and Paul Collins Beat, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t already own this album.  Some of my favorites from the album are “Sun Medallion” and “Connection”.  Be sure to check them out on their West Coast tour starting in San Diego on June 11th at The Casbah.

“Connection”

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This Wednesday we bring you a couple 45′s from our friends in Lafayette, Indiana. The Half Rats and The Boy Toys.

First up is The Half Rats who recently lent us their song “Lost in Reality” for the soundtrack of our new Summer 11 video. We were first introduced to The Half Rats by our friend Tyrone Taylor, Clean Cuts DJ and Lafayette native. The Half rats came to town last year for the Johnny Rad Fest and put on an amazing show. Keep your fingers crossed and look out for them to show up again this year for some more Rock N’ Roll good times. Here is “Glass Eyes” from their 7″ featuring the Jivettes.

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Next up is a band formed by Half Rats guitarist Ryan Puetz. The Boy Toys play classic power pop that is always great to listen to and see live with friends. Here is “Black and Blue and Grey” from their 7″ titled Girls Like You.

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This week we bring you Nebraska from Bruce Springsteen and a track from the new Nobunny album, enjoy!

Bruce Springsteen recorded Nebraska at home on a 4-track cassette recorder as demo songs to later be recorded by the E Street Band. However, Springsteen ultimately decided to release the demos as they were. We love this album for its sparse, raw sound and songs of blue collar characters. This album was recorded very softly so be sure to turn up your volume.

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Next up is First Blood from Nobunny which was just released last week on Goner Records. Our friend Tyrone from Clean Cuts DJs brought this record over for us the other day and it has been in high rotation at the office. Make sure to check out Nobunny live while they are touring for the new album.

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