Sunday, November 22, 2009

Holiday Single Released: "Christmas Snow"




So I did this Christmas song and here's kind of the story behind it. Last year I wrote this poem called "Christmas Snow". Being from the South, snow on Christmas is something that I hope for but it very rarely occurs. Anyway, I would walk around the house reciting this "Christmas Snow" poem in a cockney accent much to the amusement of my four year old son (hey when Dad can get a laugh, he milks it).

I'd kind of always wanted to do a Christmas song so this Fall I started experimenting with putting the words to music. Things got really crazy busy and I almost didn't get it done, but last weekend I put in some hours on it, uploaded to Tunecore last Monday and by Wednesday it was up on Amazon...iTunes link should be up soon. No CD's on this one, digital only.

So there it is... guess you could say i'm dreaming of a white Christmas.



Christmas Snow

Christmas snow oh what a delight
It sparkles just like Christmas lights
You know I've only seen it twice
Since I was a boy

In Nome it's common as the air
But where I'm from it's very rare
And sometimes I don't think it's fair
On a balmy Christmas day

Christmas snow oh what a delight
It sparkles just like Christmas lights
You know I've only seen it twice
Since I was a boy

Now Christmas time is very near
And Christmas snow may come this year
I hope on Christmas morn I'll hear,
"Daddy, look! It's snowing!"

by Greg Pope ©2009

Friday, November 20, 2009

first time in a while...



















...i got hooked on the first listen.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Popmonster Merch



Popmonster wearables and gifts for the power pop lover in your life.

Just in time for the holidays... Check it out here.

All created through zazzle. Would love some feedback on the designs and hope you'll let me know if there's a design you'd like to see. I know I went kind of overboard w/ the skateboard but I couldn't resist...

Monday, September 28, 2009

POWERPOP STATION review of PETE


Reviews of PETE are still coming in, this one from Paolo Miléa, of the Brazilian site Power Pop Station. My portuguese is pretty rough, but from what I could ascertain from an internet translation, I think was favorable (thanks Paolo!). Entire review (and tons of other great powerpop recommendations) here.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

DAGGERzine review of PETE



".... if you dig juicy, hook-laden pop (akin ,a bit, to The Who and GBV) then this guys NEEDS to be on your radar...the song quality is right up there with POPMONSTER."

read the entire review.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Influences: Jeff Beck


Another great record from my all time favorite decade of music and film (and TV).

If the artwork isn't enough to make the hair on the back of any guitar player's neck stand on end, then the first 10 seconds of track one is sure to do the trick.

Not really pop–but it was produced by George Martin. Jeff Beck may be top of the list as far as players that inspire me to want to become a better musician, or just quit all together.

Fave Tracks:



Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Influences: Yes



My aunt Ginger gave me her copy of Fragile (LP, not CD!) when I was five and my life was changed. I'd already been listening to it on visits to her house. I'd sit with my ear pressed to the speaker, eyes closed, soaking in the ominous thunder sounds at the beginning of "South Side of the Sky" and waiting for that amazing drum intro by Bill Bruford.


Later, when I finally scored some toy drums, I spent hours and hours playing along to that record, and staring at the amazing artwork. I still have that first copy and not one track is playable because it was so severely scratched (loved).


It would be hard to underestimate the influence Fragile on my musical cerebrum. As a teenage drummer geek I came to appreciate other albums from the same period like Close to the Edge and The Yes Album. The Alan White....Trevor Horn....Trevor Rabin periods didn't resonate as much for me, though I did get into Drama for a while (the album that is).

Haven't a clue what the lyrics mean, and like it that way. Still can't play that Bruford fill either...