Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Influences: The Police



















As a snot-nosed 13 year old, I scoffed at the Police, because I thought they were sort of teen heart throbs who made bubble gum pop--and yes, this was before I actually listened to them. I friend of mine kept hammering away at me about them and one day, she brought a Creem magazine special "Police" issue. She opened it to a 2 page spread showcasing Stewart Copeland's drum kit. It was one of the most awesome things I'd ever seen. I bought "Outlandos D'amour" and by that Christmas I owned the whole Police Catalog. I've never stopped listening to those albums, and I think "Outlandos" is my favorite. It's sparce, and straight forward, and brilliant. I get inspired every time I hear it.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Popmonster Lyrics: Backwards

Hello and welcome
Music Lovers
Moms and Dads
Sisters and Brothers

Here is a song
about my life
I never fancied
myself a dancer

But every day
I take a step
towards my dream
but it feels like
I'm running backwards

Baby steps
towards my dreams
and grown up falls
into the stream of
traffic in the
Monday a.m.
My destination,
my desperation

But every day
I take a step
towards my dream
and it feels like
I'm running backwards

©2008 by Greg Pope

Hear this Tune

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Popmonster: front & center at Not Lame









If your looking for a place to pick up some great powerpop, look no further. Huge thanks to the fine folks at NotLame for carrying Popmonster. It's a tremendous honor because there is so much GREAT music on this site. Get some here.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Popmonster Lyrics: Footpath

Slow train coming get up and go
Slowly turning everything over
Play it safe man or let it go

I thought I heard the misty mountain call
but when I looked I saw nothing at all
There's a little footpath out my door
But I can't see where it leads anymore

All familiar comforts of home
Trade it all for something unknown
Play it safe man or let it go

Afterthoughts,
forward glimpses
follow stars
follow princes

©2008 by Greg Pope

Hear this song

Influences: Kiss



















I first saw the album cover above when I was seven years old. My parents were having dinner with friends and their son was in high school. He had two posters on his wall, Farah Fawcett and Kiss: Destroyer. I bought this record for $6.99 at the local drug store. In the months that followed I learned every word of every song. I also made a cassette tape of myself singing it and imitating all the instruments with my voice. Yes I actually did that. I traced the cover art until I could draw it freehand, and became somewhat skilled in the art of theatrical make up.



By the time I was eight I owned most of the Kiss catalog. The last album I remember buying was "Love Gun" and my sweet grandmother was with me. She took one look at the women on the cover and said "honey, that's not nice." I suppose she was right, but honestly I hadn't noticed the girls. I was more interested in obtaining a kid sized pair of Gene Simmon's dragon boots.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Influences: Sam Phillips, Cruel Inventions


















Shortly after its release, I was pointed to this album by Wes Lachot, who I had the privilege of working with years ago on some projects.

A lot of Sam Phillips fans will point to Martinis and Bikinis as their favorite album, and I do have a great affection for that one. Others might give Cruel Intentions the nod, and then go on and on about T-Bone's production (and yes, it's amazing) without another word about the artist.

This now out of print collection of tunes was and is for me, highly affecting. I would say that "Lying" is one of the best songs I have ever heard. Other stand outs are "Go Down", "Raised on Promises" and "Where the Colors Don't Go". As a song writer, this record gave me something to (attempt to) aspire to. Do yourself a favor and pick up a used copy.

And for a more exceptional variety of artist ramblings, visit Sam's blog.

Popmonster Lyrics: Little Things

Sun is finally going down
but the wrinkles in your brow remain
and you say the same things

Say a little prayer
Take a walk with me
Don't dwell on the little things
You don't have control
You don't have to think
Don't dwell on the little things

Do you have to prove me right?
You don't have to lose your mind

All your friends are gathered 'round
In your favorite place right here and now

Say a little prayer
Have a little drink
Don't dwell on the little things
You don't have control
You don't have to think
Don't dwell on the little things

Do you have to prove me right?
You don't have to lose your mind

©2008 by Greg Pope

Hear this tune

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

POPMONSTER: 9 star review from the Powerpopaholic blog



















"As much as I loved Regrets of a Company Man a few years ago, this album is even better. In fact, this is outstanding power pop that blows the doors off most other bands out there."

Read the entire review

Hear/Buy the Album

POPMONSTER: CD of the Day on Absolute Powerpop Blog



















"A real tour-de-force and with Halloween approaching, this Popmonster will be scaring its way up my year-end list."

Read the entire review.

Hear/Buy the album.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Influences: Kark Kent













1982: I can't remember how I found out about this album (Creem magazine maybe?), but I had already become a huge fan of the Police. I was also an aspiring (and arrogant) young drummer much affected by the rhythms of Stewart Copeland. So this record was nothing less than manna from heaven.

I still love this album (a few tracks can still be found on the media page of Copeland's Site). Anthems like Away From Home made me loosen up and realize you could, and in fact should have fun with it. Of course the fact that Copeland played all the instruments was hugely inspirational. I didn't know that was aloud.

Popmonster Lyrics: Burden

Well I can't tell my shrink
'cause I don't have the money
And I can't tell you
'cause I'm in love with you honey

So who can I dump this on
Who can I dump this on
Tell me, who can I dump this on

All my friends' advice
didn't add up to nothin'
And I can't tell the preacher
you know I don't trust him

So who can I dump this on
Who can I dump this on
Tell me, who can I dump this on

Summer night's heavy
with the burden I carry
can you come along side and share the load
Can you share the load

Well I can't tell my dad
it would throw him a curve
and I can't tell my mom
no I don't have the nerve

Well you know I told Jesus
a hundred times
But I really need a face
that can look back in my
tell me who can I dump this on

Summer night's heavy
with the burden I carry
can you come along side and share the load
Can you share the load

©2008 By Greg Pope

Hear this song/Buy the album

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Popmonster Gear: my guit-fiddles

Pictured here are the guitars I've used on the Popmonster project as well all of the Edmund's Crown albums.


BACK ROW, L to R: Epiphone G400 SG custom, Epiphone Gold Les Paul (this one's on loan from a friend), Epiphone Riviera, Epiphone Les Paul Special w/ P90's, Epiphone Texan.
FRONT ROW, L to R: Epiphone Dreadnought, Fender mid 70's Jazz Bass, Fender Telecaster (w/ Joe Barden and Semour Duncan vintage pickups)
RED COUCH: my wife picked this up at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago for cheap. Purdy!

I use the telecaster a lot when recording. The custom pick ups give it a nice range of tones to choose from. It's all over the Edmund's Crown projects. The images on it are vintage Famous Monsters magazine covers. For Popmonster, I used the black SG a lot, mostly because it hangs on the wall in our guest room/my studio and is easily reached!


Live I use my buddy Dave's gold Les Paul. Gonna have to get my own one of these days. (live pic by Paul Conrad)

Hear these guitars.

Popmonster Lyrics: The Only Thing I've Got

(for Esther Jane)

Hold your thoughts
Keep your smile to yourself now
'Cause in your eyes
I caught sight of myself
I see who I am
And you're the only thing I've got goin' on

Just one look
All my dreams blow away like paper
Just one sound
All my plans disappear
I see who I am
And you're the only thing I've got goin' on

©2008 By Greg Pope

Hear this tune/Buy the album

Popmonster Lyrics: Playing Nashville

Practice crossing your arms
Practice rolling your eyes
Whisper "I could do that" to your neighbor
Not expecting a crowd of fans tonight
We're playing for other bands tonight
We're playing Nashville tonight

Trash the flyers we made
Don't expect to get paid
Write this one on the slate of experience
While we're playing we also scan the room
For V.P.'s and Music Row who's who

We're playing Nashville
Tonight, Tonight,
And we've got stars in
Our eyes, our eyes
We're playing Nashville
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight

©2008 By Greg Pope

Hear this song/Buy the Album

Popmonster Lyrics: Lost My Friend

I lost my friend
His girlfriend always resented me
I don't know why
But he complied
Late afternoons
at the pub are a memory
I drive on by
Heave a sigh

What is the reason
I know I should let it be
On with your life, Off with me
I know I shouldn't pry
What is the reason
Who am I to come between
Suddenly you traded me
"Later" for "Good-bye"

©2008 By Greg Pope

Hear this song/Buy the album

Popmonster Lyrics: I Got A Life

Two people came to see the show
One was my wife, and one was working the door
I didn't make a dollar, in fact I paid to play
Man, I really wish tomorrow I could sleep in late

But I got a job
And I got a wife
And I got the kids
Hey, I got a life

Billy woke up at the crack of noon
He's twenty years old and he can sing in tune
Yeah Billy's got a band and he's a lot like me
But there's a major difference that you may not see

Cause I got a job
And I got a wife
And I got the kids
Hey, I got a life

I feel like I've been playing for a thousand years
I've seen my share of good times and I've shed some tears
I guess that you could say I've had my shot
but Baby, rock and roll ain't all I got

Cause I got a job
And I got a wife
And I got the kids
Hey, I got a life

©2008 By Greg Pope

Hear this song/Buy the album

Popmonster Lyrics: Sky Burn Down

Popmonster Lyrics: Sky Burn Down

Come on we'll make the sky burn down tonight
Come on we'll make the sky burn down tonight
I wanna see a show
Get in my car and go
Come on we'll make the sky burn down tonight

Come on we'll make the stars fall out tonight
Come on we'll make the stars fall out tonight
I wanna see a show
Get in my car and go
Come on we'll make the stars fall out tonight

In the eleventh hour
We're gonna rise to power
We're gonna steal the throne
And make this place our own

©2008 by Greg Pope

Listen to the song/Buy the album