SEARCHING...... The Numbers (US) - Ready, Steady, NO! (1999 or 2000)

Formed from the ashes of Detroit's Big Block, guitarist Kenny Tudrick fully embraces the mod influences that were only alluded to in his previous band. For a not-that-subtle hint of this, there's a pic of a scooter on the album art to accompany the style heard on the record. The album is some spirited power pop, in the style of early Who and the Jam, as played by the Plimsouls, along with a vocal style not unlike Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner (but don't hold that against them). Some of the songs go a bit trippy after a while, but that only adds to the interesting texture of the album. The music itself is not exactly cutting edge or non-derivative, but that's not really the point. These guys are obviously having fun playing songs like "Billy Rubin," which sounds like a reworking of "Summertime Blues" mixed with "My Generation." At one point they break out a processed guitar sound on "Godspeed," which recalls U2's the Edge more than anything else. This album overall is a great example of punk-influenced, mod rock & roll.

I don't have so much info about this band. Four songs from the album Ready Steady No! (hard to find...).....I got these songs in 1999 or 2000.....(mp3.com), I think. Another mod group lost in time.....?

*****1 Fast

    2 Sometimes

    3 Cutshort

****4 Left Behind

****5 Billy Rubin

     6 Kerosene                   

****7 Green

     8 4 X 5

     9 Justice

    10 Godspeed

    11 Bridesmaid                               more info: HERE

Grupo americano del que no conozco demasiado. Sólo cuatro canciones que vienen de los tiempos de mp3.com, bitrate 128 Kbps, que nos dan una idea de lo que fue este grupo y nos dan ganas de conseguir más....... un poco más de información: AQUI

Numbers - Left Behind

Mega Super Ultra - Power Pop Art (1999)

In the late 70's, parka-clad thousands took to beaches of Brighton to defend the Mod way of life, depicted in the classic film Quadrophenia. Bands like The Jam, Purple Hearts, Secret Affair, The Lambrettas, and countless others re-ignited the R&B influenced, energetic pop sound that had been missing in punk, yet still containing the intensity and emotion of the UK punk movement. Here in the United States, rock critics tend to cite this "power-pop" movement in terms of it's Chicago roots, most notably Cheap Trick, Green, Shoes, and Material Issue.....which is fine to the members of MegaSuperUltra, the 12 songs on "Power Pop Art" have been crafted from the very core of rock. The music is full of quick changes, stops, starts, and cleverly honed lyrics mingled with irresistible melody. These songs are non stop action, obviously based on the Mod styles and ideals of 1960's England but given an distinct American twist. The world is ready for this "brand" of feel-good pop again, directly targeted to the new high-paced Scooterist movement that is bubbling strong in the underground once again.
                          Jump Up Records
 
Mega Super Ultra are another one of those 3 piece Jam influenced Stateside '79 revival bands complete with parkas, targets, arrows and London imagery.
It's all very nostalgic and in the words of the band themselves "It's like growing up and wanting to be British". As much as this stuff doesn't seem to have much relevance in 2001 you still can't knock people for just believing in what they do. I've heard the best and worst of the revival revival bands and although I'd rather go out and find something new Mega Super Ultra are top class in what they do and well worth checking out against some of the other new mod bands.

Reviewed by Mark McNulty (review posted on 10th October 2001) modculture
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Si se te ocurre poner en la búsqueda de tu navegador favorito las palabras "mega super ultra" puedes quedar sorprendido de la cantidad de páginas que las utilizan, incluso acompañadas de "hyper", el no va más. Puede que en españa estas tres palabras nos suenen a expresión un tanto "pija", pero no nos confundamos con este grupo, son de Chicago, son mods y vienen de nuevo a decirnos que cuando quieren los yanquis hacen muy buenas canciones mod, que suenan a jam a chords.... como siempre. Temas como "How stupid can I Be", "Salt" o "Seven Waves Away" me darán la razón. Disco publicado en Jump Up! Records. En 2002 sacaron "Back To Take Another Bow" y creo que estaban trabajando en otro disco pero no sé si han llegado a publicarlo (Mega Means More). Han tenido apariciones en recopilatorios:
News of the World MKII - Once I'm All the Rage (We're Through),
Smash Your Radio Volume 2.0 - Get it? Got it? GOOD!,
The Young Idea Squire Tribute - Live Without Her Love.