Jem Records Celebrates |

[@WhatisLifeWithoutMusic5]

Never heard of Jem Records but another set of albums to add to my wants list. Thanks for great and informative videos.

[@romelovesdan]

If someone comes to your house Matt and complains about your music.....show them the door! They should feel privileged.

[@matthewstreet1961]

Wonderful Matt! Well done! And I truly appreciate the kind shout out! All the best to you, Mrs Pop, and Bogie! Cheers, MS

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks Mr. Street!

[@wyliesmith4244]

I really enjoyed hearing these covers! It's a bit funny as these covers remind me of the original Jem Records which had put out some great power pop records like the Bongos' "Drums Along the Hudson" (1982). You mentioned Richard Barone, and he was the leader/songwriter of the Bongos. Working in a record store, I started buying from Jem Records in the mid-seventies to get import vinyl - especially the Beatles and Rolling Stones for more songs and superior vinyl. Jem introduced their own label imprint and subsidiary labels like PVC and Passport which were gold for an indie store in a college town. Bands included Tones on Tail, Synergy (Larry Fast on synthesizers between Peter Gabriel gigs), Brand X (Phil Collins in a jazz-rock group), the Fall, Long Ryders (first EP), Siouxsie, the Cure, Simple Minds, Bill Nelson, Anthony Phillips, and many more. My salesman, Jim Cuomo, was a great guy - hard to believe in the record biz. Guess I need a new record needle.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks Wylie. I didn't know too much about Jem other than seeing the orange triangle sticker on imports. Thanks for the comments!

[@CliftonCaskey-nj8so]

I remember buying imported stuff with the JEM stickers on them in the early 80s. That’s how I was able to buy all of The Jam’s catalog.

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

It is really good that there are new groups making good new rock and roll. I really like the Midnight Callers' "Rattled Humming Heart," and have bought a few copies of it for friends. Those compilations sound really good. I like the idea of covering songs that normally get less attention, like "What's the New Mary Jane?" I'm glad that you made this video, partly because I had never heard any of these recordings before. I might get the Lennon and/or Townshend one.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I love the Townshend one especially. Thanks Eric!

[@rogertemple7193]

Happy Celebrations to Jem Records. 🎂🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎂

[@dreammachine2013]

Great shout about new versions done with love and a touch of adventure🎉. Great art covers too😊

[@mustlovepretzels]

I like Anderson Council's covers of The Kinks 'Do You Remember Walter?" & The Stones "Citadel". Cheers! 🥨

[@misterhorvath]

Thank you! I also enjoy pretzels…😂

[@tonyspada2744]

Most of my import LPS were Jem !! When my agent was shopping a record label for me we met Passport Records thru Jem and and a few more prog labels. So nice to see you acknowledge Jem!! Thanks Matt🎼🎶🎶 ❤

[@senatorjimdracula1603]

The Anderson Council, I see what they did there LOL. These seem like some pretty cool records.

[@BeatleDustino]

I’ve been meaning to check these out. Matthew Street has really got me into the Midnight Callers.

[@RickM01]

Hi Matt, I just purchased the three you featured from Amazon. I think the reinvention of tunes from these artists is excellent. I do not consider myself a "power pop" aficionado (maybe I need a shot of adrenaline) but once in a while I do enjoy this approach to band music and these bands have a lot to offer - very creative. Have a great day!!! And thank you to Matthew Street too - so great at sharing new discoveries worth a listen!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

You will really enjoy these, Rick!

[@antoniodalfonso]

wow! so refreshing.... yes, loved the sound of the songs you showcased.... Oh yes, do analyze new stuff... It is so necessary, Matt. Thank you once again.

[@georgeprice4212]

A lot of the tracks actually went deep into the catalog of the given artist! And, the performers made the songs their own as well.

[@romelovesdan]

There are some great bands featured on these compilations.....they treat the material, and the Artists with love and reverence. Outside of the box song choices too!

[@joelgoldenberg1100]

Nice that the Stones tribute has my two favorite songs-We Love You and Dandelion. And me favorite Kinks song, Picture Book, on the Ray Davies collection. The artists have great taste.

[@wonsworld61]

Wow!. The gripweeds!!! What a brilliant sound, kinda reminded me of Teenage Fanclub

[@martinsplichal1581]

Cheers Matt. Enjoyable. Some New Jersey bands on there😊

[@bruceterrell9287]

I've heard the Anderson Council's version of the Stone's Citadel on Little Steven's Underground Garage a number of times and I can't get enough of it. I'll be getting the Jagger/Richards one soon.

[@misterhorvath]

Thank you, Bruce. Much appreciated.

[@erniericardo8140]

Greetings Matt- Im not really a big fan of these tribute cover albums because usually they are a let down and it only serves the porpuse to appreciate the original recordings but these Jem compilations are an exception,I first heard these compilations on SXM The Underground Garage, and some of these covers are really good and some are not bad , but all in all these Jem compilations are worth getting - and Cheers 🍻 to Matthew Street

[@cobbdale58]

Nice job.....I have a few......Townshend was the first....others to come.....I'm a Big Power Pop fan......so these are pretty great......would like to see a tribute to The Byrds.....thanks again

[@Tom-el5cq]

Very interesting video Matt, (as always)! I’m curious about the Brian Wilson one, I’ll have to look for that. It’s cool that they don’t just concentrate on the big hits. If you’re interested, Mojo and Uncut magazines have put out compilations like this with their magazines, featuring newer artist versions.

[@l7casanova336]

Matt, My favorite modern group is The Lemon Twigs. They listen to literally everything people who watch this channel like. While I don't think all of their albums are for you, their last album from May of this year is incredibly 60s-influenced. I cannot recommend it enough. I would literally send you a copy (vinyl of course) if you had a PO Box. Check them out. They're young and incredibly talented and like all great things, widely unknown lol.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the recommendation - I have heard their name and will have to check them out!

[@mikecrispo4568]

The Weeklings first two albums have many covers of obscure Beatles songs. Worth checking out. All of their releases are really good! Also big fan of the Grip Weeds and Midnight Callers.

[@TheDavBow3]

Yes, The Weeklings are very good!

[@silasmarner7586]

I absolutely LOVE the original Beatles version of What's The New Mary Jane. Hmmm..

[@bobm5242]

I've never heard of those. They sound very cool. I will seek them out.

[@richardhirsh4954]

Shout out to the Weeklings, Max Weinberg’s band of choice for his Jukebox covers project

[@aminahmed2220]

What a great video have a wonderful day matt also Sunday was my mom birthday ❤😊

[@neiljackson3133]

The Gripweeds? I haven't heard that name since the 70s,

[@syater]

Some surprisingly good covers there, Matt ! I'm usually hesitant about bands I don't know doing covers of music I do know well, but I always appreciate coming across covers that are done well. The band Hollis Brown (named after the Dylan song I assume) released an album 'In the Aftermath' which, as you might guess, is a cover of the entire album Stones album 'Aftermath.' I was happily surprised how much I enjoyed it, just different enough to be interesting without going off on tangents. Maybe as close to hearing the original album for the first time (again) as we're likely to get. Not earth-shattering, but a fun listen !

[@ttoille765]

Not sure if you are familiar with Rainbow Quartz Records from the early 2000's. Their roster was exclusively new bands that had a heavy 60's bent. The Grip Weeds were on there as well as the High Dials, Outrageous Cherry, Asteroid #4, and the Telepathic Butterflies. Everything was great and helped me spread my 1960s wings (but not too far)!

[@Sp33gan]

I really liked the Lennon cuts you shared, Matt. While I appreciate what the others are trying to do, and I'm a big sucker for harmonies, I found the majority of the others held a certain sameness to their sounds. Maybe I need to hear the tracks in their entirety, though I remain mostly unimpressed at this point. I'm reminded of the myriad of 60s budget labels filled with non-existent bands like The Superstocks - i.e. studio musicians - recording interesting genre songs yet none would ever intended to see the charts. Still, open-minded me would like to hear more before any opinion is made. The hardest part of new music is finding a band I like. This, at least, takes the hunting out of the equation. Now for the listening 😊

[@garymitchell8335]

Thanks, I really enjoyed this. I know you don't love the term 'Indie', but here in the UK for a teenager in the late 80s Indie was the best way to hook into that classic sixties jangle and, as you said, have a fresh recording sound at the same time. Excuse my ignorance but what was the outro track on your video. Sounds like my current favourite band The Lemon Twigs, who definitely dig the sixties and seventies. Keep up the great work!

[@frugalseverin2282]

There are some new releases coming up by classic rock artists: Sept. 20: Bob Dylan & The Band "The 1974 Live Recordings" a 27 disc box set. Sept. 20: Fleetwood Mac's "Mirage Tour" from 1982. Sept. 27: Steve Howe "Guitarscope". Oct. 25: CSNY "Live at Fillmore East" 1969. Nov. 1: The Cure "Songs of a Lost World".

[@John_Fugazzi]

I'm always in favor of any project that keeps this music alive. From what you sampled, it's interesting that they picked some lesser known songs, especially for Lennon since there are already so many Beatles covers. Given who they picked I was surprised they hadn't done Ray Davies, but you cleared that up.

[@drummer78]

I shared a bill with The Grip Weeds. Great band to see live. They played “The Inner Light” and Who tunes like “I’m Free”. They also delve into The Buffalo Springfield/Byrds California side of things too. The band has been around for awhile actually abc aren’t exactly a new band….I think they have been around since the early 90’s.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I've never seen them but they are a band I would certainly check out. Thanks drummer78!

[@johnlopez5373]

Paul Collins and his band the Beat are 100% pure power pop at it's best. The band's first album is a masterpiece. Other great power pop bands with a 60s influence include The Records, The Muffs, and The Baby Shakes. Punk bands like the Ramones are basically power pop bands with a heavy 60s influence as well.

[@workingtheworld68]

OT, but JEM Imports played an important part to bring many early European rock music to America, including Kraftwerk and Amon Duul

[@OperationPhantom]

This all sound very nice and that cover of What's the New Mary Jane sounds like an improvement! As the original recording is kind of a...mess. Interestingly Australian band the Moles also recorded a song with the same title, in 1992 I believe, which is a bit of a stunner, well worth checking out. I think they (also) thought the title deserved a better song.

[@1rwjwith]

Pretty cool concept, taking great songs and interpreting them usually beats recent trends😁. Some versions were very good some not so much but good stuff.

[@ChromeDestiny]

The Grip Weeds also did an excellent cover of The Who's Melancholia for a tribute album called The New Sell Out. I'll grant that What's The New Maryjane is not brilliant but there's one version I like, about a three and half minute version that's a good compromise between the sparse version on the White Album box and the crazed 6 - 7 minute versions.

[@johnlopez5373]

Great power pop. Matt, how about a video focusing on Rickenbackers?

[@clydekimsey7503]

You mean the knickerbockers?

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes to both!

[@johnlopez5373]

Meant Rickenbacker guitars. My fav!

[@clydekimsey7503]

@popgoesthe60s52 have you heard of Paul collins' Beat? One of the best power pop bands ever.

[@dreammachine2013]

The 12- String Rickenbacker and it's contribution to a revolution in Sound: The Beatles, The Searchers, The Byrds, Tom Petty & Heartbreakers, Bangles... ❤

[@davidholiday4494]

great information

[@nosytmusic]

Hey Matt, I've been subbed to your channel for ages, love your content! After watching this and thinking about newer bands, I really think you should check out an Australian band called Bunyip Aristocracy. You'll instantly hear influences of Beatles, Kinks, and 60's/70's influences in general. Right up your alley! Listen to songs like Technicolour Girl, Heartache and The Spell.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for the recommendation! I do like hearing new music too.

[@pookiemartinez1745]

Richard Barrone from The Bongos

[@shyman99]

I really enjoyed every snippet I heard except for "I Can't Explain". I normally don't like covers, but there's something to be said for vintage compositions to be heard using the state of art technology of today and a fresh sound. But I think you and I could come up with better record label designs to complete the package.

[@nexttime960]

I heard The Weaklings used Apple Studios equipment set up same specs The Beatles used to get a very close match on sound and they really have a 60 ish tone if such a thing exists

[@wonsworld61]

the Gripweeds.... wasn't Gripweed, John Lennon's character in How I Won the War??

[@jonvought700]

Cool albums! I had no idea. Are these domestic pressings? Sometimes a great cover can remind you how good a song something is; sometimes it can *reveal* how good a song something is.

[@michaelrochester48]

Speaking about obscure Rolling Stones songs, there are people today they think “2000 Man” is a Kiss song and not a Rolling Stones song

[@PaulAndrew-fp2qg]

They sound pretty respectful to the originals and have an authentic retro feel without being too tribute band like. Not my thing but to each their own.

[@kevinsawyer6968]

Be sure to check out the Vinyl Kings.

[@danielpayne3336]

Jem Records? The distributor on 10th or 11th Ave? My friend worked there for awhile and got me free swag from Sky Dog

[@shadowstealer2790]

Must say that these weren’t bad at all , as a person that usually doesn’t go for covers.But some sound suspiciously like the same bunch of people with a load of different names, like Lou Reed in his “Ostrich” days.Those last two (Anderson Council and Gripweeds) def sound like the same group.

[@DavidTurchickVEGAN]

5:40: let us just hope they won't get fooled again.

[@bobburroughs6241]

Oh dear. Some weird things turning up on here lately Matt.

[@kkwok9]

Nice

[@JohnL-g9q]

Great new pop power! Fab gear!

[@thomasschiller404]

Hmmm. Not bad!

[@psychedelic-guitar-art]

No links for Jem

[@hagbard72]

Pass.

[@tobitsdogcasenerd]

Sounds great 👍🏻

[@silasmarner7586]

The Anderson Council wrote their own song about Mr. Pinkerton's Assorted Colors and it ROCKS LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5XFn6V4pqecpdU

[@misterhorvath]

Thanks for the mention, Silas. Much appreciated.