S.W. Lauden
@stevewlauden.bsky.social
Writer, author, drummer. Edits the guitar pop newsletter Remember The Lightning: https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/. Contributor for Big Takeover. Drummer for Tsar, The Brothers Steve, Ken Layne & The Corvids, and Ridel High (aka "Coulter").
Decades later, I still love every version of The Replacements (some more than others)—but I always come back to 'Sorry Ma.' #musicsky #music
‘Sorry Ma’ At 45
An Ode To The Replacements’ Stunning 1981 Debut Album
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Ronnie Barnett of The Muffs joins the "Is It Power Pop?!" party. #musicsky #music
Is It Power Pop?!
PART THIRTY TWO: Ronnie Barnett
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Esteemed MusicStacker @joebonomo.bsky.social steps up to the “Is It Power Pop?!” plate and knocks it outta the park. He even throws one curveball that will likely have a few purists ready for a bench-clearing brawl. #musicsky #music
Is It Power Pop?!
PART THIRTY: Joe Bonomo
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Combining elements of ‘70s power pop (Big Star), ‘80s college rock (Replacements), and ‘90s alternative/lo-fi (GBV! GBV!), these 11 songs also contain some surprising twists and turns for a collection that feels so instantly familiar. #musicsky #music
Interview: Mopar Stars
Discussing Their Album 'Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil'
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“I think the shows that that are chaotic and exciting and make me go 'AHHHH, WHAT’S HAPPENING????' for most of the set are the ones that are the most thrilling to me.” — Jeff Whalen #musicsky #music
Jeff Whalen's Bubblegum Strangeness
Gearing Up For His First Live Performance In A Couple Years
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#music #musicsky 🎶🎸😎🔊 ❓IS IT #POWERPOP? Hey, Hey, Helen by ABBA (1975) Does it qualify as power pop? Power pop adjacent? Have I (as is probable) lost my mind? youtu.be/tN0d5QPDUZA @stevewlauden.bsky.social @powerpop.bsky.social @marcfagel.bsky.social @timmcintyre11.bsky.social
Hey, Hey Helen
YouTube video by ABBA - Topic
youtu.be
That Grin tune! My old boss at a record shop I worked at in MD used to spin this one a lot.
Thrilled to have Yellow Pills founder Jordan Oakes join the series, delivering 5 immaculate song choices. #musicsky #music
Is It Power Pop?!
PART TWENTY NINE: Jordan Oakes
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Since 1998, International Pop Overthrow festival has brought power pop (and adjacent!) artists and fans together to celebrate the melodic rock music we all love. #musicsky #music
Interview: David Bash
Behind The Scenes At International Pop Overthrow Festival
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🚨Awesome read as usual from Melanie‼️ Read📚, listen🎧🔊, enjoy😊 & have a great one folks🎶👊😎🚨
Melanie@powerpop.bsky.social · last mo.#PowerPopOfTheDay #PowerPop #BestSongHeardToday #MusicChallenge Thanks again, music friends, for introducing me to great music! I felt inspired to write about some of my current favorite power pop songs discovered here—just a few of many! 🥰👊🎵 medium.com/@melanie1701...
Just because…🎶🎙️🎸🥁🎹🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊 #MorningMusic ☕️☕️☕️⛅️💨💨 I first heard this song on last weekend’s @indiepoptakeout.bsky.social 📻 broadcast & now a mention in this great piece by @stevewlauden.bsky.social Read📚, listen🎧🔊, enjoy😊 & have a great one folks🎶👊😎 m.youtube.com/watch?v=R6dk...
Summer's Almost Gone
YouTube video by The Goods - Topic
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S.W. Lauden@stevewlauden.bsky.social · last mo.Summer’s almost gone…so, let’s get back to the music.
Summer’s almost gone…so, let’s get back to the music.
Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 42
10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Updated Playlists)
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And we’re back! Natasha Olson kicks the next round of “Is It Power Pop?!” guest posts off with 5 excellent song choices. #musicsky #music #powerpop
Is It Power Pop?!
PART TWENTY EIGHT: Natasha Olson
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“‘I Am The Cosmos’ can also be interpreted as Chris Bell reclaiming the Big Star sound as his invention.” Guest post originally published in RTL Guitar Pop Journal in 2023. #musicsky #music
Riding In Cars With Boys
GUEST POST: Mo Troper
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Diehard power pop fans love to debate. We know it when we hear it and boy do we want everybody to know when we hear it…often getting even louder when somebody else’s opinion is wrong. #musicsky #music
No Matter What
Even Power Pop Purists Agree On Certain Songs
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Book week continues at RTL… I’ve read more books about Ramones than any other band. Here are seven that I think are must-reads for fans. #musicsky #books #music #ramones
Hey! Ho! Let's Go Read!
Seven Must-Read Ramones Books
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It’s book week here at RTL. We’re kicking things off with some recent rock read recommendations. #musicsky #books “Spin a tale about how a budding musician first picked up a guitar or how a young band got together because of the British Invasion and I am all in.”
Summer Rock Reads
10 Highly Recommend Books
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Hooky rock and roll is mostly underground music these days, so it takes a little extra work to discover—but it’s definitely worth the effort.
Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 41
10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Updated Playlists)
rememberthelightning.substack.com
Dino’s Bar and Grill was the place to be in 1976 Great jukebox Occasional fights People were dressed to kill
S.W. Lauden@stevewlauden.bsky.social · 3mo ago1976 Was An Incredible Year For Punk, Rock, and Power Pop. #musicsky #music
Artists emerged and evolved at warp speed in 1966. #music #musicsky
Eight Albums Turning 60 In 2026
Artists Emerged & Evolved At Warp Speed In 1966
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1976 Was An Incredible Year For Punk, Rock, and Power Pop. #musicsky #music
Eight Albums Turning 50 In 2026
1976 Was An Incredible Year For Punk, Rock, and Power Pop
rememberthelightning.substack.com
There's a reason everyone's suddenly into mahjong. Come find out why. 🀄 LAist's Learn & Play night kicks off with a beginner's lesson (no experience needed!) followed by open tables for everyone — newbies, beginners and patient intermediates alike. RSVP here: vist.ly/583mg 🎥 Fiona Ng
Coming soon: a compilation of Velocity Girl's early years, including rare 7"s, b-sides, split singles, some unreleased songs, a few covers, the big hit, and much more, going all the way back to the first SLR release. With extensive liner notes & more! slumberlandrecs.lsnto.me/velocity-gir...
Velocity Girl "1989-1992"
Velocity Girl "1989-1992" Links. Available on all popular platforms.
slumberlandrecs.lsnto.me
It's Saturday, folks, Let's get weird. #musicsky #fiction #collage
Three Fake Bands
A Collision Of Collage & Fiction
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Here’s the second half of Ryan Allen’s excellent deep dive on the history of Michigan’s (non-existent?) power pop scene. If you missed Part 1, it’s in the first comment. #musicsky #music
A Partially-Witnessed History of Michigan Power Pop (Part 2)
Guest Post: Ryan Allen (+ Curated Michigan Power Pop Playlist)
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Just because…🎶🎙️🎸🥁🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔉🔊 #MorningMusic ☕️☕️☕️☀️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Guest post by @ryanallenmuzik.bsky.social over at the always awesome “REMEMBER THE L⚡️GHTNING” ( @stevewlauden.bsky.social ) …read📚, listen🎶📝🎧🔊 & have a great day folks😊🤞 Be safe, strong & well🎶👊😎 m.youtube.com/watch?v=MhEy...
Anxious All The Time
YouTube video by Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms - Topic
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S.W. Lauden@stevewlauden.bsky.social · 3mo agoHere’s part one of an excellent two part series by Ryan Allen exploring the origins of Michigan power pop. Plus a curated Michigan Power Pop playlist. #musicsky #music