North Carolina (& Region) Powerpop Update

The Stars Explode made some noise back in 2011 with Between the Lines and the guys are recording again. No word on whether the dB’s Will Rigby will be on drums this time. From the Stars Explode website: The Stars Explode “has laid plans to begin recording the next record, and we’re really psyched about where we’re doing it and who we’ll be working with…” They’ve enlisted John Plymale at Overdub Lane, an engineer/producer whose resume includes work with Squirrel Nut Zippers, Meat Puppets, Superchunk, and Gladhands.

Roanoke’s The Allrightniks just released another EP, this one entitled Three. Their last EP, Nothings What It Seems, showed real promise so we’re looking forward to this follow-up. Stay tuned for more on that one.

Southern Culture on the Skids released a new one entitled Dig This at the end of October and they’ll be doing a New Years Eve performance at the Southland Ballroom in Raleigh.

A Fragile Tomorrow spent November touring Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg and will presumably return to continue recording “something” at Fidelitorium in Kernersville. A Fragile Tomorrow’s Be Nice Be Careful was perhaps the best regional release of 2013 and a very pleasant surprise.

Tony Lowe, formerly of The Cheepskates and local (Greensboro NC) powerpop artist, is in the giving mood this season. He has posted an upbeat, spirited Christmas tune for free download. You can get it HERE.

Finally, Don Dixon has a new released entitled High & Filthy & Borderline. Don says its based on the lives of two assassins. A man and a woman. The songs aren’t primarily narratives, they serve as adjunct color so don’t try to find the story in the songs. I decided to play a lot of trombone on this record.” More on this one soon.