By Jud Cost for Magnet Magazine
June 9, 2009
John Wicks, lead singer of almost-famous British post-punk, power-pop combo the Records, and Paul
Collins, who tilled similar fields with the Beat, joined forces in an exemplary living-room show in the friendly
confines of Casa Padilla, a modest condo owned by John Padilla, hidden deep in the suburban San Jose outback.
Wielding nothing but acoustic guitars and their well-traveled voices (Wicks’ raspy tenor and Collins’ booming
baritone), they didn’t forget to bring the most important element: the small steamer trunk of terrific songs each has
penned over the past 30 years. When the pair, who first met five years ago in Spain, kicked things off with a stirring
rendition of “You Tore Me Down,” the Flamin’ Groovies’ 1975 comeback gem for Greg Shaw’s Bomp! label, the bar was set
for a fine evening of jangling, melodic rock. Wicks and Collins didn’t disappoint....
By Chris Parker for the Pittsburgh CityPaper
May 21, 2009
Success can evaporate just as quickly as it comes. The Records -- sometimes described as the British Big Star -- are ostensibly a one-hit wonder, thanks to
"Starry Eyes," a three-decade-old romantic kiss-off with the priceless line, "the writ has hit the fan." The song
and self-titled debut climbed halfway up the Billboard charts fueled by an irresistible hook, frontman John Wicks'
crisp tenor -- and a partnership between Virgin Records and Atlantic which produced plenty of push for this, their
first cooperative release...
By Peter Lindblad for Goldmine Magazine
February 13, 2009
Before Blondie came along and tarted up "Hangin' on the Telephone" with the airbrushed desire of
Debbie Harry's vocals and polished it with spotless production, the now-classic power-pop number was destined to be
forgotten by history.
Recorded originally by a San Francisco power-pop trio named The Nerves, "Hangin' on the Telephone" would become
Blondie's first U.K. Top Ten hit. And what of The Nerves?
After one EP of punchy, thrilling garage-rock bursts that boasted more hooks than a meat locker, The Nerves called
it a day. Peter Case (bass/vocals) and Paul Collins (drums/vocals) formed two-thirds of The Nerves. Jack Lee, the
guitarist/vocalist who penned "Hangin' on the Telephone," rounded ...