Big Stir Records is proud to once again join forces with Power Pop Hall Of Famers THE FLASHCUBES, this time for a bittersweet celebration of founding member, guitarist and songwriter PAUL ARMSTRONG who passed away earlier this year. In honor of Armstrong, the band, joined on lead vocals by friend and legendary voice actor TOM KENNY (SpongeBob himself), present a new single on 7” 45rpm Vinyl and Digital Streaming with a new version of Paul's signature tune “Got No Mind.” It's backed by the wax debut of his final contribution to the Flashcubes canon, the 2025 single “Reminisce,” on the B-side. All formats see release on November 13 and are up for preorder and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/flashcubes-gotnomind

Debuting in 1978 with the oft-anthologized classic single “Christi Girl” and delivering their recent hit covers collection POP MASTERS (2023) with exactly the same lineup – Armstrong, bassist Gary Frenay, drummer Tommy Allen and guitarist Arty Lenin – THE FLASHCUBES have become as much a beloved institution as a band. Across the five decades in which they've performed and recorded, they've won induction into both the Syracuse Music Hall Of Fame and the Power Pop Hall Of Fame (alongside heroes like Raspberries and peers like Cheap Trick) and most recently they've been the subject of a tribute album: last year's MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN! A TRIBUTE TO THE FLASHCUBES, curated by author, DJ and official band historian CARL CAFARELLI. The collection not only saw the band's classic tunes reimagined by the likes of Graham Parker, The Spongetones, The Kennedys and Sorrows as well as Kenny and his band The Hi-Seas, it showcased THE FLASHCUBES themselves with, amazingly, three new tracks to stand with their best. Among them was the Armstrong-penned indie hit “Reminisce,” whose sound and sentiment immediately made it a latter-day anthem for the band as well as so many of the fans who love them.

Paul Armstrong passed away in April of this year, at a time of renewed celebration of the band he co-founded and with many anticipating yet more new music from the reinvigorated Flashcubes. The surviving members have rallied to make that happen in memory of Paul. Drummer/producer TOMMY ALLEN explains the genesis of the new single: “After the initial shock of Paul’s death, I had the urge to honor his legacy in some small way, and to me it meant recording what I consider to be one of his very best songs. 'Got No Mind' is a work of punk novelty genius, and I hope P.A. would approve of our homage to his youthful rebellious  spirit. Gary suggested Tom Kenny to sing and he enthusiastically delivered. One of Paul’s musical heroes Mark Doyle stepped in on guitar as an honorary Flashcube, and his Boston buddies Mike Gent (The Figs) and Sal Baglio (The Stompers) were enlisted by Gary to join in our tribute.”

Flashcubes co-founder and bassist/vocalist GARY FRENAY picks up the tale: “While still reeling from the loss of one of our founding members, I take consolation in the fact that we were still intact as a recording unit and, more importantly, as close friends, 49 years from our inception in the summer of 1977. Paul Armstrong was a force of nature, onstage and off. He was a type A personality who loved the spotlight and GOT THINGS DONE! He was our spark plug on stage - constantly in motion - and our rock & roll spirit leader. But, instead of just mourning the loss of our friend, we will honor him by throwing ourselves into new projects, something he would’ve advocated himself. For me, that meant a long blog about our friendship, helping with his funeral arrangements and obituary, recording a single of his most provocative song, 'Got No Mind,' and planning a memorial concert in his honor featuring songs from every phase of his long musical life, played by everyone he performed with: the 'Cubes, 1.4.5., The Richards, and The Most.

About the new recording for the single, Frenay adds: “This new version of 'Got No Mind' is a microcosm of that family of bands, featuring the surviving Flashcubes; his local guitar idol Mark Doyle; our dear, famous friend, Tom (SpongeBob) Kenny; and even Paul’s son Chris on guitar, playing just like his Dad! Like the traditional Irish Wake, we’ll be sending PA out in style, on vinyl, and on stage, just as he would have loved!”

Indeed, the new single featuring “Got No Mind” on the A-side and Armstrong's “Reminisce” from MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN! on the flip marks the first Vinyl release under the Flashcubes name in many years, brought together with sleeve and label art by Marge Finer, Paul’s longtime partner and an ace of a graphic designer (a labor of love for her). That's emblematic of the community and family coming together for the month-long celebration of Armstrong's life and music. The all-star live concert tribute event at The Lost Horizon in Syracuse is scheduled for November 7 (follow the band for more details), and the new 45 itself will be offered by Big Stir Records along with rare Vinyl copies of the band's long-0ut-of-print 1979 single “Wait Till Next Week”, offering fans a pair of highly collectible bookends on wax. It all goes to ensure that Paul Armstrong will be remembered as he would wish: through rock and roll and the music of THE FLASHCUBES. Join us, fire up your turntable, and reminisce.

Expected release: November 13, 2026