Big Stir Records is thrilled to announce one of the most keenly-awaited power pop releases of the year: POP TREASURES, the new album by THE HALF-CUBES, out September 13 on CD and all Digital platforms. A sequel to last year's hit classic covers collection Pop Masters from Power Pop Hall Of Famers The Flashcubes, POP TREASURES is literally half the 'Cubes delivering twice the pop, packed with 24 new versions of hooks-and-harmony-fueled gems from the dawn of the rock era to the 21st Century and a bounty of guest shots from the original artists. The new album is up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/halfcubes-poptreasures

THE HALF-CUBES – vocalist-bassist GARY FRENAY and drummer-producer TOMMY ALLEN – had made their bow and their vow to carry on the “covering the classics” mission of their long-time main project The Flashcubes while that band's Pop Masters album was still winning critical accolades and international airplay last year. Enlisting the permanent assistance of guitarist RANDY KLAWON (The Choir, Cyrus Erie), the duo signaled their ambitions to dive even deeper into the ocean of guitar pop cult classics with the hit indie single “Weakest Shade Of Blue”, a Pernice Brothers tune (featuring Bob Pernice) of a far more recent vintage than the Pop Masters songbook. The surprises continued on singles paying tribute to '70s hitmakers The Hudson Brothers (with brother Mark Hudson on board), '80s college rock darlings The Pursuit Of Happiness (featuring TPOH frontman Moe Berg) and fellow Power Pop Hall Of Famers The Rubinoos, whose own Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar joined in as well. Fans were also treated to 'Cubes-only renditions of beloved-but-obscure cuts by The Motors (by way of The Searchers), Cheap Trick, Phil Seymour and 20/20... tracks celebrating seven artists across five decades and demonstrating that The Half-Cubes were doubling down to the delight of pop fans worldwide.

Those fans have been asking Big Stir Records if an album is in the works, and the announcement of POP TREASURES not only provides the answer but reveals a wider scope than even the most optimistic pop enthusiasts could have imagined. The title, and the cover illustration of a treasure chest of 45s, couldn't be more accurate: with a double-LP runtime and and packed with 24 tracks, it's twice the trove that Pop Masters was. Anyone who's heard the advance singles knows the band is every bit a match for the original 'Cubes, with Tommy Allen's production hitting the sweet spot between pop sheen and rock grit just as it had on Pop Masters. All that remains, then is to dive in to The Half-Cubes' own record collection to see (and hear) which tunes they've chosen to tackle, and who they've invited to the party this time.

The guests list is illustrious indeed. They may not be household names, but cult legends like Van Duren (adding vocals and keys to his own “Jane”), Magnus Börjeson of '90s Swedish popsters Beagle, '70s heartthrobs The Allessi Brothers, 21st century Dutch singer-songwriter Bertolf, and the full lineup of '90s power pop contenders The Sighs will all bring smiles to their own contingents of pop aficionados with their contributions to the 'Cubes' recreations of their originals. They're all here alongside the stars already heard on the singles, and we're also treated to guest shots from LA pop mainstays and Brian Wilson flamekeepers Rob Bonfiglio, Darian Sahanaja, Matt Jardine & Jim Laspesa. The list goes on, and even when the original artists couldn't participate, they've frequently endorsed the new versions, and the band can take bittersweet comfort in the praise of two genre titans no longer with us: Eric Carmen and Dwight Twilley.

When The Half-Cubes go it alone, some of the album's most delightful surprises arise. It's safe to say that nobody saw the covers of OMD's “Souvenir”, 10cc's “The Dean & I” or Flo & Eddie's “Let Me Make Love To You” coming, but they all fit right in. Other tracks will serve as sweet reminders that'll send listeners to their shelves to dust off LPs and 45s left unspun for too long – we're talking lost classics by Del Amitri, Trashcan Sinatras, Jason Falkner and more. On the pop history timeline, the originals celebrated on POP TREASURES span the years from the mid-'60s to 2009, with nary a decade between left untouched. And yet all of it sounds completely fresh: this treasure shines like the gold records all of its tracks should have earned the first time around.

The album is a dizzying spin through Gary and Tommy's self-stocked jukebox, and as much as it stands as a giddy listening experience on its own, THE HALF-CUBES view it as giving back to the music that's sustained them throughout their own nearly-five-decade-long careers in rock and pop. “This album is our own personal 'pop mix tape' of songs we have always loved,” they say. “But the twist is rather than just sharing them on a cassette or a CD burn, we are recording our own versions with help from many musical friends including - in many cases - some of the artists who made the records in the first place. Feel free to share the magic with others.” We at Big Stir Records are happy to be sharing POP TREASURES with you, and we can't wait for you to hear the whole story of THE HALF-CUBES.

THE HALF-CUBES – literally one half of Power Pop Hall Of Famers and 2024 Syracuse Area Music Award winners The Flashcubes – are back to double down on their ongoing singles series paying tribute to their fellow heroes of power pop, paving the way for a collection of classic covers later this year. On their new double-sided single they tackle Phil Seymour's “Precious To Me” and 20/20's “Jet Lag”, and the two-track combo sees release on all streaming services worldwide on July 26. It's up for pre-save and pre-order now:

https://orcd.co/halfcubes-ptm

THE HALF-CUBES are drummer/producer TOMMY ALLEN and vocalist/bassist GARY FRENAY, operating apart from their duties in The Flashcubes and continuing that band's peer-to-peer cover series (collected on the hit 2023 album POP MASTERS). On the latest single – following this spring's Searchers / Hollies pairing and paving the way for their debut album later this year – they revisit the classic '80s era of power pop with new versions of songs by two of its titans. “Precious To Me”, by the much-missed Phil Seymour, hit the Top 40 in its original 1981 version and remains a classic of the genre. “What can you say about 'Precious To Me', and the late, great Phil Seymour?” asks Frenay. “It occupies a slot on everyone’s short list of the greatest power pop songs of all-time. What a thrill to bring it around again for new ears to savor!”

Gary goes on to explain his connection to the single's second track, “Jet Lag” by power pop legends 20/20 and originally included on the band's classic debut album. “Seeing 20/20 live in 1979, at a Syracuse University nightclub, has been indelibly stamped in my memory for decades. Great band, with great songs! Getting to put our own spin on the Mike Gallo-penned classic, 'Jet Lag', is a real thrill.”

Tommy Allen sums up the pairing: "Those who inhabit this world of power pop will argue over the supremacy of its progenitors, but most would agree that both 20/20 and Phil Seymour have earned their place in the pantheon of the genre. These songs have occupied a place on our permanent playlist and were automatic enthusiastic choices for us, and a total joy to cover!" Tommy and Gary, both members in good standing of the Power Pop Hall Of Fame, should know, and they're joined here as has become customary by guitarist Randy Klawon (The Choir, Cyrus Erie) to bring these new versions to life. And there's more to come, as THE HALF-CUBES prepare their debut album collecting their singles and more as-yet-unheard reimaginings of the tunes of the guitar-pop canon. Stand by for news from Big Stir Records!

THE HALF-CUBES are back, and they're once again doubling down! The band that's literally half of Power Pop Hall Of Famers THE FLASHCUBES continue their series of tribute cover singles honoring the legends of the pop rock form, and fans will be delighted to know that an album collecting them is indeed in the works. For the first pairing of 2024, they've tackled “The Girl” by THE RUBINOOS (with the band's JON RUBIN and TOMMY DUNBAR guesting on the new version) and “Heaven's Falling”, originally by CHEAP TRICK. The two-track single is out Friday, April 12 and is up for pre-order/pre-sale now:

https://orcd.co/halfcubes-thegirl

THE HALF-CUBES's drummer-producer TOMMY ALLEN points out the connection between the two pop rock classics covered on the new single. “While it wasn't intentional to choose songs originally produced by Todd Rundgren, it's no surprise that his work would end up on our list of covers. We'd already done 'She's So Young', the original of which he produced for The Pursuit Of Happiness! On this single we have two killer tracks helmed by the wizard, both from 1983: our version of THE RUBINOOS' classic 'The Girl', featuring Jon Rubin and the song's author Tommy Dunbar. And the flip side is a Todd composition by way of Cheap Trick, 'Heaven's Falling'. Both of these tunes have been on heavy rotation for us for decades, and we are thrilled to have Jon and Tommy on board for 'The Girl'... Robin Zander didn't return our calls!”

Bassist GARY FRENAY adds: “The two bands we cover on this new single represent the two extremes of power pop: The Rubinoos are the ultimate pure pop band, and Cheap Trick is the epitome of a powerful rock group. As the singer on both songs, it was a real challenge for me to try to do justice to both ends of that musical spectrum, but it was a good challenge, and one I was happy to do! I think it’s so cool that we chose these two songs and that both were produced by one of our all-time music heroes, Todd Rundgren. He's made so many great records in his career, for himself AND for others, and it was a real thrill to put our own spin on two of his lesser-known classics.”

Tommy Dunbar (who adds guitar and vocals to the A-side) and Jon Rubin (who contributes vocals) are both more than pleased with the new version of “The Girl” to which they contributed. “What a nice surprise to find out THE HALF-CUBES were resurrecting our song. Even better surprise to hear what a great version they did!” says Dunbar. Rubin goes even farther: "Third time is the charm. We recorded this song twice but I think this version really nailed it." Rounding out the personnel on both of these gems are guitarists RANDY KLAWON and FERNANDO PERDOMO, as has become happily customary for the band.

There are more double-sided covers to come from THE HALF-CUBES and their friends, and it all leads up to a full-length album this fall: a sequel of sorts to THE FLASHCUBES' acclaimed POP MASTERS album that found a place on so many Best Albums Of 2023 lists. There's little question that the spin-off band is poised to follow in those power pop footsteps. Stay tuned for more news from BIG STIR RECORDS.

Once again, THE HALF-CUBES double down! The band that's literally half of THE FLASHCUBES (still going strong with the hit album POP MASTERS, out now from Big Stir Records) continue their one-two-punch tributes to their pop-rock influences with another double-sided single, this one with a distinctively British bent. The A-side “Love's Melody” (originated by Ducks Deluxe and re-made by the revitalized new wave era Searchers in 1980) is backed by a new version of a choice pick from the mid-period Hollies, “Slow Down”. The full release featuring both tracks is out October 13 worldwide and up for pre-order and pre-save now: https://orcd.co/halfcubes-lovesmelody

As usual, lead 'Cubes GARY FRENAY (vocals, bass) and TOMMY ALLEN (drums) are joined by guitarists RANDY KLAWON and FERNANDO PERDOMO on the tracks. “Love's Melody” has a strong endorsement from its writer, Andy McMasters (of both Ducks Deluxe and The Motors). "A gigantic performance and production by The Half-Cubes. I am delighted to be associated with this, the best version of 'Love's Melody' I've ever heard,” McMasters says – high praise of the third version to hit the airwaves over the course of five decades. “They nailed it and totally captured the spirit of the song.”

Gary Frenay of The Half-Cubes talks about the band's long-standing affinity for the tune, and The Searchers: “From the first time I heard The Searchers as a kid, I was in love with their sound. To me, they were the British Invasion version of The Byrds, with ringing 12-string guitars and gorgeous harmonies. When they reappeared in 1980 with two great albums on Sire Records (a good dozen years after the end of their golden era) Tommy and I saw them live in Syracuse, NY and were both blown away by their performance, especially of their version of 'Love’s Melody.' It’s always been one of my very favorite Searchers songs, and it was truly a thrill to get to revive it for fresh ears all these years later. Andy McMaster wrote the song and did the original version with Ducks Deluxe in 1974, and The Searchers updated it 1980. And now 40+ years later, we get to put our own spin on this guitar pop classic.”

Frenay goes on to speak of the B-side, a cover of a deep cut by any standard. “'Slow Down' is a song from another original British Invasion band, The Hollies. It's from their often-overlooked but stellar 1972 album, Romany. Tommy and I always shared a fondness for this lost-classic LP, with 'Slow Down' being our fave track. So again, what a thrill to shine new light on this forgotten track. British Invasion forever!”

And likewise for THE HALF-CUBES. Another superb pairing of revamped pop-rock classics is on its way to the airwaves, and your ears!

With THE FLASHSCUBES' new hit album POP MASTERS finally in release, Big Stir Records is proud to continue the spirit of the band's collaborative covers project in a new format as THE HALF-CUBES Double Down! The band's TOMMY ALLEN (drums) and GARY FRENAY (vocals, bass) have already ventured forth with hits of their own as THE HALF-CUBES, covering The Pernice Brothers and The Hudson Brothers to great acclaim, and now they begin to deliver new sides two at a time with the first of many Double-Sided Digital Singles. “She's So Young,” a new version of THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS's 1988 classic featuring a guest shot from the band's frontman MOE BERG, is backed with a fresh rendition of “Lie To Me” by DIRTY LOOKS. Both tracks debut on all Digital Platforms on Friday, August 25 and are up for pre-order/pre-save at https://orcd.co/thehalfcubesdoubledown now.

TOMMY ALLEN (who's not just the drummer for both 'CUBES but their ace in-house producer as well) tells us about the inspiration behind tackling “She's So Young”: “To me, original version by The Pursuit Of Happiness is one of the best singles of the 1980s. It pops right outta the gate with what is to me one of Todd Rundgren's best productions. It was a tall order to attempt it, but having the band's Moe Berg (who also wrote the song) join us makes our effort worthy! This version has Randy Klawon, formerly of The Choir and Cyrus Erie, and LA's much-in-demand all-around instrumental genius Fernando Perdomo on guitars. And Maura Kennedy joins in on background vocals as well!”

About “Lie To Me,” the B-side of what's essentially a Double A-Side release, Tommy says, “Dirty Looks from Staten Island were the only American band signed to Stiff Records, and that almost says it all. This song is a highlight from their first LP, and we were compelled to cover it! On this cut, The Half-Cubes are me, Gary, Randy and Fern once again!”

There's true power pop momentum in the world of THE HALF-CUBES, as inspiration and perspiration have them turning out loving tributes so quickly that they can only be unleashed two at a time. And that's a very good thing for fans of hooks and harmony – and pop history -- worldwide. “She's So Young” and “Lie To Me” are where THE HALF-CUBES pick up the pace. There's already much more to look forward to, and fans everywhere are sure to be all-in as THE HALF-CUBES Double Down.

Fresh off the success of their debut with “The Weakest Shade Of Blue” – a Pernice Brothers cover featuring Bob Pernice that charmed the global pop-rock radio world for weeks on end – THE HALF-CUBES return with their second single, a fresh take on pop-rock classic from a much earlier era. “Spinning The Wheel (With The Girl You Love)” featuring MARK HUDSON of The Hudson Brothers (who originally performed the tune) is set for release June 23 and is up for pre-order/pre-save now (https://orcd.co/halfcubes-spinning), hitting all streaming platforms on the street date, and already hitting radio airwaves worldwide.

While the previous HALF-CUBES single found bassist-vocalist GARY FRENAY and drummer TOMMY ALLEN – half of the lineup of New York State-based Power Pop Hall-Of-Famers THE FLASHCUBES, by way of explaining the band name – tackling a indie pop rock gem from the 21st Century, “Spinning The Wheel” is an artifact of a different time altogether. “This Hudson Brothers song has been a favorite of ourse since the Ba-Fa LP was released,” says TOMMY ALLEN. He's referring the the 1975 Bernie Taupin-produced album by the trio of Mark, Bill and Brett Hudson, then enjoying the kind of multimedia music-and-TV celebrity which the era had conferred upon the likes of Sonny & Cher, The Osmonds and The Bay City Rollers. The record predates the foundation of THE FLASHCUBES by two years, but, as Tommy continues, “I've known Mark Hudson for many years and he's sung on a few FLASHCUBES recordings. So when I told him we were doing his song, he came over and supplied his singular vocal magic!”

Along with Mark, THE HALF-CUBES are joined as usual on their version by guitarist RANDY KLAWON (of The Choir and Cyrus Erie), and this time out by LA-based multi-instrumentalist FERNANDO PERDOMO. The result is another sure-fire hit for THE HALF-CUBES, whose run of covers-and-collaborations singles will continue even as THE FLASHCUBES themselves ready a highly-anticipated album collecting their original and wildly popular Pop Masters Singles Series, which set the template for the Gary and Tommy's new side project. Without a doubt, 2023 promises to be a banner year for fans of THE FLASHCUBES, THE HALF-CUBES, and the whole history of hook-driven pop rock that both bands are exploring and refreshing for the fans who remember, and a new generation just now getting the full picture. Big Stir Records will be proud to bring it all to you.