MEET THE BAND: Eddie Munoz (guitar), Luke Miller (bass), Richard Dev Greene (guitar, vocals), Danny Vozzo (drums)
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: When the Plimsouls, a power pop band, formed in L.A. in 1978, the scene there was remarkably diverse. "From the late '70s to the middle of the '80s was the last renaissance of rock 'n' roll in L.A., because it fragmented after that," says Munoz. "Everybody played whatever kind of rock 'n' roll they played, but they hung out at the same parties and dated the same people and could talk about music. It wouldn't be unusual to be at a party with the Go-Gos, the Rubber City Rebels, Blackie Lawless and the guys from Mötley Crüe. It was a good time."
A TRACK ON A SOUNDTRACK: The band issued its self-titled debut in 1981; thanks to some shoddy marketing, the album didn't push the group's career forward. "Unless you knew about it, you didn't know about it," says Munoz when asked about the release. "That came out, and it was underwhelming. We weren't in love with the production. It was a good record song-wise, but performance-wise it just didn't make it." The band rebounded in 1983 with Everywhere at Once. "It was great in terms of craft and songs," says Munoz. Thanks to its inclusion on the Valley Girl soundtrack, the power-pop anthem "A Million Miles Away" become a bit of a hit. "The soundtrack has great songs on it," says Munoz. "It was in touch with what kids were listening to at the time. That movie helped bring awareness of the band out, but it just wasn't capitalized on for lots of reasons."
WHY YOU SHOULD HEAR THEM: At least one critic suggested the band established itself as the West Coast counterpart to the Replacements with Everywhere at Once. The album features everything from folk-y ballads ("Oldest Story in the World") to fervent rave-ups ("Lie, Beg, Borrow, and Steal"). Though the Plimsouls' lineup has changed a number of times over the past decade (former frontman Peter Case left the group years ago), Munoz says he's particularly fond of current ensemble. "These guys are great," he says. "They're pros. Richard [Dev Greene] is an amazingly good frontman. He's engaging and something the Plimsouls have needed for a long time. He's really good. I have a really solid unit here. Danny [Vozzo] is the kind of drummer you want to have. He can swing and play spot-on at the same time. You'd be surprised how many drummers don't do that. Luke [Miller] is solid as hell and sings great harmonies along with Danny. We have more vocal firepower than the Plimsouls ever had back in the day."
WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THEM:
WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM: The Plimsouls perform with Rumbling Spires at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Beachland Tavern.
