In order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his club, Shank Hall owner Peter Jest approached a number of local bands about doing "reunion" shows.
Mike Jarvis was a little bit skeptical about The Blow Pops getting back together. The power-pop band -- which included Jarvis, Jack Rice, Tim Buckley and Nick Randazzo -- put out a pair of albums and drew enthusiastic crowds in the early 1990s before breaking up.
"Pete (Jest) had asked me about it and, quite honestly, I didn't think anyone would be up for it but was pleasantly surprised when they were," said Jarvis, who plays in The Lackloves (Rice and Randazzo have also been members of that group). "So, here we are!"
The Blow Pops will play Friday night at the club, 1434 N. Farwell Ave., along with Ward and Jeff and John Murphy from Zion, Ill. power pop legends Shoes.
Show time is 8 p.m. and the cover charge is $10. We caught up with Jarvis last week and asked about the gig, the band's popularity on the Web and the prospects for making this reunion a bit more permanent.
OMC: What was it like getting back together for rehearsals? Was there a lot of woodshedding involved, or did it come pretty easily?
MJ: Rehearsals began this week. We've all been revisiting these tunes on our own, so we hope it won't be a complete mess.
OMC: Did the reunion foster creative sparks that could lead to a new project?
MJ: Funny you ask that ... Tim and I almost immediately started talking about putting out some new material. We're downright excited about it, so, stay tuned.
OMC: It's been said that you guys broke up a bit to early to cash in on the power-pop surge and the explosion of digital / Internet music. Do you feel that way?
MJ: Well, that's what the "legend" says but I dunno ... I saw (and still see) a lot of bands out there who were (and are) just as cool as The Blow Pops and who have full Internet advantage, yet nobody really seems to take much more notice anyway. I think it's all relative. When the playing field increases in size, it does so for everyone. By the way, we now have a MySpace page (myspace.com/theblowpopsrock) -- which tens of people have visited.
OMC: Any talk of re-releasing the discs and gunning for a Spinal Tap-like rebirth via the Japanese audience?
MJ: The Spinal Pops. Actually, yes ... As for our two CDs: "Charmed, I'm Sure" and "American Beauties," we are in fact entertaining re-releasing both those CDs. If it happens to be with a Japanese label, then ... Kanpai!
OMC: Do you have any weird stories of random collectors discovering your record and reaching out to contact you?
MJ: I get contacted from guys who have pop Web sites or post on pop blogs and get e-mails from various folks who basically want to know where to get our CDs -- which are nearly impossible since they've been out of print for years -- or if there's other non-CD recordings out there, etc.
I was in Los Angeles for a music showcase not too long ago and there was a Spanish band playing that covered a Blow Pops song. I also got a video from a guy in Japan who taped a band covering us, as well. So, that sort of random stuff happens and is really cool, I must say. I've seen CDs go for upwards of $100 on Amazon and even old promo pics of us up for bid on eBay. Scary. The pics that is, not the CDs. Who would have thunk?
MJ: Well, of course Shank was always fun to play. Brett's -- which became Points East -- was like our second home. The Unicorn was great, as was The Globe and Club Garibaldi. (Garibaldi's) Tag (Grotelueschen) and Joe (Dean) have always been great supporters. Hooligan's used to have bands on Monday nights and they'd put a platform on top of the kitchen area, which became your stage. It was always a blast playing and seeing bands there because it was something you could count on for a Monday night. Plus, being so small, it was easy to pack the place. Good for the ego.
OMC: How would you describe the crowds at your shows?
MJ: Younger than now but with less money to spend! Covers were like $2 or $3 then for a weekend show. I recall we used to feel bad if we charged $5. But let's face it, everyone -- including the band -- was in their early 20s. We weren't married, we weren't parents, we weren't "career-minded." If you had money for the cover and another $10 or $20 to buy some cheap taps, you were in great shape and that's all you really cared about. Good times.
OMC: How has the Milwaukee music scene changed since that time?
MJ: To me, it seems like there are a LOT more bands out there -- or maybe they were always there and I'm just more exposed to it because of OnMilwaukee.com or Facebook or MySpace or Twitter or Twotter or whatever.com. (I think) Radio Milwaukee (88.9 FM) is a wonderful addition to the Milwaukee radio landscape. I've always loved WMSE (91.7 FM), but think when it comes to supporting local music, two radio heads are better than one. There are more bars that have bands these days, too. And many of the bars don't have cover charges -- which only helps since it's hard enough getting people to support original music as it is.
OMC: What kind of show can people expect this weekend?
MJ: This show will be one for the books, since we are privileged enough to have Ward opening up. We're all very excited to hear his wonderful voice and songs again. And, as if that wasn't enough, after Ward, we will be entertained by a set from Jeff and John Murphy of Shoes -- power pop giants, to be sure, from Zion, Ill. So with that, please be sure to bring your sweet tooth.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
