After all these years the New Monkees album has been re-released to all digtal formats through Rhino Records!
Ok, I understand. This is a PowerPop blog and this is pop, right?
Trust me. Go with me here. This may be mostly pop, but this is some of the best
late 80s pop there is. Immaculate from start to finish; with hooks galore.
In 1986 the original Monkees (minus Nesmith) launched a 20th anniversary tour thanks to the renewed
interest generated by the airing of all the original episodes of the TV show on MTV.
Due to the huge popularity of the tour and subsequent re-release of the original Monkee music
a reboot of the group and show was conceived and open auditions were held.
Straybert productions led by Steve Blauner produced and were joined by Columbia Pictures and Coca Cola..
An 80s version of the zany 60s show was created with 4 young charismatic guys talented both musically and, as demonstrated on the show, talented with improv as well.
There were hurdles to overcome. Being syndicated, stations aired the show
at diverse times and days making it difficult to pin down where to view in your area. (the TV station near me was a couple hours away and aired it on a Saturday morning at 11am.
No station locally carried it) Ultimately, the show only lasted 13 episodes which is indeed a shame.
The New Monkees were/are:
Larry Saltis (guitar/vocals)
Marty Ross (bass/vocals)
Dino Kovas (drums/vocals)
Jared Chandler (guitar/vocals)
You'll not find a better collection of late 80s well crafted pop than this.
Track Listing:
title/lead vocal
What I Want (Larry)
Do It Again (Larry)
I Don't Know (Larry)
The Way She Moves (Larry)
Boy Inside The Man (Marty)
Burnin' Desire (Marty)
Whatever It Takes (Larry)
Affection (Marty)
Carlene (Larry)
Corner Of My Eye (Larry)
Turn It Up (Dino)
The guys are still active in the entertainment industry.
Larry Saltis- Larry, along with his brother Heath formed Colorvine. Larry also formed Tower City.
Colorvine has reunited and has a new album available called "Wake Up".
Marty Ross- Marty creates music for film and television and also still records with his Pre-New Monkees band The Wigs. The Wigs were prominently featured in the 80s film "My Chauffer". Marty also performed shows with original Monkee Micky Dolenz.
Dino Kovas- Dino is a director and filmaker.
Jared Chandler- Jared is a filmmaker, Military Consultant to Hollywood and the Video Game industry, and a defense Contractor to the Gov’t and American defense firms.
The guys have gotten together for a couple of reunions and just recently Rhino Records (who now owns the catalog) re-released the album in digital format. So go check it out at your favorite download/streaming service and by all means TURN IT UP!
