Paul Collins Beat Playing live in Sacramento May 11th with The Decibles and the English Singles!

Rock icon and cult favorite Paul Collins got his start with Peter Case and Jack Lee in 1974. Their band The Nerves toured with The Ramones and recorded a song called “Hanging On The Telephone.” The song would later become a hit when covered by Deborah Harry and Blondie on the Parallel Lines album.

Paul Collins formed The Beat in 1979, recruiting members of various rock bands including Steven Huff, Larry Whitman and Michael Ruiz. The result was The Beat, a high energy rock group in the style of The Ramones, Blondie and The Dictators. As the story goes, Collins was awarded a record deal with CBS thanks to his friend Eddie Money and Bill Graham Management. The Beat toured extensively with top acts like The Jam, Pere Ubu, The Police, Eddie Money, The Plimsouls and Huey Lewis. The Beat became Paul Collins’ Beat when a ska band from UK began using The Beat as their moniker.

Paul Collins’ Beat continued to tour and record albums throughout the ’80s, with The Kids Are The Same, Beat Or Not To Beat, Long Time Gone, Live At Universal and their final album One Night, released in 1989. Paul Collins set out on a solo career, recording the self-titled Paul Collins album in 1992. This country/rock album included special guests such as Greg Kihn, Cyril Jordan (from Flamin Groovies), Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow), Chuck Prophet, Dave Immergluck (Counting Crows) and key members of Chris Isaak’s band.

1993 brought the sophomore release by Paul Collins Band, entitled From Town To Town. The album was recorded with Arty Lenin of The Flashcubes, Rick Wagner and Will Rigby of The db’s and Billy Fica of Television. This album was released by Caroline Records and featured a country rock sound similar to The Byrds.

After a ten year hiatus The Paul Collins’ Beat resurfaced and released a string of new records. Flying High 2004, Ribbon of Gold 2007 and the latest King of Power Pop recorded with the legendary Jim Diamond in Detroit. Considered to be his best to date, the album gets back to the classic sound of The Beat, while combining the raw energy of Collins’ solo works.

“For me this is the record that connects the dots, from The Nerves to The Breakaways to The Beat to today… this is the record that puts it all together!”- Paul Collins

With the release of King of Power Pop, Paul set up The Beat Army an online Facebook community of people connected by their love of power pop, melodic guitar driven rock n roll. Now some 3000 members strong, Paul books shows all over the United States, Canada and Europe. “This is a model for the new DIY,” says Paul, “I am touring all over the world with new bands that feature the sound I helped to invent.”

Paul Collins Beat performing on American Bandstand in 1980!

Playing live in Sacto May 11th!

IT’S PUNK ROCK MOVIE DAY!

TODAY WE BRING YOU:

URBAN STRUGGLE (1981) - a rad doc about the Cuckoo’s Nest

This one features many of our childhood favorites Black Flag, T.S.O.L, Circle Jerks and some decent interviews. Personally the Circle Jerks footage reminds me why they were one my favorite live bands back in the early 80’s, I know everyone talks about the intensity of Black Flag but I always thought DOA, T.S.O.L. and the Circle Jerks were more fun live.

THE VANDALS LYRICS

“Urban Struggle”

I want to be a Cowboy
I got to be a Cowboy
I’m born to be a Cowboy
I want to be a Cowboy
A Cowboy! Uh-huh

Tonight we’re taking me fast car
Were gonna go down to the Cowboy bar
I’m gonna wait till the club is full
and I’m gonna ride the mechanical bull

Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true Cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late

All the Cowgirls in their Stetson hats
and their tight fitting jeans so they don’t look fat
We’ll all be listening to the Cowboy tunes
and stomp around like a bunch of goons

Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late

We’re all OD’d on the Olden West
Seein’ who’s Cowboy clothes look the best
I can ride that phony bull so damn good
Sometimes I think I’m Clint Eastwood

Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late

I know I’m a Cowboy deep inside
My hat band’s made out of synthetic rattle snake hide
After a couple shit kickin’ Cowboy movies
I’ll check out the Cowboy scene down at Zubie’s

Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late

Find out who all fights the best
We start fights with them punks at the Cuckoo’s Nest
Those damn punks are crazy (though)
and meaner than a bull at a rodeo

Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late

You call me an Urban clone of course
A big deal if I’m afraid to ride a horse
With a broken nose and a fucked up knee
Maybe this Cowboy scene just ain’t for me

Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late

Yee Haw

Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late

( I couldn’t make it as a Punker )