
One of the most underrated power pop bands of the '80s, the Spongetones
released several albums of effortlessly catchy guitar pop that captured
the feel of '60s British Invasion pop with remarkable accuracy and
innocent charm. While they never received much critical or commercial
attention, their music has aged much better than most power pop of the
era (late '70s and early '80s), and among specialists they're highly
revered not only for their studio prowess but also for their spirited
live shows. They are one of the few bands that gracefully carried on
past the "skinny tie" fad into the '90s and beyond -- not as strict
revivalists but as something unique. The band, comprised of Steve Stoeckel (vocals, bass), Pat Walters (vocals, guitar), Jamie Hoover (vocals, guitar), and Rob Thorne
(drums), began as a covers band in Charlotte, NC in the early '80s.
They signed to the Ripete label in 1982 and released their first
full-length, Beat Music, the same year, following with the Torn Apart EP in 1984 -- the latter featuring esteemed guests Don Dixon, Mitch Easter, and R.E.M. on handclaps. Stoeckel temporarily left the band, returning in 1991.

By 1987, it seemed the Spongetones
wanted to distance themselves from their revivalist reputation, leaving
Ripete in favor of the independent Triapore and recording probably
their most experimental and most un-Spongetones album, Where-Ever-Land. The album, produced by Don Dixon,
flirted with garage rock, psychedelia, and the more fashionable jangle
pop -- all in all it marked a more muscular and harder-edged approach.
The experiment failed for the most part and was short-lived. The band
signed to Black Vinyl Records (owned by power pop icons Shoes)
and found a true home in 1991.

There they created, in the mold of their
first two releases, possibly their most focused Mersey pastiche, Oh Yeah! Textural Drone Thing followed in 1995. In addition to regular band activities, Jamie Hoover released a solo album, Coupons Questions and Comments, for Triapore in 1990, and also formed the Van Delecki's with Bryan Shumate, releasing Letters from the Desk of Count S. Van Delecki on Permanent Press in 1996. After a five-year band silence, the Spongetones finally returned in 2000 with the album Odd Fellows. Number 9 followed in 2005. (allmusic. com)
The Spongetones
return after a long absence with 1991's Oh Yeah! They effectively pick
up where they left off in the '80s with their infectious Beatlesque
power pop. Easily their best songwriting, and a good place to get
acquainted with the band.
Enjoy
SB1
mp3@320