DC Larson's JUKEBOX JURY: Nebraska

Monday, July 20, 2026

Back in the Day, 2018

Sparkle Moore

Wild and Exciting, Here's...Sparkle limited 10" vinyl EP

(Vip Vop)

My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes,and

oh, my friends— It gives a lovely light!

The poetess penned those words long before Miss Sparkle -- PR of the time labeled her the 'female Elvis' -- barnstormed through Cincinnati's Fraternity Records (1956/7). But the deathless prose captures the singer's scant career. Sparkle issued just two singles and split the scene. (Word is the stork swooped soon thereafter.)

Recommended: "Rock a Bop," "Skull and Crossbones," "Killer," "Tiger"

Videos: "Rock a Bop" "Skull and Crossbones"

Amazon (Netherlands)

Sunday, July 5, 2026

The Mezcal Brothers

Bing Bang Boom

(Speed! Nebraska Records)

On occasion, life presents Sweet/Sour experiences.

In the ten slices served, the Mezcals display exactly why the more hep among krazykool brethren dig both the combo's way with devastation implements, and their enjoy-falling-riffs song choreography. Sweetness.

Within the Sour division, regrettably, reside two phenomena. Bing Bang Boom is their final disc (there were six, previously), following some 28 years of laying down sounds that left tire-tracks on earlobes.

Still more saddening is news of lead guitarist Benjie Kushner's lamentable passing. (He did play on the disc.) "This record was deeply personal to Benjie," uprightist Charlie Johnson wrote on the group's Facebook page. He, Shaun Theye, and Gerardo Meza intend Bing Bang Boom as honor-afire to their fallen bandmate.

A series of shows are planned around the record's issuance, with friend Dave Gonzales (Paladins, Hacienda Brothers) administering soloing labors.

Recommended: "Bing Bang Boom," "Get Along Just Fine," "Rocket to the Moon," "Feel ThisWay Again," "Ragtop Cadillac," "Double Boogie," "Alone Again Tonight," "Ready to Go," "Cryin'," "Train On a Track"

Videos: "Bing Bang Boom" "Ragtop Cadillac" "Double Boogie" "Cryin'"