Though primarily known as a singer/songwriter on his own and with his original band sparkle*jets u.k., Simmons really enjoys recording other people's songs and has released a number of covers albums and tribute tracks on his own as well as with recording project Popdudes. This all new collection is a really fun and great sounding addition to that catalog, ranging from Pop Rock bangers to thoughtful ballads, with surprises and delights at every turn! Jump on board this rocket ship of nostalgia and fun!

SPARKLE*JETS U.K., beloved icons of the Turn-of-the-Century Southern California guitar pop scene, are most assuredly back. BIG STIR RECORDS is proud to announce not only the June 30 release of the band's first album in over 20 years, BEST OF FRIENDS, on 2-LP Vinyl and CD in record stores everywhere and streaming worldwide, but a veritable multimedia renaissance for the band throughout 2023. Bringing back not just the vibes of the scene that birthed them but the songs as well, SJUK's jaw-dropping new double album (up for pre-order and pre-save now: https://orcd.co/sparklejets-uk-bestoffriends ) is both a love letter of a tribute to the artists with whom they shared stages, and a thrilling revelation of those lost sounds to those who missed them the first time around.

Already heralded by the lead single, a cover of THE MASTICATORS' “He's Coming Out”, BEST OF FRIENDS boasts 21 sparkling, punchy, hook-filled tracks across its four sides of wax, all originally recorded by the band's sterling peers on the late '90s LA pop scene. Think WONDERMINTS, THE ANDERSONS, THE SHAZAM, COCKEYED GHOST and more, with versions of STEW & THE NEGRO PROBLEM's “Mahnsanto” and THE SUGARPLASTIC's “Another Myself” slated for release as subsequent singles. Each track is lovingly served up in the inimitable SJUK style, and the full album is almost dizzying in its rush of pure power pop delight.

It's a full-circle return for the Long Beach-based trio, consisting now as then of vocalist-guitarist SUSAN WEST, bassist JAMIE KNIGHT, and singer/multi-instrumentalist MICHAEL SIMMONS who also takes most drumming duties for the current edition of SPARKLE*JETS U.K (with Joel Valder sitting in on three tracks). The band has hardly been dormant for the decades since releasing their two widely admired albums In, Through And Beyond in 1998 and 2001's Bamboo Lounge, nor have they ever gone their separate ways. In addition to Simmons' continuing output as a solo artist (the acclaimed 2018 album First Days Of Sumer) and with Popdudes, SJUK joined the Big Stir Records family in 2019 for a special 7” tribute to Big Star recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis with Jody Stephens on board. And all three 'jets have been a part of creating the extraordinary (and very much pop-rock oriented) music program at Huntington Beach High School. The band's 2023 renaissance, though, is something altogether bigger, and this new collection is just the start, with a full album of SJUK originals already completed for release next year.

But we're here to talk about BEST OF FRIENDS, whose mission is right there in the double meaning of its title: it consists of songs by the band's true friends from the late '90s and early 2000s LA pop scene, and it serves as a veritable “Best Of” collection for those unfamiliar with that era's delights. Destined to have a reach beyond its impact as a superb pop rock record, BEST OF FRIENDS is more of a multi-media event than a simple album release. Along with the singles and their inevitable companion music videos, the album's publicity campaign incorporates a weekly podcast (also entitled BEST OF FRIENDS) which captures SPARKLE*JETS U.K. in candid conversation with the artists covered on the album, bridging the gap between the fondly remembered adventures and recordings of yesteryear and the fresh, bracing versions on the new LP.

And the media itself bears mentioning, not just because this is the first SJUK record to bow in the streaming era. The gorgeous double LP package includes complementary colored vinyl discs in powder blue and tangerine orange. There is of course a CD edition with a foldout replica of the vinyl's gatefold. And copies of both formats purchased via Big Stir's online points of sale (www.bigstirreords.com and the label's Bandcamp site) will come with a genuine vintage treat for fans: the original 2000 CD of the Various Artists Tribute collection I w sparkle*jets u.k., a veritable inverted prequel to BEST OF FRIENDS whereupon the band's millennial contemporaries paid homage to them. It's a lot to take in... best to sit back and watch it all unfold over the course of a pure-pop-saturated summer.

But it is most deservedly sparkle*jets u.k. who stand tall as the band of the hour on this vital revisitation of these tunes they know by heart. The amazing vocal and all-around instrumental prowess of Simmons has never been more clearly on display, nor West's singing more invitingly impassioned in bringing the belters to life, while KNIGHT owns the low end with the perfect pulses, grooves and tasty fills these sterling songs demand. The songs are such a perfect fit for the SJUK chemistry that if you didn't know differently, you'd think the trio had spent the past twenty years quietly writing the best guitar pop songs ever, until the day arrived when they could be quiet no longer. And the truth is, you wouldn't be wrong, as the future, and another stellar record, will reveal. But that's a story for another day: BEST OF FRIENDS is just the beginning of a new lease on musical life for our heroes, and they can still write 'em just as well as they can play them. For now, though, turn it up loud as SPARKLE*JETS U.K. take flight once again, shattering the sound barrier between yesterday and tomorrow and paying loving tribute to their BEST OF FRIENDS.

You can only come out of left field once, and the Sparkle*Jets U.K. had already managed to stretch their novelty by following up their irreverent debut with a full-fledged tribute album to themselves. So the band wisely decided not to replicate In, Through and Beyond and took a different approach entirely with Bamboo Lounge. Susan West is utilized more directly here; while her off-kilter character added variety to the debut, now she's brought front and center. The production on her tracks makes her vocal growl sound like her DNA was lifted from Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson. And her material ups the ante, too -- instead of being ambivalent about the death of a controlling boyfriend, she's now a caterwauler at a square dance where the participants will all be shot dead (yes, really). And Simmons responds by turning out a set of songs that are more faithful to power pop conventions than anything on the debut, such as the gorgeous "Sorry." There are no covers this time and they are missed, but to replace them the band makes a few liberal lifts from '70s classics like "Rock & Roll All Nite" by Kiss (in "She May Be Nice") and Elvis Costello's "Alison" (in "Beautiful Girl"). And the package is rounded out by a lounge instrumental, a twisted children's song, and album packaging that resembles the drink menu at a Chinese restaurant. Adoration of junk culture has never been as silly or as fun as this. (Jason Damas - All Music Guide)

With the release of First Days of Summer, power-pop veteran (sparkle*jets u.k., Yorktown Lads) Michael Simmons delivers his first album of original music released under his name in 20 years. With his demanding day-job in education, there are only a few days each year where the pressure is off. It's these first days of summer when, just maybe, some songs might pop out. The first three came in late June 2015, and two more in late June 2016. As June of 2017 rolled around, he was so enamored of the idea of putting out new music that seven more songs came in the space of a week, and suddenly he had an album!

In, Through, and Beyond, the debut effort by L.A.'s Sparkle*Jets U.K., was the irreverent antidote to snoringly classicist late-'90s power pop acts. While Sparkle*Jets are a power pop band by virtue of their influences, exhibited here in their wonderful choice of covers (Electric Light Orchestra's "Above the Clouds," Big Star's "Thirteen," and the Beach Boys' "Girl Don't Tell Me"), they steer clear of clichés and remember that pop music is fun by design. While many modern pop revivalists play guitar pop like it belongs in a museum, Sparkle*Jets rock with abandon through these 15 tracks, smirking all the while. Sure, the songs can be goofy; there's a song about "Surfing Monkeys," and "Oh Poor Me" is more or less the female answer to the Smiths' "Girlfriend in a Coma," in which the girl doesn't mind that her narcissistic boyfriend dies in a fiery car wreck while trying to change CDs. And it doesn't stop there -- "My Internet Love Song (To You)," which crams computer jargon into a bouncy love song, is easily one of the most clever geek rock anthems ever written. Sure, the album sags a little toward the end, but the humor doesn't wear thin after a few listens because the hooks are strong and the two frontpersons are appealing. Mike Simmons and Susan West are like polar opposites -- Simmons' boyish, innocent voice provides the ideal backdrop for the album's more typically power poppy moments, while West is a little more prone to let loose with her very rock & roll set of pipes. The end result is a relentlessly energetic, delightfully cheery, and thoroughly entertaining debut record. - Jason Damas, All Music Guide

The Story:

The whole thing started as sort of a joke. And in many ways, it still is.
I first met Mike Simmons in 1998 after I spied a CD by his band, sparkle*jets u.k., at the counter of a local record store. I contacted him, we connected on a fellow Beatles/pop geek level, and we’ve been pals ever since.
I think it was around 2001 when we first recorded music together at Mike’s old home studio in Fullerton, CA. I was visiting Mike with my then three-year-old daughter Kayla, and we all somehow found our way down to the studio. Mike pressed the “record” button, and we lurched through several spirited-yet-silly takes of the Beatles’ “I’m Down” as Kayla danced. That fateful occurrence would come to be known as The Day Mike Simmons Would Forever Regret.
I’m joking. Sort of.

From that point on, Mike and I would get together sporadically and record stuff, mainly covers. Some of it would never see the light of day (thankfully), while other songs found their way onto various compilations and tribute albums. It was Mike who decided we would be called Popdudes, which, as some might know, is a portion of my email address. (Well, we couldn’t be called Hotmail, right?) Silly name, silly band… perfecto!
At some point in the story – details become foggier with each passing year - we started playing live gigs now and again.
The “studio version” of Popdudes, as it were, was originally just Mike and myself, with me on drums and Mike playing everything else because the guy is just stupidly talented like that. But when live gigs started happening, we of course needed other folks to lend a hand. That’s when Popdudes became something of an L.A.-area pop music collective, with everybody and their brother joining us on stage (and sometimes in the studio) from time to time. Too many folks to list here, but I remember some of them fondly.
I’m joking. Sort of.

At any rate, to make a long story even longer, the disc you’re holding is the fruits of our labor over the past decade and a half or so. 25 songs (some previously unreleased), lots of fun, plenty of arguments, and a lifetime’s worth of memories for me. Thanks to Mike for allowing me to live out a childhood dream by doing Popdudes music even when he didn’t really want to, which calculates out to about 97.8% of the time. But in addition to being stupidly talented, my buddy Simmons is also incredibly kind, amazingly patient, and an all-around good dude. There’s nobody I’d rather make music with, argue with, and laugh with than Mikey.
I’m not joking.

John M. Borack
July 2018


Track by Track:

Hello There/On Top of the World – Originally recorded for a Cheap Trick tribute collection released in Australia, this medley features Simmons at his rockin’ best. I sent this track to Bun E. Carlos after we were done, because why not? Some people have claimed my drumming reminds them of Bun E.; I think they really mean that I look like him. Recorded 2015, Crab Apple-on-Sea.

With a Little Luck – Previously unreleased, and a good example of our patented McCartney worship. Drums recorded 12/31/14; everything else 12/15, Crab Apple-on-Sea.

High – My former bandmate in Receiver Kerry Chicoine had this song, I re-wrote the lyrics with a little help from my friends, and Robbie Rist sang it and produced it. It was recorded at one of the happiest times in my life, and I guess the lyrics reflect that. One of my favorites. Recorded 9/12/10, Valley Hollah.

Xanadu – Given Simmons’ undying adoration of Jeff Lynne, I’m surprised we’ve only tracked one ELO song. This is that. Recorded 2011, Crab Apple West.

Catherine – I wrote the lyrics in 2010 about a year after my mother passed away as a tribute to her. Australian pop guru Michael Carpenter wrapped my words around a gorgeous melody, and the song still brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it. Thanks, Michael. Love you, mom. Recorded 8/2011, Love Hz Studios, Australia.

Live and Let Die – I had heard news about a cool James Bond tribute that was in the works, and I casually mentioned it to Simmons. “We might as well do ‘Live and Let Die’ because nobody else will be dumb enough to do it,” he said. One reviewer called it “supermarket music.” Ah, what the hell. I like supermarkets. Recorded late 2016, Crab Apple-on-Sea.

I Almost Forgot – From Futureman Records’ killer Matthew Sweet tribute, Altered Sweet, this one features the sweet steel guitar sounds of Joel Martin. Joel, Simmons, and I happened to be at a Matthew Sweet in-store appearance shortly after we recorded this, so we played it for him on Mike’s phone. He listened for a bit, then asked, “Is this me?” Which is a heck of a lot better than “This sucks!” This track also marks the first – and only – time I’ve ever recorded drums in a condominium. Drums recorded 8/13/17; everything else 8/8/17, Crab Apple-on-Sea; pedal steel recorded 8/2017 Arc of Noise.

The Logical Song – Another previously unreleased one, this was done at Simmons’ place with Kenny Howes on guitar and lead vocals. In the early Popdudes days, it was typical of us to just start messing around on our instruments until we hit on something that didn’t completely suck. I don’t recall how we got to this one, though. Recorded 7/10/10, Crab Apple West.

Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Probably my favorite CCR song, we recorded it for an as-yet-unreleased Creedence tribute record. It was weird, in the sense that since I was out of town when everyone else recorded their parts, my drums were laid down last. I love the Teenage Fanclub vibe that Simmons imbues this one with, as well as Nicole Kubis’s silky sweet backing vox. Drums recorded 6/4/17; everything else 5/28/17, Crab Apple-on-Sea.

Beautiful Sunday – One of the earliest Popdudes recordings, and one that appeared on my Right to Chews: Bubblegum Classics Revisited comp in 2002.
I honestly think Simmons may have replaced some of my less-than-solid playing with his own here, but he’d never admit it. I remember finding a sealed copy of the Daniel Boone album this song appeared on at Amoeba Records for $1.99 and giving it to Simmons, since the original version of this song was a fave of his. Now he tells me he doesn’t know where it is. Bastard. Recorded 2002, Crab Apple West

Joe Sincere – I wrote some smart-alecky lyrics, Robbie Rist added some more smart-alecky lyrics, and Simmons rocked it all up with a Rickenbacker and did his best Robbie impression. Yes, it’s about someone. Who? I ain’t sayin’. Recorded 6/15/10, Crab Apple West.

Soldier of Love – I’ve adored this Arthur Alexander tune since I first heard it as part of the Beatles’ BBC recordings, so we decided to take a whack at it at an IPO gig a few years back. Unbeknownst to me, Simmons was recording our rehearsal and he used my drum track as the foundation for this version. I would have played better had I known we were making a record…but then again, maybe I wouldn’t have. Featuring the dynamic father/son combo of Tim and Addison Love on bass and guitar, respectively. Recorded 7/2016 at Crab Apple-on-Sea and Love-Shack.

If It’s Really Got to Be This Way – Arthur Alexander again, this time with a song from his 1993 comeback album; Anthony Grisham gets off a tasty guitar solo on our previously unreleased rendition. I’ve noticed that if I take about a half-dozen of the tunes on this CD and play ‘em in a certain order, things get quite autobiographical. This is one of the six. I’m so mysterious. Drums recorded 12/31/14; everything else 12/15 at Crab Apple-on-Sea.

Listen to What the Man Said – More McCartney madness, and another previously unheard tune. Mike is particularly proud of the sax solo he did on guitar. Drums recorded 12/31/14; everything else 12/15 at Crab Apple-on-Sea.

Desperation Time – Co-written with another former Receiver bandmate, Ken West, this was basically Receiver with Robbie Rist on lead vocals. I used to be quite proud of the words until I listened recently and found they really make no sense at all. Yay! Recorded in 2003 at Valley Hollah.

Waterloo – Me, Simmons and Kenny Howes again. I remember when we recorded this one - we were trying to find a tune that all three of us could agree upon – not an easy task, ever – when suddenly Kayla (who was five-years-old at the time) began dancing in the studio while we played. “Look at you,” Kenny said to her. “You’re the dancing queen!” It was then one small step from one ABBA song to another, which we slowed way down and gave a hard-hitting, Move-durge treatment. Recorded in 2006 at Crab Apple West.

Neglected – Another co-write with Mr. Kerry Chicoine (who was scheduled to play bass, but his car broke down on the way to Walter Clevenger’s studio where we recorded most of this). It originally appeared on the CD that accompanied the first version of the Shake Some Action book, and my lyrics, in retrospect, are hella whiny. Recorded in 2007 at Brewery Studios.

Got to Get Out – A Nick Gilder cover recorded at the same session as “Neglected,” with Robbie Rist handling the lead vocals. I always felt I sped this one up a tad too much, but Simmons digs it, so here it is. Funny story about tempo: at a different early 2000’s Popdudes session, Simmons felt I was playing too fast, and kept yelling at me to slow down. Finally, somewhat exasperated, he took me upstairs to the kitchen, reached into the freezer, poured a shot of Jägermeister and handed it to me. “Drink this!” he ordered. This scenario repeated two more times, after which we retreated to the studio and finished recording. I guess I slowed down; things got a bit hazy after the three-shot trifecta. Good times. Recorded in 2007 at Brewery Studios.

Elenore – One take of everything, totally messing around, and Mikey turned it into something. What, I have no idea. Previously unreleased. Recorded 6/2010 at Crab Apple West; vocals re-recorded 2014 at Crab Apple-on-Sea.

Ding Dong Ding Dong – Only Popdudes would record a New Year’s song for a Christmas album. The backing chorale on our take of this mid-‘70s George Harrison solo tune was comprised of high school students from Simmons’ pop music class. I joined the chorus of “ding dongs” (so to speak), but I stood way in the back and sang real low, because my voice makes Tom Waits sound like Smokey Robinson. Recorded April 2013 at HBHS and Crab Apple-on-Sea.

She is Funny in that Way – A long-distance collaboration between Swedish singer/songwriter Torbjörn Petersson (The Tor Guides), bassist Karen Basset (The Pandoras), vocalist Keith Klingensmith (The Legal Matters) and yours truly. I really dug this jangly Torbjörn tune, so I asked if we could use it here. It’s got that Popdudes collaborative spirit. Or something like that. Recorded at everyone’s home studios, 2015.

Overkill – I had never heard this Men at Work track when Kenny Howes, Simmons and I cut it on a whim. I think we rocked it up all right, though. Another previously unreleased track. Recorded 7/10/10 at Crab Apple West; vocals re-recorded 2014 at Crab Apple-on-Sea.

Magnet and Steel – “Let’s make a video for this track,” Simmons said. “Strap this Go-Pro to your head while you’re recording,” he said. The Go-Pro crapped out after about 30 seconds due to a dead battery, but we didn’t know it until I unstrapped it from my slightly dented skull four or five takes later. The song – which featured contributions from Nicole Kubis, Susan West and Patrick McGrath (on toy piano!) – is a pretty faithful version of Walter Egan’s ‘70s hit. We recorded it for the Drink a Toast to Innocence compilation, which celebrated “lite rock” of the ‘70s. My skull is still recovering. Recorded Summer 2013 at Crab Apple-on-Sea, McGrath Music, and Susans’.

I’m Stone in Love with You – I had heard Robbie Rist sing this a few times at shows and told him he should cover it – so we did, at his studio. I recall a strange man rising out of a sleeping bag in the studio during the drum tracking, a rickety old drum kit, and Robbie making me pull said rickety old kit out of his van and carry it into his studio piece by piece, as he watched and barked orders with fiendish glee. This version is previously unreleased; it features a Mike Simmons remix, (sort of). Recorded in 2013 at Valley Hollah.

Special Thanks: Everyone who’s ever appeared onstage or on record with Popdudes. What the hell were you thinking? Extra special thanks and love to the man without whom, Mr. Michael Simmons, who also created all this fab artwork.