Visqueen - My House

Visqueen is a Seattle based power pop/punk band that formed in 2001. The band formed from former members of Hafacat (singer/guitarist Rachel Flotard and drummer Ben Hooker) and legendary punk band Fastback (bassist Kim Warnick).

With the release of their first two albums, King Me and Sunset on Dateland, the group quickly moved from a local band with a loyal following to a nationally known power punk band. Following their second release in 2004, Flotard took a hiatus to care for her father after he was diagnosed with cancer. She then worked with Neko Case before regrouping with the others and releasing Message To Garcia in 2009.

My House is off their debut release, King Me.

Trivia: The band takes their name from the brand of polyethylene film that US Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge once recommended as a defense against bioterrorism.

The Jam - That's Entertainment

Defiantly British punk group, The Jam created an indelible mark on music, but never really made it big in the US. They were huge in the UK, having 18 consecutive Top 40 singles in their 6 year recording career. Although they came in around the same time as The Clash and The Sex Pistols and had the "Angry Young Men" persona, they differed from the two other bands because they incorporated more of the 60's rock influences into their music. Definitely political, The Jam did not shy away from writing songs that lamented the current state in England.

That's Entertainment is today's Hump Day Retro-Closet track off the absolutely stellar 1980 album Sound Effects. The album was influenced by the post-punk bands, Joy Division and Wire. However, guitarist and lead singer Paul Weller said he was influenced by The Beatles' Revolver and Michael Jackson's Off the Wall. That's Entertainment is listed in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

Blondie - Rapture

Blondie is this week's Hump Day Retro Closet tune. A pioneer in new wave, they were able to use many styles like disco, pop and reggae but still retain some punk rock edge and create a string of hit singles. Debbie Harry fronted the band and her voice is a signature of the band (how many teen age boys were in love with her in the early 80's).

Blondie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is currently touring with Pat Benatar and The Donnas. Rapture is off their 1980 release, Autoamerican, which also included the #1 hit The Tide is High, a cover of the Paragon's classic.

The Presidents of the United States of America - Back Porch

Back Porch is one crazy hopping tune off their debut album. The Presidents of the United States of America just write silly pop punk songs. They are a bit of a novelty act, but this is a fun song and their first album has some appeal. But can grow tiresome if played too often. Pull this out once in blue moon for mood lifter that requires no real thought. Just pull out your 2-string, 1-string, no-string guitars and have a good time.