Artist description Psychedelic/classic/glam pop-rock band

Music Style Crunchy, melodic rock in the "classic" vein with lots of harmonies and brainy, compassionate lyrics.

Musical Influences Beatles, Kinks, Bowie, Elvis Costello, Led Zep, Joni, Mingus, et al

Similar Artists Beatles, Elvis Costello, Led Zeppelin

Artist History Formed in the waning days of the 20th Century, MysteryPop began life as Spanish Kitchen. The L.A. foursome was founded by singer Simon Glickman and guitarist Willie Aron, who met through an ad in the Recycler paper. Willie was a founding member of cult faves The Balancing Act, and had toured and recorded with Victoria Williams, Michael Penn, Syd Straw and many other singer-songwriters. Simon had a Ph.D in English and spent years of toiling in bands you've never heard of. Bassist Miles Lally answered another ad, and-after the band auditioned what seemed like hundreds of drummers-eventually brought in old pal Perry Ostrin. Jamming ensued. The band described its sound as "mystery pop," which captured their love of melody and their signature sense of smoky atmosphere. Spanish Kitchen played countless gigs around L.A., gradually falling in with the then-burgeoning "power-pop" scene. They opened for longtime heroes like X and Jonathan Richman. They pressed a 7" single (now a collector's item), which got exactly one spin on local public-radio station KCRW. They rented a rehearsal space. They appeared on compilation discs. They got $40 from club owners after playing at midnight on a Tuesday. This is what it means to be a Los Angeles band. Spanish Kitchen caught the attention of The Knack's Doug Fieger, who, along with Richard Bosworth, produced their album-mostly at the glorious House of Blues Studios in Encino. After numerous misadventures, the results of that endeavor are now available. Just as the project was being completed, Spanish Kitchen-tired of telling people they weren't a salsa band-became MysteryPop. Though Miles has moved back east, the remaining trio (with guest bassists) is preparing to bum-rush the stages of L.A. once more.

Group Members Simon Glickman Willie Aron Miles Lally Perry Ostrin

Instruments guitar, bass, drums (with a bit of piano, organ, mellotron, Moog, cello, trumpet and tambourine)

Albums Mystery Pop

Press Reviews "These guys are the real deal--an anomaly in L.A.'s convoluted music scene... a true diamond in the increasingly intelligence-insulting L.A. rough. It's heartening to witness a troupe, all convictions intact, who are truly concerned with progress." --Entertainment Today "Power pop pulses with a Zep-like deliciousness... astute lyrics, handsome harmonies, sturdy back beat and downright durable bass, too--all making for a well-balanced musical meal... A delightful dinner of true passion one can get lost in." --Flipside

Location North Hollywood, CA - USA

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