Mike Stax, long-time singer for San Diego's long-running The Loons, is better known for Ugly Things, the magnificent magazine he runs, than his band. This double-headed pointer towards their forthcoming album suggests that needs to change.
“Miss Clara Regrets” is a fine slice of bustling freakbeat with a bassline that means business and guitars that demand to be heard. Stax delivers a fine vocal with punch and good range to tell a tale about an “It girl”. Twin guitars and a hook of in the tail that says it’s a pop song and it's exclusive to this single.
Stax has been a long-time champion of the Pretty Things. I’d go as far as saying if not for him and manager Mark St John, the re-born Pretties might have remained an under-appreciated lost chapter in rock and roll’s history. So who else would The Loons cover on the B side? “Alexander” stays true to the original but has The Loons’ brusque but pop-tinged touch.
The single is on Dirty Water and the upcoming album will land on Bomp.
1/4
