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Monday, February 24, 2014

Rave-Ups' Podrasky back after long absence

Jimmer Podrasky, the singer/guitarist best known as a member of critically acclaimed LA roots rock band the Rave-Ups, returns with his first solo album in 23 years. 

The Would Be Plans is due out digitally March 4 from Chief Injustice Records. 

A chance Facebook posting in 2010 reunited Jimmer and his Pennsylvania childhood pal Ed Sikov, who wound up executive-producing the new album. 

A lot had happened to Podrasky since he and his band were major-label artists, featured in "Pretty in Pink" and "Beverly Hills 90210." He had, in no particular order, lost both of his parents, logged time as Shannen Doherty's fiancé, fathered and raised a son (Chance) with Molly Ringwald's sister, got laid-off his day job and been forced to live hand-to-mouth, and accidentally endured a hellish weekend trapped in L.A. County's mental-health system.


But another serendipitous connection-with, of all people, former "Brady Bunch" star Robbie Rist (who played Oliver) eventually led Podrasky back to the recording studio.

The path led directly to the labor-of-love project that became
The Would Be Plans once Jimmer connected with former Smash Mouth (and current Dwight Yoakam) drummer Mitch Marine, who became the record's producer and recruited the supporting players.

Among them are Wallflowers organist Rami Jaffee, pedal-steel player Marty Rifkin (Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty) and mixer Dave Leonard (K.D. Lang, Tony Bennett, the Neville Brothers). Recording was done at the Station House in Echo Park and other Los Angeles studios.

Songs range from the country-ish "Satellite" and effervescent pop of "(She Has) Good Records" to the harmonica-fueled folk-rock opening track, "The Far Left Side of You." 

To launch the release of The Would Be Plans, Jimmer Podrasky is set to appear at Lucy's 51 (located at 10149 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, CA) on March 5. 

He will return on March 19 to inaugurate a series of songwriter tribute nights during which he will perform as well as host.

The Would Be Plans is currently available for sale at www.jimmermusic.com.

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