Pop Defect

Drinking Poison, Handling Serpents, Speaking In Tongues: Live In Big Bear (Flipside)

by Mark Phinney

Shades and suits, secret spy missions and pop revivals, that is music. Let me clarify, this is secret music, when you have a job, an assignment and only two minutes to diffuse the bomb or the U.N. goes down in a burst of flames. I’ve never seen this trio of spies on the roster, are they working for us or the enemy? They are the envy of every surf/swing boy in the free world, and I’m ready to crack the case.

Name: Pop Defect. Mission: To bring back the idol unscathed. Like a cold war film from our parents’ video library, Pop Defect line their messages with dangerous alleyways, and agents called No. 54637, while the Baron Von Cranhiemer is prepared to crush the world, not to mention a rippin’ version of “Love Potion #9.” I could play Twister to this stuff all night with Thunderball on mute. The covers are new and different, the strangest “These Boots Are Made For Walking” since the Crispin Glover rendition. Every strip of this film takes a new turn into that freewheelin’ secret mission lifestyle, meshing surfspread sandwiches with a ’50s feeling and showmanship. They romp through “Lonesome Train,” leaving me feeling tough and lonely, a dandy combo. You also know that you found something genuine when there is no band to compare in sound or style. This is the case with Pop Defect. Final Report Captain: Pop Defect good. Russia bad. This is No. 56467 signing off. Sleep in safety.