Engine No. 9 - Waterfall

Great b-side to a 1991 Bus Stop 7" - the only Engine No. 9 release ever, although half of them went on to become Fudge (who I never particularly rated). It's a bit more serious and less twee than a lot of what Bus Stop put out, in fact I think it's just a tiny bit overwrought, but mostly as affecting as it tries to be. Actually it sort of reminds me of McCarthy with an American indie-rock accent.

The Stupid Cupids - Big Blue Bus

Definitely up there with the worst band names ever to appear on this blog, though in fairness, the Stupid Cupids weren't a real band so much as one of the many identities used by Paul Chastain and Ric Menck (the Springfields, Velvet Crush) over the years. And besides, it's hardly like they were trying for a good name.

This pleasant and fun little tune was released on a 1987 Bus Stop flexi, and was later re-recorded by another Chastain/Menck alter ego, Choo Choo Train, under the title "Big Blue Buzz".

Pencil Tin - Friday

Side project of Bart Cummings from the Cat's Miaow and Robert Cooper from the Sugargliders and Earthmen. Their only 12" release was the album A Gentle Hand to Guide You Along, put out by Bus Stop in 1996 though it had been recorded two years earlier.

This is one of Robert's songs, a gorgeous and very Sarah-esque track.

Allen Clapp and his Orchestra - She Grins and Waves Goodbye

Allen Clapp is sort of an American Martin Newell, though not quite as off-the-wall and far less prolific. (With regard to the latter point, I'd say "give him time", but he doesn't seem to have released anything for about five years.) By that, I mean he's someone who's put out a number of clever and charming twee/indiepop records that seem to have been put together largely in his bedroom; his "orchestra" may have included actual band members, but one suspects they were mostly in his head.

This is a track from his 1994 debut album, released on the marvelous Bus Stop label. It reminds me a bit of the Swirlies.

Honeybunch - Hey Blue Sky

Yet another gem from Providence, Rhode Island's incestuous indie scene. Honeybunch were active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and nearly perfected the folky-twee sound that most of their related bands (Velvet Crush, Springfields etc) were famous for.

This was their absolutely exhilarating debut single. For more, check out the compilation Time Trials 1987-1995.

Bag-O-Shells - Markers

Bag-O-Shells were another Providence, Rhode Island outfit featuring the people who brought us Velvet Crush, the Springfields, etc. They put out two singles under that name in 1988 and 1990 on the Bus Stop label.

There are obvious similarities between Bag-O-Shells and their related bands, but to me this sounds a lot more like the kind of thing REM were doing in the early '80s than the twee sound the Springfields (and Bus Stop generally) became known for. I don't like it as much as the Springfields, or their earlier incarnation the Reverbs, but it's nice enough.