Album Notes

'You'd have to create a new kind of music to be more pop!' Joseph Terry (of Chicken Scratch Records) hit it right on the head with those words about Ames, Iowa's masters of power pop madness, Pookey Bleum. Pookey Bleum formed in 1996, an awkward foursome with three vocalists, and a guitar player who could program a drum machine. The first days of Pookey Bleum were spent preparing for a 4th of July talent show in Newton, Iowa (hometown of all original members). While they didn't take first prize, their carefully crafted harmonies and the drum machine made an interesting show. Not yet performing live on a regular basis, the group had time to refine its sound, replacing a vocalist with drummer Jeremy Johnson. The band progressed with its folk-tinged sound. In 1998, the band lost yet another vocalist, leaving only the trio of Aaron Hefley, Melissa Sorbo, and Jeremy Johnson. The harmony-driven geek-folk of the early days slowly evolved until 1999, when the band finally grew up, adding Sibley, Iowa's lo-fi-rock hero Patrick Fleming to the mix on guitar and taking to the road regularly. Pookey Bleum today creates a sound that is most aptly described by indie reviewer David Stacy, as 'a fresh blast of geek rock' Even their live show took on new and exciting shape: 'I'd rather watch Pookey Bleum live for five hours than watch Guided By Voices for two!' says friend Sharon Dirks of the wild stage presence. In 1998, the band released it's first (self-titled) CD with little fanfare, and a second in 1999 ('Your Favorite Music You've Never Heard Before'). Pookey Bleum's latest, Chords A Friend Suggested, has been gathering critical acclaim since it's April 2000 release Recorded in their home studio and mixed by Tom Tatman (House of Large Sizes, Nine Dollar Mellon Baller, The McKenzies, etc.) at Catamount Recording in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the CD contains 16 power pop gems. Pookey Bleum is currently finishing their new CD Lo Fi Rainbow at Catamount Recording. Release date is set for April 5, 2001.