Artists & Music

`UTOPIA' BUBBLES UP FROM FOUNTAINS In Memory (Continued from page 12) ley Of Malls" adds a Zombies- ther support the album with a busy schedule outside of the band: esque Farfisa line. ( "That's com- video for "Denise" and ads in such When he's not a Fountain, he co- pletely intentional," notes Colling- consumer magazines as Spin and runs Scratchie Records with wood. "They're one of my favorite Alternative Press. The group, Smashing Pumpkins members bands. ") which is managed by Q Prime and James Iha and D'arcy and plays in Atlantic executive VP/GM Ron booked by Mitch Okmin /MOB the New York pop band Ivy, on 550 Shapiro is optimistic about Agency, will tour the U.S., the Records. He also just produced "Utopia Parkway," which was pro- U.K., and Europe in late spring. the new album by Meg Hentges on duced by Collingwood and (The band is signed to Atlantic Robbin Records. Schlesinger. worldwide.) Schlesinger's side activities "In songs that are not that long, For Atlantic, the U.K. is anoth- helped raise Fountains Of Wayne's they manage to hit the human er natural territory to take Foun- profile in 1996, when he wrote the experience on so many different tains Of Wayne's bubbly pop. The title track to the Tom Hanks - subjects in a way that makes you directed film "That Thing You sort of laugh about life," he says. Do!," which chronicled the brief "They make songs you like to sing `Their songs hit the rise and fall of a pop band in 1964. along with, but their music also The breezy Beatles -esque song, strikes some nerve, intellectually human experience credited to the film's fictional and emotionally." on many subjects' group, the Wonders, hit No. 41 on Collingwood and Schlesinger the Hot 100 in November 1996 and split songwriting duties for the was nominated for an Academy group, which includes guitarist/ group did a British promotional Award. Schlesinger appreciated vocalist Jody Porter and drummer tour in February, and "Utopia the attention that the track Brian Young. The band's songs are Parkway" will be released there brought him and Fountains Of published by Monkey Demon March 29. Wayne but notes that it caused Music /EMI (BMI) and Awkward "I do think that Adam and Chris some misconceptions. Paws Music /PolyGram (ASCAP). write music that you can absolute- "That movie came out the same The album's first single, ly hear on the radio in England," exact week as our first album, so "Denise," will be sent to modern says Shapiro. "Radiation Vibe" there was a lot of confusion about rock and college stations Monday made the top 40 of the U.K.'s whether we were the band in the (15). The track won't be released Chart Information Network chart movie," he says. "But at the same as a commercial single, although in March 1997. time, I certainly wouldn't com- Shapiro says Atlantic may consid- "The national attitude there is a plain about it, because it got us a er doing so when the song is sent little more sarcastic," notes certain amount of attention right to other pop -friendly formats. No Collingwood. "In America, a lot of out of the box. I don't think it's a further radio release dates have the music that ends up getting on horrible thing for people to think been set. the radio is more sincere." about Fountains Of Wayne and Aaron Axelsen, music director "Utopia Parkway" will be think about Beatles -influenced of modern rock KITS (Live 105) released March 26 in Europe and kind of music ... I don't think it San Francisco, says "Denise" April 21 in Japan. would be pointing them in the could do well at the station, con- Schlesinger, meanwhile, has a wrong direction." sidering how its listeners embraced songs from Fountains Of Wayne's debut. ROXETTE " `Radiation Vibe' did well with 1939 -1999 (Continued from page 16) us," he says, "and then we took a chance with the album cut `Sink "Stars" incorporate a Eurodisco where programmers are more To The Bottom.' It just struck a feel. style- and format -conscious. nerve with me. We had an amazing The first single, "Wish I Could Gessle has not always been a fan .rRI\GFIEIO run with it; it was a huge call -out Fly," was No. 20 on Music & of such treatments. record for us." Media's Eurochart Hot 100 Sin- "America has always wanted Natalie Waleik, VP of the All- gles chart for the week of March different remixes for radio; for ston, Mass. -based chain Newbury 6. The track has also hit No. 1 in example, [they put] sax solos in Comics, says the album's retail the magazine's Border Breakers `Listen To Your Heart' instead of performance could depend on the chart, which tracks the progress guitar solos," he says. "People band's success at radio. She notes of continental European reper- shouldn't buy our records if they that "Denise" sounds like a strong toire beyond its country of sign- don't like guitars. I used to be single. "It's a very hooky pop ing. The single was commercially against it. Now I don't have a ® Taragon Records Company song," she says, "and then it's got released March 8. problem with it." 40 Burt Drive, Unit 5 / P.O. Box 765 Deer Park, New York 11729 -0765 that retro chorus; it's so catchy. I "Wish I Fly" Could has a Todd (516) 242 -8760 Fax: (516) 242 -5761 think this album do a could lot bet- Terry mix, a formula that has Assistance in preparing this story E -Mail: CDSALES @TARAGON.COM ter for us than the last record." managed to get other singles air- was provided by Kai R. Lofthus in Shapiro says the label will fur- play in markets such as the U.K., Oslo.

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