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The Returnables were born when four guys got together in 1997 to down a case of Huber Bock and cover some Undertones tunes. They came to end on 7/14/05, when guitarist John Glick was killed alongside Silkworm 's Michael Dahlquist and The Dials ' Doug Meis in a tragic auto collision. But the music goes on.
In March 2006, Dirtnap Records released a new Returnables disc. Consisting of 4 studio tracks recorded in March 05 and 3 live tunes pulled from a June 05 show, the self-titled EP shows the band at the peak of its power. With its sharp hooks and raw energy, The Returnables stands as a powerful parting shot from a band that never pulled its punches.
For those wishing to contribute:
John Glick Memorial Fund
105 Tygert Lane
DeKalb, IL 60115
PRAISE FOR THE NEW EP, THE RETURNABLES:
"Out of all the stuff that Dirtnap Records has released over the years, I'd rank this disc in the top third. The infectious 'Teenage Impostors' may turn out to be the best and catchiest pop song released this year. Everywhere I go, I'm walking around whistling its melody. 'What Would Mother Say?' and 'Back In My Room' are great as well - offering the tuneful thrust we all love about pop/punk music but exhibiting a craftsmanship and emotional depth that are rarely heard in that genre. Three live cuts supplement the four studio tracks nicely - demonstrating not only that the Returnables were a kickin' live band, but also that the group left behind some top-tier, unrecorded material ('End of the World' is a snappy, high-energy shot of punk adrenaline )." Now Wave
"If you dig this sort of garagey power-pop as much as I do then this will tickle that sweet spot in your brain that weed never seems to reach anymore." indiepages.com
"With the suss and flair of the Buzzcocks meeting the Smiths head-on in an arm-wrestling pop punk Olympics, these buzzsawing, vinegar tart songs make perfect sense in a world jaded by commerce and dumbed down love There is something uncanny at work here, a kind of wit and interplay and harmonizing that feels like swirling synergy between folks whove absorbed way too much Only Ones, Dickies, and the Zeroes, as if every 45 that adorned your wall has ended up being scrunched and melted down between their amplifiers and drum set " Left of the Dial
"This EP has a good mid 1980's HUSKER DU/REPLACEMENTS feel to in on a couple of tracks, and then a more melodic UNDERTONES/WEDDING PRESENT feel on others... There are other releases from this band that I haven't checked out yet, but based on this EP, they should also be worth hunting down." AMP
"First off, this record is one successful hybrid. The Returnables' music is a melding of garage and powerpop and punk while the actual tracks are half studio and half live recordings from the Bottoms Up Bar in Chicago. Their cover of the Wedding Present's 'Dare' is the last live track and you can feel the energy pouring out from the band and the venue. 'Love Letters' and 'Teenage Imposters' both have this great catchy, self aware lyrics with sweet guitar that really hooks you in. " Big Wheel
"All of its retro-fitted and fun, trashy and new-wavey, and will remind you of video arcades and Material Issue, if youre old enough for either of those things." Sleazegrinder.com
"The studio recordings are strong but things really blast off with the live songs. 'End of the World' is a brisk, scrappy party anthem, 'Last to Know' mines a vein of Velvet Underground, and 'Dare' closes things out in revved up, bittersweet fashion. Sounds like they must have put on a pretty good show." Candiedpop.com
"Get an earful of The Returnables, powerpop garage rock thats hungry for you. If youre into The Undertones or The Replacements check em out, theyve got a low down sound that keeps it honest, rocking and new." NYWaste.com
"It's a poppy, punky Rock 'n' Roll explosion of melodically rambunctious delights that brings to mind a spastic battle of musical wits between Television, the Buzzcocks, Husker Du, and The Dickies. Everything about this 7-song release shouts an urgent fervent zeal for life, making me wanna bounce around the room like a giddy, hyperactive brat in a cage full of rubber balls." Rotten Roger, Under the Volcano
"...it is music so wild, so youthful and charming that it’ll definitely get you laid if you play it loud enough at your next big party when your friend’s parents go on vacation next month." Reviewer Mag
What Ira Robbins of the Trouser Press had to say about The Returnables:
"Power pop and what used to be called garage rock bleed together to wonderful effect in Unrequited Hits, the debut album by the Returnables, a Chicago-based quartet which formed in Madison, Wisconsin, on former Naked Raygun leader Jeff Pezzati s label. (He executive produced and played piano on one track.) Stirring melodies, breathless rhythms and evident knowledge of a wide variety of forbears set up songs that dont stint on raucous power or silly high school lyrics ('She Throws Punches,' 'Your Teenage Friends,' 'Bubblegum' it makes perfect sense that girls names figure in the titles of four songs here) but also sparkle with tuneful wit, sharp hooks and fine club-honed playing. (And kudos for including 'Monica,' a previously unrecorded song written by former Green/Lilacs bassist Ken Kurson .) The spectrum on Unrequited Hits runs from the Buzzcocks to the Elvis Brothers to the Smugglers, all more in terms of feel and attitude than derivation. Basically, bassist Reggie Lee Ray (Bran Harvey), drummer Arturo Lee Ray (Art Kubin) and guitarists Bobby James Lee Ray (John Glick) and Frankie Lee Ray (Jonathan Ben-Isvy) all sing and write understand that memorable pop requires discipline and attention to detail, but exciting rock demands headlong carelessness. And they uphold both ends. A zillion bands have donned this coat, but few have worn it so smartly."
Discography
"So When Can I See You Again?" EP - Rocketship Records (1999)
Unrequited Hits - Jettison Music (2002)
"So When Can I See You Again?... Plus!" - Jettison Music (2003)
The Returnables - Dirtnap Records (2006)
Singles
"Tim" b/w "Over Nowhere" - Rocketship Records (1998)
"Tickle Me Emo" b/w "All Over You" - Rocketship Records (1999)
Compilations
Beluga on the Rocks 3 - Beluga Records (1999) - "You Make Me Nervous"
PISTIL - Pistil Magazine (2004) - "Don't Think Joey"
400 Square Feet of Rock - Snowy Records (2005) - "Monica"
Live at the Sweatbox - Stars/No Stars (2006) - "Road Trip"
