We at BIG STIR RECORDS are thrilled to cap a star-studded week with another surprise release: our first single from Power Pop Hall of Famers THE FLASHCUBES. Sweeter still, it's a landmark collaboration with MIMI BETINIS of fellow PPHOF inductees PEZBAND, on a loving and boisterous cover of that band's “Baby It's Cold Outside”. The new single is officially out July 30, but it's up for preorder at bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com now following a surprise premiere on the July 18 edition of This Is Rock 'N' Roll Radio with Carl Cafarelli and Dana Bonn, part of an amazing run for BSR that included a single from Steve Stoeckel of The Spongetones (yep, another Hall of Famer) and the announcement of a new album from NY guitar-pop heroes Sorrows. With THE FLASHCUBES and MIMI BETINIS leading the charge, it's almost like the heyday of hooks, harmonies, and pop that goes crunch is starting all over again.

THE FLASHCUBES are as venerable and vibrant as they come, bursting out of Syracuse, NY in 1977 with the same lineup they have today – guitarists Paul Armstrong and Arty Lenin, bassist Gary Frenay and drummer Tommy Allen. During their initial lifespan of 1977-1980, the Flashcubes released only two singles, "Christi Girl" and "Wait Til Next Week," on their own Northside Records label. They always seemed on the brink of bigger things - everyone who knew them just presumed The Flashcubes would become stars. And while those big things never materialized, their legend only grew, so that by the time the band reunited in the '90s, as powerful and poppy as ever, they were recognized as the heroes they'd always been. They haven't looked back since, with a string of acclaimed albums and a reputation as a world-class live act to their credit and no end in sight.

Along with being a cutting edge power pop band, The Flashcubes are, and have always been, massive music fans and record collectors. When Cubes’ drummer/producer Tommy Allen suggested they cover The Pezband’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” (a record they all had in their personal collections), the rest of the band jumped at the idea. For two bands who both started in the late-70’s and were inducted into the Power Pop Hall of Fame in the same class of 2019, it was a perfect match! And the cherry on top, was the participation (guitar AND vocals) of Pezband founder - and the song’s co-writer - Mimi Betinis. While the original single was a classic, The Cubes have put their own spin on it with this newly-recorded version. The Flashcubes and the Pezband; together for the first time! It's an auspicious occasion indeed and, with a little luck, not the last we'll hear from this magic combination. Big Stir couldn't be happier – or more grateful to the band (and Carl and Dana) – for letting us be a part of it.