Chaz & The Motorbikes Present...Ham Radio (Aerola, 2000)

It's a sock hop. It's a roots-rock revival. With Charlie Chesterman and his Motorbikes, it's both. This is chock full of drums 'n' bass that slap and plunk right out of your speakers. And while these poppy songs might seem like genre exercises in the hands of a lesser band, on stage with the Motorbikes they're supercharged.

Little tricks keep everyone interested, like the harp solo on "Roll On!," the Rockpile-like guitar charge on "Three Chords And A Ya Ya Ya," or the country twang on "Gilded Harp Of Love." If you like the sounds of the Stray Cats, but always wanted a touch more innovation, or if you're an NRBQ fan who wishes Big Al Anderson would come back to the fold, then this record is for you. Just a lot of fun.