Roots-rock quartet the Rave-Ups was formed in 1980 by frontman Jimmer Podrasky, a Pittsburgh native who founded the group while studying English at Carnegie-Mellon University. The original incarnation of the band briefly relocated to Los Angeles before dissolving, prompting Podrasky to return home and accept a job as a house painter; he then traveled back to Southern California, recruiting drummer Timothy Jimenez to record the Rave-Ups' 1984 debut EP, Class Tramp, with the aid of session musicians Chuck Wada on guitar and Douglas Leonard on bass. Guitarist Terry Wilson and bassist Tommy Blatnik cemented the lineup prior to cutting 1985's acclaimed Town + Country. A year later, at the behest of avid fan Molly Ringwald, the group appeared in the actress' film, Pretty in Pink. All the media exposure resulted in a major label contract with Epic, and in 1988 the Rave-Ups issued The Book of Your Regrets. Despite high commercial expectations, the album failed to make much of a chart impact, however, and after completing 1990's Chance, the group disbanded. Podrasky later formed the Lovin' Miserys with ex-Concrete Blonde drummer Harry Rushakoff, releasing Happy as Hell in 1996. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Jimmer, was nice to read your comments. You have been, for me, one of rock's great mystery men. Mystery is cool. I think those two albums on Epic were brilliant. I at least got to mention this to Terry Wilson when he was out at Lou Whitney's place in Springfield in the early '90's. Wish I could've seen you guys live. Looking forward to anything new and/or a reunion, Jeff Graham.
Being a sort-of social recluse, I've never posted any comments on this site...but now is as good a time as any to finally do that. Firstly, I need to and want to thank Lisa R, the person who started this site in 2007. If there were more people like her, this would be (pardon the lame pun) a better world. I'd also like to thank those of you who still listen to this music and to the songs I've written over the years; I want you to know that it's meant a lot to me and that I still write and play, but mostly in the privacy of my own living room. Maybe that will change soon since I'm feeling the urge to play publicly more often, and with a renewed sense of passion and commitment. I owe most of that to my son and to those of you who still listen to the songs...this is a long-overdue THANK YOU to everyone.
THE RAVE UPS TOWN + COUNTRY MP3's NOW AVAILABLE ON RHAPSODY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE ON iTUNES THIS WEEK . GO GET YOURSELF THIS CLASSIC FOR YOUR IPOD OR FAVORITE DEVICE!
Hey what a classic find! Greetings from Dublin Ireland! My wife lived in San Francisco for 8 years and was always raving about "The Rave Ups" so I searched about and here you are. Fkn class sounds! We don't even have a record player and she's on Ebay buying your old Vinyl! Say hello to one of your new friends "Rosie" if you have the time! Brilliant sounds! I'll be back! Cheers! :)
Jimmer, I miss the days of the Electric Banana, and McKees Place parties. The lets put Wednesday back into your week shows at the Old Fat City with the Shakes. And old fan from the Burg, who's forever livin... "In the 1980'sssssssss 9" Psyche Out. Mike Psyche
Jimmer, I miss those "Put Wednesday back in your week" shows at Fat City in Swissvale. Greeting from the Burg. Have a Psyched New Year. I'm no Bobby Angel, Mike Psyche
