New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Joey Alkes and Chris Fradkin Websites) - Influential power-pop songwriting team Joey Alkes and Chris Fradkin, co-authors of the famed rock anthem 'Million Miles Away,' among other memorable Plimsoul power-pop tunes with
Peter Case ('Now,' 'Hypnotized,' 'Hush, Hush,' 'Lost Time'), are releasing 'SOME SONGS,' a CD of their own previously unreleased recordings from that magical musical period (1980-1983).
Just last year (2008) 'Million Miles Away' was re-recorded and released by Hollywood Records' alternative rock act Ingram Hill, and the Goo Goo Dolls re-released their version of the Plimsouls classic, recorded early in the Goo's career, on a CD/DVD box set with music video DVD, called Goo Goo Dolls: Vol. 2. In addition, the cult hit film Valley Girl, which featured the Plimsouls' live performance of 'Million Miles Away,' is presently in production by MGM for a theatrical musical, and possibly a film remake.
In 2006, Alkes' own avant-garde music act DJ Monkey, with Mick Mcmains (Earl Slick's NYC, John Wicks' The Records) and rapper Jamal "TipToe" Cryer (Bad Azz's "Word on the Street") recorded and released an award winning (Rockwired.com 'Song of the Year 2006') version of an '80s tune of theirs called 'Hard Times In NYC'. Phil Seymour, The Flamin' Groovies, Kids Incorporated (with both Martika and Fergie), Paul Collins & The Beat, Alexis Korner, Wait For Nothing, Jamie James, DangerFace, TenTen, Space Shot Orchestra and Billie Jo Burnor are among the many other acts that have recorded Alkes-Fradkin tunes in the past.
In those years Chris Fradkin was the vocalist for these Alkes-Fradkin tunes. These recordings, on the upcoming CD to be released later this year, were meant as demos to be presented for recording to the group of acts that recorded their material in those years. They were recorded in many different situations and circumstances; the telling of which can be as compelling as the songs themselves. It was a zany but magical time. Alkes, who makes his living as a journalist and freelance writer, has also worked in most every area of the music industry (See AMG.com for his history and discography); and, as noted above, created the internationally-respected crossover alternative/rap act on Squid Music called DJ Monkey. Fradkin is a multiple Emmy nominee and two-time winner in sound effects editing for his work on the X-Files. He is the father and producer of the renowned child prodigy pianist Ragtime Ruby, and is currently in the midst of attaining a doctorate in psychology from Cal State in Merced.
