If you like: the punk-leaning power pop of The Only Ones, New York Dolls, or Stiv Bators or if you’re into the seminal punk of Richard Hell–or maybe if you’ve ever heard a little tune called “Whole Wide World”–you’ll get a kick out of one of our favorites, Wreckless Eric.
About: A gifted songwriter whose style is informed by playful eccentricity as well as “regular guy from the pub” wisdom, Wreckless Eric first earned recognition as part of Stiff Records’ willfully quirky roster of punk and new wave artists during the late ‘70s. Early on, Eric bashed out a series of ragged, three-chord punk-pop singles driven by his pent-up energy and a knack for melodic pop hooks. Tunes like “Whole Wide World,” “Semaphore Signals,” and “Take the Cash (K.A.S.H.)” made him a cult hero due to his engaging sense of humor and fondness for simple rock & roll. After parting ways with Stiff in the early ‘80s, Eric scaled back on performing and recording, releasing material under the group names The Len Bright Combo and the Hitsville Houseband while unveiling just three solo efforts between 1980 and 2000. Eric returned to duty in 2004 with Bungalow Hi, and in 2008, he cut the first of two albums with Amy Rigby before kicking off a return to serious productivity with 2015’s AmERICa, revealing a greater lyrical maturity along with his trademark melodic sense.*^{Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Mark Deming}
A favorite track: Reconnez Cherie