20/20 - Back To California
The waning days of 2024 bring the news that the 21st Century Power Pop scene has needed to hear for more than two decades: genre legends 20/20 will return with an all-new full-length album in 2025! And to kick off the countdown, the band's new label, celebrated Texas guitar pop imprint SpyderPop Records (in partnership with Big Stir Records) presents the first teaser single and the forthcoming album's title track, “Back To California”, out October 25 on all digital platforms. This triumphant return is to be accompanied by an evocative lyric video and more news about the album, and it's up for pre-order now.
It's well-nigh impossible to find an informed assessment of the true giants of Power Pop that doesn't prominently feature 20/20. Be it an audio compilation like Jordan Oakes' classic Yellow Pills (named after a classic song by the band) or a definitive guidebook like John Borack's Shake Some Action (which ranks their self-titled 1979 debut album as the genre's very best), it's guaranteed to rank the band among the very finest practitioners of the hooks-and-harmony sound. But it's been over two decades since the band's prime movers, Steve Allen (vocals, guitar) and Ron Flynt (bass, vocals) have released new music under the 20/20 name. Thankfully, the wait is over, and “Back To California” sees Allen and Flynt reunited and backed by Ron's son Ray on drums for a track that stands easily with their classic best, and serves notice that the band are indeed back, and better than ever.
“Back To California” is a tune that harkens back to that glorious late '70s Power Pop sound, with muscular, driving guitars and a riff that recalls The Plimsouls' “A Million Miles Away”. Flynt remembers the flashpoint that renewed the 20/20 collaboration and led the new material and the new single, and ppropriately, it all started in the state from which the song and album take their name. “The year 2020 was fast approaching and there was talk of a show at the Roxy in Hollywood. The idea of going back to California was intoxicating, and bringing my son Ray to play drums sealed the deal for me. Steve and I went to California to play a show with our old buddy Dwight Twilley, where, backstage, he played me a bit of a tune that became 'Springtime Love Song' on the new album. The ball was rolling.”
Allen picks up the tale: “We both felt the call to write some new songs together and be creative. We felt like the music was doing what it wanted to do. I flew to Austin from Nashville for four trips to Ron's studio and his son Ray played the drums. Yes! That was amazing.”
Of the song itself, Flynt says, “I loved living in California. There is an undeniable romance on the streets of Hollywood and a feeling that anything is possible in the air. 'Back To California' is a love song, maybe between two people, maybe between the past and the present, or maybe it’s about hope. And a chance to bring it all back again.” And bringing it all back again is just what 20/20 is doing. Fans of the band, and of melodic rock and roll worldwide, have been waiting for them to do just that, and in the new year, their
