Plasticland
Plasticland is an American neo-psychedelia and garage rock revival band formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1980 by two members of Arousing Polaris, Glenn Rehse and John Frankovic.
Career
Several guitarists and drummers would rotate in and out of the band over time, but Glenn Rehse and John Frankovic have remained the core of the band. Dan Mullen was the second guitarist for most of the 1980s recordings and live appearances. Brian Ritchie, later of the Violent Femmes, played guitar briefly with the band on early recordings. Multiple singles, EPs, compilation appearances, studio and live albums appeared in the 1980s and early 1990s. Several compilation CDs chronicle the band's earlier years.Color Appreciation, their first album, was on the French Lolita label. Enigma Records in the US reissued the album in 1985, self-titling it, with track alterations and substitutions. Enigma subsidiary label Pink Dust released the next two albums, Wonder Wonderful Wonderland and Salon. For Wonder Wonderful Wonderland the label wanted the band to use Paul B. Cutler, a producer and guitar player with the Dream Syndicate, but the band "generally ignored his advice". German label Repulsion issued their final studio album Dapper Snappings in 1994, though it was recorded several years earlier. Two very different live albums were also released; You Need a Fairy Godmother and Confetti were both issued by Midnight Records. The former was recorded with Plasticland backing one of their musical heroes Twink, drummer for the Pretty Things and the Pink Fairies. Confetti consists of various live performances edited together.
The duo of Glenn Rehse and John Frankovic, with new bandmates, are still performing, having opened for Blue Cheer in November 2007. In January 2008, John Frankovic and Victor Demichei retired their services from the group. The group has been sustained by Glenn Rehse and new guitarist Leroy Buth. In 2024, Plasticland released Spree, which was recorded in 2006 and 2013. The 2006 session featured Frankovic and original drummer Victor Demichei. The 2013 session featured Andy Kaiser on bass and Mike Koch on drums.
In 2015, Plasticland were inducted into the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Hall of Fame, along with artists Sigmund Snopek and the Robbs.
Members
- Glenn Rehse – vocals, guitar, organ, lyrics
- John Frankovic – bass
- Dan Mullen – guitar
- Victor Demichei – drums
- Brian Ritchie – guitar
- Bob DuBlon –
- Breck Burns –
- Rob McCuen –
- Dave Raeck – bass
- Leroy Buth – guitar
- Mike Koch – drums
- Andy Kaiser – bass