Paul Collins' Beat at the Bowery Ballroom

Paul Collins spent his pre-teens living in Greece, Vietnam and Europe before returning to his native New York and studying at the prestigious Julliard Music School. He then moved to San Francisco and formed one of the pioneer bands of punk rock, the Nerves, in 1974. The Nerves disbanded in 1977, and Collins moved to Los Angeles.  Two years later, he formed a power pop band called the Beat, later to be called Paul Collins’ Beat and the Paul Collins Beat. The band became among the most well-known bands from Los Angeles charging the new wave movement, touring often with popular bands and recording albums, but never had a signature hit song. The band changed lineups many times and disbanded in the 1989. Collins relocated to the New York area. For a time, he formed the Paul Collins Band and played Americana roots-based music. Collins revived the Beat brand in 2006 and periodically assembles musicians for shows and recordings.

Opening for the Flamin’ Groovies at the Bowery Ballroom tonight, the Paul Collins Beat returned to its original 1970s power pop sound. Only the skinny ties and white sneakers were missing. Unlike many power pop bands, the Beat focused away from the garage band sound to unclutter and emphasize each song’s vocal melodies and harmonies. The tunes were short, with guitar leads relayed in bites. The set list included compositions going way back, even “Working Too Hard,” which was recorded by both the Nerves and the Beat, but did not include “Hanging on the Telephone,” which became popular when Blondie covered it on its Parallel Lines album. The Paul Collins Beat’s performance was energetic and polished; if the world is ready for a power pop revival, the Beat is ready.