It's The Little Things - Cover on TCYR's Showboats & Grandstanders

Some background information on the covers from the new Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers record, Showboats and Grandstanders. 

The three covers on the album are “The Rest of the Night,” “The Little Things,” and "Out of the Blue." 

Track Cover #2: It’s the Little Things

'Cause it's the little things that mean a lot 
It's what you are, not what you got 
- Sonny Bono (1967) 

Up around the way, jokers come and jokers go 
It’s what you are, not who you know 
- Tommy Conwell (1992) 

“It’s the Little Things” is a song written by Sonny Bono. It was released in 1967 as a single from the LP, Good Times, the first soundtrack album by American pop duo Sonny and Cher, in conjunction with the film of the same name. 

"It's the Little Things" was the first single released in the U.S. and reached #50 stateside and #3 in Canada. The soundtrack only reached #73 on the Billboard album charts. 


In an interview with "David Uosikkinen In the Pocket" podcast, Tommy Conwell tells David and Andy Vineberg that his arrangement of “Little Things” is inspired by a version by The Skeletons. 

Their cover version was originally released in 1992 from the album “Waiting” on the Alias Records label. 

Some notes about The Skeletons from an LA Weekly, Dec. 1992, article: 

“The Skeletons (led by bassist Lou Whitney and guitarist D. Clinton Thompson), evolved out of the Morrells, a skewed jumpabilly band that released on indie album a decade ago and themselves evolved out of an earlier band called, among other things, the Skeletons. (On the Waiting album)…songs seem buoyant even while carrying essentially dread-full, downbeat lyrics. In addition to the double-edged originals, the Skeletons triumphantly recut Sonny Bono’s “It’s the Little Things” in a way that you can’t ignore the man’s utter two-facedness.”
- Review by John Morthland 

In May 1993, the Ithaca Journal said that “the Springfield, Missouri-based Skeletons have earned the reputation as a ‘must-see’ live band.” 


Another band that has covered Sonny Bono’s “It’s the Little Things” is Redd Kross, from their 1987 Big Time (RCA Records) LP released in 1987, called "Neurotica." 

Observed to be a blend of various genres including garage rock, power pop, punk rock, art rock and pop rock, Wikipedia says “the album was influential to the grunge movement.” The album was produced by ex-Ramones drummer Tommy Erdelyi.

However, the track does not show up until 2002, when two bonus tracks were added to a reissue: Robert Hecker's "Pink Piece of Peace", and Sonny Bono's "It's The Little Things." 


Probably one of my favorite tracks on "Showboats and Grandstanders" -- I really love this song from TCYR! 😍

Star Trippin'!

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers performing “Star Trippin’” in Wildwood, NJ in 1991, maybe 1992. (Still researching.) But definitely early 90’s…

A Matter of Time [Demo] - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers

A demo of A Matter of Time - performed by Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers. This song was performed as a part of the preview of the band's new rock material featured on a WMMR live performance from Studio 4 in 1993. A Matter of Time was not one of the songs to be included on the never-released MCA record, Neuroticus Maximus. 

Tommy Conwell Interview on WMMR - 1996

Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings were rockin’ in that late 90’s-era of swing music that also featured Bryan Setzer and his 17-piece big swingin’ band and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy featured in the movie,  “Swingers.” Vegas, baby!

This interview with Tommy Conwell is the 2nd to the last episode of Cyndy Drue’s Street Beat, a Philly radio standard from 1986-1996 on WMMR.



And what does Tommy discuss? Buzz Zeemer, the end of the Young Rumblers, thoughts on his talent for songwriting (he says he's not a songwriter - whatever, Tommy!) and Frank Brown's greatness, the MCA record that was never released. Except that it was - eventually. (See Thanks But No Thanks at the Tommy Conwell store.)

Songs featured during this interview (but not included in this clip are):

• Smarty Pants – Hi Ho Silver! – Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings
• Break My Heart – PlayThing – Buzz Zeemer
• Love’s On Fire – Walkin’ on the Water EP – Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers

Thanks But No Thanks - Neuroticus Maximus

DJ Caterina just purchased "Thanks But No Thanks," previously unreleased music from Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers online at the Tommy Conwell Store:

"Never released music by Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers - Originally titled Neuroticus Maximus, recorded at A&M Studio in Los Angeles and produced by Ed Stasium (Ramones, Smithereens, Soul Asylum) in 1992, this album has never seen the light of day until now..."
- Tommy Conwell Store

----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Around 1992 The Young Rumblers made an album that MCA paid for, but never put out. It's a good recording, was a little different for us at the time, and is pretty good, I think. I don't like the original title, so I renamed it Thanks But No Thanks. It's available now for the first time ever at tommyconwellstore.com. I hope you like it."
- Tommy Conwell, 2009

DJ Caterina has heard Neuroticus Maximus many times, both the original and the demos. Favorite track is "Up Around The Way" - dig the opening guitar riff and the lyrics:

"...it's what you are, not who you know."

Purchase Thanks But No Thanks today!

Tracks: 
1. Up Around The Way
2. More Than This
3. Punktuality
4. Terrified
5. I Wanted You
6. I Wish
7. The Devil's Touch
8. I Like You
9. You've Given Up