Willard's Wormholes

Powerbill (1993/1996)
Owsley’s Lost Pop Classic

Will Owsley passed away last week and we wanted to post his long lost, out-of-print power pop classic, Powerbill, recorded when he was a member of The Semantics. This one ranks right up there with The Grays’ outstanding, Ro Sham Bo – another essential pop album by a minor super group, before anyone knew they were all so super. Originally recorded in 1993, the album was inexplicably shelved by Geffen records, and the band split up. The album would eventually surface in 1996 as a limited edition Japanese import. Its been highly sought after ever since. Alongside Owsley was co-writer Millard Powers, who later re-joined original Semantics drummer Ben Folds (replaced for this release by Ringo’s kid, Zak Starkey) before going solo himself. Both Powers and Owsley each recorded some of these Semantics songs for their respective debuts. You can find “Coming Up Roses” and “The Sky Is Falling” here and on Owsley’s outstanding, self-titled CD. Fans of The dB’s seminal album, The Sound Of Music, will surely appreciate. If you’re a purveyor of power pop, Powerbill should quickly become one of your own listening essentials in record time.

Sticks And Stones (3:03)
Future For You (2:53)
Coming Up Roses (3:37)
Jenny Won’t Play Fair (2:39)
Average American (3:24)
Don’t Say Goodbye (4:13)
The Sky Is Falling (2:59)
Black And Blue (3:10)
Johnny Come Lately (3:07)
Life Goes On (3:02)
Glasses And Braces (3:24)