The A-Sides

by J. Scott McClintock
Philly-based popsters the A-Sides formed in 2002 and rapidly proceeded to do a bunch of things right. Their first 7" single (on Scranton, PA's Prison Jazz Records) was plucked up by Rough Trade in the U.K. and garnered the group oodles of nice press stateside. Producer Brian McTear (matt pond PA, Mazarin) took notice as well and helmed the group's first full-length, Hello, Hello, which pushed the A-Sides' eclectic pop sensibilities even further forward in 2005. With the lineup of Jon Barthmus (vocals/guitar/keys), Mike Flemming (bass/vocals), Patrick Marsceill (drums/vocals), Charlie Cottone (guitar/vocals), and Christopher Doyle (keys/guitar/percussion) firmly in place, the A-Sides continued to increase their radio and touring presence. In 2007 Vagrant Records released the group's sophomore album, Silver Storms.