The Atlantics - Boston's Classic 1970s Power Pop Band

The Atlantics were formed in January 1976 by bassregional tour throughout New England. The band
player Bruce Wilkinson and guitarist Tom Hauck, twoperformed with artists including The Ramones, The
students at Tufts University in Medford,Cars, Cheap Trick, Boston, Graham Parker, Talking
Massachusetts, just outside Boston. They wee joinedHeads, and many others. The single "One Last Night"
by drummer Boby Bear and lead guitarist Jeff Lock.by Bruce Wilkinson received regional and international
To complete the lineup Wilkinson recruited singerairplay, and the album garnered a glowing review in
Bobby Marron, a friend from his hometown in NewRolling Stone.
Jersey.In the summer of 1979 Paul Caruso joined the group
The Atlantics played their first concert in the springas drummer, and the band came back in 1980 with
of 1976 at The Rat in Kenmore Square. In May ofwhat was to become one of New England's biggest
1976 they performed as the opening act for theindependent singles, "Lonelyhearts," written by Tom
Ramones, who were playing two nights at The ClubHauck. It was the flip side to "Can't Wait Forever," a
in Central Square. The Atlantics made their first tripsMotown-flavored song by Bruce Wilkinson.
to New York in the summer of 1976, playing at"Lonelyhearts" rocketed to the top of New England
CBGB and Max's Kansas City. The band quicklyradio and dance charts and stayed for months, and
became an important and authentic part of thecan still be heard on Boston radio stations including
emerging punk/new wave movement.WFNX-FM.
The following spring Ray Fernandes replaced BobyDuring the next two years the Atlantics released
Bear on drums. In the summer of 1977 the Atlanticsseveral more songs on tape to Boston radio stations,
recorded their first independent 45 on Jukeboxincluding "Pop Shivers," "Wrong Number" and
Records, "When You're Young," written by Bruce"Weekend." In June 1983 the band played their final
Wilkinson, backed with "Where Would I Be Withoutshow at the Channel in Boston.
Your Love," written by Jeff Lock. A thousand copiesThe original analog tapes of many of the Atlantics
were pressed but never released, and the single ismost popular songs were consigned to storage. In
now considered a collector's item. In the spring of2006 these tapes were recovered and thirteen
1978 Jeff Lock left the band and was replaced bytracks were digitally restored for the ATLANTICS
Fred Pineau of the Bonjour Aviators.CD. These tracks were recorded between 1979 and
The Atlantics were signed to ABC Records that1982 in studios in the Boston area, and have no
summer, and in December the band recorded their LPoverdubs or other alterations. In 2007 the Atlantics
BIG CITY ROCK at the Hit Factory in New York. Thereleased a live set from the Paradise club in Boston.
album was released in March, 1979, just after ABCATLANTICS LIVE was recorded in March, 1979 and
Records was sold to MCA Records. Their new label,features many of the songs from BIG CITY ROCK.
together with Premier Talent, put the Atlantics on aAtlantics CDs are available at CDbaby and at
nationwide tour with Roxy Music, followed by aNewbury Comics.