Elvis to the power of 10

That would be Elvis Costello to you. I am indirectly dedicating this post to Mr. Costello by bringing you two artists that were/are obviously influenced by the real Elvis.

The first one was a contemporary of his, even signed to the same label after Elvis went on to the major labels. England's Any Trouble were fronted by Clive Gregson a terrific songwriter in his own, but sounding so much like Elvis had to have taken it's toll on the bands acceptance. He even looks a bit like Elvis: see if you can guess which one is him-


Their debut Lp came out around 1980 although I've read that the band started up in the mid 70's but sped up a bit in response to the punk scene and acts like Elvis Costello. Good thing their music is so good. I really can't believe I never heard of this band until a couple years ago. Nothing wrong with being influenced by Elvis if you can do it this well.
Any Trouble "(Get You Off) The Hook"

The second artist is a current (sort of) artist that put out a criminally overlooked CD in 2004. Eugene Edwards' debut LP is an incredible mixture of possible influences - most noticeably Elvis Costello. I do hear other possible influences, like Squeeze or Marshall Crenshaw (any one remember him). In doing a bit of research for this post I am finding out that some of his music was sent out with Dell computers a few years ago so people may know him from that but that still doesn't make not having a Mac excusable.

Even a moderate Elvis Costello fan can hear the influence and will surely see the play on words at the beginning of this track as a nod to that influence:
Eugene Edwards: It Doesn't Get Better Than This"

Edwards has put out one song since 2004 and I can't imagine why, this album is so good and so solid all the way through I can't imagine he is out of good material. His website seems to never be updated and he doesn't seem to play shows...unless he only operates on myspace rather than his own website... if that is the case - shame on him.