I'm taking you back to the early days of the US mod scene this week with some great music including a couple of really cool live tracks from The Bangles & The Three O'Clock.

Even cooler than that is that I got a chance to interview Bart Mendoza. He's been making and shaking the mod scene since the late 70s when he started Manual Scan, and then later as member of The Shambles. With a resume like that it's pretty clear that power pop is in his blood. In addition to his musical prowess Bart is a one-stop mod promotional guru, and a walking encyclopedia on the US mod scene.

The interview is long, but worth it for those of you interested in the history of the mod scene, and for anyone who likes the great power pop music of Manual Scan and The Shambles. Bart talks about both bands, as well as about his work behind the scenes as was one of the folks that kept the mod scene going, producing shows, publishing fanzines, organizing rallies and events.

The Shambles website
The Shambles on Myspace
Manual Scan on Myspace
The Che Underground

Be sure to head on over to the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com for a full track list, and some very cool bonus videos of Manual Scan and The Shambles.