Over the next two weeks, pop music will be an omnipotent force in the Southern California area. Welcome to International Pop Overthrow, the third installment.

The festival has a two-fold purpose. One is to give every worthy band that would like to play their music in a festival atmosphere the opportunity to do so, and the other is to try to bring more attention to the pop music genre. Over 155 bands will take part in 18 shows over 14 days, at nine different L.A. and Orange County venues, to bring total nirvana to fans of pop music. And since there is no overlap of shows, it would be possible for someone to experience the whole enchilada from start to finish.

"Obviously," says David Bash, the festival’s organizer, "it isn’t necessarily an all or nothing experience. It isn’t like being part of a 12-step program and only doing seven of the steps. But, this being the third year doing this, it is starting to get closer to being a smoother ship."

Bash feels no competition at all with Poptopia, the other major pop festival in Los Angeles that takes place in February. In fact, there is a synergy between the two - links go back and forth between their Web sites, and Bash has been involved in helping put on the winter festival.

"I would never want to do anything that would impede Poptopia," Bash explains. "There is no need to compete - it’s really good for both to exist, because it keeps the festival atmosphere going all year round. Besides, they’re more locally oriented."

For many bands, especially ones from out of the area, it is a chance to play for a crowd that is totally focused on their kind of music. In fact, it may be their first opportunity to play before dedicated pop fans, and the exposure can be heady.

"We had one band that came a long way to get here, and they sold 15 CDs at their show," relates Bash. "They were overjoyed by it. They may never have gotten a response from the hometown crowd like that. Here, at least, they were playing before a receptive crowd attuned to the kind of music they play."

The bands themselves are often thrilled to get the chance to showcase their music at IPO. "This is Supermint’s first IPO and we are very excited," claims Randi Scott of the band from Chicago. "When David invited us to play, we said yes before he even finished asking us. We’re signed to a relatively small indie label, so events like this are almost like a marketing gift for both the band and the label."

When asked to describe Supermint’s music, Scott gives this answer. "Imagine John Lennon making pancakes at Cheap Trick’s house and seated at the table, ready to eat, are Radiohead, Paul Westerberg, Bozo and Tonic, with Crowded House and Jellyfish playing rock/paper/scissors for the last chair."

For local power pop artist Adam Daniel, also playing his first IPO, it is a chance to promote the local scene in L.A. "We hope to bring some melody back," he says. "Do a few jump kicks. We expect to have a good time playing our fuzz-pop with other acts we know and dig, like Linus of Hollywood and Jason Falkner. Anything more is a bonus."

"This is my second time playing IPO, and I found it a very effective way of reaching my ‘demographic,’ i.e. pop fans," explains Linus of Hollywood. "It’s a great way to perform for people who understand the kind of music I play and appreciate it. Usually when you play shows at clubs and bars there is a huge contingent of people who are just there to get drunk or socialize. That’s fine, of course, that is what clubs are for, but the audiences at the IPO shows are really into the music, and you really get their undivided attention for the most part. It is also a great place to network and meet bands that share the same musical styles and philosophies, and as a record label owner it’s also a great place to look for unsigned talent!"

"IPO has been really fun because it’s rare to have that many pop fanatics in one room at the same time," says Tommy Dunbar of the Rubinoos. "If you get someone yelling for ‘Free Bird’ or ‘Leroy Brown,’ you know they’re kidding!"

Brian Kassan was one of the founders of the critically acclaimed Wondermints. His new band, Chewy Marble, has played all three IPOs. "It is a very high profile show for us because our fans, who come from all over the world, are here to actually see us perform, something we don’t do often," he relates. "We have such a great time, because it’s the largest gathering of people to hear this music that we’re all so passionate about [that you’ll find]. If you like guitars and melody, it’s the place to be."

Perhaps the biggest testimony to the power of IPO comes from Australia. The Innocents are playing this year’s festival, despite the fact they disbanded 20 years ago. They are making a special trip to attend. "They were thrilled - and somewhat bemused - to be invited to appear," says Lisa Minchin, "and since coming together to rehearse and prepare for the IPO show they have written some new songs as well as revisiting the old repertoire." Minchin, the wife of group member David, says the band is very open-minded about what they will get out of the experience. "At the least, they are hoping some of their songs might be reissued."

For festival organizer Bash, pop seems a nebulous term. "There is a recent movement on the Internet to change the term, to narrow its focus," he says. "I mean, ‘grunge’ was an apt description that conveyed both the music and the style inherent within that movement." So far, the new terminology has yet to be found.

As usual, tickets for each event will be sold only at the door. That way, says Bash, people are more apt to come see the early bands perform. "As far as we’re concerned, every band is equal," he explains. "Some of these people have come from a long ways away, and they deserve to be heard and seen, too.

"Music is a perpetual phenomena," Bash concludes. "By January, there will be several bands that I haven’t heard yet that I’ll want to get for next year. The best thing is that it is constantly exciting."

At IPO, passion is a constant thing.

© Paul Andersen / Entertainment Today