Compared endlessly by enraptured critics to Mott the Hoople, the Velvet 　　Underground, Bob Dylan and the New York Dolls, Blow-Up made their debut 　　as teenagers in the final days of 1977. They became a fixture on the 　　L.A. scene, first recording for legendary indie Bomp Records and later 　　providing key songs for the motion pictures Up the Academy and 　　Flashback. Their 1984 album Easy Knowledge made best-of-the-year lists 　　from the likes of Mikal Gimore and Robert Christgau and they were 　　nominated as "Best Underground Band" at the inaugural L.A. Weekly 　　awards in 1987 alongside Social Distortion and Jane's Addiction. 　　 　　Teenage News (1976-1980), is the companion release to Groovy Dynamite 　　Heavy Now (1981-1988), and covers the band's early years. It collects 　　demos by the formative, Berkeley-based Top Cat lineup; two rare 　　unreleased songs intended as a single for Bomp Records, one a version 　　of the New York Dolls' never recorded "Teenage News," and the original 　　Dead-End-Kids-on-speed take of "Hanging Out at the 7-Eleven;" live 　　tracks captured at the Whisky A-Go-Go and Mabuhay Gardens; and songs 　　used in the Mad Magazine movie Up the Academy, including "Beat the 　　Devil" and the oft-covered cult classic "Kicking Up a Fuss." Originally 　　released in 2006, and newly remastered by the group, this is the first 　　time Teenage News has been available to the digital market. 　　 　　What they said then: 　　Pleasant Gehman, BAM Magazine: 　　"For those of you who don't know, Blow-Up formed in Berkeley but 　　relocated to L.A. in 1977. They made their debut at the legendary 　　Masque and gigged with everyone who was anyone in those days, including 　　Berlin, the Dead Kennedys, Jim Carroll and the Replacements. They made 　　quite a few singles and records, were always raved about by critics, 　　and played raw, raucous rock with cool pop elements. Everyone used to 　　say they were glam throwbacks... as in Mott the Hoople, not as in 　　Poison. In fact, they were such a great band and so far ahead of their 　　time..." 　　 　　Mikal Gilmore, L.A. Herald Examiner: 　　"The best new garage-pop band in L.A.... Strives for transcendence in 　　the face of mundane fortune and finds much to affirm in that quest... 　　They're pretty amazing... " 　　 　　Robert Christgau, Village Voice: 　　"In the great smart teen tradition. A Minus." 　　 　　Chris Willman, BAM Magazine: 　　"Hip wit, funky but chic anti-style and Jagger-like swagger..." 　　 　　Vocals: Jody Worth 　　Guitars: Bruce Nicholson (all tracks) Pat DiPuccio (6-16) Tommy Dunbar (1,2) 　　Keyboards: Christian Super (all) Daniel Lazerus (14,15) 　　Bass: David Harrington (6-9,16) Barry McBride (3,4) Matt Lee (10) Don Walton (11-15) 　　Drums: Art Arroyo (6-16) Doug Cater (1,2) David West (3-5,10) 　　 　　Produced by Jody Worth, Bill Evans, Alan Douglas, EJ Emmons, Chaz Ramirez & Winter Lazerus