Here¹s the history: In the Upper Darby of 1967, Todd Rundgren, departed guitarist/songwriter of psych-blues band Woody¹s Truck Stop, formed what would be the 1960s¹ first Brit-inspired, well-dressed, good-looking "boy band," The Nazz -- for what turned out to be the start of a Anglo obsession continued today amongst men with shaggy hair. Unlike their modern descendants, The Nazz shimmered with a crystalline Anglo-pop-fizz courtesy the influence of The Kinks, The Who and The Move, songs written from within, and crisp, cutting vocals from keyboardist Robert "Stewkey" Antoni, drums from Thom Mooney and bass from Carson Van Osten.

They made big waves with self-produced hits like "Open My Eyes," a swirling masterpiece of phase-shifted melody and heartbroken lyrics (see the new two-CD Open Our Eyes comp on Sanctuary); found themselves at odds with labels, management, each other and busted apart -- but not before a Runt-less Stewkey released Nazz III in 1970. After that he stayed on the Anglophile tip with Fuse (Rick Nielsen¹s pre-Cheap Trick locals) a swanky solo CD Hello it¹s Crazy Me, and songs on the Last Minute Jam Band¹s CD Minutes to Millennium.

So, why a new Nazz and why now? "One of my favorite questions from fans, old and new, that I¹ve met is 'Are there any live recordings?¹" said Stewkey of the band¹s rumored sizzling showcases rarely available on rarer bootlegs. "The music is timeless. Why not give fans what they want? Live Nazz." Stewkey promises rabid, rapid-fire takes on songs written by him, Rundgren and Company and -- in anticipation of a live CD and further recording -- that his Nazz will play songs even the old unit dared not play live. "This band consists of seasoned musicians who were Nazz fans when they were young and love the music as I still do" said Stewkey proudly. "So the energy is like it used to be."