Sound and the Fury: New Wave Faves, US Edition...

 

Redartz:  A couple of years ago we did a post in which we discussed our favorite  New Wave acts from the UK. We concluded with a promise to look at the US contingent. Never let it be said that we don't follow up on things, even if it takes us awhile!  

The late 70's and early 80's were rich times musically, with the surging presence of new sounds from new performers; a wide variety of approaches all encompassed beneath the umbrella term of
"New Wave". Much of that arose from the wondrous environs of the UK. But the USA
 was not to be left out, as these bands (and the others which you all will be naming) can attest . This discussion isn't really about the 'best', as obviously that is a relative and subjective judgement. This post we're dealing with our favorites; and here are three of mine.

 

Talking Heads

Probably the first 'New Wave' band I came to enjoy was Talking Heads. I was at first slow to jump on the bandwagon, still hanging on to my standard pop tastes. But the persuasive efforts of some art school friends, and this song, broke the ice for me. Shortly I was incurably hooked, hunting for any 'alternative' act I could find. And one of the first was the album from which this song came, "More Songs About Buildings and Food". I loved that lp, and every subsequent offering from David Byrne and Co. And that includes the excellent "Tom Tom Club". But anyway, here's the tune that started it all for me.

"Take Me to the River"

Devo

Next on my personal list of US New Wave faves is Devo. At first, I found their offerings to be rather weird. Too weird for my tastes. However, once my eyes (and more specifically, ears) were opened a bit, the Spudboys' brand of strangeness was irresistable. Although I didn't purchase any Devo records until "Whip It" hit big, I then made up for lost time. Within a short time I picked up all their previous lps, and was sure to grab the new ones that followed. Here's one great track from "Oh No! It's Devo!"

"Explosions"

The Go-Go's

Much as I loved the above two groups, I never had the pleasure of seeing them live. On the other hand, I had the pleasure of seeing these girls live not once, not twice but three times! Once at a small club in Indianapolis. Once as the opening act for the Police. And once as headliners themselves (at Purdue University, I believe our friend Charlie Horse 47 was there too). 

The Go-Go's output may have been smaller than many other acts, but the sheer fun they exuded made up for that. One great aspect of the 'New Wave' was a return to 'fun'. And that perfectly describes this group's music. And what's more fun than this cut from the group's second album?

"Vacation"

Okay, there's my three picks. There were many many others, but these three acts had a place close to my heart and mind. What acts from the American New Wave set your blood to pumping?

 

 

Sound and the Fury: The Women of Rock

Redartz:  Growing up in the 70's, most of my peers in school were big fans of bands such as Kiss, Aerosmith, Boston, Styx, and singers like Alice Cooper, Bowie, and John Lennon. I also liked most of these performers, but there was just something missing...females. Unlike some of my friends, I really loved female singers and groups. From pop to soul to rock, 60's to 80's, these ladies filled my speakers with great sounds. 

Heart:  Ann and Nancy Wilson; their act was aptly named. Their music had heart, and loads of it. Heart, power, and emotion; and they produced some very catchy tunes as well. One of my favorites: 

 Heart, "Crazy on You"

 Carly Simon:  A great example of the 'singer songwriter' genre so prevalent in the 70's. Carole King was more influential, Joni Mitchell was edgier (and I loved both of those singers, of course); but Carly was tops in my eyes (and ears). Capable of poignant, sensitive lyrics, energetic rockers, dance tunes, and quirky bizarre-ness, Carly did it all. And with a wonderful, earthy, evocative voice. I collected her lp's as obsessively as I did Spider-man comics. 

Carly Simon, "Haven't Got Time for the Pain"

 Tina Turner:  Nobody, but nobody, can 'belt it out' better than Tina. From the swinging 60's onwards she swung with serious soul. This cut, with Ike, is jaw-dropping. George Harrison had high praise for this performance, and with good reason...

Tina (and Ike) Turner, "River Deep, Mountain High"

The Go-Go's:  Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine,  Charlotte Caffey, Jane Weidlin and Belinda Carlise. These ladies made some of the 'funnest' music of the 80's. Their debut album, "Beauty and the Beat", got worn out in our apartment building. And I got such a kick from them, I saw them live three separate times. Here's a great one:

The Go-Go's, "Skidmarks on my Heart"

 That's just scratching the surface. There are dozens more fab females I could name, but let's hear from you. Which ones rocked your turntable?

Riding the Retro Metro: Destination Wednesday February 17, 1982!

Redartz:  Hello,fellow temporal travelers!  Time again for another excursion back , back, back aboard the Retro  Metro. Today we revisit the illustrious 80's, specifically Feb. 17, 1982. As always, there is tumult in the world, especially in Poland, where turmoil reigns under the imposition of martial law. Sadly, we read of the death of Jazz genius Thelonius Monk. On the positive note, gas prices seem to be coming down...

While fuel may be dropping, the J. Geils Band is rising to the top of the US Billboard Pop Chart with this week's number one, "Centerfold"

And rounding out the top five:

2.  Daryl Hall and John Oates, "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"
3.  Quarterflash, "Harden My Heart" 
4.  Journey, "Open Arms"
5.  The Cars, "Shake it Up"

Enjoying a lot of the current music these days, Hall and Oates are great, as are the Cars. But as is usually the case, many of the most interesting songs lie further down the chart. Among them,the  Rolling Stones, "Waiting on a Friend"- a nice song off their latest album "Tattoo You".  The Police, "Spirits in the  Material World", Go-Go's, "We Got the Beat": love both these songs and both of these groups. So much so, in fact, that a bunch of us from art school just got back from a trip to Cleveland Ohio to see them both in concert . A great time was had, except for the ice storm on the road home, but that's another story. Oh, and another fun tune: Buckner and Garcia, "Pac Man Fever". A tribute to the immense popularity of video games and arcades these days. I admittedly have spent more than a few quarters on that little yellow guy and his ever-pursuing ghosts...

Tops in the UK:  The Jam, "Town Called Malice"

Man, those Go-Go's are dynamite (and although Belinda Carlisle gets a lot of the attention, I rather admire Jane Weidlin). But enough musical musings, what about the action on the small screen today? Let's see...

US Television Schedule:  

 


ABC: The Greatest American Hero, The Fall Guy, Dynasty

I still catch "G A H" from time to time, and occasionally catch Lee Majors as the Fall Guy. Playing a stunt man/bounty hunter, Majors gives us another action-packed show (perhaps he's  helped out by the cybernetics from his previous role as the Six Million Dollar Man).

CBS:  Herbie the Love Bug, WKRP in Cincinnati, Baker's Dozen, Shannon

Another show I'm still enjoying is WKRP. Great cast, and how can you not like a comedy  about a rock radio station? On the other hand, I'm surprised to find a show featuring "Herbie the Love Bug" on prime time. 

 



















NBC:  Real People, The Facts of Life, Love Sidney, Quincy M.E. 

Real People is one of those shows I'll watch if the mood hits, and Quincy is cool- Jack Klugman is always enjoyable. But "Facts of Life" has sort of hooked me. Another show with a pretty good cast, led by the engaging Charlotte Rae as Mrs. Garrett. 

BBC1:  Rolf Harris Cartoon Time, The Wednesday Film: The Last Hunt, Sportsnight, Parkinson

BBC2:  The Water Margin, The Making of Mankind, The Master Game, Chronicle, M*A*S*H, Nancy Astor, Out of Court

Rolf Harris Cartoon Time? Is that the Rolf Harris of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" fame? I'd watch that every time...

Oh, hey; it's Wednesday, which means new comic day! While we're here, let's check out the neighborhood spinner rack (or the fine display at the local comic shop, as is becoming more frequently the case:
 

 That Silver Surfer book is a definite must. John Byrne and Tom Palmer on the Surfer? Take my money now. And while you're at it, pass me that Teen Titans issue, Wolfman and Perez are still rocking it. I'm getting that Spectacular Spider-man issue just for the cover, but the book is really solid these days anyway.  And speaking of solid, how about Byrne's fantastic Fantastic Fours? The book hasn't been this good in years. And this week we have a double treat, "Fantastic Four Roast" by Fred Hembeck- a truly comical comic. Can't wait to read that one. Oh, and check out that Hulk issue; whats's with the raccoon?  Kind of an oddly obscure character, bet he'll fade into obscurity...

Although we aren't fading into obscurity, we do have to fade back to the present. Hope we've triggered a few memories for you, and that you'll share your tales of  '82. Until next time, be well and save me a token for the arcade...

Sound and the Fury: Concert Tees!

Martinex1: A few simple questions for you today - what were you wearing in your musical youth?  Was your wardrobe stacked with concert t-shirts back in the bronze age?  If so can you answer the key journalistic questions around that particular fashion piece - who, what, where and when?