The Classic Alternative Blog

Thanks, R.E.M.!

2011-09-22T03:34:00.007-07:00

Here's where it all started for me. Also a reminder of why I used to love David Letterman.

Wolves, Lower

Radio Free Europe

A Perfect Circle (MTV Unplugged)

Harborcoat

Pretty Persuasion

Driver 8

Feeling Gravity's Pull

Can't Get There From Here

Fall on Me

Swan Swan H

Get Up

Orange Crush

I suppose I should say something....

2011-03-15T06:43:00.005-07:00

First off, thanks to Bill Paxton for occupying the top spot on this blog for so long; I know it has been a tough run.

So it has been over two years since this page has been updated. Although I don't intend to resume regular posting anytime soon, I thought it might be good to stop by, since the page still gets hits via Google search.

I just wanted to say that this music still fills an inordinate portion of my heart. Posting here just became more of a chore than a pleasure. However, I am posting videos at the '80s Alternative Music page on Facebook. If you like it, "like" it. :) And if you tell me that you came from here, I'll really like it.

Otherwise, there are several fantastic places to find what, in the past, has been found here, Classic Alternative Blog friend and stalwart blog Waist High, as well as the relatively new site Slicing Up Eyeballs: The Legacy of '80s College Rock. And don't forget the most fantastic radio show currently broadcasting -- The '80s Underground.

Good night everybody!

Lost and Found Video - Martini Ranch

2009-02-28T20:21:00.003-07:00

Wow, that guy looks like Bill Paxton...

From martiniranchmusic.com: Martini Ranch is a band established in 1982 by Andrew Todd Rosenthal. (Writer/Vocals/Guitar). Bill Paxton was making videos and joined Martini Ranch in 1984 as video conceptualist, singer and sometimes lyricist. Robert O'Hearn played keyboards. Patrick O'Hearn of Frank Zappa & Missing Persons plays bass on "New Deal ". Martini Ranch released one album two singles and two videos on SIRE/WB Records. Album titled "Holy Cow" in 1988 was a alternative hit on KROQ and others. The song "How Can the Labouring Man Find Time for Self-Culture?" produced by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo features Bob Casale and Alan Meyers (OG DEVO Drummer)."How Can the Labouring Man Find Time for Self-Culture?" video is fantastic. Directed by Rocky Schenck,Bill & Andrew. James Cameron directed the video "Reach", both videos played on MTV and VH1. Cindy Wilson of The B-52's also sings background on some of these songs. Additionally, Mark Isham is on "World Without Walls" and actor Judge Reinhold (of Beverly Hills Cop fame) is the Whistler on the song "Reach".

Links!
Martini Ranch at All Music
Martini Ranch on Wikipedia

Headlines...

2009-02-22T11:54:00.004-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME

Elsewhere on the Internets:

And speaking of Morrissey...

I.R.S. Records Goes Digital!

2009-02-18T18:44:00.001-07:00

Beginning February 10 and continuing until March 17, more than 100 albums and tracks from the celebrated vault of I.R.S. Records will make their digital release debuts. In an extensive, six-week online catalog campaign by Capitol/EMI, I.R.S. classics by The Fleshtones, Wall of Voodoo, Concrete Blonde, Oingo Boingo, The dB's, General Public, Lords of The New Church, and many others will be available for the first time for DRM-free download from all major digital service providers. Four new Best Of The I.R.S. Years digital collections will also be released, for The dB's, Over The Rhine, dada, and Dread Zeppelin.

> Read More

Lost and Found Video - Scruffy the Cat

2009-01-29T13:16:00.002-07:00

This long-overdue entry is courtesy of Paul. As always, thanks! I am not worthy...

The sound of this Boston-based quintet straddled melodic pop and revved-up rockabilly, but inconsistency held them back from achieving the cult status of their contemporaries the Pixies and Throwing Muses.

From the 1987 album Tiny Days, this is My Baby She's Alright, their lone 1987 hit (and probably one of the few to deploy a banjo in the rhythm guitar slot). The tune had a brief run on the college/alternaradio-charts and MTV's 120 Minutes, but today they are fondly remembered primarily in their hometown, where this video was shot (at The Rat in Kenmore Square). Front man Charlie Chesterman now heads up Chaz & The Motorbikes.

Links!
The Unofficial Scruffy the Cat Homepage
Scruffy the Cat on All Music
Scruffy the Cat MySpace Fan Page
Chaz & the Motorbikes -- CharlieChesterman.com

Headlines...

2009-01-16T01:52:00.004-07:00

Here (finally) are some headlines to peruse...

From Billboard:

From NME:

From Rolling Stone:

Lost and Found (Christmas) Video - The Wedding Present

2008-12-24T01:49:00.009-07:00

Here's a little present from The Wedding Present, a band formed in Leeds, England in 1985.

This cover of the 1973 Bernie Taupin/Elton John composition Step Into Christmas was originally recorded for the 1991 alt Christmas compilation A Lump of Coal, later released as the b-side of The Wedding Present's December 1992 single No Christmas, and eventually appeared on their singles & b-sides collection Hit Parade 2.

For a time, singer David Gedge led the indie pop band Cinerama, which was re-branded The Wedding Present in 2004. The band is still together, and released an album, El Ray, in May of this year. Their official website lists March tour dates in the UK and Japan.

Links o' plenty can be found here and in their Wikipedia article, which is located here.

Thanks to Paul!

Happy Holidays from the Classic Alternative Blog!

Headlines...

2008-12-20T12:27:00.005-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME:

From Pitchfork:

Headlines...

2008-12-07T13:17:00.004-07:00

From Billboard:

Roxy Music Members Issue Solo Projects

From NME:

Oh, the neglect...

2008-12-05T01:59:00.003-07:00

Many apologies regarding my recent lack of posts. I would like to give a really cool/interesting/weird reason, such as realizing my life-long dream of traveling the country in the weinermobile and/or indulging in various forms of bacon-related cuisine. In reality it was due not feeling well for a couple of weeks, as well as other circumstances that have come up and pushed this blog down a little lower on the ol' priority list. I'm feeling better, but for the foreseeable future, will have less time to dedicate to the blog. I think I will still be able to find headlines each week, and will have lost and found videos (albeit the postings will likely be a bit utilitarian), along with the occasional tidbit.

If you regularly check for posts, thanks! Drop me a line or comment sometime -- I could use some inspiration!

Now here's a random cool video I recently stumbled upon...

Headlines...

2008-11-23T12:25:00.004-07:00

From NME:

From Pitchfork:

Headlines...

2008-11-09T11:21:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME:

Out Tomorrow: Rio ‘Classic Albums’ DVD

2008-11-03T12:58:00.003-07:00

Now available for ordering at Amazon.com.

Headlines...

2008-11-02T10:58:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

U2 Tower Shelved As Credit Crisis Spooks

From NME:

From Pitchfork:

Bjork Writes About Icelandic Environment, Economy

From Rolling Stone:

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T00:33:00.007-07:00

Have a very spooky day, and be sure to check out The 80s Underground Halloween Special. Jeff has really outdone himself this year.

And here's a video for one of the songs featured on the show -- Ghost Town by The Specials.

TV Appearances this week from The New York Dolls and The Damned

2008-10-29T12:11:00.007-07:00

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson will feature The New York Dolls tonight, and a two-night stand from The Damned on Thursday and Friday. According to the official website of The Damned: They will perform 2 songs, one old classic and one from the new album, which will be aired on consecutive nights: the 30th and 31st of October.
To get you in the mood, here's the video for Anything from The Damned.

Lost and Found Video - The Del Lords

2008-10-29T01:02:00.004-07:00

The Del-Lords were fronted by Scott Kempner of N.Y. proto-punks The Dictators, and former Blackhearts (Joan Jett) guitarist Eric Ambel.

Here is Judas Kiss, the first single from the band's third album Based on a True Story (1988), which got some play on MTV's 120 Minutes, but otherwise seems to have fallen through the cracks. Pat Benatar's husband/guitarist/producer Neil Girardo produced the band's first three albums, and it might be interesting to find out if she sang the backing vocals on this -- she's credited, as is Kim Shattuck (The Pandoras, The Muffs).

Band Update: Kempner and Ambel have mostly been doing solo work in recent years, the latter also being a session producer, and drummer Frank Funaro has worked with Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker.

Links:
The Del Lords on Wikipedia
Trouser Press Entry
All Music Guide Entry
Scott Kempner on MySpace
Eric Ambel on MySpace

Many thanks to Paul for the contribution!

Headlines...

2008-10-26T11:12:00.002-07:00

From Billboard:

From Pitchfork:

From Rolling Stone:

New Mullet on Monday - The Records

2008-10-20T01:24:00.006-07:00

Well, I somehow managed to scrape up another edition of New Mullet on Monday. I don't think I will be abandoning the feature altogether, but will post the great mullets of the era whenever I happen to run into them. This particular video features a variety of seventies-era mullets, worn by members of The Records, a highly influential British Power Pop band formed in 1978. The band was co-founded by John Wicks (vocals) and Will Birch (drums).
From the 1979 album Shades in Bed, this is Starry Eyes.

Band Update: Wicks has retained the The Records' name, and in 2007, released an album entitled Rotate under the name John Wicks & The Records. Birch went on to produce music, and has also made a foray into writing, publishing the book No Sleep Till Canvey Island - The Great Pub Rock Revolution. He is currently working on a book on the life of Ian Dury.

Links:
TheRecords.com -- A website on the original incarnation of The Records, maintained by Will Burch.
The Records on MySpace
John Wicks & The Records Website
John Wicks & The Records on MySpace
John Wicks on MySpace
Will Burch's Website
Will Burch on MySpace

New Echo & The Bunnymen!!

2008-10-17T09:51:00.004-07:00

Several live videos of Echo & The Bunnymen's latest single "I Think I Need It Too" are floating around YouTube. You can view one shaky camera-phone version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1daoFIbmok0

The band are currently in the studio finishing up their 10th album with producer John McLaughlin. The album is entitled ‘The Fountain’ with a release date still to be announced.

Recent New Releases and Reissues

2008-10-16T01:25:00.006-07:00

Here are a few titles for your consideration. Product descriptions are via Amazon.com.

The Clash - Live at Shea Stadium
Recorded at New York's Shea Stadium in 1982, Live at Shea Stadium captures the band at the peak of its powers and on devastating form. Bristling with energy and attitude, Live at Shea Stadium is destined to feature alongside James Brown at the Apollo, The Who at Leeds and Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison as one of the greatest live recordings of all time!The Clash, opening for The Who on their farewell tour of the US, played two nights at the legendary Shea Stadium (October 12th and 13th of 1982). Despite being the support act, the New York Post reported "there were as many Clash fans on those nights as Who fans."

This deluxe edition is a jewel-case size hard bound digi pak which includes a stunning 32-page booklet of backstage and onstage photos shot by Bob Gruen and Joe Stevens. The recording is the first and only full-show live album released from The Clash.

The Pretenders - Break Up the Concrete
Think of this long awaited studio album as if it were the first Pretenders record: musical turf that's defined by attitude, lyrical and melodic mastery, and the unexpected...and Chrissie Hynde's voice as you've always known it. "Break Up The Concrete" is an authentic slice of rock Americana, ranging from blistering punk to the most delicate storytelling as told by the queen of rock royalty herself.

U2 - Under a Blood Red Sky - Deluxe Edition CD/DVD
A Deluxe Edition version featuring the Under a Blood Red Sky CD (Disc 1) and the Live at Red Rocks DVD (Disc 2).

The remastered Under a Blood Red Sky album was originally released in November 1983, and consists of live recordings from three shows on the band's War Tour through Europe and America. Recorded at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on 5th June 1983, Live at Red Rocks will be available for the first time on DVD, and will include 5 previously unreleased songs, a director's commentary, digitally re-graded pictures and a 5.1 mix.

This is the fourth CD as part of the Amazon.com-exclusive U2 deluxe edition box set and fits into the open slot within the packaging.

The Replacements - Pleased to Meet Me [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
2008 remastered and expanded edition with bonus tracks of The Replacements' fifth album, Pleased To Meet Me, which was released in 1987. The singles from the album were "Can't Hardly Wait" (which was the inspiration for the title of a movie), as well as "Alex Chilton" and "The Ledge" (the video for which was banned from airplay on MTV due to its lyrical content about suicide). The album peaked at #131 on the Billboard Music Chart's Top 200. The album's cover art mocks the band's transition from young punks to successful musicians with a major record deal, depicting a handshake between one person clad in a suit, starched white shirt, glitzy watch and diamond ring and the other wearing a ripped workshirt. The album to some degree maintains the style of the previous album, and major label debut, Tim.

Headlines...

2008-10-12T10:14:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME:

Rolling Stone:

The Pretenders on Letterman Monday Night

2008-10-07T01:52:00.006-07:00

See the clip for information on their new album coming out today (10/07), as well as the performance. Go Chrissie! Great to see Martin Chambers, too -- I had heard that she had assembled a completely new band.

*****

Update: My prior statement did have basis (not that anyone asked, but I thought I would share). It is said that, as a favor to Chrissie Hynde, Martin Chambers sat out the recording of the new album so that she could work with celebrated session drummer Jim Keltner, but Chambers is along for the tour.

Mullet Hiatus

2008-10-07T01:38:00.002-07:00

If you follow this blog very closely (and who doesn't) you may have noticed a lack of New Mullet on Monday for the last couple of weeks. I actually did not intend to take a break from the feature, but a break seems to have developed. After roughly 70 weeks of mullets, I may just be tapped out. I don't know. Maybe I'll find more, or maybe I'll dream up something else for your early week entertainment (or lack thereof). Stay tuned. Oh, and send suggestions, if you have them -- both mullet and otherwise.

Headlines...

2008-10-05T10:25:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME:

From Rolling Stone:

Lost and Found Video - Tanita Tikaram

2008-10-03T15:50:00.007-07:00

First off, sorry about the lack of posts this week. Looks like it will be a busy month, too, so posting may be light.

But I do have a Lost and Found Video this week -- for a song that got quite a bit of play on my college radio station circa 1988. While visiting Chicago, I also heard it quite a few times on WXRT.

From Tanita Tikaram's album Ancient Heart, this is Twist in my Sobriety.

Tanita Tikaram is still making music. Her very cool website is here, and her MySpace page is here.

Headlines...

2008-09-28T10:25:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

Smashing Pumpkins Ready 20th Anniversary Tour
Rockers Band Together For Obama Events (includes the Breeders)
My Bloody Valentine Brings The Noise At ATP

From NME:

From Pitchfork:

From Rolling Stone:

Lost and Found Video - The Cramps

2008-09-26T12:43:00.014-07:00

It is surprising that I didn't think of using this video as a lost and found video until now, as it was one of the first non-mainstream videos I was exposed to, via Video Concert Hall.

From the 1979 album Songs the Lord Taught Us, this is Garbage Man.

I have the excellent Post Punk Progressive Pop Party (P5) to thank for the reminder, as they recently commemorated the release of the Cramps tune Crusher. This brief history and update were included in the blog entry: The psychobilly band was originally formed in Sacramento, California by Lux Interior and Poison Ivy but made their name in New York City as part of the early CBGB's punk scene. They are still together with Lux Interior and Poison Ivy still leading the way.

Links:
The Official Cramps Website
The Cramps on Wikipedia
The Cramps on AllMusic

New Mullet on Monday - The Vapors

2008-09-22T01:16:00.006-07:00

Our mullet for this week is one I actually kind of like, really not quite a full-fledged mullet -- a pre-mullet, if you will, in the vein of David Bowie or Leonard Graves Phillips of The Dickies. It's a little shorter in front, so it's alright. Anyway, this pre-mullet belonged to David Fenton, lead vocalist and guitarist of The Vapors, a British band that released a pair of albums in 1980 and 1981.
Much to my surprise, Turning Japanese was not the only Vapors video to be found on YouTube. From New Clear Days (1980), this is Waiting for the Weekend.

Trivia: The Vapors were discovered by Bruce Foxton of The Jam (and prior New Mullet on Monday), and were managed by Foxton and and Paul Weller's father, John.

A bit of an update from the fan-run MySpace page of The Vapors: Dave Fenton has recently gone back to working as a solicitor (a lawyer who offers legal services outside of the courts), Howard Smith (drums) started at PRS (not sure what this is) in 1982 and still, Ed Bazalgette (lead guitar) works as a tape editor at the BBC, Steve Smith (bass and vocals) still plays in bands and does some sound mixing etc...

Links:
The Vapors on Wikipedia
The Vapors at the AllMusic
Secret Noise - A Fan Site

Headlines...

2008-09-21T10:16:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME:

From Pitchfork:

From Rolling Stone:

New Mullet on Monday - Depeche Mode

2008-09-15T14:00:00.004-07:00

Our former mullet-wearer for this week is none other than Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode.

From the 1984 album Some Great Reward, this is Master and Servant. Enjoy the mullet.

Update: A new Depeche Mode album is said to have been recorded, and is, set for, depending on the source, either late this year or early in 2009. Their last album was 2005's Playing the Angel. Dave Gahan released solo albums in both 2003 (Paper Monsters) and 2007 (Hourglass).

Links!
The Official Depeche Mode Website
Depeche Mode on MySpace
Dave Gahan on MySpace

Headlines...

2008-09-14T11:43:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME:

From Rolling Stone:

Brian Eno’s Mutating “Spore” Score Reinventing Game Music

New Mullet on Monday - Let's Active

2008-09-08T14:17:00.007-07:00

Well, it's another painful edition of New Mullet on Monday, as the mullet spotlight shines on Mitch Easter of Let's Active, a musician/producer whom I hold in particularly high esteem. Although most of the time, Easter did not have a mullet, there was a brief period in which he sported one that was nice and fuzzy on top...

from 1984, this is Waters Part, from the Cypress album.

From the 1983 EP Afoot, this is the video for Every Word Means No. This video is pre-mullet, but I felt compelled to throw it be because of the puppy.

A post in the Classic Alternative Blog archives (click here) gave an update on the album released last year by the Mitch Easter Band, entitled Dynamico. More recently, Easter's new Let's Active cover band, Gravel Truck, opened for the newly reformed Pylon -- the story is here. Easter also plays in a band called Shalini.

Headlines...

2008-09-06T10:16:00.002-07:00

From Billboard:

From NME:

Lost and Found Video - Hindu Love Gods

2008-09-05T15:58:00.007-07:00

Today's edition of the Lost and Found Video is from Hindu Love Gods, a supergroup of sorts that consisted of Warren Zevon and three-fourths of R.E.M.: Bill Berry, Mike Mills, and Peter Buck. According to Wikipedia, the band released a single entitled Narrator in 1984 that didn't get much notice. Then in 1987, while Berry, Mills, and Buck were playing on Zevon's 1987 album Sentimental Hygiene, the four participated in what was rumored to be a drunken, late night recording session that resulted in 10 tracks -- all covers, and mostly blues. The album was apparently never intended to see the light of day, but ended up as a self-titled 1990 release.From the album Hindu Love Gods, this is Raspberry Beret.

Band update: This will be a brief one as there are no surprises to reveal: Warren Zevon passed away in 2003 (RIP), Mike Mills and Peter Buck are still with R.E.M., and Bill Berry left R.E.M. to pursue a life of farming, golfing, and parenting.

Headlines...

2008-08-30T12:22:00.005-07:00

From NME:

From Pitchfork:

From Billboard:

The Smiths Anthologized On Double-Disc Set

From MySpace:

Lost and Found Video - The Popinjays

2008-08-29T12:22:00.007-07:00

The Popinjays were a three-girl (with the obligatory male drummer) band from Huddersfield in Southeast London. The band, whose core consisted of singer Wendy Robinson and guitarist Polly Hancock, was active from 1988-1994, and produced three albums.

This is Vote Elvis, a single that hit #17 on the US Modern Rock charts in 1990, but was featured on the 1992 album Flying Down To Mono Valley, an album produced by Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds. The band's MySpace page notes that Vote Elvis was inspired by ...a candidate from the Elvis Presley Party (in a Sheffield by-election), who promised that if everyone listened to Elvis they'd be no more wars.

Regarding the current whereabouts of the Popinjays, web searches have turned up nothing, although there is a photographer in the UK named Polly Hancock, who may or may not be the Polly Hancock in question.

Links:
The Popinjays on MySpace
The Popinjays on Wikipedia
The Popinjays on The All Music Guide

Thanks, Paul!

New Mullet on Monday - Shriekback

2008-08-25T00:20:00.007-07:00

One of the things I did while on my break from blogging was to host my lovely sister and her lovely daughter on their visit to the Northern Plains (which are, in fact, lovely, although humid this time of year). While they were here, we caught an episode of 120 Minutes on VH1 Classic, which featured a video from Shriekback, a band that not only had a bald singer, but two bemulleted members...

Here's a promo clip of the 1985 single Nemesis, with the added bonus of a self-introduction to America. If you want to skip straight to Nemisis, it's at about 1:36.

Update: Shriekback is still around, although the only original member remaining is vocalist Barry Andrews, who, before Shriekback, was a member of XTC. Interestingly enough, Andy Partridge of XTC played guitar on the most recent Shriekback effort, 2007's Glory Bumps.

As for the other original band members, Wikipedia says: Dave Allen (bass) would go on to play in King Swamp, The Elastic Purejoy, and most recently in the reformed Gang of Four (his pre-Shriekback band). Carl Marsh (guitars/vocals) was in the band Happyhead. Both Allen and Marsh did return to the studio to contribute to the recording of Shriekback's 2003 release, Having a Moment.

Links:
Shriekback.com
Shriekback on MySpace
Barry Andrews on MySpace
The Barry Andrews Resource Center
Dave Allen's Blog

Headlines...

2008-08-24T10:11:00.003-07:00

Okay, I am finally back from my hiatus. Thanks to Jeff for posting!

From NME:

From Rolling Stone:

From Billboard

Difford: No New Squeeze Album On The Horizon

The Cure release new video

2008-08-18T21:00:00.003-07:00

The Cure have launched their new video for the single "The Perfect Boy." You can check it out here on YouTube. The single was released on August 13th, the last of four that band has been releasing on the 13th of every month leading up to the release of their new record. It was preceded by "The Only One" in May, "Freakshow" in June and "Sleep When I'm Dead" in July. With the album pushed back to the 13th of October, September will now feature an EP of remixes titled Hypnagogic States. The still untitled record will be released by Suretone/Geffen and follows up 2004's The Cure.

Out of the Office

2008-08-11T02:00:00.003-07:00

With even more going on than usual, I feel a break coming on -- a week long break, in fact. I'll be back with a new post by mid-week next week. In the meantime, perhaps one of my co-bloggers will be moved to post.

Headlines...

2008-08-10T10:50:00.003-07:00

From the New York Times:

Robert Hazard, Songwriter, Dies at 59

From Billboard:

From NME:

From Rolling Stone:

From the Blogs:

Alison (Moyet) takes to the Airways!
The B-52s live from Paradiso in Amsterdam
From the Bob Mould MySpace: New show date: All Tomorrow’s Parties NY on 9/21 (show also includes Dinosaur Jr. and My Bloody Valentine).
From the Glenn Tilbrook MySpace: October Fluffers Tour Changes

New Mullet on Monday - The Adventures

2008-08-04T14:05:00.004-07:00

It is a treat to be able to feature another female mullet -- that of Eileen Gribben, a vocalist with The Adventures. This band, formed in Dublin (later based in London), released four albums between 1985 and 1993.

From the 1985 album Theodore and Friends, this is Send My Heart.

It may not come as a surprise, but there is very little about The Adventures out there on the internets. I do have some links, though...

Scarlet -- A Fan Page
The Adventures on Wikipedia
The Adventures on the All Music Guide

The Regeneration Tour

2008-08-03T12:01:00.006-07:00

Just passing along word of another big tour that just got underway -- the Regeneration Tour, featuring The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, A Flock of Seagulls, and Naked Eyes. Dead or Alive was also supposed to be part of the tour, but pulled out, due to undisclosed health issues being experienced by Pete Burns.

Here are the remaining dates on the tour:

August 4 - San Diego, CA
August 5 - Universal City, CA
August 7 - Salt Lake City, UT
August 11 - Saratoga, CA
August 13 - Monterey, Mexico
August 14 - Guadalajara, Mexico
August 15 - Puebla, Mexico
August 16 - Mexico City, Mexico
August 19 - Hyannis, MA
August 20 - Boston, MA
August 21 - Trenton, NJ
August 22 - Wantagh, NY
August 24 - Detroit MI
August 25 - Cincinnati, OH
August 26 - Vienna, VA
August 27 - Raleigh, NC
August 28 - Portsmouth, VA
August 29 - Atlanta, GA
August 30 - Clearwater, FL
August 31 - West Palm Beach, FL

For more information, check out regenerationtour.com.

Headlines...

2008-08-03T10:17:00.007-07:00

So, the feature "Briefly..." is being somewhat jettisoned in favor of a new format. I still provide the links for relevant stories -- but give you the entire headline. I hope this gives you, the reader, the opportunity to make a more informed decision on what links to click, and ultimately, more time to read about the important things, like the Matthew Broderick affair...

From Billboard:

From NME:

From Rolling Stone:

New Mullet on Monday - The Kinks

2008-07-28T12:25:00.006-07:00

Yes, even the very cool Ray Davies had a mullet...

Here is a TV performance of Destroyer, from the 1981 album Give the People What they Want.

Ray Davies has been particularly busy in the last several years, releasing two albums, Other People's Lives, and Working Man's Café. This summer's tour has taken him from the UK to North America. Next on the agenda: The Notodden blues festival in Norway.

The Kinks' founding guitarist, Dave Davies, has also pursued a solo career, but was sidelined by a stroke in the summer of 2004. By 2006, he is said to have regained the ability to walk, talk, and play guitar. Last year, Dave Davies released an album of new material, Fractured Mindz, and a live recording of a 1997 show, Belly Up, is set for release next month. A DVD series chronicling his life, entitled Mystical Journey, has also been in production, part of which is due out this summer.

Of course, there were other musicians in The Kinks, but with a collective career spanning 30 years and alternating band members, it would take more time than I have to give updates on all of them. Each member does have an entry in the Wikipedia, all of which can be linked to from The Kinks Wikipedia entry.

Links!
Dave Emlen's Unofficial Kinks Website - A thorough and recently updated fan site.
The Official Ray Davies Website
Ray Davies on MySpace
Dave Davies Official
Dave Davies on MySpace

For Against return...

2008-07-27T09:13:00.003-07:00

One of the most criminally-overlooked bands of the 80s' - Lincoln Nebraska's For Against - have just released Shade Side Sunny Side, their seventh full-length record and first studio album since 2002. As the trio approaches their 25th anniversary on the independent music scene, For Against has reemerged with an exclamation point: Shade Side Sunny Side is a landmark record for the band, boasting For Against's darkest (and loudest) material to date. Read More...

Brand New Paul Westerberg

2008-07-21T12:20:00.003-07:00

49 minutes (well, okay, 43 minutes, 55 seconds) of Paul Westerberg for 49 cents! Does it get any better?

Amazon.com Widgets

Thanks to Man Without Ties for the tip.

P.S. The Amazon downloading process was quick and painless.

New Mullet on Monday - Bryan Ferry

2008-07-21T01:45:00.007-07:00

For many years, Bryan Ferry had a bit of a mullet going on, and looking at the cover of his latest album, Dylanesque, it looks like he still has it. Or is it just me?

Here's a Bryan Ferry selection you may have forgotten: From the soundtrack of the 1985 movie Legend, here's Is Your Love Strong Enough.

Update: Roxy Music, having reunited in 2001, have been working on a new album, with all five original members (including Brian Eno) involved. Eno's involvement was alternately confirmed and denied, but he is said to have eventually admitted to contributing a couple of tracks and playing keyboard on others. The album, several years in the making, is due to come out at some point this year. According to Wikipedia, In June 2007 the band hired Liverpool based design agency to develop their new website supporting their new album. Early in the year, Phil Manzanera revealed that the band are planning to sign a record contract.

Links:
BryanFerry.com
Roxyrama -- The Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music Archive (fan site)
These Vintage Years (another fan site)

Briefly...

2008-07-20T10:41:00.001-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on U2 and Liz Phair (same page, different stories), The Replacements and Paul Westerberg, Brian Eno and David Byrne, The Police, & Tim Finn.

From NME:

News on the Sex Pistols, My Bloody Valentine, U2, & Jane's Addiction.

From Rolling Stone:

An item on Ray Davies.

Rockin' the Colonies II

2008-07-15T01:34:00.004-07:00

One of the big summer tours that I regret not posting about sooner is the triple bill of The English Beat, The Fixx, and The Alarm -- Rockin' the Colonies II, which kicked off July 10 in Washington D.C. The remaining dates on the tour are as follows:

July 17 - Maryland Heights, Missouri
July 18 - Chicago, Illinois
July 19 - Kansas City, Missouri
July 20 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 24 - Hollywood, California
July 25 - Las Vegas, Nevada
July 26 - Reno, Nevada
July 27 - Anaheim, California
July 31 - Saratoga, California

New Mullet on Monday - The Call

2008-07-14T01:47:00.010-07:00

Last October, when I featured The Call's Everywhere I Go as a Lost and Found Video, I neglected to mention whether or not the band was still around. I also neglected to notice that there were a couple of mullets in the band. So The Call gets a second mention, and members Tom Ferrier (guitar) and Jim Goodwin (keyboards) receive the honor of having worn our featured mullets of the week. As far as the first question goes, I have no definite answer (perhaps someone in the know will read this and enlighten us). All Music lists The Call as having broken up in 1990, while Wikipedia states that they are still active. The band's official website, as far as I can tell, has nothing about recent history, nor are there any tour dates. Whether or not they are officially disbanded, they don't seem to be doing a whole lot. Vocalist/bassist Michael Been is said to tour often -- as the sound engineer for his son's band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

From the (pre-mullet) 1983 Album Modern Romans, here's The Walls Came Down. By the way, the keyboardist in this video is apparently Garth Hudson of The Band.

Lost and Found Video - The Screaming Blue Messiahs

2008-07-12T17:33:00.013-07:00

Formed in London in 1983, The Screaming Blue Messiahs released three albums and toured with, among others, The Cramps, Echo and the Bunnymen and David Bowie. The band dissolved in 1990.

From the 1986 album Gun Shy, this is The Wild Blue Yonder.

According to Wikipedia, post break-up, Chris Thompson (bass/vocals) and Kenny Harris (drums) went on to form The Killer B's. Vocalist Bill Carter dropped out of the music biz for a time, but seemed to resurface in 2006 with a MySpace page. Although the official website of The Screaming Blue Messiahs claims that there is new music on Bill Carter's website (the sentence linking to the MySpace page), no music is to be found. However, Carter's art is featured at this website.

Links:
The Official Screming Blue Messiahs Website
Blue Heaven -- a very good fan site.
Bill Carter's MySpace Page
The Killer B's on MySpace

New Mullet on Monday - The Jam

2008-07-07T12:09:00.006-07:00

In the video for the 1980 single Going Underground, The Jam's Paul Weller flirted with mulletdom, while bassist/backing vocalist Bruce Foxton fully embraced it.

Band Update: The last couple of years found Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler reforming and performing The Jam's back catalog as "From The Jam - Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler". Foxton and Buckler are joined by vocalist Russell Hastings, and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist David Moore -- both said to be devotees of The Jam. According to Wikipedia, From The Jam toured the UK in autumn 2007, finishing with a concert at Brighton Centre on 21 December 2007 to mark the 25th anniversary of The Jam's final show. In February 2008, they toured the United States and Canada, selling out in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, Chicago and New York. In March 2008, they toured Australia and New Zealand - a first for Foxton and Buckler. A From The Jam album and DVD is planned for release in 2008. The band is continuing to tour, as well.

Since the break-up of Paul Weller's post-Jam band, The Style Council, Weller has enjoyed a highly successful solo career. The most recent of Weller's nine solo albums, 22 Dreams, was just released on June 2, and went straight to #1 on the UK album charts. Weller is currently on tour and plays in Italy and Serbia this week.

Links!
Thejamfan.net
A MySpace Page for the above mentioned fan site.
From The Jam Official Website
From The Jam Official MySpace Page
Bruce Foxton's Official Website
Paul Weller's Official Website
Paul Weller on MySpace

Ian Curtis' Gravestone Stolen

2008-07-05T22:35:00.004-07:00

As reported by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NME, and my cohort, Waist High -- the headstone of Ian Curtis has been taken from the site where his ashes are buried at Macclesfield Cemetery.

2008 Download Festival - July 19 & 20

2008-07-05T12:42:00.003-07:00

Two true classic alternative bands...the Jesus and Mary Chain and Gang Of Four are headlining this year's Download Festival - July 19 and 20. Grab your tickets soon!!
http://www.downloadfestival.com

Notes From The 80s Underground

2008-07-03T10:13:00.006-07:00

Chameleons UK Mark Burgess Releases Autobiography
Chameleons UK frontman and legendary wordsmith Mark Burgess has finally released his autobiography "View From a Hill" for U.S Distribution. The book offers a fascinating and detailed retrospective on England's post-punk explosion in the early 80s...and The Chameleons' ascension into that scene. Info and ordering online: http://www.guardian-angel-media.com/View_From_A_Hill_Pre-Order/Ordering_Information.html

Camper Van Beethoven 25th Anniversary Show & Greatest Hits Comp
Legendary stoner/psych/pop/punk and all around 80s underground vets Camper Van Beethoven recently resurfaced for a 25th Anniversary show at San Francisco's revered Fillmore Theater on June 28th. The band will also be releasing a long-overdue greatest hits compilation later this summer. Read more here: http://www.campervanbeethoven.com/

The Cure...New Album Due in September
The Cure is planning to release their 13th studio album on September 13, 2008. The album was originally planned to be a double album, but Robert Smith confirmed in recent interviews that the album will be a single album, despite the fact that 33 songs have been recorded. No tracklisting has been confirmed, but Smith has also said that the album will mostly comprise of the upbeat songs they recorded, while the darker songs may be released on another album.

Echo Keep It Going.....New Album Due in late 2008
The Fountain is the forthcoming eleventh studio album from Echo & The Bunnymen. The album is being produced by John McLaughlin, and Coldplay singer/Gwyneth BabyDaddy Chris Martin has collaborated with the band on one of the album's tracks. The first single from the album, "Think I Need It Too", is due to be released in August 2008, with the album being released later in the year.

Taking a break...

2008-06-30T17:36:00.002-07:00

With summer in full swing, those so-called children of mine are under the impression that they deserve to be taken out to the park, swimming, etc. I haven't gotten a chance to post today, and the rest of the week is looking pretty full already, so I'm going to beg off for a few days. I'll be back soon, and I even have a pretty good mullet in mind for next Monday.

My apologies for any lameness...

Briefly...

2008-06-29T13:57:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on Freebass, The Jesus and Mary Chain, & Boy George.

From NME:

News on Iggy Pop and and The Stooges, Crowded House, Björk, & Devo.

From Rolling Stone:

Items on a Devo/Tom Tom Club double bill, Liz Phair, & My Bloody Valentine.

New Mullet on Monday - David Bowie

2008-06-23T17:24:00.006-07:00

Yes, it's about time that David Bowie was featured on New Mullet on Monday, his early '70s hairstyle having been called ...one of the first benchmark mullets of rock history. Bowie is featured in the book The Mullet: Hairstyle of the Gods, the Amazon.com review of which says, ...little did anyone know that David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust look would begin a mullet-mania which was destined to reach its pinnacle in the 1980's--anyone who was anyone in the world of rock music, sport and fashion wore a mullet of some kind and this book contains ample (damning) photographic proof of its popularity.

Thank you, David Bowie!

By the late '70s, Bowie's mullet had been tamed, but was still around. Here's the video for D.J., from the 1979 album Lodger.

Links:
DavidBowie.com
The David Bowie Official MySpace Page

Briefly...

2008-06-22T10:12:00.006-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on R.E.M., and Paul Weller.

From NME:

News on R.E.M. (a different topic than the Billboard story), Bono & Bob Geldof, John Lydon, Frank Black, Björk, the Sex Pistols, & New York Dolls.

From Pitchfork:

An interview with Peter Hook, and an item on a 24 hour Tony Wilson tribute, just finishing up in Manchester.

New Mullet on Tuesday - The Woodentops

2008-06-17T13:17:00.005-07:00

All apologies for the lack of mullet yesterday. I took a long weekend to visit family in the Intermountain West, and didn't even get a chance to post a note about my absence.

But we do have a mullet today, and it belonged to Rolo McGinty of The Woodentops, a critically acclaimed British band, originally active from 1983-1992.

From the 1986 album Giant, this is It Will Come.

The Woodentops were revived in in 2006, and have been touring ever since. The current line-up includes McGinty, as well as guitarist Simon Mawby, who was also an original member. They have a show coming up in August at The 100 Club in London.

Links:
The Woodentops Official Website
The Woodentops on MySpace

New Mullet on Monday - Wire Train

2008-06-09T13:53:00.008-07:00

Kevin Hunter, lead singer and guitarist of Wire Train, had a mullet, and in the video for I'll Do You, is even seen primping it...

I'll Do You (1984)

Wire Train originally formed in San Fransisco under the name The Renegades, and was active from 1983-1993. The band released five albums and, in the eighties, toured with, among others, Big Country, INXS, The Alarm, and The Waterboys. Around 1990, the band opened for Bob Dylan.

The band played a reunion show in 2003 for an episode of VH1's Bands Reunited series that never aired. According to Hunter, the reason is that there was originally a different host (apparently before Aamer Haleem) who was fired after the taping of the Wire Train episode.

Wiretrain.co.uk, a fan site, has a detailed biography and also has a page detailing the exploits of the band members post break-up.

Links:
Wire Train on MySpace - fan run, but apparently with the approval of Kevin Hunter.
Kevin Hunter Interview
The Links Page at Wiretrain.co.uk

Lost and Found VideoS - The Housemartins & The Beautiful South

2008-06-07T11:07:00.007-07:00

Since it has been at least a couple of weeks since the last Lost and Found Video was posted, it is only appropriate to bring you a couple of videos this week. Rest assured that I am feeling a tremendous amount of shame.

The Housemartins formed in 1983 in Hull, England. According to Wikipedia, The band often referred to themselves as "the 4th best band in Hull". (The three bands that were "better" were Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and The Gargoyles.) The band officially achieved success in the summer of 1986, when the single Happy Hour charted at #3 in the U.K. Subsequently, the album London 0 Hull 4 climbed to #3 on the U.K. album charts.
Here's the video for Happy Hour, complete with a cameo by U.K. comedian Phil Jupitus, who toured with the band as Porky the Poet.

The Housemartins split in 1988, but are said to have remained on good terms. Bassist Norman Cook went on to greater fame as Fatboy Slim. Vocalist Paul Heaton and drummer Dave Hemingway went on to form The Beautiful South.

From the 1990 album Choke, this is The Beautiful South, with My Book.

The Beautiful South disbanded early last year, releasing a statement in which they joked their reasons for splitting were "musical similarities" - an ironic reference to "musical differences" which are often cited as the reason for a band's split. (Wikipedia)

Links!
TheHousemartins.com - a fan site.
The Housemartins at the All Music Guide
The Housemartins Fan Club on MySpace
The Beautiful South Official Website
The Beautiful South at the All Music Guide
The Beautiful South on MySpace
Paul Heaton on MySpace (includes Paul Heaton tour dates).
Fatboy Slim on MySpace

Sources: All Music Guide, Wikipedia, Paul (thanks).

History Revisited...

2008-06-05T20:03:00.002-07:00

Props to Mel for allowing me to be part of the CAB team! I hope to contribute timely tidbits on all the comings and goings of our fave 80s indie artists. While hardly an encyclopedic resource on the genre, I do have an unyielding fondness for the era. I also host a weekly radio show called the 80s Underground. For a little more history and perspective, please visit my Blog...

cheers for now,
Jeff

New Mullet on Monday - The Police

2008-06-02T14:23:00.005-07:00

This weeks recovering-mullet-wearers are Sting and Andy Summers of The Police, who, in the Synchronicity years, unabashedly wore mullets. At times, Stewart Copeland may have come close, but his ears were normally not visible, so he gets a pass.

From the 1978 album Outlandous D'amour, this is So Lonely.

You may have heard that The Police reunited and embarked on a world tour last year. Last month, the band announced that, after touring through the summer, they will play a final show in New York City in August 2008. Sting has commented that ...there will be no new album, no big new tour, once we're done with our reunion tour, that's it for the Police.

From said reunion tour, here's Message in a Bottle, performed on December 8, 2007, in Rio de Janeiro.

Links:
The Police Official Website
The Police on MySpace
PoliceWiki

Briefly...

2008-06-01T12:25:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on Morrissey (who has completed a new album), Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello, the now-in-production Bob Marley documentary, The Happy Mondays, and Sonic Youth.

From NME:

News on Paul Weller, R.E.M., James, and Bono.

From Pitchfork:

Items on Robyn Hitchcock, Patti Smith, Liz Phair, Wire, The Sex Pistols, and R.E.M.

From Rolling Stone:

News on and Photos from an upcoming Sonic Youth biography.

New Mullet on Monday - Culture Club

2008-05-26T12:59:00.011-07:00

A flurry of controversy surrounded the band Culture Club, and who wouldn't find them controversial -- look at that mullet on guitarist Roy Hay! Okay, well, by the time Roy donned this tremendous mullet, Culture Club was in it's twilight years, and the band was no longer causing much commotion.

From the multi-platinum album Kissing to Be Clever, this is Church of the Poison Mind. Roy Hay did not sport a mullet in this video, but drummer Jon Moss had a little one.

The most recent Culture Club news (regarding the entire band, at least) is that they reunited and played some shows in 2002. In 2006, Moss and bassist Mikey Craig made an ill-fated attempt to reform the band with a different lead singer.

Culture Club Links:
The Culture Club Official Website
Culture Club on MySpace
I Am Boy George - The official website, under construction. This one also claims to be official.
100% Boy - Claims to be Boy George's one and only AUTHORIZED web site.
Boy George on MySpace

New Mullet on Monday - King

2008-05-19T12:02:00.003-07:00

A few weeks ago, one of our Lost and Found Videos was from the British band King. After writing up the post, it occurred to me that Paul King had a pretty impressive mullet -- perfect New Mullet on Monday fodder. Fortunately, there are several King videos out there on the internets, enabling us to continue to celebrate Paul King and his mullet.

From the 1985 album Bitter Sweet, this is Alone Without You.

Click here to check out the Lost and Found Video post.

Lost and Found Video - The Primitives

2008-05-18T11:21:00.005-07:00

From www.crashsite.org, a Primitives fan site:

1988's CRASH, was The Primitives most successful of their singles from their first album, LOVELY. It earned them a UK Top 5 hit (and made the U.S. Top 3). This was a great achievement for an indie band from Coventry, England. The album, Lovely is considered by many as one of the top Indie Pop albums of that era and has influenced many other commercial and indie artists.

The Primitives broke up in 1992. Unbeknown to them; Crash was remixed and showed up on the soundtrack for the film, Dumb and Dumber. The "95 Mix", as it was called, was given slicker, more commercialized production including additional guitars, percussion, organ and backing vocals. These additions were performed by faceless studio musicians and not by The Primitives.

Over the years, around a dozen cover versions have been made by various artists. Interestingly, the more indie artists cover the original version, while more commercial/younger artists are in reality, covering the "95 Mix", familiar to them from the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack.

From 1986-1992, The Primitives made three full-length albums, LOVELY, PURE, and GALORE and about 15 singles. Several collections are available containing singles, b-sides, radio sessions, alternate versions and other rarities.

Links:
A MySpace Page for the Primitives (likely fan-run)
Thru The Flowers - Another Primitives Fan Site

New Mullet on Monday - Real Life

2008-05-12T13:04:00.006-07:00

The Australian New Wave band Real Life had a couple of hits in the US in the early '80s -- they also had spiffy little mullets...

From Real Life's debut album, Heartland, this is Catch Me I'm Falling.
Side Note: Those wondering about Count Scary should click here.

As an added bonus, from the same album, here's Send Me an Angel (the mullets were just budding at this point).

Band Update: Vocalist David Sterry and newer band members are still touring as Real Life, and have an interesting schedule of shows this summer: Salt Lake City, two House of Blues shows Southern California, Tijuana & Lima.

Links:
The Official Real Life Website
Heartland: The Unofficial Real Life Website

Briefly...

2008-05-11T10:20:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on The Vaselines (who are reuniting), Blondie, The Police, My Bloody Valentine, and The Cure.

From NME:

News on Billy Idol, Morrissey, and Perry Farrell.

New Mullet on Monday - The Icicle Works

2008-05-05T13:29:00.006-07:00

Houston, we have a mullet (this week), and it belonged to Ian McNabb (pictured right) of The Icicle Works, a Liverpool band that, in two incarnations, released five albums from 1984-1990. Bassist Chris Layhe (pictured in the middle) was also, at times, seen with a mullet, although in this photo, seems to be hiding it.

In 1988, original members Layhe and drummer Chris Sharrock both left the band, at which point Sharrock took up with The La's. According to the band's Wikipedia entry, Sharrock ...would later be a member of The Lightning Seeds and World Party, and would also drum for Robbie Williams, Del Amitri and Eurythmics.

McNabb has, since the dissolution of the second incarnation of the band in 1990, released seven albums as a solo artist, and has recorded with other bands, including The Wild Swans and The Lightning Seeds. For more on McNabb's interesting career, check out his Wikipedia Entry.

From the 1984 album, The Icicle Works, this is Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) also known as Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly).

Update (also from Wikipedia): In October 2006, after 15 years as a solo artist, McNabb unexpectedly revived the name "The Icicle Works" for a series of UK concerts. However, this new version of McNabb's old band did not feature any original Icicle Works members other than McNabb himself. In essence, McNabb seemed to be re-branding himself, using a somewhat more successful trade name in order to give his work increased exposure. Throughout 2007 and into early 2008, McNabb played dates as both a solo artist and with The Icicle Works.

Links!
An unofficial Icicle Works Web Page (the links at left still work)
Ian McNabb on MySpace
ianmcnabb.com

Lost and Found Video - Birdland

2008-05-02T12:14:00.006-07:00

This week's Lost and Found Video is from Birdland, a Birmingham, UK outfit formed in 1989 by bleach blonde brothers Lee (guitar) and Robert (vocals) Vincent, who had previously been part of Zodiac Motel.

From Birdland's 1991 self titled album, this is Shoot You Down.

This video was submitted by CAB reader Paul (Thanks!), who recalls that Rodney on the Roq was ...by far their biggest (and probably ONLY) supporter in the states (although they were a smash in Japan!). He really bent over backwards to the point of "almost losing his job" (right... ) and even arranged their one and only U. S. appearance at the Roxy, where he opened the set!

Post-Birdland, Robert Vincent formed a band called Torn Bloody Poetry (not sure what the status of this band is) and is said to have been in some other bands. Lee Vincent is now a member of Psychic Drive.

Links:
Birdland Fan Site
Birdland history on tigerbomb.net
Psychic Drive Official Website
Psychic Drive on MySpace

No Mullet On Monday

2008-04-28T14:58:00.003-07:00

My apologies to the legions of readers who might be disappointed by today's lack of mullet. There are two reasons for this:

A. The cold and/or allergy symptoms that seem to be kicking in today.

2. I cannot think of any mullets that have not yet been covered, although I am sure there are more. The above mentioned malaise is dampening any enthusiasm for finding one.

Any New Mullet On Monday ideas for the future would be most welcome! Please either comment on this post or email me -- link at right.

Thanks!

Briefly...

2008-04-27T11:23:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on The Clash, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, My Bloody Valentine, The Replacements (!!), & Alison Moyet/Yaz.

From NME:

News on The Breeders, Paul Weller, Radiohead/Thomas Dolby, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, & Smashing Pumpkins.

New Mullet on Monday - Talking Heads

2008-04-21T14:05:00.007-07:00

Although Talking Heads and mullets wouldn't normally occur in the same sentence (or thought), I was at a loss for a mullet candidate this week, and, well, stumbled upon this photo of the Heads, in which Jerry Harrison (guitars/keyboards) does seem to have a bit of a mullet going on. So there you go.

Since the band's 1991 break-up, vocalist David Byrne has continued his solo work. Jerry Harrison has worked as a producer, and is one of the directors of iLike.com. Tina Weymouth (bass) and Chris Franz (now married for over 30 years) have continued their work with The Tom Tom Club, the most recent release of which was 2003's Live @ the Clubhouse -- they have live shows scheduled in June, some with Devo. Talking Heads did play together one time post break-up at the ceremony of the band's induction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.

From the 1985 album Little Creatures, this is Road to Nowhere -- a very cool video, which seems to have been made during the two seconds that Jerry Harrison had the mullet.

Links!
Talking-Heads.net - a very good fan site, which also runs a Talking Heads MySpace Page.
The Best of the Talking Heads website -- about as official as I could find.
DavidByrne.com
The Tom Tom Club Official Website

Lost and Found Video - Book of Love

2008-04-18T15:25:00.004-07:00

Book of Love formed around 1984 in Philadelphia, eventually setting up camp in New York City. Opening for Depeche Mode on the Black Celebration tour (1986) was a great source of exposure for the band.

From their 1988 album Lullaby, this is Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls, a song which, according to the All Music Guide, addressed "...the then-taboo subject of AIDS."

Book of Love released four albums of original material, the last of which was 1993's Love Bubble.

Former band members Lauren Rosetti and Ted Ottaviano are currently involved in the band The Myrmidons.

Links:
Book of Love on MySpace
The Myrmidons Official Website
The Myrmidons on MySpace

New Mullet on Monday - Paul Young

2008-04-14T12:49:00.010-07:00

A while back, my lovely sister suggested Paul Young as a New Mullet on Monday candidate, and while I appreciated the suggestion, I wondered if he fit here -- his music seems to be seen more as Pop or Blue Eyed Soul. But then I noticed that The Post Punk Progressive Pop Party recently featured him, and if he is good enough for them, he's good enough for me. To my sister: I am not worthy.

From the 1983 album No Parlez, here are Paul Young and his mullet with Come Back and Stay.

For some time, Young has been performing in the Here and Now Tour. His most recent release, Rock Swings - On the Wild Side of Swing, features Young performing swing-style covers of, among others, Tainted Love and Enter Sandman (yes, the Metallica song).

Links!
The Paul Young Official Website
Paul Young on MySpace
Etopia Music - A music store featuring the music of signed as well as unsigned artists, co-founded by Paul Young.

Briefly...

2008-04-13T11:46:00.006-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on Liz Phair, U2, The Upcoming Regeneration Tour (which will include The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Dead or Alive, A Flock of Seagulls, and Naked Eyes), R.E.M., and Duran Duran.

From Rolling Stone:

News on Jane's Addiction, and Nick Cave and the Breeders (not together, but in the same story).

From NME:

Stories on Paul Weller, David Byrne, David Bowie, Ian McCulloch.

New Mullet on Monday - Smash Palace

2008-04-07T14:00:00.007-07:00

Mullets big and small adorned the heads of Smash Palace. The band, formed in Philadelphia, released one album in the '80s...

From that (self-titled) album, this is Living on the Borderline, a single that got a good bit of MTV and alternative/college radio play in 1985. A listen might indicate that the band was into the Psychedelic Furs, and, interestingly, the brothers who founded the band are named Stephen and Brian Butler -- but are presumably no relation to Richard Butler.

From their official website, here is an update on the band:

After a few years of touring and waiting for their major label break, the band went on hiatus as the brothers went on to work as staff writers for BMG publishing. Smash Palace reformed in 1999 to record "Fast Long Loud", followed by "Unlocked" (2001), "Over the Top" (2004) and last year's (2006), "Best of 99-06".

In January of this year, the band released a sixth album, Everybody Comes and Goes.

The band's current line-up includes original Smash Palace members Stephen Butler (lead vocals and guitar) and Phil Rizzo (bass).

Links:
Smash Palace Official Website
Smash Palace on MySpace
Smash Palace at Zip Records

Briefly...

2008-04-06T10:21:00.004-07:00

From Billboard:

Stories on the Sex Pistols, X, Morrissey, Elvis Costello, Kraftwerk, and R.E.M.

From Rolling Stone:

News on Ray Davies, U2, and Billy Bragg.

From Pitchfork:

A review of the new Ministry album.

Suburban Lawns

2008-04-04T15:20:00.012-07:00

The Suburban Lawns were from SoCal (and a bit of NY) and became a somewhat quirky post punk new wave type act in the early 80’s. The four piece (started as a five piece ex guitarist John Gleur) vocalist Su Tissue, guitarist Frankie Ennui, drummer Chuck Roast and a bassist Bill Vex. These are most certainly stage names and quite humorous if you are somewhat literally inclined.

They released independent single, Gidget Goes To Hell, which got them some radio play and noticed by not only the LA new wave scene but also IRS records who signed and released a self titled album in 1981. That recording contained the song Janitor, which apparently was written with reference to a real life and misunderstood conversation between Su Tissue and a Janitor (Su thought he was talking about his genitals and not about being a Janitor…..hard to believe you could confuse that….those were different times indeed).

They released a second recording that was to be a full length LP titled Baby, but it seems they couldn’t get enough material to complete an albums worth of music. The EP that was ultimately released was their last studio recording.

After the Suburban Lawns breakup, Frankie and Vex briefly formed a band called simply The Lawns with limited success. Su Tissue attended Berklee College of Music to study classic piano. She later recorded a solo album of piano and voice called Salon de Musique and played a small part (Peggy Dillman) in Jonathan Demme's Something Wild. Producer EJ Emmons is still active in the LA music ‘scene’.

fyi: this is a guest post by otto...please excuse the usually excellent grammar that normally graces this web log.

Suburban Lawns at IRS Records

New Mullet on Monday - The BoDeans

2008-03-31T12:26:00.009-07:00

Back in 1986, the BoDeans had college radio success with the album Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams. They also had nifty mullets.

From the aforementioned album, this is Fadeaway.

The BoDeans are still together, and earlier this month, released an album entitled Still.

Links:
The Official BoDeans Website
The BoDeans on MySpace
BoDeans.net -- A Fan Site

Lost and Found Video - Hunters and Collectors

2008-03-29T20:03:00.006-07:00

All apologies for the lack of posts this week, but perhaps this overdue lost and found video will compensate. This is one that has alluded me for quite some time -- searches have turned up a later version, as well as covers by Eddie Vedder and Neil Finn (among others) -- respectable, but not this original 1986 version...

From the album Human Frailty, this is Throw Your Arms Around Me.

Hunters and Collectors, an Australian band, recorded ten studio albums, the last being 1998's Juggernaut. According to Wikipedia, Mark Seymour (guitar and vocals) and Jack Howard (trumpet, keyboard, backing vocals) have both pursued solo musical careers. Barry Palmer (lead guitar) is now a producer/songwriter and was the subject of the 2005 reality TV series The Hit Game.

Links:
True Believers - An officially supported, fan managed site.
Hunters and Collectors on MySpace - maintained by the above.
Mark Seymore's Official Website
Mark Seymore on MySpace
Jack Howard's Official Website
Jack Howard on MySpace

New Mullet on Monday - Lou Reed

2008-03-24T14:05:00.006-07:00

In the video for the song No Money Down, Lou Reed was so displeased with his mullet, that he ripped it off -- along with most of his face...

No Money Down, from the 1986 album Mistrial.

Lou Reed's most recent effort is the 2007 album of ambient meditation music, Hudson River Wind Meditations. This month, Reed not only turned 66, but gave the keynote address and performed at the South By Southwest Conference. He has shows scheduled in the Eastern US in April and in Europe this summer.

Links!
Lou Reed's Official Website
Lou Reed on MySpace

Lost and Found Video - Eurogliders

2008-03-20T12:29:00.006-07:00

In 1984, Heaven, from the Australian band Eurogliders, charted worldwide, achieving mainstream success here in the United States, as well as a good bit of alternative radio play.

From the album This Island, here is Heaven.

After releasing four albums, Eurgliders disbanded in 1989, then reunited in 2005, releasing a self-titled album the same year. The band now consists of original members (and former husband and wife) Bernie Lynch and Grace Knight, and is rumored to have another album, Blue Kiss, ready for release.

Links!
The Eurogliders Official Website
Eurogliders on Myspace

New Mullet on Monday - Yazoo/Yaz

2008-03-17T12:39:00.003-07:00

It is quite a thrill to present another female mullet! This one was seen on Alison Moyet circa 1983.

Here is Nobody's Diary, from the album You and Me Both.

Yazoo fans have reason to rejoice with the recent reunion news. A four-disc box set, In Your Room, will be released in May, followed by a series of live dates that will find the lovely Ms. Moyet and Vince Clarke in Europe and the United States. All the concert dates are available on the Yazoo MySpace Page.

Adam Ant Art

2008-03-13T13:05:00.004-07:00

Adam Ant fans will be interested to hear that a book featuring his artwork may be in the works, provisionally entitled Adam Ant Art.

The potential work is described as "...a very personal book from Adam that celebrates his artistic influences and inspirations, both musical and visual, and will include words and pictures on his musical and artistic heroes. The book will feature some of Adam’s unpublished original artworks, storyboards for videos, sketches, collages and original hand-written lyrics and lyrical ideas.

The book will be a lavish, full colour, hardback. This special book will have a limited print run and will not be available in bookshops; it will be sold exclusively online, direct to Ant fans."

Fans wishing to purchase such a book are asked to register their interest in pre-ordering it at adamantbook.com. By pre-registering, you will guarantee yourself a copy of this book from it's limited run.

New Mullet on Monday - The Boomtown Rats

2008-03-10T12:50:00.003-07:00

Today's mullets graced the head of Bob Geldof and other members of The Boomtown Rats, circa 1980.

Here's Banana Republic.

Since the 1986 split of The Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof has pursued a solo career, and has continued his humanitarian work, the most recent large-scale event being the Live 8 Concert.

According to the Boomtown Rats website, the band is scheduled to play live for the first time since splitting, at this summer's Rebellion Festival in the UK -- the ticket is said to include founding members Garry Roberts (guitar) and Simon Crowe (drums), and presumably, not Geldof.

Links!
The Boomtown Rats Official Website
The Boomtown Rats Blog
Bob Geldof's Official Website

Briefly...

2008-03-09T10:36:00.004-07:00

From Billboard:

The line up for the this year's True Colors tour, and stories on a Bob Marley biopic, Japan's Summer Sonic festival (the Sex Pistols will be there), and Björk.

From NME:

News on The Charlatans UK, The Cure, The EXIT festival in Serbia (the Sex Pistols will be there, too, as well as Paul Weller), Dinosaur Jr., The Police, U2, Lou Reid, The B-52's, and Ray Davies.

Lost and Found Video - King

2008-03-07T01:33:00.006-07:00

This week's lost and found video is another one that hearkens me back to the days of the Rock Over London radio show...

King, with Love and Pride.

King, the band, only lasted a bit more than a year, with singer Paul King continuing solo for a time. This BBC Article gives a pretty good history of the band. Otherwise, information is scarce, although I did manage to scrape up a MySpace page -- whether or not it is really Paul King or a fan, I am not sure.

MySpace Blogs This Week

2008-03-05T13:07:00.004-07:00

There are a few notable blog posts from relevant bands on MySpace this week:

News of US tour dates for the newly reformed Yaz are on the Erasure Blog. Alison Moyet's blog gives extra UK tour dates in June.
The Fixx is in the studio.
The B'52's blog has news of a free MP3 download from Rhapsody.

New Mullet on Monday - The Church

2008-03-03T13:51:00.006-07:00

Our mullets for today were worn by the Australian band (and Classic Alternative Blog favorite) The Church.

From the 1990 album Gold Afternoon Fix, this is Metropolis.

The Church is still a working band, and still includes vocalist/bassist Steve Kilbey, and guitarists Marty Wilson Piper and Peter Koppes. According to their official website, acoustic gigs for both Steve Kilbey and the Church are scheduled in Australia this month, and Steve Kilbey released a live DVD in mid-January.

Amazon.com Widgets

Briefly...

2008-03-02T12:18:00.003-07:00

From Billboard:

A story on the Heroes Soundtrack, featuring David Bowie and Iggy Pop, among others, as well information on the lineup of the Sasquatch! Music Festival.

From NME:

Blurbs on Boy George, Anton Corbijn (on the movie Control), and Happy Mondays guitarist Kav Sandhu.

From Pitchfork:

Stories on Björk, and familiar faces you may see on Converse shoes.

New Mullet on Monday - Men Without Hats

2008-02-25T13:44:00.006-07:00

Today's cheeky mullet belonged to Ivan Doroschuk, lead singer for the Montreal, Quebec band Men Without Hats.

Here's Pop Goes the World, from the 1987 album of the same title.

In late 2003, a dozen years after Men Without Hats broke up, Ivan Doroschuk, along with brother and original band-mate Stefan Doroschuk, reunited to record and release the album No Hats Beyond this Point. In the interim, other projects were pursued, including fatherhood and solo albums. Check out the Men Without Hats official website for all of your MWH related needs.

Briefly...

2008-02-24T11:39:00.004-07:00

From Billboard:

News on Ray Davies/The Kinks (2nd story), Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Smashing Pumpkins, & R.E.M.

From NME:

From NME: Items on Mick Jones, Boy George, The Ramones, The Lemonheads, Morrissey, and Freebass (Peter Hook and Andy Rourke's band).

From Pitchfork:

Stories on Talking Heads and Grace Jones, Cowboy Junkies, The Breeders, Pere Ubu, & The Pixies.

Lost and Found Video - Flesh for Lulu

2008-02-22T13:49:00.006-07:00

Flesh for Lulu, a band hailing from London, produced an alternative radio favorite for the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack...

From 1987, this is I Go Crazy, a decent tune, unfortunately dated by the mention of Miami Vice.

Flesh for Lulu was active until 1992, and reunited for two shows in 2004. They are said to be producing a new album. For more information on the exploits of this band, check the Wikipedia article.

Links!
The Flesh for Lulu Official Website
Flesh for Lulu on MySpace
Vocalist/Guitarist Nick Marsh on MySpace
The Official Website of Nick Marsh

New Mullet on Monday - Violent Femmes

2008-02-18T14:20:00.007-07:00

Thanks to my lovely sister for suggesting this one, noting bassist Brian Ritchie's fabulous mullet.

From their 1986 album The Blind Leading the Naked, here is Children of the Revolution by Violent Femmes.

At last check, upon arriving home from the band's South African tour last year, Brian Ritchie had initiated a lawsuit against singer Gordon Gano. Click here to look back at the story. A quick check turned up no new information on the situation.

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Side Note: My kids were sick last week, and one of them has had a relapse, so I may be a bit inattentive again this week. Thanks again for your patience.