The Music Of The 80s - Favorites, Classics And Rarities

[Cain N Moko]

THE BANGLES

 

Originally "Colours," "the Supersonic Bangs" and "the Bangs", the all singing/all performing four-woman the Bangles formed in 1981 and sprung from the L.A. paisley underground scene. Later they traded their garage band roots for a slick, heavily-produced pop sound that turned them into one of the most successful chart groups of either gender during the '80s.

In the beginning, the group played original, '60s-based guitar rock, and were fond of covering Big Star, the Merry Go Round and Love. Sisters Debbi and Vicki Peterson on drums and bass respectively, and singer/guitarist Susanna Hoffs started the group when the sisters responded to a want-ad placed by Hoffs; later they added Annette Zilinskas on bass.

 

The scruffy girl group self-released the single "Getting Out of Hand," which sounded like a lost song by the Mamas and the Papas and followed it with a loose, four-song pop EP on IRS before getting signed to Columbia. All Over the Place was produced by David Kahne and released in 1984, once the band had been given an all-over clean-up. By that time, Zilinskas had left the fold to join Blood on the Saddle and former Runaway Michael Steele was added to the lineup.

 

For the second album, 1985's Different Light, the band were aided by Prince (or "Christopher," as he was known during that phase) with his song "Manic Monday," which charted at number two, a Top 20 hit "If She Knew What She Wants" and a follow-up smash, "Walk Like an Egyptian," which went to number one and sent the album to the top of the charts. There was a sexist assumption among some critics that the successful female group couldn't really play and needed studio and live assistance, but as with any slick chart band, sessionmen were in fact credited, beginning on the second album. Future Black Crowes' producer George Drakoulias was enlisted to play the guitar lead for their next single, a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade of Winter," from the Less Than Zero soundtrack which reached number one in 1987. At the same time, Hoffs appeared in a b-movie, The Allnighter, and it garnered the band some undesirable attention, but the follow-up album, Everything, spawned another number one, "Eternal Flame," in 1988.

 

The band packed it in due to the usual artistic differences in 1989 -- the Peterson's sibling harmonies were what gave the group their unique sound, but singer Susanna Hoffs was often considered the focal point and it contributed to the tension. Vicki Peterson sang with the Continental Drifters and filled in for Charlotte Caffey during 1994's Go-Go's reunion tour; Hoffs recorded two solo albums since the band's breakup, When You're a Boy in 1991 and a self-titled record in 1996, while Debbie Peterson and Steele continued to work with various alternative pop groups. The Bangles officially re-formed in the summer of 2000, announcing tour dates and plans for a new studio album.

[Cain N Moko]

THE GO-GO'S

 

The Go-Go's were the most popular all-female band to emerge from the punk/new wave explosion of the late '70s and early '80s, becoming one of the first commercially successful female groups that wasn't controlled by male producers or managers. While their hit singles -- "We Got the Beat," "Our Lips Are Sealed," "Vacation," "Head Over Heels" -- were bright, energetic new wave pop, the group was an integral part of the Californian punk scene. And they did play punk rock, even if many of their rougher edges were ironed out by the time they recorded their first album, 1981's Beauty and the Beat. Even as they became America's darlings, the Go-Go's lived the wild life of rockers, swallowing as many pills and taking as much cocaine as possible, trashing hotel rooms, and just generally being bad. More importantly, their earliest music -- now collected on Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's -- was raw and rocking; it may not have directly inspired the female alternative rockers and riot grrrls of the '90s, but it certainly foreshadowed it.

Originally formed in 1978 as the Misfits, the group featured Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Jane Wiedlin (guitar, vocals), Charlotte Caffey (lead guitar, keyboards), Margot Olaverra (bass), and Elissa Bello (drums); the group soon changed their name to the Go-Go's and began playing local parties and small clubs in California. In 1979, Gina Schock became the group's drummer. During that year, the band recorded a demo and supported the British ska revival group Madness in both Los Angeles and England. The Go-Go's spent half of 1980 touring England, earning a sizable following and releasing "We Got the Beat" on Stiff Records. An import copy of "We Got the Beat" became an underground club hit in the U.S., which meant the band was popular enough to sell out concerts, yet they had a difficult time landing a record contract.

 

At the end of 1980, bassist Olaverra became ill and had to stop performing; she was replaced by Kathy Valentine, a guitarist who had never played bass before. Early in 1981, the Go-Go's signed with IRS Records. Released in the summer of 1981, their debut album, Beauty and the Beat, became one of the surprise hits of the year, staying at number one for six weeks and selling over two million copies; "Our Lips Are Sealed" hit number 20 and a re-recorded version of "We Got the Beat" spent three weeks at number two.

 

The following year, the group released Vacation. Although it sold well -- the album made the Top Ten and it went gold, spawning the Top Ten hit single "Vacation" -- it failed to keep the momentum of the first record. During the next year the band was unable to perform as Caffey recovered from a broken wrist. In 1984, the Go-Go's returned with Talk Show, their most musically ambitious album. While it had two Top 40 hits -- the number 11 "Head Over Heels" and "Turn to You" -- it failed to even go gold. By the end of the year, Wiedlin had left the band; the Go-Go's broke up in May of 1985. Belinda Carlisle became the most successful solo artist, scoring a string of mainstream pop singles in the late '80s, including the number one single "Heaven Is a Place on Earth." For a while, Charlotte Caffey was in Carlisle's backing group; she eventually formed the Graces, who released Perfect View in 1990. Jane Wiedlin recorded two solo albums and acted in a few films. Wiedlin also organized the group's brief 1990 reunion, where they performed at a benefit for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; they also recorded a version of "Cool Jerk" for their 1990 Greatest Hits album. The Go-Go's reunited once more in 1994, recording three new songs for the double-disc compilation Return of the Valley of the Go-Go's; after recording the songs, the group decided to continue as a full-time unit. In 2000, they appeared on VH1's Behind The Music series and released an accompanying best-of album, VH1 Behind The Music: Go-Go's Collection

 

Photos: Go-Go's Talk Show album in 1984 (right)

Go-Go's reunion 2001 (left)

Edited September 22, 2005 by Cain N Moko

[hitman531ph]

SWING OUT SISTER

 

Although Swing Out Sister's music is unashamedly commercial pop, their impeccable indie credentials (keyboardist Andy Connell and drummer Martin Jackson were formerly of A Certain Ratio and Magazine, and singer Corrine Drewery had no professional experience at all before joining), jazz-tinged arrangements, and knack for clever hooks move them closer to the indie dance territory of St. Etienne or late period Everything but the Girl than to the cookie-cutter dance-pop of Kylie Minogue or Paula Abdul.

Connell and Jackson formed Swing Out Sister in their hometown of Manchester, England, in 1985 as a studio-based partnership set to refine the jazzy funk of A Certain Ratio and Magazine's quirky reimaginings of old-fashioned middle-of-the-road pop. Nottingham-born singer Drewery joined the duo just in time for their first single, "Blue Mood," in late 1985. That single didn't do much, but the follow-up, "Breakout," was a Top Ten hit in Great Britain and Japan in the fall of 1986. The trio belatedly completed their debut album, It's Better to Travel, in 1987; its U.S. release scored a pair of hits with "Breakout" and "Twilight World." Jackson demoted himself to a partial contributor on 1989's Kaleidoscope World, which emphasized the remaining duo's debt to lush '60s pop by hiring the legendary Jim Webb to arrange and conduct the orchestra. Though the singles "You On My Mind" and "Waiting Game" were U.K. hits, the album didn't attract much attention in the U.S. In Japan, however, both albums were big enough hits that a special Japan-only collection of remixes, Another Non-Stop Sister, was released in late 1989, followed by the similar Swing 3 in 1990, which also collected early B-sides and other rare tracks.

 

1992's Get In Touch With Yourself returned Drewery and Connell (Jackson had by this time bowed out completely) to the U.S. and U.K. charts with their cover of Barbara Acklin's "Am I the Same Girl," a '60s pop hit based on the famous instrumental "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited. The single was even bigger in Japan, where Swing Out Sister was by this time one of the most popular acts in the country. Another remix compilation, Swing Out Singles, and a live album, Live at the Jazz Cafe, were released in Japan that year. After 1994's The Living Return failed to chart in Great Britain, the U.K. office of Mercury Records put out 1996's The Best of Swing Out Sister but failed to release 1997's Shapes and Patterns, 1999's Filth and Dreams, or 2001's Somewhere Deep in the Night in the duo's native country. This despite Swing Out Sister's continued success in Japan and a devoted cult following in the U.S. and Europe. EMI was the worldwide label for 2004's Where Our Love Grows

[Guest airmax]

i think they became famous in the mid 80's

[Cradle of Filth]

GNR IN DA VINCI CODE MOVIE SOUNDTRACK

 

According to a recent article published by the Canyon News, GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose told a fan in Malibu, California a few weeks ago that the group's long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy" will be released early next year. In addition, he allegedly revealed that GUNS N' ROSES are looking to put a new song on "The Da Vinci Code" movie soundtrack. The film (more information), based on Dan Brown's controversial best-selling novel, is currently in production and stars Tom Hanks.

[Immortal666]

Tagal na niyang "Chinese Democracy" album ng GNR di pa rin mailabas labas a. Mga five years ko na yata narinig na ilalabas na yan pero hanggang ngayon wala pa rin.

[cruesome]

di na yata ako excited. may track sila na kinanta sa VMA awards yata yun, sagwa, di ko ma take, ewan ko lang siguro na badtrip lang ako sa attitude na axl (though one of my faves yung GNR). anyway mag release nito locally siguro bibilhin ko pa din

[revi]

di na yata ako excited. may track sila na kinanta sa VMA awards yata yun, sagwa, di ko ma take, ewan ko lang siguro na badtrip lang ako sa attitude na axl (though one of my faves yung GNR).  anyway mag release nito locally siguro bibilhin ko pa din 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Dude, di ba Velvet Revolver na sina Slash and Duff McKagan? Sino kasama sa GNR ni Axl?

 

Sayang ang Guns N' Roses.. when they kicked out Izzy Stradlin --- they lost their focus.. parang hindi na sila makapagsulat ng mga magagandang music. According to some reports, Stradlin was their glue.. E syempre attitude wise.. sira ulo si Axl eh.. napunta yata sa utak niya ang kasikatan.. Buti pa ang Metallica mas nauna pa sa kanila hanggang ngayon buhay pa.. atsaka andun pa yung 2 core member si Hetfield and Ulrich --- hindi nag-aaway dahil siguro hindi nagpapataasan ng ihi..

[cruesome]

Dude, di ba Velvet Revolver na sina Slash and Duff McKagan? Sino kasama sa GNR ni Axl?

 

Sayang ang Guns N' Roses.. when they kicked out Izzy Stradlin --- they lost their focus.. parang hindi na sila makapagsulat ng mga magagandang music.  According to some reports, Stradlin was their glue.. E syempre attitude wise.. sira ulo si Axl eh.. napunta yata sa utak niya ang kasikatan.. Buti pa ang Metallica mas nauna pa sa kanila hanggang ngayon buhay pa.. atsaka andun pa yung 2 core member si Hetfield and Ulrich --- hindi nag-aaway dahil siguro hindi nagpapataasan ng ihi.. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

kasama si matt sorum sa velvet (izzy was considered but "he was never serious to stay" sabi ni slash, altho they are in good terms).

 

si axl na lang orig sa gnr line-up:

 

W. Axl Rose (Lead Vocals, Piano, Programming)

Dizzy Reed (Keyboards, programming)

Tommy Stinson (Bass)

Robin Finck (Lead guitar)

Richard Fortus (Rhythm guitar)

Buckethead (Lead Guitar)

Brian Mantia "Brain" (Drums)

Chris Pitman (Keyboardist, Special Effects)

[revi]

kasama si matt sorum sa velvet (izzy was considered but "he was never serious to stay" sabi ni slash, altho they are in good terms).

 

si axl na lang orig sa gnr line-up:

 

W. Axl Rose (Lead Vocals, Piano, Programming)

Dizzy Reed (Keyboards, programming)

Tommy Stinson (Bass)

Robin Finck (Lead guitar)

Richard Fortus (Rhythm guitar)

Buckethead (Lead Guitar)

Brian Mantia "Brain" (Drums)

Chris Pitman (Keyboardist, Special Effects)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Galing ng Velvet ano? I particularly like their song, "Slither.."

 

Thanks for the info, dude.. Appreciate it..

[Dr.Love]

2 na pala lead guitarists ng G n' R.

[cruesome]

2 na pala lead guitarists ng G n' R.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

pareho magaling robin finck and buckethead.most notable si robin sa stint nya with nine inch nails, rumours has it na while intact pa gnr nililigawan na ni axl si robin for a psuedo-NIN GNR.

[Donlovejoy]

New Order!

 

This New wave british group was one of the big hitter of the 80s up to now they're still at with their new hit for 2005 "KRAFTY" ganda rin ng video cute ng girl doon crush ko!

[cruesome]

New Order!

 

This New wave british group was one of the big hitter of the 80s up to now they're still at with their new hit for 2005 "KRAFTY" ganda rin ng video cute ng girl doon crush ko!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i love new order as well, or newwave for that matter, but there's another thread for them, the newwave thread

 

the room is for the hair bands of the 80s or early 90s. i'm sure at some point you're into it :hypocritesmiley:

[hitman531ph]

BANANARAMA

 

The most successful British girl-group in pop history, Bananarama formed in London in late 1981. Drawing equal inspiration for their name from the children's television program The Banana Splits and the Roxy Music song "Pyjamarama," the trio comprised lifelong friends Keren Woodward and Sarah Dallin along with Siobhan Fahey, whom Dallin befriended at the London College of Fashion. After getting their start singing at friends' parties and at nightclubs (where they performed accompanied by backing tapes -- none of the women played their own instruments), they came to the attention of ex-Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, who produced Bananarama's first single, a cover of Swahili Black Blood's "Aie A Mwana."

After the group backed Fun Boy Three on the single "It Ain't What You Do, It's the Way You Do It," the Three returned the favor for 1982's "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'," a cover of the 1965 Velvelettes song that was the first of Bananarama's 26 U.K. chart smashes. While their initial hits, including "Shy Boy," "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" and "Cruel Summer" (their first U.S. smash) were roundly dismissed as fluffy pop fare, the success of 1984's rape-themed release "Robert DeNiro's Waiting" convinced the group to tackle more serious topics; however, the follow-up single, "Rough Justice" -- a song protesting political tensions in Northern Ireland -- bombed, and the trio's career stalled.

 

In 1986, Bananarama's fortunes improved considerably when they joined forces with the production team of Stock, Aitken & Waterman, who produced the album Wow! (Released as "True Confessions" in other parts of the world); the group's most successful outing to date, the LP's cover of the Shocking Blue's "Venus" was an international chart-topper, and both "Love in the First Degree" and "I Heard a Rumour" were major hits as well.

 

In 1987, Fahey left the group after marrying Eurythmics' Dave Stewart; she later resurfaced as one half of the duo Shakespear's Sister. Woodward and Dallin, meanwhile, enlisted pal Jacquie O'Sullivan, formerly of the Sheilagh Sisters, to fill the void. After a long layoff, the revamped group teamed with new producer Youth to issue the 1991 album Pop Life, which featured a cover of the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Running." Shortly after the album's release, O'Sullivan too exited, and Woodward and Dallin forged on as a duo for 1992's Please Yourself and 1995's Ultra Violet