Monday, February 20, 2012
80s Music Revisited: A flock of Seagulls - Futuristic sound
80s Music Revisited: A flock of Seagulls - Futuristic sound: More than any band of the eighties, Liverpool's A flock of seagulls have come to epitomise a period in pop that was quite unlike anything se...
A flock of Seagulls - Futuristic sound
More than any band of the eighties, Liverpool's A flock of seagulls have come to epitomise a period in pop that was quite unlike anything seen before. The 'new romantic' period was widely ignored by many as they were not seen as credible as the whole punk thing had passed and the idea of synths and heavy bass just wasn't real.
However, it could be argued that the new romantic period lasted longer than punk and was a steady influence of up and coming bands such as depeche mode. The new romantic period restored the importance of the dancefloor and with this more and more bands realised this importance.
As in previous blogs the whole period started in London and quickly reached new audiences in the big cities in the UK. The futurist period reached Liverpool where hairdresser Mike Score was intrigued and fascinated by the images that was leaving London.
He soon began to experiment and created his own unique hair style (never to be seen again!), he recruited his brother Ali to play drums and fellow hair crimper Frank Maudsley on Bass and finally guitarist Paul Reynolds came on board after numerous auditions held in Liverpool. the name was taken via a lyric on a Stranglers Album From Jonathan Livingston Seagull and thus the band was now up and running.
With Mike score individual haircut and styling, the band was associated with the whole futurist movement and there success coincided with a boom in Liverpool music where bands like Wah! Heat and Echo and the Bunnymen were making huge strides. The band came to the attention of Bill Nelson who released there first single Its not me talking and followed by Telecommunications. The band was being compared to the early version of Ultravox with similar space age fascinations.
Following this Jive signed the Flocks and a run of singles would cement there place in difficult place called the USA. with there Avant Garde Videos and sounds they were a popular hit on MTV and were proving to be more popular in America than in the UK. Songs such as space age love song and I ran had limited chart success in the UK but it wasn't until they released Wishing (I had a photograph of you) that they hit the top ten and an appearance on Top of the Pops.
That single Wishing proved to be there peak artistically and commercially as audiences were turning towards the likes of depeche mode and new order, although subsequent albums such as Listen did well there time had gone. It is with irony that one decades futurism can become anothers nostalgia but there image and the tunes they produced still hold relevance.
To enjoy some of the Flocks finest material
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
80s Music Revisited: Simple Minds - The ultimate stadium rockers
80s Music Revisited: Simple Minds - The ultimate stadium rockers: One band synonymous with the 1980s and that is Glasgow's finest export Simple Minds. Prolific songwriters with 8 albums released and a score...
Simple Minds - The ultimate stadium rockers
One band synonymous with the 1980s and that is Glasgow's finest export Simple Minds. Prolific songwriters with 8 albums released and a score of massive singles success in the UK, Europe and the tough nut of the USA. They were one of the hottest tickets to get in town and there music although produced perfectly in the studio was also just as effective live.
The core of the band is Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill with the addition of Mel Gaynor on Drums, Derek Forbes on Bass and keyboardist and chief composer during there heyday until his exit Michael MacNeil. The band formed after the punk era and new wave was taking over the airwaves.
The band went through many personnel and name changes before settling on Simple Minds as this was taking from a David Bowie lyric on Jean Genie. The 1980s were beginning to be a period of success for the band. The early eighties saw the release of 3 albums in 2 years these were Empires and Dance, sons and fascination and Celebration. It was a mixture of new wave, kraut rock and a hint of prog rock. The albums delivered success but not ultimate exposure on the TV and airwaves.
It wasn't until a appearance on Top of the Pops and the release of New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84 that the hard work paid off. Promised you a miracle became a big hit and in turn generated interest in the forthcoming album. this spawned some great material such as big sleep and someone somewhere in summertime. They had incurred an uphill struggle to convince record labels and the general public that this was a band who had a message and an image to match.
It wasn't until the release of there 7th album Sparkle in the rain that progress moved up a gear. The album generated the songs Waterfront, East at Easter, speed your love to me and up on the catwalk and soon this was band that was moving on up and they further cemented the global success with the release of the critically acclaimed album Once upon a Time which had anthems such as Alive and Kicking, Jungleland, Ghostdancing and All the things she said. Prior to that but didn't feature on the album was the huge hit don't you forget about me. A number one in the USA as this was the soundtrack to Brat pack film The Breakfast Club.
Following this success the groups act had now become a stadium show, records were topping the charts and fans from all over the world wanted to see them. Such was there powerful live shows that they released a double album of a live show from Paris, again the album was a huge hit and help further cement there dominance. However, in some misguided corridors playing to audiences of 50, 000 was deemed a sell out or unfashionable but the songs were so good that they could be effective in a small theatre or a football stadium. The bands live showings were on display at Live aid in 1985 and the Mandela concert in 1988 where they could have played it safe and showcased there old material but instead wrote 2 incredible songs for the occasion Mandela Day and Biko.
After that Wembley appearance they released the Ballad of the Streets EP which featured those 2 Wembley songs and the powerful song Belfast Child. Finally, they got a UK number one single with a 6 minute long folk song. Following they released the final album of the 1980s Street Fighting years which had a duet with Lou reed on This is your land and Kick it in. The 1980s saw the gradual success of Simple Minds and although all good things come to an end for what ever reason, the music still holds relevance now with many bands citing them as a big influence or even using or sampling there music. Quite simply they were the ultimate stadium rockers.
For further listening
The core of the band is Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill with the addition of Mel Gaynor on Drums, Derek Forbes on Bass and keyboardist and chief composer during there heyday until his exit Michael MacNeil. The band formed after the punk era and new wave was taking over the airwaves.
The band went through many personnel and name changes before settling on Simple Minds as this was taking from a David Bowie lyric on Jean Genie. The 1980s were beginning to be a period of success for the band. The early eighties saw the release of 3 albums in 2 years these were Empires and Dance, sons and fascination and Celebration. It was a mixture of new wave, kraut rock and a hint of prog rock. The albums delivered success but not ultimate exposure on the TV and airwaves.
It wasn't until a appearance on Top of the Pops and the release of New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84 that the hard work paid off. Promised you a miracle became a big hit and in turn generated interest in the forthcoming album. this spawned some great material such as big sleep and someone somewhere in summertime. They had incurred an uphill struggle to convince record labels and the general public that this was a band who had a message and an image to match.
It wasn't until the release of there 7th album Sparkle in the rain that progress moved up a gear. The album generated the songs Waterfront, East at Easter, speed your love to me and up on the catwalk and soon this was band that was moving on up and they further cemented the global success with the release of the critically acclaimed album Once upon a Time which had anthems such as Alive and Kicking, Jungleland, Ghostdancing and All the things she said. Prior to that but didn't feature on the album was the huge hit don't you forget about me. A number one in the USA as this was the soundtrack to Brat pack film The Breakfast Club.
Following this success the groups act had now become a stadium show, records were topping the charts and fans from all over the world wanted to see them. Such was there powerful live shows that they released a double album of a live show from Paris, again the album was a huge hit and help further cement there dominance. However, in some misguided corridors playing to audiences of 50, 000 was deemed a sell out or unfashionable but the songs were so good that they could be effective in a small theatre or a football stadium. The bands live showings were on display at Live aid in 1985 and the Mandela concert in 1988 where they could have played it safe and showcased there old material but instead wrote 2 incredible songs for the occasion Mandela Day and Biko.
After that Wembley appearance they released the Ballad of the Streets EP which featured those 2 Wembley songs and the powerful song Belfast Child. Finally, they got a UK number one single with a 6 minute long folk song. Following they released the final album of the 1980s Street Fighting years which had a duet with Lou reed on This is your land and Kick it in. The 1980s saw the gradual success of Simple Minds and although all good things come to an end for what ever reason, the music still holds relevance now with many bands citing them as a big influence or even using or sampling there music. Quite simply they were the ultimate stadium rockers.
For further listening
Thursday, February 2, 2012
80s Music Revisited: U2 - Boy to Rattle and Hum
80s Music Revisited: U2 - Boy to Rattle and Hum: Starting from humble beginnings in Dublin U2 began push there way through the ever changing music scene. The band consisted of Bono, The Edg...
U2 - Boy to Rattle and Hum
Starting from humble beginnings in Dublin U2 began push there way through the ever changing music scene. The band consisted of Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton and the 5th member Paul McGuiness who was there advisor and manager.
However, the 1980s would see the stock of this band go from nothing to global superstars mainly due to there commercial output and a iconic supremacy that still holds relevant in the 21st century. The band has delivered some of the most sophisticated work and still want to push barriers. The glory days was after the bands appearance at Live Aid in 1985 and the global Zoo TV tour up to 1993.
It was fair to say the early days of U2 were middle ground. There work seemed to not convince the post punk or synth pop audiences. They released albums Boy (1980) and October (1981) although successful it didn't break the mainstream and there was at some point considerations that the band would break up. The band stuck at it and were rewarded with the success of the WAR album in 1983 which spawned the there first UK top 10 hit New Years Day. A UK and smallish America tour help propel the band and U2 had the instinct to take the right creative and commercial decision which saw a huge transformation of the band musically.
They set to work with Brian Eno and produced the album Unforgettable Fire in 1984 and with a cold wave gloom feel. It was starting to get attention in America mainly due to Pride, MLK, A sort of homecoming which all had references to America. Shortly after that release U2 were playing at Live Aid and they gave one of the most compelling performances of the day, Bono literally conducted the whole band with his mesmeric display and this reflected in the audience spellbound by the display. Melodramatic maybe but it did bring alive the whole day and set up even greater performances by the likes of Queen. They were fast becoming the stadium giants.
Finally, The Joshua Tree in 1987 and America had succumbed. The album was masterfully put together by Eno and his team and the result was some of U2 best work featuring With or without you, where the streets have no name, I still haven't found what i am looking for you, bullet the blue sky and one tree hill. Soon everyone wanted to see and be U2.
The success continued and the band decided to do the whole lot, release an album, a book and a film to document the whole crazy period. IT was of course Rattle and Hum and this saw there first UK number one called Desire. The album represented a change in direction and was a more blues type of album with covers of Beatles, Dylan and playing with American legends such as BB King. The band was very diverse and not afraid to experiment and play different types of music. There was a real mixture on the album from Blues, Gospel, ballads to rock.
The 1980s represented a busy period for the band and this footprint put them onto greater success from the 1980s and beyond. True stadium rock giants.
However, the 1980s would see the stock of this band go from nothing to global superstars mainly due to there commercial output and a iconic supremacy that still holds relevant in the 21st century. The band has delivered some of the most sophisticated work and still want to push barriers. The glory days was after the bands appearance at Live Aid in 1985 and the global Zoo TV tour up to 1993.
It was fair to say the early days of U2 were middle ground. There work seemed to not convince the post punk or synth pop audiences. They released albums Boy (1980) and October (1981) although successful it didn't break the mainstream and there was at some point considerations that the band would break up. The band stuck at it and were rewarded with the success of the WAR album in 1983 which spawned the there first UK top 10 hit New Years Day. A UK and smallish America tour help propel the band and U2 had the instinct to take the right creative and commercial decision which saw a huge transformation of the band musically.
They set to work with Brian Eno and produced the album Unforgettable Fire in 1984 and with a cold wave gloom feel. It was starting to get attention in America mainly due to Pride, MLK, A sort of homecoming which all had references to America. Shortly after that release U2 were playing at Live Aid and they gave one of the most compelling performances of the day, Bono literally conducted the whole band with his mesmeric display and this reflected in the audience spellbound by the display. Melodramatic maybe but it did bring alive the whole day and set up even greater performances by the likes of Queen. They were fast becoming the stadium giants.
Finally, The Joshua Tree in 1987 and America had succumbed. The album was masterfully put together by Eno and his team and the result was some of U2 best work featuring With or without you, where the streets have no name, I still haven't found what i am looking for you, bullet the blue sky and one tree hill. Soon everyone wanted to see and be U2.
The success continued and the band decided to do the whole lot, release an album, a book and a film to document the whole crazy period. IT was of course Rattle and Hum and this saw there first UK number one called Desire. The album represented a change in direction and was a more blues type of album with covers of Beatles, Dylan and playing with American legends such as BB King. The band was very diverse and not afraid to experiment and play different types of music. There was a real mixture on the album from Blues, Gospel, ballads to rock.
The 1980s represented a busy period for the band and this footprint put them onto greater success from the 1980s and beyond. True stadium rock giants.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
80s Music Revisited: Beastie Boys - Brat Rap
80s Music Revisited: Beastie Boys - Brat Rap: The band emerged in 1986 to a chorus of bad publicity in the media where the line up of Mike D, MCA and Ad-rock would encourage audiences or...
Beastie Boys - Brat Rap
The band emerged in 1986 to a chorus of bad publicity in the media where the line up of Mike D, MCA and Ad-rock would encourage audiences or anyone who would listen to Fight for your right to party. The publicity as a result got them on the front pages and intrigued interest in the band because up to this point, Hip-Hop and White people wasn't the norm.
The band started life in 1979 as a hardcore punk band, but after many personnel changes and a change in music direction saw the line up trim to down to a trio. By the mid 1980s they found themselves a mentor by the name of the legendary Rick Rubin who was a rap producer and boss of Def Jam records.
Following that meeting they set to work and the result was the first hip-hop album to top the American charts. The album was named Licensed to ill which you could describe as an unprecedented white rap set which capitalised on Americas interest in urban black music. Suddenly as a result this opened the doors for others to follow and repeat that success from the 1980s and beyond. Around the same time as the Beastie Boys was Run DMC who enjoyed similar success to the Beasties.
Crucial to the Beastie Boys success was the sampling of hard rock songs incorporated into there brand of music. None was better than the sampling of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin on the opening of the song Rhymin & Stealin. The biggest hit from the album was Fight for your right to party which saw the yelling of lyrics and the whining of Adam Horovitz's voice complement each other. Other hits followed such as Shes on it and No Sleep til Brooklyn. Suddenly the band were international and breaking down divides.
Following the success of that album, they split from Rick Rubin and teamed up with the Dust Brothers and Produced Paul's Boutique. Although commercially not a great success it was considered a industry changing album with its large array of sampling and multi layering, the album spawned the hit Hey Ladies.
Since there arrival in the 1980s the band have become resilient and now are the elder statesmen for hip-hop. The band are still going and have come a long way since there riotous arrival in 1986. Boys have to grow up at some point.
To enjoy the Beasties click on the link. Enjoy!
Fight for your right to party
No Sleep til Brooklyn
Shes on it
Hold it now, hit it
To Purchase the 1980s albums or need further information click on the album title
Licensed to ill
Paul's Boutique
The band started life in 1979 as a hardcore punk band, but after many personnel changes and a change in music direction saw the line up trim to down to a trio. By the mid 1980s they found themselves a mentor by the name of the legendary Rick Rubin who was a rap producer and boss of Def Jam records.
Following that meeting they set to work and the result was the first hip-hop album to top the American charts. The album was named Licensed to ill which you could describe as an unprecedented white rap set which capitalised on Americas interest in urban black music. Suddenly as a result this opened the doors for others to follow and repeat that success from the 1980s and beyond. Around the same time as the Beastie Boys was Run DMC who enjoyed similar success to the Beasties.
Crucial to the Beastie Boys success was the sampling of hard rock songs incorporated into there brand of music. None was better than the sampling of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin on the opening of the song Rhymin & Stealin. The biggest hit from the album was Fight for your right to party which saw the yelling of lyrics and the whining of Adam Horovitz's voice complement each other. Other hits followed such as Shes on it and No Sleep til Brooklyn. Suddenly the band were international and breaking down divides.
Following the success of that album, they split from Rick Rubin and teamed up with the Dust Brothers and Produced Paul's Boutique. Although commercially not a great success it was considered a industry changing album with its large array of sampling and multi layering, the album spawned the hit Hey Ladies.
Since there arrival in the 1980s the band have become resilient and now are the elder statesmen for hip-hop. The band are still going and have come a long way since there riotous arrival in 1986. Boys have to grow up at some point.
To enjoy the Beasties click on the link. Enjoy!
Fight for your right to party
No Sleep til Brooklyn
Shes on it
Hold it now, hit it
To Purchase the 1980s albums or need further information click on the album title
Licensed to ill
Paul's Boutique
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