Monthly Archives: March 2009

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ The Mood

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the-moodThe Mood was a British band from York that performed together from 1981 to 1984. It consisted of members John Moore, Mark James, and Eric James (no relation).

 

In 1981, they released a single on a local small independent label (Romantic Records), titled “Is There A Reason.” At that time, they were a five-piece band including Steve Carter and John Dalby. After Carter and Dalby left the band, the three remaining members of The Mood signed to RCA and released a new re-produced mix of “Is There A Reason.” A second single was released called “Don’t Stop.” Neither track reached the UK top 40 charts; however, a third single, “Paris is One Day Away,” came close at # 42. Two more singles followed: “Passion In Dark Rooms” with “The Munich Thing” on the b-side. The Mood’s final single was “I Don’t Need Your Love Now” followed by the band’s split-up in 1984.

 

John Moore reformed The Mood briefly in 1992 with Paul Atkinson (bass) and Steve Bradley (drums). They appeared regularly in northern England before changing their name to Wild and subsequently splitting up in late 1993.

 

All of The Mood singles were re-released on a 19 track CD album by Cherry Red Records (licensed from Sony/BMG) in July 2008 titled “The Singles Collection.” It includes all the singles and b-sides, plus additional tracks from their US album.  Purchase The Mood: http://www.amazon.com/Singles-Collection-MOOD-Not-Mood/dp/B001APRXJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238288668&sr=1-1

 

The Mood have a website at http://www.themood.info/TheMood/Welcome.html which has some rare pictures of the band from the early 80’s, along with other information about the collections release.

 

 “Paris Is One Day Away” via YouTube user inmotion68:

 

  

 “Passion In Dark Rooms” via YouTube user sugarstarmusic:

 

 “Don’t Stop” via YouTube user sugarstarmusic:

 

 

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 03-24-09

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Ed-FM was just “full of it” (in his own words) last night; full of rarities, obscurities, and a smattering of on-the-edge-of-almost-there, that is. And, he provided me with another great idea for a “Criminally Underrated” by spinning “Paris Is One Day Away” by The Mood. There’s a band with a fabulous 80’s sound that should have had a huge impact; but more on that in a few days.

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his supersonic 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist March 24, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and past this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

 

  1. Manufacture – As The End Draws Near
  2. Klaus Nomi – Total Eclipse
  3. The Passions – I’m In Love With A German Film Star
  4. The Trees – Delta Sleep
  5. Two Men, A Drum Machine, and A Trumpet  – Tired Of Getting Pushed Around
  6. Nash The Slash – Swing Shift (soixante-neuf)
  7. A Drop In The Gray – Wide Eyed One
  8. Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) (12 inch)
  9. Dalek I Love you – Heaven Was Bought For Me
  10. Benjamin Russell – Miracle
  11. Johnny Analog – Rhythm Ruled
  12. Ohama – Images Are Drugs
  13. B-52s – Planet Claire
  14. Seona Dancing – More To Lose
  15. The Mood – Paris Is One Day Away
  16. Fad Gadget – Swallow It
  17. The Art Of Noise feat. Dwayne Eddy – Peter Gunn (12 inch)
  18. The Clash – Charlie Don’t Surf
  19. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday
  20. Landscape – Norman Bates
  21. Single Gun Theory – Red Sunshine
  22. Telex – Moskow Diskow
  23. The Flying Lizards – TV

80’s Music Rules ~ David Marsden’s Birthday Party

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bigmars1Last Sunday 3-15-2009, The Marsden Theatre Chatroom gang, led by Sistahmar, held a birthday bash for legendary Spirit of Radio DJ David Marsden. It took place at Andy Pool Hall in Toronto, ON. Although I was unable to attend, I was privileged to make a video montage using photographs from three members of the chatroom gang: KRASH, Acheliah, and Warrlock. Rob Stuart from the highly popular Canadian band Slave to the SQUAREwave graciously gave me permission to use their music as a backdrop. David features the band every week on his show; they have a fabulous mutual admiration society.

As a special added treat, DJ Geets Romo made a surprise appearance at Sistahmar’s behest. He delighted the crowd, and David has made a promise to have Geets on his show sometime in the near future. So stay tuned! Also in attendance were power-DJ Don Berns (Dr. Trance) and the rabble-rousing Reverend Jeremiah.

For the best free-form broadcasting you will ever hear, tune in to David Marsden’s show on 94.9 The Rock  streaming live Thursday and Friday nights from 7 pm until midnight EST. Get lubed up and ready for David to stick a couple of tunes in your ears – no one does it better.

We love you David!

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 03-17-09

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The leprechauns were all dancing in celebration of St. Patty’s Day last night as Ed-FM started off with a great song by Irish band The Pogues. Things began to gain traction with Cottage Industry, and burned rubber with “Heroes/Helden” by David Bowie. That one is really special to me, because it’s my favorite Bowie song, and somehow I had missed the German version from the movie soundtrack, “Christiane F.” Thank you Ed!

 

And that was only the tip of the iceberg….

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his high-revving 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist March 17, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and past this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

 

  1. The Pogues – Dirty Old Town
  2. Cottage Industry – The Crucial Moment
  3. David Bowie – Heroes/Helden (English/German)  J
  4. Yello – Moon On Ice
  5. Nash The Slash – 1984 (extended dance mix)
  6. Martha And The Muffins – DanseParc
  7. The Smiths – Still Ill
  8. Visage – Moon Over Moscow (extended mix)
  9. The Nails – Hotel For Women
  10. Magazine – My Tulpa
  11. Strange Advance – Worlds Away (12 inch)
  12. Lotus Eaters – It Hurts
  13. Violent Femmes – Jesus Walked On The Water
  14. The Spoons – South American Vacation
  15. Killing Joke – Insanity (insane mix)
  16. Japan – Adolescent Sex
  17. Maurice and the Cliches – Soft Core
  18. Simple Minds – Chelsea Girl
  19. Chameleons – Up The Down Escalator
  20. The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
  21. The Box – L’Affaire Dumoutiere (Italian version)
  22. Two People – Mouth of An Angel

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Icehouse

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icehouse(Thanks to Sugarbear from the Marsbar Theatre for the inspiration to feature this great band).

 

One of many wonderful things we can depend on from our Aussie friends is brilliant music. Icehouse was no exception.

 

Icehouse started out as a group called Flowers formed in Sydney in 1977. The main founding member was singer/songwriter Iva Davies, who was known for his far-reaching and operatic vocals. He later changed the band’s name to Icehouse in honor of a cold flat he once lived in.

 

In addition to his beautiful and engaging vocals, Davies contributed his skills as a musician with guitar, bass, keyboards and oboe.  With a nod to the flourishing New Wave sound, Icehouse began using synthesizers and a drum machine. An album released in 1982 called Primitive Man featured Davies on vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass and drum machine. He got an assist from Keith Forsey who supplied additional percussion and also co-produced. The album was received very well in Australia and the UK, with a lukewarm reception in the US. Davies took his show on the road, reforming with John Lloyd (drums) and Michael Hoste (keyboards) from early Icehouse days, and adding Robert Kretschmer (guitar, backing vocals), Guy Pratt (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Andy Qunta (keyboards, backing vocals).icehouse_new

 

Icehouse released the album Sidewalk in 1984. Once again a success in Australia and the UK, the US remained a tough market to crack. It wasn’t until their 1986 LP release Measure For Measure, featuring Brian Eno that they reached the #9 Billboard position with the single “No Promises.” Their most successful album, Man Of Colours, released in 1987, yielded a single called “Crazy” that climbed to #10 in the US on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. It had five singles charting in the top 30 in Australia.

 

Throughout the 90’s and 00’s, Icehouse would again reform and tour several times, with Davies bringing his fabulous vocals to stage and recording more releases. If you haven’t already availed yourself of this sinful pleasure, do yourself a huge favor and sample the early Icehouse recordings to experience firsthand the flawless singing style and moving lyrics of an amazing artist who also created most of his own backing instrumentals. This man and his band deserved the same recognition here in the States that they justly received in their homeland.

 

“No Promises” via YouTube user rrrjm:

 

“Crazy” via YouTube user gnowangerup:

 

“Great Southern Land” via YouTube user downunderupover:

 

My favorite David Bowie song as only Iva Davies could more than adequately cover – in fact, I’d venture to say it’s better than the original.

“Heroes” (2005 live cover) via YouTube user Maiblume4:

 

Icehouse Discography

  • Icehouse 1980
  • Primitive Man 1982 (aka Love In Motion UK 1983)
  • Sidewalk 1984
  • Measure for Measure 1986
  • Man of Colours 1987
  • Code Blue 1990
  • Big Wheel 1993
  • The Berlin Tapes 1995

icehouse-crazyPurchase Icehouse

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 03-10-09

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Ed-Fm started out the Retrospect show on CFRC with a touching song by Eurogliders dedicated to a friend who just lost his father. Then not long after, Ed dropped a nuclear bombshell of a rocking set that shook the walls for close to a half hour without a break. Left me breathless, it did!

 

As if that wasn’t enough, Ed decided to turn it up a notch and end the show on a chair-dancing, keyboard thumping groove with a smoking set headed up by “Wap Bam Boogie” by Matt Bianco. Last night’s show had to be the fastest two hours to ever fly by.

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his dynamic 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist March 10, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and past this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

 

  1. Eurogliders – Heaven (Must Be There)
  2. Dole – Slumberland (extended mix)
  3. Danielle Dax – Yummer Yummer Man
  4. Dave Stewart/Barbara Gaskin – I’m In A Different World
  5. The Look People – Cookie Man
  6. Yeah Yeah Noh – Another Side To Mrs. Quill
  7. Nina Hagen – Punk Wedding
  8. Wang Chung – Wait (extended mix)
  9. Men Without Hats – Jenny Wore Black
  10. Images In Vogue – In The House
  11. The Flowerpot Men – Beat City
  12. The Adventures – Send My Heart
  13. Yello – Sometimes (Dr. Hirsch)
  14. Rubber Rodeo – Need You, Need Me
  15. The Velveteens – Tall Building
  16. It’s Immaterial – Rope
  17. Kissing The Pink – Watching Their Eyes
  18. Matt Bianco – Wap Bam Boogie
  19. Siouxsie And The Banshees – Song From The Edge Of The World (Columbus mix)
  20. The Spoons – Clever
  21. Thomas Dolby – Airhead (extended mix)

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ The Big Dish

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the-big-dish1If you want to hear what an angel’s voice sounds like, I urge you to get your hands on any of the music Scottish group The Big Dish created during the 80’s. Lead singer Steven Lindsay’s voice is about as close to heaven-on-earth that this era produced. Another band from Ireland, Dubh Chapter, had a lead singer (Brendan Staunton) in the same league, but that’s another “Criminally Underrated” for another time.

 

The Big Dish formed in Airdrie, Scotland in 1983. The original studio lineup was the trio of Steven Lindsay (vocals, guitar), Mark Ryce (guitar), and John Harper (keyboards). Later on for stage performances, Raymond Docherty (bass) and Keith Burns (drums) were added. The Big Dish toured with Lloyd Cole and Big Country (another notable band from Scotland) in an effort to widen their exposure.

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Their debut album The Swimmer was released in 1986. Critically acclaimed, the album features the addition of Brian McFie (replacing Ryce on guitar) and Ian Ritchie on keyboards/saxophone. It is a collection of one beautifully crafted and delivered song after another; truly a dream-weave of music and vocals so effective and close to perfection that it will take your breath away.

 

Their sophomore production Creeping Up On Jesus saw a reconfiguration of musicians and a larger instrumental sound. This time, the album was unjustly panned and the group was dropped from their label Virgin Records.

 

Lindsay and McFie gave releasing another album as The Big Dish one more shot, again with a variety of backing musicians and for a Warner Bros. Records subsidiary label. This critically acclaimed 1991 collection was entitled Satellites and produced a hit single “Miss America.” Unfortunately, it was not enough to keep the band going and they ended up calling it quits.

 

In 1994, Virgin released a “best of The Big Dish” collection called Rich Man’s Wardrobe.” If you would like an introduction to The Big Dish’s incredibly crafted music, this album would be a good start. One title alone makes this “best of” outstanding: a rare and unreleased track called “Voodoo Baby.” Easily one of my favorite The Big Dish songs, Rich Man’s Wardrobe is the only place where you can hear it.

 

“Miss America” via YouTube user AUCHTERMUCHTYZZ:

 

“Prospect Street” via YouTube user IndieAnnieJones:

 

“Christina’s World” via YouTube user garyco345:

 

Purchase The Big Dish

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 03-03-09

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Ed-FM from CFRC-FM started off his evening in a big way with a 13+ minute trilogy of Frankie Goes To Hollywood. It only continued to get better from there. Highlights included a great John Foxx number, a Men’s Room cover of a BB Gabor song, and punk extraodinaires, Captain Sensible. Toss a smidgen of Art of Noise and The Tom Tom Club into the mix, and there was definitely something delicious for everyone.

 

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his red-hot 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

 

CFRC-FM Playlist March 3, 2009

 

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

ED-FM ~ Retrospect

80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and past this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/

 

  1. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – The World Is My Oyster/Welcome To The Pleasure Dome
  2. 1000 Homo DJs – Apathy
  3. Streetband – Toast
  4. Michel Lemieux – Romantic Complications
  5. John Foxx – Your Dress
  6. The Box – Friends
  7. Monsoon – Tomorrow Never Knows
  8. The English Beat – Pato And Roger A Go Talk
  9. Das Kabinette – The Cabinet
  10. Men’s Room – Simulated Groove
  11. Boys Brigade – Saigon
  12. Numbers – Sideways Elevator
  13. Robert Hazard – Escalator Of Life
  14. Captain Sensible – The Russians Are Coming
  15. Art Of Noise – Close (to the edit)
  16. Gina X Performance – Strip Tease
  17. Mannshrek – Negerkub
  18. Chris & Cosey – Hazy Days
  19. Johnny Analog – Old Rhythm Rules
  20. Tom Tom Club – Wordy Rappinghood

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ The Call

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In 1980, vocalist/guitarist Michael Been, Scott Musick, and Tom Ferrier, originally from Oklahoma, formed a band known as The Call in Santa Cruz. Their first album was self-titled and launched what was to be a succession of seven albums up until 1990.

 The eponymous premiere album was filled with emotion that is plainly conveyed through Been’s singing style. It caught the attention of Peter Gabriel who asked the band to open for him during his 1982 tour. A crucial element to the fledgling group’s sound, Garth Hudson of The Band played keyboards on The Call’s first three records.

Reconciled, by far my favorite The Call Album, had the likes of Peter Gabriel, Jim Kerr and Robbie Robertson as guest artists. “Everywhere I Go” and “I Still Believe” are rock-the house, kick-some-serious-butt songs, which more than amply show the depths of The Call’s talent. On these merits alone, the band should have attained world-wide acclaim.

Though they toured and recorded regularly throughout the 80’s, only one released single made it to #1 on the American Mainstream Rock chart – “Let the Day Begin.” Although a solid song, it would not have been my first pick to catapult them to the top of the chart.

“Everywhere I Go” via YouTube user dodgybizkit:

“I Still Believe” via YouTube user dodgybizkit:


“The Walls Came Down” via YouTube user dodgybizkit:
 

 “Let The Day Begin” via YouTube user dodgybizkit:

 If you do nothing else, try to get hold of a copy of Reconciled. In my humble opinion, this one album encapsulates all that set this group apart from all the rest during the most diverse and crucial decade for music. It may even raise a chill bump or two.

Discography: 

  • The Call, 1982
  • Modern Romans, 1983
  • Scene Beyond Dreams, 1984
  • Reconciled, 1986
  • Into the Woods, 1987
  • Let the Day Begin, 1989
  • Red Moon, 1990
  • The Best of the Call, 1997
  • To Heaven and Back, 1997
  • Live Under the Red Moon, 2000