80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 07-28-09

July 30, 2009 by missparker0106

I was not in attendance this past Tuesday night because of a family emergency. So, thanks to Ed for sending me the list; I can at least post the wonderful music that I missed. And, what a superb list it is! I’ll definitely catch you next Tuesday.

To listen to any shows that you may have missed, go to the CFRC website and look up the archives under the “Programming” drop-down menu. You can enjoy Ed’s previous shows in one-hour increments.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “you ain’t heard obscure yet” 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 July 28, 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 paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/
Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.

Blue Peter – Up To U
Monsoon – Wings Of Dawn
Sideway Look – Unlock The Capital
Mittageisen – Bestandigkeit der Erinnsrung
Magic Dragon – Objet Du Desire
Moral Support – Living With Passion (ext)
Richard Strange & The Engine Room – Damascus
Moev – Cracked Mirror
Victims Of Pleasure – Jack & Jill
Shriekback – Feelers
Eternal Triangle – Nothing But A Friend
A Split Second – Rigor Mortis (12”)
Alternative Radio – Valley Of Evergreen
West India Company – Vishnu Schlokas
Techniques Berlin – Scarlett Woman
It’s Immaterial – Imitate The Worm
Henry Badowski – My Face
The Buggles – Johnny & The Monorail
Alan Burnham – Music To Save The World By
Malcolm Burn – Humans Can Talk
Boulevard Noir – Images Of Concrete Toys
Hazel O’Conner – (Cover Plus) We’re All Grown Up
Phil N’ The Blanks – A Space Travellers Manifesto

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Rational Youth

July 25, 2009 by missparker0106

RY_b Here is another top-notch Canadian band that received little recognition here in the states. Rational Youth has been incorrectly categorized as a “one-hit wonder.” Perhaps “No More And No Less” is what the band is most noted for in the fickle lower 48, but what many people do not know is that this band enjoyed success before and after “No More and No Less,” and adulation from their dedicated followers in Canada and beyond.

Anyone that reads this blog knows I adore synth-driven 80’s music. Rational Youth delivers the synthesized goods flawlessly, along with strong vocals and interesting lyrics.

Like many highly talented bands in the turbulent 80’s, the band survived several personnel changes. Originally formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada by Tracy Howe and Bill Vorn, the band started with a strong electronic foundation. Both founders had a healthy admiration for German synth-band Kraftwerk and were able to beautifully channel their own electronic talents through Rational Youth.

After enjoying three healthy LP releases during the 80’s, the band reformed fourteen years later around original member Tracy Howe, and crafted a new collection of songs called To The Goddess Electricity. Rational Youth finally called it quits in 2001 after an extensive two-year tour.

If you love electronic 80’s music as much as I do, and you have never enjoyed Rational Youth’s contribution to what I consider the most exciting and diverse musical decade, treat your ears by sampling what is on YouTube, then buy what’s still available for sale. And, remember the source: our talented and criminally overlooked neighbor to the north.

“No More and No Less” via YouTube user kudtss:

“Dancing On The Berlin Wall” via YouTube user bm02134:

“Cite Phosphore” via YouTube user paralisisnyc:

“Heredity” via YouTube user bm02134:

Purchase Rational Youth

1980’s Discography

Cold War Night Life (1982)

Rational Youth (EP, 1983)

Heredity (1985)

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 07-21-09

July 22, 2009 by missparker0106

He’s ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ck!

Have we missed our Ed-FM? You betcha! This had to have been the longest three weeks of empty Tuesdays on record. Ed made it up to us in a big way, though. He came roaring off the starting line with a great Howard Jones tune, followed by some classic Simple Minds.

Speaking of whom, Simple Minds has a fantastic new CD out with a decidedly retro sound that will send you back in time like your own personal time machine. It’s called “Graffiti Soul,” and if you haven’t already heard it, check out some samples online, then buy it. It is a must-have for any serious 80’s New Wave/post-punk fan.

Welcome back Ed – thank you for a solid set that flew by faster than any other two hours in the history of the universe. You really know how to cook up a musical feast.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “chair-dance ‘til you drop” 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 July 21, 2009

Howard Jones – Look Mama (mega mania mix)
Simple Minds – Love Song (extended mix)
Love & Rockets – Yin and Yang And The Flower Pot Man
Martha & The Muffins – By The Waters Of Babylon
Yello – Angel No
Yazoo – Situation (extended mix)
B-52s – Planet Claire
Moral Support – Strange Day For Dancing
Vis A Vis – Shadowplay
Captain Sensible – Happy Talk
The Spoons – Symmetry
The Hush – Dancing In East Berlin
Screaming Blue Messiahs – I Wanna Be A Flintstone (extended mix)
The Mood – Paris Is One Day Away
Mittageisen – Automaten
Visage – Fade to Grey
Rational Youth – Saturdays In Silesia (extended mix)
Human League – Open Your Heart
Sons Of The Desert – Best Things

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Love & Rockets

July 18, 2009 by missparker0106

L&R Maybe Love & Rockets doesn’t technically qualify for the “Criminally Underrated” series. They were, after all, a successful group in their own right starting in the early 80’s. In my mind though, because I have only grown to appreciate them 20-odd years after the fact, they certainly must have been underrated. After all, if I love them so much now, wouldn’t I had felt the same back then had they been given proper exposure?

The band formed in 1985 and was made up of former Bauhaus (think: Peter Murphy) members Daniel Ash (guitars, saxophone and vocals), David J (Bass and vocals), and Kevin Haskins (drums, synthesizers). Prior to Love & Rockets, Ash and Haskins had performed in a band called Tones on Tail. Remember the wicked bass-driven toe-tapper “Go!”? Fire-breathing hot.

Love & Rockets’ first hit was a cover of “Ball of Confusion,” originally recorded by the Temptations. Even though this was a Motown song, Love & Rockets were definitely of the post-punk (and at times, synth-driven New Wave) persuasion. Their notable album releases for the 80’s included Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven which has my absolute favorite song by them called “Haunted When The Minutes Drag,” Express (includes “Ball of Confusion”), and Earth, Sun, Moon (includes “No New Tale To Tell”). L&Rb

Most bands release a self-titled album as their first effort. Love & Rockets finally got around to releasing their eponymous collection in 1989, closing out a relatively successful decade for them. “So Alive,” which I (and others) have erroneously identified as a T. Rex composition, was a well-received and high-charting hit from the Love & Rockets album.

The 90’s were not especially kind to the band as they grappled with losing their belongings in a fire and with a legal battle that ensued. They have since re-formed, performing iin both 2007 and 2008 at various live gatherings such as the Coachella and Lollapalooza extravaganzas.

I have been most fortunate to be reintroduced to the best of their music through David Marsden’s weekly show. You would do well to get reacqainted, too, if you have not listened to this band in a long time. They definitely had much to offer back then, and their music lives on today.

“So Alive” via YouTube user satochi159357:

“Haunted When The Minutes Drag” via YouTube user nezror:

“All In my Mind” via YouTube user Mister Stereo:

“Mirror People” via YouTube user Purple Blue Haze:

Purchase Love & Rockets music.

1980’s Discography

1985 – Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven (Beggar’s Banquet/RCA)

1986 – Express (Beggar’s Banquet/Big Time)

1987 – Earth, Sun, Moon (Beggar’s Banquet/Big Time)

1989 – Love And Rockets (Beggar’s Banquet/RCA)

80’s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Martha & The Muffins

July 12, 2009 by missparker0106

MMa Even if I had never heard their music before, a band with the name “Martha & The Muffins” would pique my interest enough to listen. The ironic thing is, the name was only supposed to be temporary, but ended up lasting for pretty much the lifetime of the band.

Formed in 1977 in Toronto by two Ontario College of Art students David Millar and Mark Gane, the band debuted at a Halloween party. The initial line-up included Martha Johnson (keyboards) Carl Finkle (bass) and Tim Gane (drums). As the band struggled to hit their mark, they went through several personnel changes. Millar left in ’78 to become the band’s sound engineer shortly after Andy Haas (saxophone) signed on.

Martha & The Muffins’ first LP release was called Metro Music and spawned a hit single, “Echo Beach.” From this point on, the line-up of the band was in constant flux, often relying on guest musicians to fill in. One benefit of all the changes was bringing the band into contact with Daniel Lanois who was to become a production legend in his own right. He worked out a deal with the band’s record label and became the band’s producer. It was a successful match all around. MMb

Through all of the personnel changes (and even a later name change to M+M), Martha & The Muffins/M+M provided solid, post-punk music fringed with just the right amount of synthesizer and sax, giving listeners a wide range of instrumentation, rhythms, and lyrics to keep interest strong. Their one smash hit, “White Stations/Black Stations” from the Mystery Walk album was an anti-racism song written in reaction to a radio stations refusing to play a song about a mixed-race romance. It stormed the charts in a big way in both Canada and the US. Ironically, some stations refused to play it, but it soared nonetheless.

I have been lucky to be exposed to Martha & The Muffins/M+M through both David Marsden and Ed-FM. They are clearly a gifted band who contributed enormously to the landscape of 80’s New Wave and post-punk music.

“Echo Beach” (dubbed over live footage) via YouTube user Barsopen 1970:

“Danseparc” via YouTube user Whuntmore:

“Women Around The World At Work” via YouTube user axelspeak:

“Black Stations White Stations” via YouTube user Whuntmore:

Purchase Martha & The Muffins/ M+M music.

80’s Discography

Metro Music (1979)

Trance and Dance (1980)

This is the Ice Age (1981)

Danseparc (1983, credited to Martha and the Muffins/M + M)

Mystery Walk (1984, credited to M + M)

The World is a Ball (1985, credited to M + M)

Far Away In Time (1987) – compilation

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

July 5, 2009 by missparker0106

My love of 80’s electronica knows no bounds. When I hear something that makes my ears snap to attention, there’s a good chance it is something so deliciously synthesized, or has a great bass line, or in very special occasions…both.

My initial experience with the smashing electronica band Moev was hearing “Head Down” for the first time on David Marsden’s show last year. I am quite sure I sat and listened in slack-jaw wonderment as this brilliant song hammered and bounced its way through my brain. Unfortunately, there isn’t a video that I can link to that features this hard-hitting song. Do yourself a huge favor and go to Moev’s MySpace page, select “Head Down” and “In and Out” from the player, and listen to them – all of it. You won’t regret it.

Moev formed in Vancouver, BC Canada in 1981 with Tom Ferris and Cal Stephenson as the nucleus. A series of musicians wandered in and out of the band over the course of the decade and beyond, altering its sound and delivery. The current iteration consists of Tom Ferris (electronics), Julie Ferris (vocals), Kevin Kane (guitar, backing vocals).

I know longtime Moev purists may disagree, but personally, my favorite Moev music includes the era when Dean Russell (RIP 1994) was lead singer. This period, from about 1987 through 1992, produced such stellar collections as “Yeah Whatever” and “Head Down.”

For a glimpse of what this band is all about, visit them on their official Moev website. Also, a fan tribute’s unofficial website has a wealth of information about this hidden treasure of a group. Definitely listen to the songs on the band’s MySpace page.

Unfortunately, their older videos (including “Head Down”) have disappeared from YouTube leaving only very slim pickings from their earlier years.

“Crucify Me” via YouTube user slider28: