Before I get underway, I want to thank Moezy for her kind words in the Marsden Theatre chat room last night. I took last weekend off because I was getting over “the crud” that’s going around here like a wildfire fueled by gasoline. Moezy told me she missed my weekly “Criminally Underrated” feature. That meant a lot to me because at times it feels like sharing my thrill for underrated 80’s New Wave and Post-punk music is transmitted into a vacuum. So, thank you Moezy for lighting a fire under me to get this written.
Last night on 94.9 The Rock, David Marsden played “Robots Dance” by Classix Nouveaux. That was my inspiration for today’s “Criminally Underrated” piece. When I hear a fabulous group from my favorite era, many times I am astounded by the “six degrees of separation” information that my subsequent research uncovers.
Wikipedia tells me that Classix Nouveaux was formed by former X-Ray Spex bandmates Jak Airport and B.P. Hurding, along with Sal Solo and Mik Sweeney. They first recorded a 4-track EP that included the aforementioned “Robots Dance.” The song ultimately caught the attention of United Artists, and the band was signed.
Classix Nouveaux is lumped along with Japan (David Sylvian!) and Ultravox in defining the term “New Romantic,” a sub-genre of New Wave. While I recognize the parameters that define the New Romantic genre, looking back lovingly on the rich 80’s music scene as a whole, I find it an unnecessary classification. To me, the music that defined the era can be ea
sily classified as simply New Wave and/or Post-punk, with a smattering of music that fits into both.
Classix Nouveaux was, unfortunately, short-lived which seems to be the fate of so many criminally underrated artists and bands. They produced three LPs of material, and by 1984 were experiencing major personnel changes. The group managed to score a number one hit in Poland before completely fading into obscurity. Sal Solo made the UK top 20 with his “Hardest Hits” entry “San Damiano,” which also came in at number one once again in Poland. In 1985, the final iteration of the band toured more as a support for Sal Solo, then quietly disbanded.
Classix Nouveaux music is still available here. Sal Solo’s website provides more insight into the group’s short life. And then, of course, there are a few select videos on YouTube that you can preview. Feast your ears, and perhaps you’ll decide to make Classix Nouveaux a welcome addition to your obscure and underrated 80’s New Wave and Post-punk music collection.
“Guilty” via YouTube user kiilakas777:
“Never Again” via YouTube user astronaut2005:
“Is It A Dream” via YouTube user R4949:
“Robots Dance” via YouTube user cujo80676:
Discography
Night People (1981)
La Verite (1982)
Secret (1983)
Rave and Roll Blog 
I used to love this band and I have forgotten about them 100% until today! Thank you soooo much for this post!
LikeLike
((((((Joey))))))))) – that’s wonderful to hear! Thank you for dropping by. I’m glad to have gotten to know them nearly 30 years after the fact….better late than never! 🙂
Hugs,
MissP
xo
LikeLike
Hey MissP, great choice for a post this week. I know what you mean about the feedback and I always try to respond. I cannot thank you enough with the chatroom as it it used to be frustrating and discouraging without that feedback. Keep up the great blog.
Cheers
Ed
LikeLike
(((((((Ed)))))))) – very kind of you to comment! 🙂 The chat room is my pleasure…and the source for a lot of *my* inspiration, as well. 🙂
*See* you very soon!
Hugs,
MissP
xo
LikeLike
Are you aware DJ Info is back at it? http://page80.blogspot.com/. And I love your underrated series! I don’t always have time to comment, or even to listen, but I always try to check out at least a few songs from any band I don’t know. So THANK YOU!
LikeLike
(((((Robert))))) – thank you for the heads up on DJ Info – I had no idea. I’ll have to go over there and yell at him.
Thanks for the kind words and for dropping by – it is always appreciated!
Hugs,
MissP
xo
LikeLike
You are too kind to give me a shout out. I only am getting here today. I missed my Sunday morning this week as I was killing myself walking 17kms! This is one of my very favourite bands. I have been searching for Nasty Little Green Men for ages and ages and have been unable to come up with it. I think it was on the first album for a short bit. A police officer friend of mine from Toronto actually introduced them to me when they first came on the scene. It was on the cassette he had but it wasn’t on any that I could find. I have a cassette of La Verite. I have had Audio Fool from the chat room looking for this as well. That is partly how I met him and through the cfny site. This all led me to the Marsden chat room. All because of Classix Nouveux…who would have guessed..haha.
cheers,
moe
LikeLike
Oh and I meant to tell you that my daughter was dancing to Robot Dance on Saturday night. I have it as part of my music library at home and I was playing it for her because she likes to pretend she is a Robot!
moezy
LikeLike
Hey I typed a big long note to you on this one too….It went missing. I actually typed two of them….hmmmm
moe
LikeLike
(((((((((Moe)))))))))))
Your comments are still going into the spam folder, and I have no idea why. Once I approve a comment, the author should be free going forward to post without any problems. Your situation has me really perplexed.
I have “Nasty Little Green Men” – you’ll be hearing from me later on. 🙂
Hugs,
MissP
xo
LikeLike