Tag Archives: The Lucy Show

80’s Music Rules ~ My Top Ten 80’s LPs

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Before I embark down this slippery slope, I want to preface it with the caveat that this is a purely subjective list. Anytime anyone is asked to come up with favorite *anythings* the resulting list must be viewed from the perspective of my mother, whose favorite saying is, “Everybody’s taste is different. That’s what makes the world go ‘round.” Well put, Mom.

This was a difficult task, indeed. Ask any audiophile to pare their list of favorite music collections down to a mere 10, and the frustration level is sure to climb quickly. It’s tantamount to asking a long-distance runner which leg they’d like to sacrifice, or a hoarder which pet they’d like to keep. OK, maybe it’s not all that bad, but it’s certainly not a walk in the park.

After much consideration, I have narrowed my list of well-loved 80’s LPs to the very paltry ten listed below. This was a thought-provoking and extremely painful process. There are no explanations (excuses) as to why, only a profound sense of loss when imagining not being able to hear these treasures again. Yes, I know the Gary Numan selection missed the 80’s by a year….but it’s my blog and my rules. Feel free to chime in with your own list – I’m always happy to see what floats someone else’s boat.

Armoury Show – Waiting For The Floods (1985)
“Waiting For The Floods” via YouTube user RNregina:

Chameleons – Strange Times (1986)
“Soul In Isolation” via YouTube user LefthandOfDarkness:

Gary Numan – The Pleasure Principle (1979)
“Metal” via YouTube user amenka:

Japan – Quiet Life (1980)
“All Tomorrow’s Parties” via YouTube user ghostsonatasong:

The Lucy Show – Undone (1985)
“This Is No Heaven” via YouTube user Robertpere1:

Peter Murphy – Wild Birds (1985-1995)
“Indigo Eyes” via YouTube user sweatingfretboards:

Roxy Music – Avalon (1982)
“Avalon (Live)” via YouTube user higmadon:

Simple Minds – Sons & Fascination (1981)
“Love Song” via YouTube user Dexbam:

Strange Advance – Worlds Away (1982)
“Worlds Away” via YouTube user mysweeteventhorizon:

Vis-A-Vis – Heart and Soul (1985)
“I Am The Night (Colour Me Black)” via YouTube user JAMR1977:

 

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

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Here is yet another 80’s post-punk/ New Wave band that deserved much more attention and accolades than it received. It was called ”The Lucy Show” and was formed by Mark Bandola (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Rob Vandeven (vocals, bass), with Pete Barraclough (guitars, keyboards), and Bryan Hudspeth (drums). Bandola and Vandeven were two Canadian-born friends who had moved to England in the late 1970s.

In 1983, The Lucy Show released their first single, “Leonardo da Vinci,” on Shout Records. The legendary John Peel took notice of this track and gave it airplay. In 1984,  The Lucy Show was invited by R.E.M. to support them on their 1984 UK tour.

In 1985, the band’s debut album, …undone, was released. Even though the album enjoyed great critical acclaim and a meteoric rise up the charts, the band soon learned that they were being dropped from their current record label A&M UK. This put a serious crimp in their upward climb to success.

In 1986, the band released their second album, Mania on Big Time Records. This album garnered two major college-radio hits and a video for “A Million Things” which received airplay on MTV. However, Big Time Records went belly-up, again foiling the chances for the band to break through the music industry’s barriers in a memorable way.

The band disbanded, leaving Bandola and Vandeven to release one final single, “Wherever Your Heart Will Go”, in 1988 on Redhead Records. The single flopped and The Lucy Show faded into obscurity forever.

Fortunately for us, Mania was reissued on CD containing several bonus tracks. Unfortunately, …undone has not been re-released and to this day remains out of print. This is a shame because three excellent, moody, gorgeously lush songs are on this album: Ephemeral (This is No Heaven), The White Space, and Twister. Another blogger, Bubu from Musicalement Votre is a huge The Lucy Show fan. Visit his site and do a search for the band to find out more information.

 

“Ephemeral (This Is No Heaven)” via YouTube user tadeuz30:

 

“Part Of Me Now” via YouTube user rockcientounico:

 

“A Million Things” via YouTube user thewhitespace:

 

the-lucy-show1

…undone (out of print)

 

 

 

 

 

Tracklist:

1.      Ephemeral (This Is No Heaven)

2.      Resistance

3.      Come Back To The Living

4.      The White Space

5.      Wipe Out

6.      Twister

7.      Undone

8.      Remain

9.      Better On The Hard Side

10. Remembrances

11. Dream Days

 

the-lucy-show Purchase Mania

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracklist:

1.      Land And The Life

2.      View From The Outside

3.      Sojourn’s End

4.      A Million Things

5.      Sad September

6.      Sun And Moon

7.      Shame

8.      Melody

9.      Part Of Me Now

10. New Message

11. Jam In E

12. Invitation

13. Civil Servant

14. Sun And Moon (live)

15. View From The Outside (live)

16. New Message (basement demo)

17. A Million Things (original mix)

18. A Million Things [multimedia track]