The results for Battle New Wave Bands (Round 1) have been tallied and 32 core acts have been reduced to 16 worthy of consideration for little of Most Popular New Wave Band as selected by your Votes.
Simply send a Comment (enter Name only in Name/URL drop-down option) to this post with your selections, ie A) 1, 3 B) 1, 2 etc......
As a reminder, when voting take into account the Artist/Band's legacy to the New Wave genre and their entire body of work.
The winners for Round 2 will be announced in one weeks time, so DEADLINE is Sunday April 6th, 6 pm EST. Good Luck and make your VOTES Count!
The Votes are cast, and the winners of Battle of New Wave Bands Round 1 are tabulated below.
In the end, a baker's dozen UK bands advanced as well as three seminal New York acts that received their first breaks at CBGBs.
With early returns it appeared that Devo, Gary Numan, Billy Idol and Talk Talk were poised to upset their much higher seeded opponents. However the heavy final Sunday selections pushed them all out of contention.
Nonetheless, #6 Undertones advanced and #5 seeds Pretenders and Duran Duran won handily. The only unanimous choice was the Sex Pistols (perhaps due to relatively unknown Toronto punk opponent, the Diodes) with Police and Clash nearly perfect. However the match-ups in the 'Sweet Sixteen' Round 2 will been increasingly more difficult. Good Luck to all remaining New Wave Bands!!!
Borrowing a page from the NCAA College Basketball 'March Madness' tournament, I have created a Battle of New Wave bands (punk, synth, power pop, ska) ranked bracket of 32 artists/bands grouped into four 'concert venue' categories.
Simply send a Comment (enter Name only in Name/URL drop-down option) to this post with your selections, ie A) 1, 4, 3, 2 B) etc...
When voting take into account the Artist/Band's impact to the New Wave genre and entire body of work.
The winners for each round will be announced in a few weeks after enough votes are collected. Then the voting continues..... until ONE Champion New Wave Artist/Band is Selected by Popular Vote.
December 5th of this year 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95. For those of us that grew up in unjust era of South African Apartheid rule, Mandela represented the unwavering fight for freedom despite personal sacrifice and hardship.
I must admit that in the early 80s, even though the South African situation was gaining notoriety throughout North America, it wasn't until I heard the song by Specials AKA in spring 1984 that I began to really appreciate Nelson Mandela's plight.
The original Specials ska 2-tone band had splintered by 1982, but under Jerry Dammers vision and Elvis Costello's incomparable production, a disturbing single was released two years later that captured the frustrations of many who were calling for an end to Apartheid rule, the release of ANC leader Nelson Mandela and a democratically run government that recognized the equal rights of black South African population.
The lyrics affected me in a powerful manner when I first heard the song, every time I subsequently listened to it and especially after Mandela had passed away. The plaintive cries to "FREE" Nelson Mandela, the 21 years of captivity and abuse, the shoes to small to fit his feet and ignoring the evil that persisted for far too long.
Despite world-wide condemnation and economic sanctions against Apartheid government, it would take another painful SIX YEARS before Nelson Mandela would be released, for a total 28 difficult years in captivity!!!!! He was 71 years old when he became a free man once again, and he made up for lost time in a BIG way. The rest was history in the making. End of Apartheid, democratic elections for all South Africans and Mandela as President 1994-1999.
For many of us, this song was the powder keg that raised our collective consciousness of this great man's struggle for equality. R.I.P. Nelson!
Free Nelson Mandela
Free, Free, Free, Nelson Mandela
Free Nelson Mandela
Twenty-one years in captivity
His shoes too small to fit his feet
His body abused but his mind is still free
Are you so blind that you cannot see
I say Free Nelson Mandela
I'm begging you
Free Nelson Mandela
He pleaded the causes of the ANC
Only one man in a large army
Are you so blind that you cannot see
Are you so deaf that you cannot hear his plea
Free Nelson Mandela
I'm begging you Free Nelson Mandela
Twenty-one years in captivity
Are you so blind that you cannot see
Are you so deaf that you cannot hear
Are you so dumb that you cannot speak
I say Free Nelson Mandela
I'm begging you
Oh free Nelson Mandela, free
Nelson Mandela I'm begging you
begging you Please free Nelson Mandela
free Nelson Mandela
I'm telling you, you've got to free Nelson Mandela
In celebration of Halloween, I thought it appropriate to showcase one of the early Gothic rock classics. When it was originally released in 1979, it was lengthy (9:36) and abrasive song like nothing before it. Screeching guitars, looping feedback, droning drum passages and echo'y, distant vocals that sounded like it came from inside a coffin.
And the subject matter, Dracula of course!!! Bela Lugosi being the most recognizable film star depiction of our inexhaustible intrigue with Vampires. Did you know that the Dracula fictional character was based on real life Vlad the Impaler historical figure? And of course there is Bram Stoker's novel, not to mention the countless TV shows and movies of this genre that refuses to die, just like the refrain in this song "undead, undead, undead." During its day, the song featured prominently in the 1983 vampire movie, "The Hunger" with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve.
The song is still challenging to listen to, more commercial-friendly radio listeners find this song repulsive. Just what Bauhaus intended, I am certain! The band initially started as Bowie and T-Rex glam rock imitators but quickly established their own distinctive gothic sound. Although Bauhaus was an underground sensation in the UK, the band dissolved in 1983, achieving greater success in the US as solo artist (Peter Murphy) and early alternative/college rock band (Love and Rockets).
This first single is what started it all. Enjoy the original and atmospheric Video. Awwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhh!
I must say, I was eagerly anticipating making a return to the iconic bar/concert venue known as Lee's Palace in Toronto. It has hosted a number of great up-and-coming alternative bands from the 70s-80s and continues to do so today. When I discovered that Pere Ubu was performing, I was excited to experience this influential experimental rock band form Cleveland, Ohio fronted by the lumbering David Thomas.
I had discovered Pere Ubu's music during my vinyl hunting journey, and must admit that I knew little of the band and music. Well, what an incredible discovery. Better late at 53, than never! Their first two albums 'Modern Dance' and 'Dub Housing' are masterpieces of punk/garage/post punk/underground music. Still challenging but unique and rewarding with repeated listening. This is not Justin Beiber!
How to describe a band that has no peer? Let me attempt..... I would describe Pere Ubu as the Talking Heads meets Residents with a flash of Cpt Beefheart at times constructing soundscapes reminiscent of David Lynch's fine cult movies. No wonder many are not more familiar with this enigmatic band. But the band has continued to release interesting music and has a dedicated loyal cult following.
The Venue: Lee's Palace appeared to me much smaller than I remembered, but that makes for a far more intimate experience. Also was in need of some upgrading, as it gave off a late 70s seedy feel, especially in toilets. Part of the charm, I suspect. I even scored one of the few stools available for seating around a mosh pit in front of the stage.
The Crowd: The early crowd was predominately 50s male with a particular interest in experimental/alternative music. Early to line up for 8pm entrance to secure a seat, most likely. The later crowd (filtering in until 10pm band start) was younger with some diversity and were happy to stand for the 90 minute concert duration. Nonetheless, women were scarce, with a ratio of 10 men for every woman. I tried convincing my wife to attend, but I made the mistake of actually playing their unique music at home in her presence. Definitely, not her cup of tea.
The Opening Act: Non other than ...... David Thomas. Yes, the Pere Ubu front-man was also the opening act! Well, he wasn't actually singing but more like rambling to his own internal stream of conciousness. The set lasted no more than 30 mins, but featured a synth player via Video screen, a crazy chicken-man bringing David some 'refreshments' and finally a 'normal' guitarist. Strange to say the least. The music was tense, and the wordplay was eerie.
David Thomas during the set was seated, eyes closed, hypnotised, sleep talking. He appeared to me as a crazy preacher in a trance possessed in a haunted house. A rambling madman, Rock poet or a Sufi saint, in the words of a fellow Ubu fan, Andrei. You be the judge, based on his words:
"Radio playing all night. Somewhere" "Received a call in a phone booth in the desert" "Rise in an orange grove" The Band: Pere Ubu is David Thomas, who has been the one constant throughout the various personnel changes. The band was formed in 1975, released the two above mentioned influential LPs 'Modern Dance' and 'Dub Housing' in 1978/1979 and have just released this year their 14th studio album 'Lady from Shanghai'. Nonetheless, commercial success has evaded this unique avant-garde approach to music making. And some bitterness is evident in Thomas' monologues betweens songs (see Quotes below), especially, "I have dreams too, you know. I never thought I'd spend my life in bars, hanging out back in dumpsters." Poignant. Pere Ubu deserves a better fate. Hopefully, this review will peek your interest in this fascinating band!
David Thomas himself at 60 years of age seems frail, especially when exiting the stage. He performed the entire set seated in a comfortable leather chair, sipping on a full bottle of wine at his feet. At one point, off with his boot to pull up his sock. Very Anti-Rock Star behaviour in my opinion. Perhaps this is his new persona, Joe Music Anybody coming from your living room chair. What were kinetic spastic body convulsions on stage are now limited to expressive facial and hand gestures. Still very effective.
The band is tight, the music is thunderous in this small venue and the strange noise box manipulated by what would be the synth band member was extraordinary. Oh, and let's not forget the powerful voice from the seated Giant!
The Music Set: The selection of music was rather eclectic although heavily drawn from their most recent release 'Lady from Shanghai'. Thomas chose what he wanted to play rather than a 'greatest hits' collection or full rendering of 'Modern Dance' LP which had been previously performed. Instead, new obscure songs from an already rather obscure band. Full disclosure that I was was not familiar with their full catalogue of music, but this did not in any way diminish my enjoyment of this experience. Nevertheless, I was able to re-construct the full song set list as follows : Love Love Love Free White Mandy Vacuum in My Mind Over My Head Breath Musicians are Scum And Then Nothing Happened Modern Dance Road Trip of Bipasha Ahmed Misery Goats Another One (oh Maybellene) 414 Seconds Goodnite Irene
Encore: Final Solution Heaven Gone Gone Gone
Highlight: "Final Solution" which seemed to awake the Giant from his slumber, and we were treated to a hint of the old Master, with dramatic gestures over his heart, and hand protecting his head in the moment of final apocalypse. Spellbinding!!!
Honourable Mention goes to "Modern Dance", perhaps the signature Pere Ubu song that rocks ten times better in live than on vinyl or CD.
Lowlight: Only TWO song from 'Modern Dance', NONE from 'Dub Housing'? C'mon. I get it that the band is promoting 'Lady from Shanghai', but REALLY, half the songs from new LP before the encore? The World According to David Thomas (Concert Quotes): "You have been asleep the past 35 years. I have been awake. Everything you know is wrong." (Pere Ubu had massive hit in 1978, according to Thomas) "Toronto show .... start of 17 date sold out run at Giants stadium." "For every lady that comes to the show, 500 people come. Statistical fact. For every 57 year old pot-bellied man ... for every one of those my brothers that come to the show, 2 people don't come. So you can see how important the ladies are." "Did a tour in Denmark, a summerfest....and we were opening for Kool and the Gang." "I have dreams too, you know. I never thought I'd spend my life in bars, hanging out back in dumpsters. I dreamed that I was Jon Bon Jovi." "We're not friends. We've got this nice platform here. You've down there somewhere." "I was a record store clerk. That's why I got into Rock music. I thought I could make better shit than this." "I've entertained you this evening with plenty of pain from my personal life. I'm glad you had a good time with it."
Rating:4/5 'Rock' Band; 5/5Performing Arts Act Original Video:
Check out David Thomas performing live in 1989 radio-friendly "Breath" video. What an entertaining performer!
While in Chicago in Feb 2013, I met up with a business colleague and fellow new wave / alternative music fanatic, Taris Lopez. Over a few local beers and some tasty appetizers, we launched into a full blown debate on what song deserves the title of 'Greatest Punk Song Ever.' Tarsis was in the Damned's camp with "New Rose" the first official punk song released in the UK. I argued voraciously that the Sex Pistols "God Save the Queen" lay claim to that lofty title because of the controversy at home and simultaneous international shot-in-the-arm it provided Punk Rock. As we are both strongly vested in our opinions, the case for each song will be made below.
Before we do so, there are several other songs outside the UK that could earn Honourable Mention for "Greatest Punk Song Ever" as indicated:
Ramones - Blitzbreig Bop (US, April 1976 release)
The song that started it all! "Hey, ho, let's go!" The Ramones toured the UK and July 4&5, 1976 performances helped to jump-start a burgeoning punk rock scence, where members of the Sex Pistols and Clash were inspired. Unfortunately, the song has been way over-exposed in arena sporting events.
Plastic Bertrand - Ca Plane Pour Moi (Belgium, Dec 1977)
A great international French punk hit that was popularized from original English version "Jet Boy Jet Girl" by Elton Motello and later covered by many punk bands, including the Damned and Chron Gen. What unforgettable lyrics, "Ooh, he gives me head."
Viletones - Screaming Fist (Canada, late 1977)
Canada's premier punk band, with this hard-to-find recording released as their first single after a Toronto punk showcase at CBGBs July 1977. Nazi Dog on lead vocals and Motor X on drums. Sing-along to "Pump your fist, if you love this shit."
O.K. For the main bout. In one corner, a band that would demonstrate uncanny staying power by becoming pioneers in an evolving genre, goth! In the other corner, snotty spitting brats that would self-destruct within a year. The Damned - New Rose (UK, Oct 1976, Stiff label)
* The first single by a British punk band, top UK chart position; 81
* From the first UK Punk album, Damned Damned Damned, top UK chart position; 36
* Performed second live performance July 6, 1976 opening for Sex Pistols at 100 Club
* Years Active: 1976 - present (10 studio LPs, 31 singles)
* Members: Dave Vanian, Brian James, Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies
The introductory adrenaline fuelled pounding drums & guitars are unmistakable. The topic is teen angst love song!! No politics here. An enduring band still performing today. " I gotta a feelin' inside of me / It's kinda strange like a stormy sea" " I gotta new rose, I got her good / Guess I knew that I always would"
Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen (UK, May 1977, Virgin label)
* The second single released by the band (first was Anarchy in the UK in Nov 1976)
* Song reached #1 on NME charts, but #2 (*fixed) on official UK Single Charts by BBC
* From the bands only studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, top UK position #1
* First major live performance Feb 12, 1976 at Marquee supporting Eddie & the Hot Rods
* Years active 1975-1978 (1 studio LP, 13 other albums, 10 singles)
* Members: Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock, Sid Vicious (RIP)
What more can be said about a song released during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977? The record's lyrics and cover were controversial; direct assault on the queen and monarchy. The fixing of the charts to keep it out of #1 position, despite it selling more copies than Rod Stewart's "I Don't Want to Talk About It." REALLY? This song became a rallying cry for disaffected youth in an era of Thatcher's brutal economic policies resulting in high unemployment. What explosive opening lyrics:
"God save the queen / It's a fascist regime / They made you a moron / A potential H-bomb" "God save the queen /She ain't no human being / There is no future / In England's dreaming"
While in Chicago, and visiting DJ Tarsis at Late Bar on Feb 9 2013, I provided him a list of Punk anthems that I felt would be great to get folks up on the dance floor, doing the pogo and fist pumping. To Tarsis' credit he did incorporate two of the original 10 songs list, the Undertones and X-Ray Spex (with original video too, attached below).
Below is the original 10 Punk song listing:
1.Clash – I Fought the Law
2.Undertones – True Confessions (1:56 edgy EP version)
What a fantastic experience it was attending an ALL New Wave Night Club, as featured every first Saturday of the month at Late Bar, in Chicago while on company business.I was there specifically to check out a work colleague, Tarsis Lopez, who was the opening DJ for this popular New Wave event.
The Late Bar is well situated in a central Chicago neighborhood, and a select group of Tarsis guests were escorted to a private table at the front of the dance floor and large video screen.The bar itself was oddly shaped; reasonable space at the entrance, then a rather narrow passagewaythrough the bar on one side and washrooms on the other, opening up to a spacious rectangular dance area.This point will make sense later.
We arrived at 10:20pm, just into Tarsis’ varied selection of lesser known New Wave songs, as featured on his regular podcasts on www.AlternativeClassix.blogs.com.His DJ gig this night ran from 10pm-12:30am, then handing it over to seasoned DJDave Robertswith his more recognizable hits during his Planet Earth set until 5am into the morning (not the reason for name ‘Late Bar’,but rather the B-side for Duran Duran debut single ‘Planet Earth’). The difference with the DJ Tarsis set are the original videos to accompany the eclectic range of alternative classix music. Almost feels like one is in the comfort of home watching early MTV videos. Tarsis not only selects captivating less known songs, but even recognizable ones are enhanced by long forgotten ground-breaking videos (for that time!). I don't recall any other night clubs that pack this potent 1-2 sight and sound punch!
Over the course of the night, the crowd began to swell and dance to the original videos accompanying Tarsis’ interesting song selections.Distinct personalities began to emerge as we approached midnight.Goth Androgyny meets Wall Street Boomer, Rockabilly boy serenading Mohawk Punker babe, with Fifties bobbysoxer dancing by her lonesome.
I felt like an interloper into a secret underground society.Who were these characters and where did they come from?Age was not an issue.Older and younger were both singing/bopping to the same tunes. For some (the several that had obviously been around for the original first punk / new wave explosion in late 70s) it was as though Punk/New Wave had never gone away, and they got their weekly nostalgic fix here.For others (born too late, but likely introduced by older siblings or hip parents!), it was imagining a thrilling, creative, chaotic and rebellious time past, in a safe and fun setting.
Highlights of the Tarsis set were Magazine’s ‘the Light Pours out of Me’ (Wall Street Boomer favorite and excited that I too loved his song), Blancmange’s ‘Living On the Ceiling’ (ATTACHED video of Middle East setting is stunning) and a personal request, the Undertones ‘True Confessions’, in which I ran in circles around Goth Andro (as good a song as anything by the Ramones, in my humble opinion). Vee-Jay Tarsis Lopez - Set Listing
The Cure - 10:15 Saturday Night Depeche Mode - Everything Counts Duran Duran - New Religion Electronic - Disappointed Human League - Night People Tracy Thorn - It's All True Soft Cell – Bedsitter
Blancmange - Living On The Ceiling Magazine - The Light Pours Out of Me X-Ray Spex - Identity
Undertones – True Confessions Icehouse – Icehouse
Bryan Ferry - Limbo Tones on Tail - Performance
New Order - Everything's Gone Green
Erasure - Chains of Love
Eurythmics - Love Is A Stranger
Adam Ant - Ant Rap
Stone Roses - Fools Gold
Charlatans UK - The Only One I Know
Blur - Boys and Girls
Enjoying the Eurythmics video (L-R) Trish Troumpoucis, Christy Nolan, Tarsis Lopez
(Laura Grossman in background)
The DJ Roberts set began after midnight, and I discovered a fresh, modern song ‘Photographic’ from Depeche Mode’s debut LP.I was on the dancefloor with Tarsis work colleagues, and Trish knew the all the lyrics by heart, punctuated by the catchy refrain:
I take pictures Photographic pictures
Bright light, dark room Bright light, dark room
We were just getting into a groove; shouting, jumping and fist pumping to Depeche Mode and New Order’s ‘Temptation’:
Oh, you've got green eyes Oh, you've got blue eyes Oh, you've got grey eyes And I've never seen anyone quite like you before
Up, down, turn around Please don't let me hit the ground Tonight I think I'll walk alone I'll find my soul as I go home
Then I was told by the Late Bar Manager that I needed to stop jumping around as I had received complaints from others on the dancefloor , and that I posed a threat.REALLY, a 53 year old Canadian out-of-shape guy was a threat to 20 and 30 something wannabes???I was insulted!!!I lived that exciting late 70s era before the majority of these poseurs were even born.I perfected pogo dancing in my day.LOL!!!
When I finally calmed down, I realized the layout of Late Bar, with its narrow access posed a huge fire security risk.This was on the heels of the devastating nightclub fire in Brazil.OK, I got it.This wasn’t personal after all.But my night was done at this point.I waited for Tarsis and followed him out of bar as Talking Heads ‘Life During Wartime’ was playing;
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, This ain't no fooling around No time for dancing, or lovey dovey, I ain't got time for that now
An ironic but fitting end to a spectacular evening of fantastic New Wave music in Chicago!!!
Post – Script:A Late Bar waiter was inquiring from Tarsis about the guy who had been jumping around the dancefloor.His comment was that he had not seen such a high energy level at the bar in a long time!
