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New Wave / Punk forebears...

from one of my all time fav bands / albums.


Oh man. I've owned numerous copies of this album over the years on vinyl and CD. I lost all my belongings in a flood a few years back, including my entire music collection. I've been looking to replace this one but it goes for crazy $ on Amazon. I can't even find it to d/l it anywhere.

Maybe I can scare up the entire album on YT and do something with it. Stone cold classic for sure.
 
One of my favourite albums who made me want to play bass is the 17 seconds album of Cure. So simple and clear instrumentation !!

Yeah, Faith and 17 Seconds are my favorites. In fact, that's really the only Cure I ever pull out and listen to anymore. My wife used to hate on The Cure because she couldn't stand Smith's vocals (and I can't fault her for that) but I turned her on to their early work and she digs it. She's particularly obsessed with the songs "In Your House" and "All Cats Are Grey."

I'm sort of like that with regards to The Smiths. I think they are a crackin' band. Top notch players and melodies and arrangements. The lyrics are often very witty and smart, though they can get overly clever, but I just can't abide Morrissey's vocals. I think he is a good singer; I just can't stomach listening to him unfortunately.
 
I'd like to mention three bands (two are British, one American) that I feel always deserve a mention when this type and era of music come up.

Unfortunately all three could (and oftentimes are) be considered "one hit wonders" but I always champion them as great bands who deserve a deeper listen than their Big Radio Hit.

1. THE VAPORS. Everyone knows "Turning Japanese" but the fact is this band released two albums of some of the finest power pop / new wave ever produced. They have so many killer tracks. Their bass player Steve Smith is a great, solid player. (Check out the track "Bunkers.")

2. TENPOLE TUDOR. Many people of the right age may remember their goofy hit "Swords of 1000 Men." They had a second, lesser hit with "Wunderbar." The band's entire aesthetic was, admittedly, pretty goofy. Their singer Eddie Tudor-Pole was briefly considered as the replacement vocalist for Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols as that band was falling apart. This band is something of an acquired taste, largely because of the (unique, to say the least) vocal style of the singer Eddie. But they were a great band, really! They blended everything from good ol' English pub rock to rockabilly to funk to country and western to reggae to straight punk and they had a great energy. In fact, I can't think of a more FUN band to listen to. Also released two albums before imploding. Their bassist Dick Crippen is great.

3. WALL OF VOODOO. Of course their "one hit wonder" status comes from the "Mexican Radio"single which was all over MTV back in the day. But here again--this is a great band who released two very singular albums that still sound fresh today. The band continued beyond these two albums, but with a different vocalist and, IMO, a different style. Nothing else has really sounded like Voodoo's mix of new wave and Ennio Morricone soundtracks before or since. Bassist Bruce Moreland did some very inventive stuff, as did the entire band.
 
Yeah, Faith and 17 Seconds are my favorites. In fact, that's really the only Cure I ever pull out and listen to anymore. My wife used to hate on The Cure because she couldn't stand Smith's vocals (and I can't fault her for that) but I turned her on to their early work and she digs it. She's particularly obsessed with the songs "In Your House" and "All Cats Are Grey."

I'm sort of like that with regards to The Smiths. I think they are a crackin' band. Top notch players and melodies and arrangements. The lyrics are often very witty and smart, though they can get overly clever, but I just can't abide Morrissey's vocals. I think he is a good singer; I just can't stomach listening to him unfortunately.

Regarding The Cure I also like a lot the 2 first albums : Boys don't cry and 3 Imaginery Boys. They're more raw and rock, but some of the basslines are awesome.
I never really liked their discography after Pornography/Faith, except some particuliar songs as Fascination Street. I felt there were too much arrangements, instruments, layers of sounds.
I love the simplicity of these first albums.

And it's funny, because I have the same problem with The Smiths. Love their music, but not fond of Morissey's voice.

This thread brings me back long years ago... I realise I am not so young now :)
 
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This thread brings me back long years ago... I realise I am not so young now :)

Yes, but music helps keep you young. I listen to a lot of current music also (mostly VERY heavy stuff, and a lot of instrumental things) but there is something about hearing something from the past. Hear a snippet of a song and it takes you back to being 16 and learning to skateboard while smoking headache-inducing dirtweed or whatever the memory may be.
 
Another American Post-Punk band that seems to get overlooked.. The Bass doesn't stand out in any way, but the band is great regardless.



Then there are these guys that also get overlooked (British).



and these lads.



and lastly. (RIP Nikki Sudden & Epic Soundtracks)



 
Another American Post-Punk band that seems to get overlooked.. The Bass doesn't stand out in any way, but the band is great regardless.



Then there are these guys that also get overlooked (British).



and these lads.



and lastly. (RIP Nikki Sudden & Epic Soundtracks)



Holy poopie these are the bands I was gonna mention today! Wow!
 
  • Like
Reactions: blindrabbit
Yes, but music helps keep you young. I listen to a lot of current music also (mostly VERY heavy stuff, and a lot of instrumental things) but there is something about hearing something from the past. Hear a snippet of a song and it takes you back to being 16 and learning to skateboard while smoking headache-inducing dirtweed or whatever the memory may be.
At 41 we still hit the ramp in my yard about once a week blasting these songs and smoking much better weed thanks to the 16 ylds up the street!
 
I'd like to mention three bands (two are British, one American) that I feel always deserve a mention when this type and era of music come up.

Unfortunately all three could (and oftentimes are) be considered "one hit wonders" but I always champion them as great bands who deserve a deeper listen than their Big Radio Hit.

1. THE VAPORS. Everyone knows "Turning Japanese" but the fact is this band released two albums of some of the finest power pop / new wave ever produced. They have so many killer tracks. Their bass player Steve Smith is a great, solid player. (Check out the track "Bunkers.")

2. TENPOLE TUDOR. Many people of the right age may remember their goofy hit "Swords of 1000 Men." They had a second, lesser hit with "Wunderbar." The band's entire aesthetic was, admittedly, pretty goofy. Their singer Eddie Tudor-Pole was briefly considered as the replacement vocalist for Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols as that band was falling apart. This band is something of an acquired taste, largely because of the (unique, to say the least) vocal style of the singer Eddie. But they were a great band, really! They blended everything from good ol' English pub rock to rockabilly to funk to country and western to reggae to straight punk and they had a great energy. In fact, I can't think of a more FUN band to listen to. Also released two albums before imploding. Their bassist Dick Crippen is great.

3. WALL OF VOODOO. Of course their "one hit wonder" status comes from the "Mexican Radio"single which was all over MTV back in the day. But here again--this is a great band who released two very singular albums that still sound fresh today. The band continued beyond these two albums, but with a different vocalist and, IMO, a different style. Nothing else has really sounded like Voodoo's mix of new wave and Ennio Morricone soundtracks before or since. Bassist Bruce Moreland did some very inventive stuff, as did the entire band.
Bunkers is a cool track! Thanks.
 
At 41 we still hit the ramp in my yard about once a week blasting these songs and smoking much better weed thanks to the 16 ylds up the street!

Jealous! I tried skating street again a couple years ago (I think I may have been 27 or so at the time) and I just have too many hernias, and ended up agitating them. Skating was my life 15-19.. then alcohol sort of ruined that. Nowadays its just iceskating.

Holy **** these are the bands I was gonna mention today! Wow!

Great minds think alike! There are a lot of cool mentions in this thread.

Another great band, but again the bass doesn't particularly stand out for me.

 

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