New Wave Outpost Forum

by **SuNomi** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:44 am

Each rock era had a rivalry for the top spot, beginning in the early 60's. In 1964 you were either in the Beatles camp or the Rolling Stones circus. In the Seventies you favored either Robert Plant's endless caterwauling or Roger Daltry's blistering screams. The 90's had that bitter Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam feud in the states while Oasis had Blir on the ropes in the dance clubs of Britain. Who do you believe best exemplifies this classic archetype for our era?

by **KYYX4ever** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:49 am

Cool question. I'd go with The Cars and Blondie. You might have either liked the guitar crunch of Cars' songs or the smooth, sometimes-close-to-disco sheen of Blondie. Although Blondie definitely rocked out often enough.
On second thought, maybe it's more like The Cars--guitar-based, tight, sometimes almost venturing into Power Pop--and Duran Duran: more synth glam dance disco.

by **waldnorm** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:54 am

If the definition is broadened to 80s alternative, then the two giants are U2 and R.E.M.--of early 80's it's hard to choose just two--to complicate things further I think the Clash also needs to be discussed.

by **Dave** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:04 am

Yes, excellent question SuNomi and it's one that I've thought about quite a bit over the years. IMHO, there's only on real contender, U2.

They best fit into the mold of rock superstardom with Bono as frontman, Edge's distinctive guitar and a hard-driving rhythmn section.

Their songwriting has continually demonstrated great range and versatility. They've had the long-lasting and broad-based appeal of the Beatles and Stones.

While U2 may not typify "new wave" for some, especially the synthpop-types, they clearly emerged as part of the post-punk scene.

Go ahead U2 haters, bash away. I'm sure the Beatles and Stones had their haters too [;)]

by **WolverineSyr** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:08 am

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>Cool question. I'd go with The Cars and Blondie.

[/quote]

I would say the same thing! Of course I'm way too biased on the Blondie thing. It did seem at the time that radio would be in one camp or another.

Then there were broader sides to take also - New York vs L.A., U.S. vs U.K., Sex Pistols vs. Ramones vs. the Clash vs. X.

What a great question, I'm looking forward to hearing what people have to say.

by **SuNomi** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 3:30 am

I think the penultimate battle of the bands (from a historical perspective) would have to be The Pistols vs The Ramones for overall influence & dominance. US punk historians cite The Ramones as the first true punk outfit, born out of a love for 50's & 60's garage pop while those in the UK will champion The Pistols disdain for overwrought prog rock excess and a fashion sense lifted from Malcolm's dalliances with The New York Dolls crowd rather than any Ramones input. Johnny Rotten has recently rubuked the 'official' history which claims he and members of the Clash started their bands after seeing the Ramones first tour of britain.

by **Frau_Blucher** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:14 am

The Clash and New Order.

One's more rock vs. one more pop. Each have their haters. Few fans love both. They feel like opposing forces in a way that other good choices here do not.

The Cars? A fine consideration. But who really was their foil? No one really. Just a great band that most everyone liked, even the mainstream.

Blondie? Some didn't even consider her new wave even though I think she stands alone as the female icon of early new wave. But maybe just not big enough over a long enough time.

U2? New wave arena rockers extraordinaire. But they were so big, so commerical and so expansive into the general consicousness, it almost seems "new wave" per se can't lay claim to them.

Pistols and Ramones? Icons of UK and US punk. To me more the representatives of each country's early punk history then an ongoing tandem that would draw direct comparisons for long.

Duran Duran? I don't see a lot of people being fanatically passionate either in their love or hate for them. Yeah, they're there, they're iconic, but maybe they were more MTV icons than new wave ones.

by **KYYX4ever** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:33 am

Hmm.

Makes good sense.

I therefore throw my opinion into Clash vs. New Order. Eptiomes of their sound.

by **Anonymous1** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:36 am

U2 would be the Beatles of New wave.. and Depeche Mode would be Rolling Stone!!!

But U2 is not all New wave? There Punk and early Alternative, they happened to start in the 80's where New wave exploded..
As far as DM concern Synth Rock now. They're probably the biggest New Wave band ever, still strong as of today.. Playing the Angel worldwide hit. only Band can go above them is U2 which are not New wave..

Words like Violence
Break the Silence

by **NuWaveRx** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:32 am

Blir's onto something--especially from an influential perspective. I was going to say The Cure and U2 or perhaps Depeche Mode and the Smiths for comparable influences in the "sub-genres" of NW.

by **empyrean** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:26 am

In our country, local video stations always pitted Duran Duran vs Spandau Ballet, Tears for Fears vs Depeche Mode, and.......Rick Springfield vs Corey Hart. [:D].

This isnt Rock or New Wave but the Madonna vs Cyndi Lauper is very hot in our country. [:D]

by **DevoManiac101** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:04 am

Blondie and The Cars

by **ben_at_work** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:53 am

I always thought Blondie was more Rock than New Wave. At least in their early years. I remember vividly that Blondie Albums were in the Rock section of the local Licorice Pizza Record shop and the rock station I listened to, KMET, always played Blondie stuff. Go figure.

by **hutter** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:56 am

I had other choices in mind, but Blir's argument makes perfect sense to me. I'll have to go along with his reasoning.

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by **Ollie Stench** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:02 am

I don't know if this even has an answer. I would like to think that "we" were all open-minded enough to take it all in.

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