New Wave Outpost Forum

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:37 am

Being an Army brat, we had a steady stream of military-minded music floating through our house. Suffice to say, my own contributions -- "Viet Cong Girlfriend," "Americommandoes" and the band Royal Air Force -- weren't terribly appreciated. Royal Air Force (I guess they'd be the sister group to Semper Fi?) were a quartet fronted by Frank Swart, who was a fixture on the Boston scene for years but apparently doesn't want you to know about this one, since you can't find it on his bio. They had an album, "Ra Fire Ra Cooly," which was released in 1983 (and looks like it's from 1972). My bro was in the Air Force, so I used to irritate him with it. Mostly punk, it kicks off with a no wave song, "Teenage Stratocaster." Swart later moved to Nashville and, along with half of Face to Face, helped out Patty Griffin.

And can I just say I can't believe there was one of these on eBay recently. I hadn't seen another copy in, well, ever. I spent the better part of the late '80s and early '90s looking for one to give to a buddy and eventually gave up. Even the store clerks in Boston looked at me like I made the thing up.

[b]Royal Air Force - (I Was a) Teenage Stratocaster[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/lt9io0

Royal Air Force
Frank Swart - lead vocals, guitar, bass
Sandra Cohen - lead vocals
Sal Schepici - drums, percussion
James Mase - engineer (and they list him as a member)

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:15 am

Roots rockers Push Push had a major (and majorly-overplayed) Boston area hit in '85 with "This Kind of Love." Originally only released as a radio tape and promotional video, it became commercially available years after the fact on their lone album "Can't Wait" (Tone Cool, 1988 - released early '89) -- by which point, nobody cared anymore. Frontman Dennis Brennan has since gone solo with a number of albums under his belt. His (very different) solo version of "This Kind of Love" can be downloaded on iTunes and the like, but as far as I can tell, the Push Push original can't be. If it can and I missed it, let me know and I'll yank this kind of mp3.

[b]Push Push - This Kind of Love[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/6qt134

Push Push
Dennis Brennan - lead vocals, guitar, harmonica
Adam Steinberg - guitar, percussion
Jay Feinstein - bass, vocals, dry snap(?)
David Birmingham - drums, ice bell(!)

by **randy** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:31 am

Thanks for the true version of Charity--for some reason on the Teenline series it was the only song that was edited. (That I know of )

Never a big fan of Lou Miami either--however--did see him live and he put on a good show.

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:40 am

The Erector Set (whose publishing company was called Erectunes!) were originally from Cincinnati, Ohio but moved to Jamaica Plain, MA in the mid '80s. So I guess they count. Their 1980 debut 7" "Inside Out" (b/w "No Room for Comfort") enjoyed some airplay. They followed that up with a 12" EP in 1982, "Imitation of Life," which featured my fave, "Chinese Girl."

[b]The Erector Set - Chinese Girl[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ogkb5h

The Erector Set
Rick Beatty - lead vocals
Alex Chronis - guitar, vocals
John Schmidt - bass
Barry Haney - percussion, farfisa, vocals
Sean Vigle - drums, cymbals

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:11 am

The Phantoms were together a decade with various lineups before morphing into The Organ Donors and then Diabolix. They were fairly popular on BCN in the early '80s and released the great 7" single, "Anyday" (Pressed for Time, 1982). A CD of live 1981 recordings called "Wagon Loopy" was released a few years back. I missed out on it. Oh, well.

For the rest of the story, as well as a bunch of mp3s from all 3 bands, head over to punktv.com/phantoms

[b]The Phantoms - Anyday[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/d3oz3k

The Phantoms
Micky Metts - lead vocals, guitar
Angelo Aversa - drums
others too numerous to mention

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:52 am

And the rest of the New Models story. "Future Assassins" and "Can't Relate," recorded live at the Metro, appear on, naturally, the "Live at the Metro" comp album (Press-A-Dent, 1982). "Blind Ambition" / "Colors" was a 1983 12" single recorded 6 months after "Sight and Sound" came out. "Silent Running" is yet another off "Sounds Eclectic" (Revolution, 1986), and was their curtain call, as the band was effectively dunzo by that point. "No Control," recorded live at The Living Room in December, 1984, was released posthumously on the "City History" double-album compilation (Big Bubble, 1987). Will be posting the "Strangers in Disguise" promotional video soon. I hope.

And if you downloaded "Future Assassins" and "Can't Relate" from me previously (I believe I posted them at Ollie's request), throw those in the trash and redownload these. The old rips I did sounded horrible. I'm embarrassed I put them up here sounding like that.

[b]New Models - Future Assassins[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/qbgit0

[b]New Models - Can't Relate[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tybd0o

[b]New Models - Blind Ambition[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/d7wemk

[b]New Models - Blind Ambition (extended)[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/zjje15

[b]New Models - Colors[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/xz9j9w

[b]New Models - Silent Running[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/dkj56t

[b]New Models - No Control[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/n4aec8

New Models
Casey Lindstrom - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Steven Thurber - keyboards, vocals
Paul Carder - bass, vocals (later years)
Michael Johnson - drums
Matt Thurber - drums, vocals (why couldn't I remember he was Johnson's replacement towards the end?)

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:12 pm

And here's Casey Lindstrom's story before New Models. He played guitar in Boston's premiere space-age power pop group, Alex Space and the Orbits. They did one 7" single, "I Believe in Rock & Roll" b/w "She's Enuff" (Trippp, 1979). Frontman Alex Space bailed shortly thereafter, and so did Lindstrom. (Alex released 2 Orbits-less records in 1981 and 1983, but since he's made them available on his website -- assuming you can get on it -- and iTunes, you'll have to get them there.) Around the same time, the popular Boston group Third Rail was on their 178th lineup. At the dawn of the '80s, they released their best single (and the only one worth bothering with), "It's a Surprise" (Long View, 1980). That same year, half of the Third Rail who recorded that single left frontman Richard Nolan to assemble his 179th lineup, and the group formerly led by Alex Space was reformed as simply Orbits. And now everybody had space-themed pseudonyms. Their top-notch debut album, "Q: What... Ans: Nothing" (Electric Eye, 1981), was a childhood favorite of mine, featuring some of the best power pop to ever come out of Boston. It included the WBCN staples "Rear View Mirror" and "7 Digits," as well as a new, improved version of "It's a Surprise," which is light years better than the lifeless Third Rail original. (Bassist Bill Solum had written it for Third Rail and took it with him when he left.) Orbits floated around in outer space until 1983, after which they came back down to earth.

Alex Space, now a Tom Jones impersonator (no kidding), also produced Ava Electris on the Ava and the Tidal Wave Tour track heard up above, giving it that great spacey sparkle. According to the press notes, Orbits keyboardist Alan Fiske helped her out, although he is not credited on the record itself.

[b]Alex Space and the Orbits - I Believe in Rock & Roll[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/2swq92

[b]Alex Space and the Orbits - She's Enuff[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ysdane

[b]Orbits - 7 Digits[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ppjyxy

[b]Orbits - It's a Surprise[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/h6eojy

[b]Third Rail - It's a Surprise[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/rpwm9y

Alex Space and the Orbits (1979 lineup)
Alex Space (a.k.a. Alex Jones) - lead vocals, guitar
Casey Lindstrom - guitar
Alan Fiske - keyboards
Russell Pompeo - bass, vocals
Matt Allen - drums

Third Rail (1980 lineup)
Richard Nolan - lead vocals
Jack Morgan - guitar, vocals
Bill Solum - bass, vocals
Alan Fiske - keyboards
Matt Allen - drums

Orbits (1981 lineup)
Billy Lazer (a.k.a. Bill Solum) - lead vocals, bass
Alan Orbit (a.k.a. Alan Fiske) - lead vocals, keyboards
Jimmy Thunder (a.k.a. Jimmy Alba) - guitar, vocals
Hunty Rage (a.k.a. David Hunt) - guitar, vocals
Mighty Matt (a.k.a. Matt Allen) - drums, vocals

by **tileboy** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:56 am

Loads of thanks for Lou Miami Somebody. Been searching for that single forever.

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:35 pm

[quote][i]Originally posted by tileboy[/i]
<br>Loads of thanks for Lou Miami Somebody. Been searching for that single forever.[/quote]

I've been looking for the plastic kozmetic bag forever. Even the 45 I only got a few years ago. No bag, but then it was 4 bucks.

Any requests? I might have it. Even if I have it, I may have to look for it. I don't have everything put aside yet.... and a lot of things got packed before I started separating my old Boston tunes. If it's something that's worth money, though, chances are I pitched it. Mind you, the only things I remember getting rid of were a crappy Trademarks 45 (not the one that just fetched $400 on eBay -- Jesus H. Christ), an even crappier Elektraflesh 45, and some of the X-claim garbage. (Why does anybody even want that stuff?)

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:53 pm

The Modern Look hailed from Hartford, CT. I don't know anything about them, but the picture sleeve of their 7" single "Romance Minus One" (Revolving, 1981) convinced me to buy it. That and the hilarious title of the B-side, "Milk from a Contented Cow." The music wasn't as great as the song titles or the PS, but it's serviceable.

[b]The Modern Look - Romance Minus One[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/fjhbro

[b]The Modern Look - Milk from a Contented Cow[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/8ffpyu

The Modern Look
Wayne Lagasse - lead vocals, guitar
Morrie McCarthy - guitar
Lynne Maiocco - bass, vocals
Bob Aucoin - drums, vocals

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:33 am

Another Connecticut band, New Johnny 5 (who had 6 members) were from New London and Uncasville. They released a bunch of things between 1982-1986, though I don't have much of it. I'd certainly like to find more based on the 12" single I do have - "Listen to My Rhythm" b/w "Barbed Wire" (Art'sapassion, 1983). "Chain Link Fence" is a compilation track off "The Towers of New London Vol. II - Music from Ground Zero" (Vinyl Siding, 1987) and was apparently their last thing released.

[b]New Johnny 5 - Listen To My Rhythm[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/lw4y79

[b]New Johnny 5 - Chain Link Fence[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/7ztx5u

New Johnny 5
Ken Atkins - lead vocals, guitar
Ken Nash - "guitar synthesis"
Preston Frantz - keyboards, vocals
Scott Alexander - bass, vocals
Tim Zeppieri - drums, percussion
Chris Mackay - "percussionary maneuvers"

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:05 am

Former members of the Stratford Survivors (from guess where in Connecticut) did this fine 7" single (Rockhouse, 1985).

[b]Mad Miki - Streets at Midnight[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/gsbwcb

Mad Miki (Mike Czekaj) - lead vocals, guitar, drums
Tom Alexander - bass

by **SomebodySomewhere** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:13 am

Boston's answer to Oingo Boingo, Sex Execs formed in the early '80s out of the ashes of The Mod Lang and quickly grew a big local following thanks to energetic live sets and Ted Pine's and Sean Slade's memorable songwriting. Originally a sextet, the Execs expanded to an octet in 1982, adding two saxophonists after the fall release of their self-titled EP. (Still the best $5.98 I ever spent at Strawberries.) In July, 1983, they were runners-up in the WBCN Rumble. (In any other year, they would have won, but a completely unknown band, 'Til Tuesday, performed that year.) In the Fall of '83, they had a BCN smash with "My Ex," which was released as a 12" single (b/w "Ladies' Man") that December and backed by a creative music video ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjirt8WcdI ) that was popular on V-66 the next year. 1984 brought another 12" single - "Sex Train" (made for a good mix with The Detour's "Johnny's Coaltrain") and "Strange Things," but the band split after its release. Frontman Walter Clay went on to sing in another band, Glee Club. Jim Fitting went on to Treat Her Right. Other members are currently in The Bourbonaires. Sean Slade and Paul Kolderie formed Fort Apache Studios in 1985 and became in-demand producers.

Their first two records are currently available for download at http://soundsbox.com/artist.php?a=11569 ... =sex-execs

[b]Sex Execs - Strange Things[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/vwp3v5

[b]Sex Execs - Sex Train[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/iwgeva

Sex Execs
Walter Clay - lead vocals
Sean Slade - guitar
Andre Barnaby - guitar
Ted Pine - keyboards, piano
Paul Kolderie - bass
Russ Gershon - tenor sax (1982-1984)
Jim Fitting - baritone sax, harmonica (1982-1984)
Dan Johnsen - drums
Jerome Deupree - drums (1983-1984)

by **Yachtingtype** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:33 pm

[quote][i]Originally posted by SomebodySomewhere[/i]
<br>Drezniak started as a clueless new romantic-wannabe quintet. (They actually compared themselves to Ultravox, which makes me LOL to this day.) In 1983, their crude video for "Change of Heart" was entered into MTV's "Basement Tapes" (supposedly without their knowledge) -- the first Massachusetts band so honored. That same year, their keyboardist left and they never replaced her. That helped the band, as it led to their transition into a much-improved jangle-pop outfit. The four-piece Drezniak released two 7" singles (both produced by Bosstown Records head Andrew Gordon) on their own label - "Mesmoreyes" b/w "Circles" (Nibelung, 1984) and "Say You Will" b/w "Bang Bang" (Nibelung, 1985) -- the latter of which I thought was their best track. "Change of Heart" (and another 1983 video, "Positive Attraction") were only released as radio tapes to my knowledge, and I don't have copies, but if you want to hear them, a YouTube user by the name of mediamogul48 has posted them there. Check 'em out.

[b]Drezniak - Mesmoreyes[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/r3who3

[b]Drezniak - Bang Bang[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/1ky386

Drezniak
1983 lineup (Change of Heart/Positive Attraction)
Charles White III - vocals, bass
Dennis McCarthy - vocals, guitar
Tommy Brosnan - guitar
Carmen Marusich - keyboards, vocals
Paul "Yippa" Iappini - drums

1983-1984 lineup (Mesmoreyes/Circles)
Charles White III - vocals, bass
Dennis McCarthy - vocals, guitar
Joe LaBonte - guitar
Paul "Yippa" Iappini - drums

1984-1985 lineup (Say You Will/Bang Bang)
Charles White III - vocals, bass
Dennis McCarthy - vocals, guitar
John Hayes - vocals, tambourine
Paul "Yippa" Iappini - drums
[/quote]

Perhaps one of the best discoveries of 2009. Thanks so much SomebodySomewhere

by **BostonRocker1** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:43 am

[quote][i]Originally posted by SomebodySomewhere[/i]
<br>Originally known as 007, this skankin group changed their name to Dub 7 in 1984. (I swear they named themselves after a Taang Records catalogue number.) They were Boston's answer to the 2 Tone label. They even kinda looked like The Specials and Fun Boy Three. One 7" single, Gavel Groove b/w Federales (Core 4, 1984).

Larry Williams - lead vocals, guitar
Steve Harrell - guitar
Kenny Epps - bass
Craig Spears - percussion
Garry Miles - drums

[b]Dub 7 - Gavel Groove[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/4c32hi

[b]Dub 7 - Federales[/b]
http://www.sendspace.com/file/jqt88p
[/quote]
Hi, guys - happy holidays!
I remember the Fun Boy 3 - they attracted some attention with their version of the Gogo's "Our Lips Are Sealed." That one kinda cracked me up when I heard it!

- BR1

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