Revenge of the 80s

Tonight, Revenge of the 80s Radio will introduce a new feature: we will showcase a new track from an artist from the 1980s. Many of the great New Wave era acts are out touring and releasing new material so it is only natual for Revenge of the 80s to showcase their new music.

This week, we will play a track from Dollshuose’s CD: Happiness Is Toy Shaped. Dollshouse is led by guitarist Martin Brett, who played bass for Voice of the Beehive

Revenge of the 80s airs live every Friday night on Q99.1FM in the Hudson Valley, NY and www.revengeofthe80sradio.com. A podcast will be available over the weekend.

As always, we will be playing music from artists of the 80s including: The Flirts, INXS, Howard Jones and more.

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Note: Revenge of the 80s will be featuring new and upcoming projects by artists from the 80s New Wave era both on the radio program and on this blog. The first will be Dollshouse — a band founded by former Voice of the Beehive bassist Martin Brett.

Martin Brett, who was the bassist for Voice of the Beehive, did not leave that band’s signature sound far behind when he formed hsi new group, Dollshouse. Now on lead guitar, Brett recruitied bass man Alec Boston and a very unique female vocalist Alexandsa Palace to mold ths heavily 80s-influenced sound and bring it to the present. WIth some synth backing up its featured guitars, Dollshouse presents its own unique sound, proven quickly in “Baby Baby (Come Out With Me),” thw first track from their debut CD, Happiness is Toy Shaped. The guitars are turned up and Palace’s sultry vocal stylings hypnotize a listener into wanting more — immediately.

Dollshouse does not dissapoint from expectations after the first track, as Brett’s and Boston’s high-energy guitar playing drives the next song, “Come On.” I completely empathize with Dollhouse here because I,too, have had blisters from synergy — or worse — at times, but this blog is probably not the place to get into that.

Throughout the CD, Palace’s vocal presence brings one to imagine a combination of Polly Styrene and Chrissie Hynde: seductive, but with a powerful edge. This shows through in the ballads like “Angel” or “Like a Man” as much as it does in the more upbeat tracks like “Suicide.”

As a grroup, Dollshouse takes the best elements of 80s Alternative Pop and adds heavy guitar emphasis remeniscent of Brett’s years with Voice of the Beehive. The result a special blend of music seemingly tailored to each member’s talents.

Revenge of the 80s Radio will feature a track from Happiness is Toy Shaped on this Friday night’s (5/9) radio show.

Dollshouse is based in the United Kingdom. and gets plenty of airplay on several college stations this side of the pond. You can order a copy of Happiness is Toy Shaped through their MySPace page or Brettpack Records.

Dollshouse MP3 Download:
Dollshouse - \”Come On\”

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Our podcast for the 5/2/08 Revenge of the 80s Radio show is up. We talked with Jean MacColl, who wrote the book Sun On the Water about her daughter, singer/songwiter Kirsty MacColl.

Proceeds from sales of Sun On the Water will benefit the Justice for Kirsty campaign.

During the interview, we talked about:

• Kirsty’s music and how her upbringing in a musical family shaped her life
• A side of her life not many people knew about: that of a devoted mother and strong family-oriented person.
• Why Jean decided to write the book.
• The story surrounding Kirsty’s tragic death
• The Justice For Kirsty MacColl campaign
• …and the support the family still receives from Kirsty’s friends and fans.

Kirsty MacColl is best remembered in the U.S. for her duet with The Pogues “Fairytale of New York” in the 80s and her song from the cable TV show “Sex and the City,” “In These Shoes.” Kirsty MacColl is remembered by fans around the world for her songbird-like voice and forpenning several hit songs including “Terry,” “They Don’t Know” and “Days.”

To find out more about how to help the Justice For Kirsty campaign, go to their website.

Sun On the Water is available in bookstores online.

 

 May 2, 2008 Show - Hour 1 [53:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 May 2, 2008 Show - Hour 2, Featuring Our Interview With Jean MacColl [56:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Jean MacColl, who wrote the book Sun On the Water to chronicle the life of her daughter, the late singer’songwriter Kirsty MacColl, will be my guest tonight on Revenge of the 80s. We will talk about Kirsty’s life, career and the Justice For Kirsty campaign, which the family launched after her tragic death. We will also feature music from Kirsty MacColl.

The interview leads off the second hour of the show.

We will also have music from REM, Romeo Void, Missing Persons, Voice of the Beehive and more great artists from the New Wave era.

Revenge of the 80s airs live 7-9pm on Q99.1-FM in the Hudson Valley, NY and on www.revengeofthe80sradio.com. A podcasr will be available this weekend. You can contact us with requests or comments either through this website’s comments sections, via our MySpace, e-mail at radio@revengeofthe80sradio.com or by phone during the show: (845) 651-1110.

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Over tha past month or so, I have had some e-mails asking if I recall the old WLIR-FM/WDRE-92.7FM radio stations in Long Island.

Not only do I remember how great they were adn their contribution to New Wave music and radio history, I also want you to know about a tribute website to the late WDRE/WLIR. It has pictures of some of the former jocks, a store documented history and playlists from the NEW WLIR-FM (on 107.1 in Long Island).

The new WLIR is a AAA format (where we on Revenge of the 80s Radio could be classified as “Classic AAA”) and the new owners are doing their best to ressurect the call letters’ alternative roots.

Thanks again to the WLIR/WDRE tribute site people for keeping the old station’s memories alive.

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Fans of Kirsty MacColl might remember the events surrounding her tragic death while scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico. Kirsty’s mother, Jean MacColl, recently wrote a book on her daughter’s life: Sun On the Water. In it, she tells of Kirsty not only as an accomplished singer and songwriter — but also as a daughter, person and devoted mother.

Jean also talks with me about the Justice for Kirdty campaign, where she and the MacColl family are still fighting for a fair trial in the case of Kirsty’s death; the book reveals how Mexican officials let the owner of the boat and man responsible, Mexican supermarket millionaire Guillermo González Nova, off without being charged amidst some legal shennanigans. She also discusses the large amount of help and support she has had — and still has — from Kirsty’s friends and fans.

The interview with Jean MacColl will air this Friday on Revenge of the 80s Radio (7-9pm Eastern US Time) and will lead off the second hour (8pm Eastern US time). We will also feature some of Kirsty MacColl’s music.

The book, Sun On the Water, is available where books are sold online.

More information on the Justice For Kirsty campaign can be found on the organization’s website: www.justiceforkirsty.org.

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The podcast for our April 25, 2006 Revenge of the 80s Radio Show is up. We talked with Songwriter/Storyteller/Vocalist/Multi-Instrumentalist Stan Ridgway, known to many as one of the foundig members of Wall of Voodoo and the band’s first lead singer. The interview leads off Hour 2.

During the interview, we talked about:

• The beginning, rise and fall of Wall of Voodoo and the creation of a new style of music
• Stan Ridgway’s thoughts on songwriting and storytelling
• Stan’s solo projects and how hs own creaticity evolved
• Who is “Teak” Lazar?
• Stan’s work with other Drywall and Hecate’s Angels (with his wife, Pietra Wextrum)
• Playig live, future touring plans and some works in progress.

Stan Ridgway is the epitome of the great American storyteller, with a musical style that channels the greatest aspects of the traditional and experimental to produce an unmatchable creativity while he leads listeners of his songs on a journey into the far reaches of his mind. Stan’s website is: www.stanridgway.com.

During the show, we also featured music from Doctor and the Medica, Voice of the Beehive, Falco, The Motels and other great artists of the era.

Camouflage

 

 4-25-08 Show, Hour 1 [53:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 4-25-08 Show, Hour 2 Featuring our interview with Stan Ridgway [56:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tonight, Revenge of the 80s has the honor and privelidge of welcoming Songwriter/Storyteller/Vocalist/Multi-Instrumentalist Extraordinaire Stan Ridgway to the show.

Ridgway, well-known from his days as Wall of Voodoo’s original leader and a very creative solo career, will talk with us today. The interview will kick off Hour #2.

We will also feature music from The Motels, Doctor and the Medics, Voice of the Beehive, The Cramps and more artists from the era.

Revenge of the 80s Radio airs every Friday night 7-9 Eastern US time. Our podcast will be available on Saturday morning. <.p>

Do You have a request? You can always leave comments here on the blog, e-mail us at radio@revengeofthe80sradio.com, or call during the live broadcast on Q99.1FM in the Hudson Valley, NY: (845) 651-1110.

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I suppose it is bad enough that McDonald’s and American Idol had combined forces to dull the minds of American youngsters by putting out special “American Idol Happy Meals.” The “Happy Meals” also feature a set of musical style-themed toys. One of them grabbed my attention quickly: “New Wave Nigel.” This character wears an orange outfit with purple punk-ish shades, an American Idol logo (yikes) and a Devo Energy hat.

The figure, basically, is an exaggerated likeness of a member of Devo, not just a generic piece. While Devo and music from American Idol have very little in common, I was curious about what its members might think of it. On the website “Club Devo,” maintained by megafan Michel Pilmer, was a post displaying his displeasure, also saying that the toy, when the little Devo-gnome’s switch is activated, plays a song sounding loosely like the band’s “Doctor Detroit.” One would suppose the band concurs with Pilmer, especially if the clain that nobody approached Devo about this little venture before it was ill-conceived.

Incidentally, with Nigel’s shades on, that “punk” happy meal/Idol character looks a bit like the “Punk Rockly” from the old cartoon “Hero High.” .

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This Friday, Revenge of the 80s Radio welcomes Stan Ridgway, who many know as the former original lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo. After he left the group in 1983, Stan began his solo career and hasn’t stopped, working on his own material and collaborating with other musicians including his wife, Pietra Wexstun. with her group - Hecate’s Angels.

Stan’s unique songwriting style might have best been summed up in a quote from Rolling Stone Magazine:

His songs tell stories that unfold gradually and trade in old fashioned narrative devices like character and suspense. It’s a move at once conservative and daring - but, best of all, it works

During the interview, we talk about:

• The beginnings, rise and fall of the first incarnation of Wall of Voodoo.
• How Stan Ridgway’s unique sound formed and evolved
• Stan’s thoughts on songwriting and storytelling
• Drywall and “Teak” Lazar
• His longtime musical partnership with his wife, Pietra Wexstun, and her band — Hecate’s Angels
• Stan Ridgway’s touring plans and future projects.

Stan Ridgway is the epitome of the great American storyteller, with a musical style that channels the greatest aspects of the traditional and experimental to produce an unmatchable creativity while he leads listeners of his songs on a journey into the far reaches of his mind.

Still, as his creative genius keeps evolving, Stan Ridgway will always be known best for the Wall of Voodoo classic, “Mexican Radio.”

Revenge of the 80s Radio broadcasts live every Friday night 7-9pm Eastern US time (GMT-4) Our interview with Stan Ridgway will air this Friday night, April 25th, leading off the second hour. Out podcast of te show will be up over the weekend.



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