80's Music: A Toast to the Blokes from Liverpool

[Maharlika]

No, I'm not referring to the most famous Fab Four. After all, they are more of the 60's and 70's.

I'm talking about the laddies from the old English county of Merseyside, particularly those from the '80's. There is something about Liverpool that produces a significant number of great musicians during the New Romantics era, more popularly known in the Philippines as New Wave. I suppose coming from an area noted for its poets and great poetry, I guess you can say that these artists are a step ahead of the others. Too bad I can't say the same of today's pop culture and rap music --- I have yet to appreciate these types.

What comes to mind are the following bands:

1. The Wild Swans
2. The Care (not the Cure)
3. China Crisis
4. Echo and the Bunnymen
5. Flock of Seagulls
6. Icicle Works
7. Lightning Seeds
8. Lotus Eaters
9. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)
10. The Pale Fountains

Having said that, I would like to know who among you out there are into this type of music. If so, what is in this type of music that makes it so endearing for you?

[rmemmett84]

I grew up in the decade of one hit wonders (a.k.a. the 80's) and the only band here I've even heard of is Flock of Seagulls. Granted I'm from the states but alot of British bands made it across.

Some of my personal 80's one hit wonder favorites:

Thomas Dolby
Men Without Hats
Falco
Toni Basil
Taco Ockerse
Eddy Grant
Timbuk3
Cameo

Personally I think these artists epitomize the 80's.

[Maharlika]

Originally Posted by rmemmett84

Personally I think these artists epitomize the 80's.

They certainly do.

As for Men Without Hats, I think they have more than just one hit. They have "Pop Goes the World" and "Safety Dance."

[Moonbiter]

Originally Posted by rmemmett84

I grew up in the decade of one hit wonders (a.k.a. the 80's). Personally I think these artists epitomize the 80's.

A little cutting/editing here, but I just broke out in hives: First of all, I think this is by far the decade of one-hit wonders compared to the eighties. Who can remember what song was on top of the charts 14 days ago? A month? Try a year! Most of the big hitmakers/hits of the 80s are part of pop music mythology, with a treasure trove of recognisable songs (however gruesome they may be, and maaaan some of them were gruesome)

Secondly, those artists mentioned above IMHO far from defining the 80s, because they didn't make an impact big enough. Try Duran Duran, Madonna, Wham, Alphaville, Pet Shop Boys, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, Tears For Fears, Franky Goes To Hollywood, Culture Club, Michael Jackson, U2, Bryan Adams, George Michael, The Police, Billy Idol, Depeche Mode, ZZ Top... there is an enormous list of bands and artists who broke in the 80s that were/are FAR from one-hit wonders, and really defined the decade in the minds of not only the people who lived it, but later generations as well. Flock of Numbskulls... Jeeeeez.... To say that they defined the 80s is like saying Rednex defined the 90s....

But then again, it's all a matter of personal opinion.

[Maharlika]

@Moonbiter: I concur on your first paragraph. However, your second paragraph missed the whole point of the thread that I started.

I was mainly pointing out that a number of New Wave artists of the 80's hail from Liverpool.

The other artists that you mentioned: Alphaville, Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, and U2 are part of the New Wave genre (at least here in my country) though certainly they are not from Liverpool. U2 has been so successful they are very much into the mainstream although the quality and style of U2 music have never been compromised.

Duran Duran, Wham, Madonna, Culture Club, Michael Jackson and ZZ Top are not New Wave, They are more of Pop Music.

Back in the 80's, my perception of New Wave artists are those who are unfamiliar to the public. There were just one or two radio stations who would play their songs. They were something like "Underground" or "Alternative" music of the '80s

[rmemmett84]

[quote=Moonbiter;987916]A little cutting/editing here, but I just broke out in hives: First of all, I think this is by far the decade of one-hit wonders compared to the eighties. Who can remember what song was on top of the charts 14 days ago? A month? Try a year! QUOTE]

I love the music of the 80's and fully agree there were plenty of legendary and influential artists. I don't however believe we are currently in the decade of one hit wonders. While I readily admit I can't remember who had the #1 song 2 weeks ago I'm willing to bet it was one of the usual suspects (e.g. Pop diva, Hotel Heiress, actress turned singer). Quite forgetable but probably not their first or last dreadful hit either. The very fact that no one remembers them is the reason this decade can't qualify. I bet you knew the songs to every artist I named. I guess I think of one hit wonders from the 80's because they were all so memorable