What was the name of an obscure new wave band...

December 4, 2008 3:30 AM

Please Name This Early-Eighties New Wave Band

It's driving me a little bit crazy. I remember my brother had an album in his collection - a new wave band, late-seventies/early-eighties, possibly American; certainly had a female lead singer (could've been an all-girl band, not sure), and I am fairly certain one of the songs from the album was called "Barbarella".

Sorry, but that's all I can give you...

posted by roryks to media & arts (12 comments total)

Could the band be The Bongos? They had a song called Barbarella in 1983.
posted by zippy at 3:43 AM on December 4, 2008

Duran Duran had a song called "Electric Barbarella" (and the name Duran Duran comes from the comic Barbarella if I remember correctly).

But with a female lead singer... can it be the Go Go's ?
posted by Baud at 5:16 AM on December 4, 2008

Making a search on http://www.freedb.org/freedb_search.php (restricting to "title" and "track") returned about 29 hits on "Barbarella". Maybe you could start there ?

The search results are here.
posted by alchemist at 5:51 AM on December 4, 2008

In 1989 Fuzzbox released 'Barbarella' as B-Side to the 12" Single and CD-Single for 'International Rescue." This song is a cover of the theme from the 1968 movie 'Barbarella' that starred Jane Fonda.
posted by horseblind at 5:54 AM on December 4, 2008

My first thought was Toto Coelo (Youtube). I think it was just the makup and trashbag costumes that took me bad to the land of REALLY big hair and bigger shoulder pads.

This question has led me to an article that says that they're REMAKING Barbarella with Rose McGowen.

They're really out of ideas, aren't they?
posted by answergrape at 7:12 AM on December 4, 2008

It's not Barbarella, but is there any chance you're thinking of the band Barbie and the song Barabba?
posted by sub-culture at 7:18 AM on December 4, 2008

Thank you all for racking your brains. No hits so far, but I do appreciate it. The info I gave is so vague as to be nigh on impossible - I'm even thinking the name of the band was Barbarella...

Anyway...

The answer, of course, would be to ask my brother. But it's one of those situations where we've been out of contact for so long that sending a message out of the blue to ask this question just seems a bit lame...but I'm working up to it. If he remembers, I'll post the answer here.

Searching has turned up some interesting finds: Holly and the Italians, anyone? The Mo-dettes? And what about this obscurity: The Doll.
posted by roryks at 10:28 AM on December 4, 2008

There was a local band, the modernettes, that had a song Barbara that's some of the bill - Canadian, not American but late 70's/early 80's, had females in the band, was new wave....


CDM
posted by Country Dick Montana at 6:29 PM on December 4, 2008

it was THE PHOTOS

1980 self titled album

singer - Wendy Wu

song - Barbarella's

one of my favorite albums from the good ole days..

i found mine @ goodwill in 1981 for a quarter i think..

the entire album is golden..

btw.. i became a member just to answer this question.. :)
posted by axmikel at 6:49 PM on December 4, 2008

hope you are a little less crazy now..:)

you should call your brother anyhow and say hi..

i've been up all night relistening to that album

yum..:)
posted by axmikel at 11:40 PM on December 4, 2008

Thank you, thank you, thank you - Axmikel!

Here it is, everyone. The American angle was a bit of a red herring - Evesham, Worcestershire, UK, apparently.

Once again it is proved that AskMefi is the coolest joint on the internet. Welcome aboard, Axmikel - you've made my day.
posted by roryks at 11:59 PM on December 4, 2008

you are more than welcome..

i totally love that band.. (i think i made that clear)

definately a major influence ..

and, i'm very happy to finally be a ME-FI..

so, thanks to you..

-mikel

-anarchy is dead now maxine-
posted by axmikel at 12:06 AM on December 5, 2008