I'm in love with Massachusetts
May 31, 2012 3:28 PM Subscribe
I am working on a Boston bands in the '80s mix for One Week One Mix and am having a hard time filling out the mix (due to Spotify availability). What am I missing? Bands that have or have not made the cut below the fold.
Of the 18 tracks I've chosen, we've been able to locate the following: Gang Green, Til Tuesday, Face to Face, Mission of Burma, Neighborhoods, Robin Lane and the Chartbusters, Real Kids, Jonathan Richman, Treat Her Right, Big Dipper, Throwing Muses, Pixies, Ric Ocasek.
Bands of that era that are not represented on Spotify: O Positive, Tribe, November Group, Human Sexual Response, Classic Ruins, East of Eden, Think Tree. Waiting to find out about Galaxie 500, Salem 66, Barrence Whitfield, and Extreme.
Other criteria: I'm trying to stay within the timeframe 1978-1991, and focus on acts from that period that aren't as well known. (Hence no Cars, no J Geils, no Bosstones, no Juliana Hatfield/Blake Babies, and no Lemonheads.) My bias is more towards pop and art rock than to hardcore. The only other criterion is that the song has to be on Spotify.
Any suggestions?
Of the 18 tracks I've chosen, we've been able to locate the following: Gang Green, Til Tuesday, Face to Face, Mission of Burma, Neighborhoods, Robin Lane and the Chartbusters, Real Kids, Jonathan Richman, Treat Her Right, Big Dipper, Throwing Muses, Pixies, Ric Ocasek.
Bands of that era that are not represented on Spotify: O Positive, Tribe, November Group, Human Sexual Response, Classic Ruins, East of Eden, Think Tree. Waiting to find out about Galaxie 500, Salem 66, Barrence Whitfield, and Extreme.
Other criteria: I'm trying to stay within the timeframe 1978-1991, and focus on acts from that period that aren't as well known. (Hence no Cars, no J Geils, no Bosstones, no Juliana Hatfield/Blake Babies, and no Lemonheads.) My bias is more towards pop and art rock than to hardcore. The only other criterion is that the song has to be on Spotify.
Any suggestions?
Response by poster:
posted by pxe2000 at 3:42 PM on May 31, 2012
Of the 18 tracks I've chosen, we've been able to locate the following: Gang Green, Til Tuesday, Face to Face, Mission of Burma, Neighborhoods, Robin Lane and the Chartbusters, Real Kids, Jonathan Richman, Treat Her Right, Big Dipper, Throwing Muses, Pixies, Ric Ocasek.Thanks for the tip on the Del Fuegos!
posted by pxe2000 at 3:42 PM on May 31, 2012
I'm having trouble getting into Spotify - have you looked for Bim Ska La Bim, Morphine or Scruffy the Cat?
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 3:47 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 3:47 PM on May 31, 2012
Response by poster: Morphine comes in after the end date I set, and I'm using a song by Treat Her Right, which was Mark Sandman's pre-Morphine band. Noted on Bim Skala Bim and Scruffy -- can't believe I overlooked them...
posted by pxe2000 at 3:57 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by pxe2000 at 3:57 PM on May 31, 2012
Best answer: A couple more suggestions (sorry, can't access Spotify right now, so don't know availability):
Rods and Cones, Rubber Rodeo.
posted by littlecatfeet at 3:59 PM on May 31, 2012
Rods and Cones, Rubber Rodeo.
posted by littlecatfeet at 3:59 PM on May 31, 2012
Dang, most of the bands I know are just outside your cutoff (Drop Nineteens, for example). What about the Lyres?
posted by schoolgirl report at 4:04 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by schoolgirl report at 4:04 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Belly comes in just on the cusp--formed in 1991.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:05 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:05 PM on May 31, 2012
Oh, and Bullet LaVolta
posted by schoolgirl report at 4:07 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by schoolgirl report at 4:07 PM on May 31, 2012
Best answer: Lyres might be a good fit.
posted by .kobayashi. at 4:08 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by .kobayashi. at 4:08 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Lizzie Borden and the Axes. Don't know if they're on Spotify.
posted by littlecatfeet at 4:09 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by littlecatfeet at 4:09 PM on May 31, 2012
Oh, and this compilation might give you some ideas for the early years of your mix.
posted by .kobayashi. at 4:14 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by .kobayashi. at 4:14 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Letters to Cleo?
posted by AJaffe at 4:20 PM on May 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by AJaffe at 4:20 PM on May 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
Buffalo Tom?
posted by xil at 4:21 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by xil at 4:21 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Mission of Burma
Where there's Mission of Burma, there's Birdsongs of the Mesozoic
posted by philip-random at 4:31 PM on May 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
Where there's Mission of Burma, there's Birdsongs of the Mesozoic
posted by philip-random at 4:31 PM on May 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: These are some great answers and are helping to jog my memory. I'm definitely including the Lyres on there. Belly, Letters to Cleo, and Morphine are past the cutoff date, but I need to hear some of the earlier Buffalo Tom albums. Thanks, guys! Keep it coming.
posted by pxe2000 at 4:41 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by pxe2000 at 4:41 PM on May 31, 2012
Tracy Chapman
Dinosaur Jr.
The Fools.
Extreme
Throwing Muses are almost a Boston band. (Rhode Island, actually)
posted by rmd1023 at 5:00 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Dinosaur Jr.
The Fools.
Extreme
Throwing Muses are almost a Boston band. (Rhode Island, actually)
posted by rmd1023 at 5:00 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
(I don't speak Spotify so I haven't checked availability for any of those.)
posted by rmd1023 at 5:00 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by rmd1023 at 5:00 PM on May 31, 2012
I need to second Lyres. I'm finding it strange that you have the Real Kids but no Lyres, but maybe there's a reason.
Also, on the "art" end of the spectrum, what about Propeller Records bands, like Wild Stares and Dangerous Birds? Just a thought.
posted by queensissy at 5:51 PM on May 31, 2012
Also, on the "art" end of the spectrum, what about Propeller Records bands, like Wild Stares and Dangerous Birds? Just a thought.
posted by queensissy at 5:51 PM on May 31, 2012
Oh duh - didn't see your response about Lyres! Ha.
posted by queensissy at 5:54 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by queensissy at 5:54 PM on May 31, 2012
The Shods and Mistle Thrush are slightly outside your timeframe, and Slapshot is more hardcore than pop or art rock. (But in the spirit of brainstorming...)
posted by cribcage at 5:57 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by cribcage at 5:57 PM on May 31, 2012
Best answer: I think I saw The Dogmatics reissue on Spotify.
posted by R. Mutt at 6:05 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by R. Mutt at 6:05 PM on May 31, 2012
ERQ were actually from New Hampshire and only adopted later on as a "Boston band", but I would never object to their inclusion on anything.
How about Aimee Mann's first band, Young Snakes? Predates 'Til Tuesday, bonus obscurity points.
Also: Volcano Suns, Christmas, Moving Targets, Men & Volts, The Neats, The Space Negros.
Also: Wikipedia on Boston Hardcore.
posted by mykescipark at 6:37 PM on May 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
How about Aimee Mann's first band, Young Snakes? Predates 'Til Tuesday, bonus obscurity points.
Also: Volcano Suns, Christmas, Moving Targets, Men & Volts, The Neats, The Space Negros.
Also: Wikipedia on Boston Hardcore.
posted by mykescipark at 6:37 PM on May 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
The Breeders.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:45 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:45 PM on May 31, 2012
Gigolo Aunts - don't know about the Spotify angle though.
posted by mazienh at 6:57 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by mazienh at 6:57 PM on May 31, 2012
Big Catholic Guilt? Letters to Cleo? Cliffs of Dooneen? The Bentmen?
posted by scolbath at 7:03 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by scolbath at 7:03 PM on May 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Throwing Muses are from Newport, RI not Boston. But if you're gonna include them you might as well include Talking Heads, Miracle Legion, 17 Relics, That'll Learn Ya, Coat of Arms, The Dames, The Schemers, The Philtres and Verbal Assault. I think Buffalo Tom and Bullet Lavolta might fit what you're after.
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:18 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:18 PM on May 31, 2012
Best answer: While it's true that Throwing Muses are from Newport, RI, they were definitely part of the Boston/Cambridge music scene of the 80s. I had a lot of friends that used to work at the Brattle Theater during that time and there was some Christmas Party/Concert that the Blake Babies and Throwing Muses played. I remember something happened with the lights going off during the Throwing Muses set and from then on out, my friends and I referred to them as Throwing Fuses. Lame I know, but this post brings back so many memories and that was one of them.
posted by kaybdc at 8:36 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by kaybdc at 8:36 PM on May 31, 2012
Morphine (1989-1999) or Treat Her Right (Sandman's precursor band)
Buffalo Tom
Slapshot (No Guts No Glory!)
Barrence Whitefield and the Savages (Boston has a long history in Rockabilly)
posted by Nanukthedog at 8:42 PM on May 31, 2012
Buffalo Tom
Slapshot (No Guts No Glory!)
Barrence Whitefield and the Savages (Boston has a long history in Rockabilly)
posted by Nanukthedog at 8:42 PM on May 31, 2012
While it's true that Throwing Muses are from Newport, RI, they were definitely part of the Boston/Cambridge music scene of the 80s.
Only because there were only about 3 venues in RI at the time. (Maybe less now...) But I was part of that music scene... Then and now, I think they'd not identify with Boston as a home base at all. But I can shoot a few of them an email and find out, I guess.
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:43 PM on May 31, 2012
Only because there were only about 3 venues in RI at the time. (Maybe less now...) But I was part of that music scene... Then and now, I think they'd not identify with Boston as a home base at all. But I can shoot a few of them an email and find out, I guess.
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:43 PM on May 31, 2012
Since you're not including the Bosstones, how about Bim Skala Bim?
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:52 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:52 PM on May 31, 2012
Who was the woman who used to busk in Harvard Square? She later went on to be a bit of a commercial success.
I was on an alternative music listserv at DEC in 1990 - wish I could remember more. I'll keep thinking.
posted by bendy at 10:12 PM on May 31, 2012
I was on an alternative music listserv at DEC in 1990 - wish I could remember more. I'll keep thinking.
posted by bendy at 10:12 PM on May 31, 2012
Also, check this out.
And the first Lemonheads album is really cool - quite different from their later pap. Mallo Cup is one of my favorites.
posted by bendy at 10:29 PM on May 31, 2012
And the first Lemonheads album is really cool - quite different from their later pap. Mallo Cup is one of my favorites.
posted by bendy at 10:29 PM on May 31, 2012
Sorry for all the comments I just love me some Massachusetts rock! Wikipedia claims that The Folk Implosion is a Boston band and if you want to buy that you might as well include Lou Barlow's other bands - Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh. If you continue down the Western Mass rabbit hole you'll have enough songs for a whole 'nother playlist.
posted by bendy at 10:38 PM on May 31, 2012
posted by bendy at 10:38 PM on May 31, 2012
Digney Fignus.
Red Rockers (technically from New Orleans but lived in Boston in the 80's).
Down Avenue.
Adventure Set.
Ball and Pivot.
The Atlantics.
Robin Lane and the Chartbusters.
posted by kinetic at 2:36 AM on June 1, 2012
Red Rockers (technically from New Orleans but lived in Boston in the 80's).
Down Avenue.
Adventure Set.
Ball and Pivot.
The Atlantics.
Robin Lane and the Chartbusters.
posted by kinetic at 2:36 AM on June 1, 2012
Best answer: I thought that Big Catholic Guilt was more mid-90s though.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:11 AM on June 1, 2012
posted by wenestvedt at 7:11 AM on June 1, 2012
Best answer: Oh yes, how could I forget Green Magnet School? I auditioned for them once.
posted by blaneyphoto at 10:04 AM on June 1, 2012
posted by blaneyphoto at 10:04 AM on June 1, 2012
Are The Magnetic Fields too well-known?
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:57 PM on June 1, 2012
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:57 PM on June 1, 2012
The 360's, The Voodoo Dolls, Scatterfield, Love Pollution, Laurie Geltman, Mudfoot, Gypsy Mechanics, Mallethead? (Sorry, no access to spotify to check on availability)
posted by platinum at 3:38 PM on June 1, 2012
posted by platinum at 3:38 PM on June 1, 2012
Willie Alexander is a Boston guy from the period you specify. He's kinda obscure (or famous, depending on what music circles you travel in!)
the album "Willie Alexander and the Boom Boom Band" came out in '78 . top shelf stuff there.
posted by The_Auditor at 6:30 PM on June 1, 2012
the album "Willie Alexander and the Boom Boom Band" came out in '78 . top shelf stuff there.
posted by The_Auditor at 6:30 PM on June 1, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dotgirl at 3:39 PM on May 31, 2012