Zulu Warriors practiced a style of dub called "Warrior Style", an extreme style pioneered by the Sound System and artist, both known as, Jah Shaka. (History note: As far as I've read, artists/musicians who owned and operated Sound Systems in Jamaica were basically traveling DJs that trucked their gear around and would play their own original material, usually ska and reggae. Sound Systems were often named and just as famous as their owners. This tradition followed the Jamaican diaspora to the UK where the material they'd play was more often remixed reggae beats, called dub). Jah Shaka's first album was a sound clash, a programmed "battle" between Sound Systems, versus Fatman and his Sound System Fatman HiFi (illustrated on the album cover). Jah Shaka vs. Fatman's In a Dub Conference released in 1980.
Here is the discography surrounding Jah Shaka's debut album:
Steve Forbert signed to Nemperor Records, a small, largely unsuccessful label with a big name attached to it with Brian Epstein. Although Forbert had a fair amount of success, their most successful signing was probably The Romantics. The Romantics released their debut album The Romantics in 1980 on Nemperor.
Here is the discography surrounding The Romantics's debut album:
Little White Lies (1977 single)
Tell It to Carrie (1979 EP)
What I Like About You (1979 single) The Romantics
When I Look in Your Eyes (1980 single)
Tell It to Carrie (1980 single)
Neu! had many fans and two of them thought it appropriate enough to name their band after one of Neu!'s songs.
Negativland formed in 1979 around two high schoolers Mark Hosler and Richard Lyons. They recorded their debut album Negativland in 1980 and self-published it on their own Seeland Records (another Neu! reference) as they felt they ought to accomplish something before graduating high school. They were joined by then-cable repairman David Wills (who officially joined the group) and a couple of high school friends (who did not). The album is a series of sound collages, tape manipulations, and the occasional song-like recording. Each individual album also had its own unique cover with the one above being the "official" cover found on the band's website.
Here is the discography surrounding Negativland's debut album:
Tom Lehrer's songs were packaged into a musical revue by legendary theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh. The revue premiered in London at the Criterion Theatre on 5 June 1980, Gillian Lynne directing. The original London cast consisted of Robin Ray, Jonathan Adams, Martin Connor, and Tricia George.
(Tour Guide's Note: This is the Tour's first foray into the murky waters of theater cast recordings. Oftentimes without a distinct author/director/producer/performer to claim as the primary artist and multiple performances to chose from, I will organize theater productions by title and go chronologically by available cast recordings of each title.)
Here is the discography surrounding Tom Foolery's first cast recording:
After having heard their demo and seen them perform on live television, Bono signed Hothouse Flowers to U2's label Mother Records. The contract was used to release a promotional single ("Love Don't Work This Way") which promptly bounced the group to a deal with London Records.
U2 started as a band of schoolboys who thought they'd form a band in Dublin circa 1976. Although forming the band was Larry Mullen's initial idea, his role as leader was quickly usurped by the more aggressive and charismatic Bono. Bono (Paul Hewson; lead vocals) joined Larry Mullen's (drums) band with his friend The Edge (David Evans; guitar), The Edge's brother Dik Evans (who'd soon be phased out of the band), and a friend of Dik's, Adam Clayton (bass). Influenced by the leading punk scene, U2's sound initially formed around a post-punk mentality of playing and songwriting. U2's popularity grew quickly and they eventually gained a record deal with Island Records. Their debut album Boy released in October of 1980 to positive reviews, mild chart success, and a mountain of potential.
Here is the discography surrounding U2's debut album:
Early Demos (1978 demos)
Children of the Revolution (1978-1979 demos)
Three (1979 EP)
Another Day (1980 single)
11 O'Clock Tick Tock (1980 single)
A Day Without Me (1980 single)
I Will Follow (1980 single) Boy
Director Olivier Assayas wanted the soundtrack to his 2010 mini-series Carlos to feature several songs by a band called The Feelies. However, he group refused permission to the use of their songs in the series because they didn't want their music associated with terrorism. The director was able to maintain the use of one of the band's songs "Loveless Love" for a very non-terrorist moment in the series but was forced to replace the others he wanted with Wire songs.
Here is the discography surrounding The Feelies's debut album:
Fa Cé-La (1980 single) Crazy Rhythms
Original Love (1980 single)
The Melbourne punk/new wave scene saw two bands emerge to the forefront. The Boys Next Door/The Birthday Party had an ever-evolving sound and worked to tear down the traditional parameters of rock music. Models, on the other hand, was a synth-heavy group that veered more towards the popular sound. Early on in their careers, the two groups shared producers, personnel, and even split a 7".
There are two bands that helped in the formation of Models in 1978. Sean Kelly (lead vocals, guitar) and Peter Sutcliffe (bass) came from Teenage Radio Stars while Ash Wednesday (keyboards), Janis Friedenfelds (drums), and Sutcliffe came from a group called JAB. Both bands released only a couple of songs each before breaking. This particular lineup did not last long as Sutcliffe was replaced with Mark Ferrie and Wednesday was replaced with Andrew Duffield. Still, getting the band off the ground was no picnic as it took a breakup and some label encouragement to get a single out, "Owe You Nothing" in 1980.
The group funded the production of their first full length album Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf in order to ensure creative control. They eventually signed with Mushroom Records and released it at the end of 1980. Despite not releasing any respective singles, the album reached no. 43 on the Australian charts. During this time, Models became a greater success in the pub circuit and improved their clout by supporting visiting bands like Ramones, XTC, and The B-52s.
Here is the discography surrounding Models's debut album:
Early Morning Brain (1979 gig freebie)
Owe You Nothing (1980 single) Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf
Two People Per Sq. Km. (1980 radio promotional EP)
Live in Shepparton (1980 live bootleg)
(The Shepparton bootleg is important to note because it is a remarkable soundboard recording of the band's early live set that includes a handful of songs that never saw the light of an official release.)
If you have any suggestions for where the Musical History Tour should go next, feel free to give a shout.
Randy Newman's wonderful song "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" was covered by British reggae band UB40 for their debut album Signing Off.
This is the first time I've heard of UB40 and the first time I've seriously listened to reggae, so I don't feel I can say much about the album's nature.
Here is the discography surrounding UB40's debut album:
Food for Thought (1980 single)
My Way of Thinking (1980 single) Signing Off
The Earth Dies Screaming (1980 single)
Don't forget to speak up if you have any ideas for where the tour should go next.
