Thank you Karl and Bee OK! I’m not much of a polls guy, but this was great fun.
My story: in 1976 I was 18 and playing in my first band. We hated all the hard rock hits of the day. My cousin played keyboards and wrote all the songs, derivative of Elton John, but we also loved Sparks. We weren’t very good, but we *did* record a poorly produced 45 and sent it to radio stations and record labels hoping for stardom. Nothing happened, and we disbanded.
1976-78 I worked at several small town radio stations. I was starting to hear some of the new punk music like Sex Pistols and Ramones, but was more enamored of quirky, arty stuff like Jonathan Richman, Talking Heads, and Devo. By late 1978 I had been fired for deviating from the playlist too often, airing Blondie and The Cars when it should have been Bee Gees.
I returned to Minneapolis, where I heard the DB Records “Rock Lobster” single in a record store. I was floored! Here was what I had been trying to do back in 1976, but now there was a scene for bands to tour clubs across the country. I eagerly bought a ticket at the store for their upcoming performance.
I wish I could recall it more clearly. I remember Fred announcing every song as “this is a dance song,” and I’ve been told they played their same short set twice, but memories are a blur. What I do remember is that being in a “new wave” club for the first time, I felt surrounded by like-minded, creative individuals looking for something outside the mainstream. I resolved not to move to any more small towns, to remain in the city. I began to disassociate myself from some of the metalheads and meatheads of my teen years, began to attend more clubs, more art shows, more dance and repertory film. I began to scour thrift stores for vintage clothing and records, and mainly kept playing music, kept writing, kept creating. The more I read of The B-52s and their history, the more inspired I am by them, and I’m happy they inspire others!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1203143963040174&set=gm.10154386723414651&type=3&eid=ARCRabnESaMd1VFz24PghxpVwCFttUS4Li06ojY3VtiQeAFn9VI2s0uyNmUDZaMPlyu6KY5CYwqyDXbu&ifg=1
― Drunk Charles Nelson Reily violating Paul Lynn at a toga party (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:23 (five years ago) link
<3
― #BreakingTheWorld (sleeve), Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:24 (five years ago) link
[Removed Illegal Image]
― Drunk Charles Nelson Reily violating Paul Lynn at a toga party (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:27 (five years ago) link
Stupid Photobucket.
― Drunk Charles Nelson Reily violating Paul Lynn at a toga party (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:31 (five years ago) link
Wonderful story. Is your first band's 45 available to hear somewhere?
― jmm, Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:34 (five years ago) link
^^^ Discogs link plz
― #BreakingTheWorld (sleeve), Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:35 (five years ago) link
lol my record actually did show up in cyberspace recently. Please be gentle. Piano is way out of tune on the A side, it's "Genius" I'm more proud of. I did the sax.
http://citizenfreak.com/titles/318745-yukon-nova-scotia-b-w-genius
― Drunk Charles Nelson Reily violating Paul Lynn at a toga party (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:42 (five years ago) link
My ballot:
- Tracks1. MesopotamiaPrivate IdahoPlanet ClaireStrobe LightRock LobsterWhammy Kiss6060-842Bushfire52 GirlsButterbeanDirty Back RoadQuiche LorraineDance This Mess AroundWigHero WorshipParty Out Of BoundsCakeRunnin' AroundBig BirdGive Me Back My Man
- AlbumsWild PlanetThe B-52'sWhammyMesopotamia
This exercise made me realize I'm much fonder of the all-three-vocalist tracks with the wiggly groove-laser that is Wilson's guitar. "Hero Worship" being the biggest exception. It's impossible not to love every aspect of this band, but Ricky is my favorite child.
― saddest kamancheh (bendy), Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:45 (five years ago) link
that's a wonderful story, Dan!
if nothing else, this poll introduced me to the Mesopotamia version of Queen of Las Vegas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4SAclO9JAE), which is amaaaaaaaaaaazing
― the girl from spirea x (f. hazel), Thursday, 15 November 2018 17:00 (five years ago) link
well I didn't think that would happen
I had so much fun listening to the band almost non-stop for the last month. Thanks so much Karl and Bee, this poll was great. Really what the B-52's deserved.
TRACKS
Mesopotamia52 GirlsRock LobsterChannel ZGive Me Back My ManWigSong For A Future GenerationDance This Mess AroundGirl From Ipanema Goes to GreenlandTopazAin't It a ShameDeadbeat ClubPlanet ClaireParty Out Of BoundsDirty Back RoadsLove ShackLegal TenderPrivate IdahoRoamSummer Of Love
ALBUMS
The B-52'sBouncing Off The SatellitesCosmic ThingWild PlanetMesopotamiaWhammy
― LeRooLeRoo, Thursday, 15 November 2018 17:06 (five years ago) link
The poll also has me chin-stroking over the queerness of the B-52s relative to their other circa 1980 peers. I'm not sure that within the New Wave era I read them as more queer than Talking Heads, Devo, Lena Lovich or other twitchy rock bands. But did others? As Dan describes, they felt more like something arty and urban, vaguely in contrast the suburban arena rock of the time, but also so cool they didn't seem to care about being an "alternative". Certainly by the time of Cosmic Thing, "Love Shack" had a much more obvious queer subtext. I was older and had had my semiotics classes and such, and was in an environment were people could be out, however.
The intro to the Loverboy "Lovin'" video gets at the cultural tension -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bohVV_KlSHw
― saddest kamancheh (bendy), Thursday, 15 November 2018 17:12 (five years ago) link
Trying this again:
http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh633/1Handloose/B-52s_zpshaltvhv7.jpg?1542303343202&1542303343401
― Drunk Charles Nelson Reily violating Paul Lynn at a toga party (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 15 November 2018 17:37 (five years ago) link
YAY!!!
is that a censored listing for the Suicide Commandos?
― #BreakingTheWorld (sleeve), Thursday, 15 November 2018 17:40 (five years ago) link
Same band, I don't know why their name is altered, maybe just shorthand. "Suicide" ran in local rags all the time.
― Drunk Charles Nelson Reily violating Paul Lynn at a toga party (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 15 November 2018 17:49 (five years ago) link
I figured, thanks!
― #BreakingTheWorld (sleeve), Thursday, 15 November 2018 17:53 (five years ago) link
The poll also has me chin-stroking over the queerness of the B-52s relative to their other circa 1980 peers.On some level, I think we may be selling the B's short. They seem as pioneering as John Waters in retrospect, IMO.
― campreverb, Thursday, 15 November 2018 19:14 (five years ago) link
The poll also has me chin-stroking over the queerness of the B-52s relative to their other circa 1980 peers. I'm not sure that within the New Wave era I read them as more queer than Talking Heads, Devo, Lena Lovich or other twitchy rock bands. But did others?
The recent pitchfork review of the S/T album sort of addressed this idea:
Until the early 1990s, the B-52’s talked more about their vegetarianism than their sexual orientation. With four queer members out of the founding five, they chose to present themselves as if it were a foregone conclusion, so normal or obvious that it wasn’t worth mentioning.
― enochroot, Thursday, 15 November 2018 19:58 (five years ago) link
otm on the last point, a bit like Pet Shop Boys
― I like queer. You like queer, senator? (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 15 November 2018 20:00 (five years ago) link
here is my list, i did not know Mesopotamia other songs before this poll and why it's a black hole on this list:
1. Rock Lobster2. Strobe Light3. Party Out of Bounds4. Planet Claire5. Song for a Future Generation6. Give Me Back My Man7. Dance This Mess Around8. Legal Tender9. Roam10. Love Shack11. 6060-54212. Mesopotamia13. Private Idaho14. Summer of Love15. Whammy Kiss16. Channel Z17. 52 Girls18. Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland19. Cosmic Thing20. Wig
Albums:
1. The B-52’s2. Wild Planet3. Bouncing off the Satellites4. Whammy!5. Cosmic Thing
― Bee OK, Friday, 16 November 2018 01:08 (five years ago) link
Thanks, Karl! You did an amazing job. I might take your Topaz graphic and use it for my new FB cover photo if that wd be cool...
― slack thompson (Drugs A. Money), Friday, 16 November 2018 04:20 (five years ago) link
TopazDance This Mess AroundRoam52 GirlsAin't It a ShameRock LobsterCakeDevil in My CarBushfireWigDirty Back RoadDetour Thru Your MindGirl From Ipanema Goes to GreenlandLavaDeadbeat ClubRevolution EarthSong for a Future GenerationPrivate IdahoPlanet ClaireParty Out of Bounds
― slack thompson (Drugs A. Money), Friday, 16 November 2018 04:23 (five years ago) link
Might as well throw these up here--covers I made for a couple of bootlegs...
https://i.imgur.com/nErqwUW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MSCESm8.jpg
― Hideous Lump, Friday, 16 November 2018 05:04 (five years ago) link
xp to drugs
of course! it's nice of you to ask, but no need, feel free! if you'd rather have a version of it without either the number or title, just let me know, it would only take a minute or so to edit and upload
― Karl Malone, Friday, 16 November 2018 05:12 (five years ago) link
B-52's with Teenage Jesus and the Jerks would be an incredible show
― Karl Malone, Friday, 16 November 2018 05:13 (five years ago) link
This was such a fun poll. Thanks so much for all the effort Karl and Bee!
My lists
1. Topaz 2. Dance This Mess Around 3. Planet Claire 4. Ain’t It A Shame 5. Deadbeat Club 6. Give Me Back My Man 7. Roam 8. Is That You Mo-Dean? 9. Mesopotamia 10. Private Idaho 11. 52 Girls 12. Follow Your Bliss 13. Rock Lobster 14. Party Out Of Bounds15. Bushfire 16. Junebug17. Song For A Future Generation 18. There’s A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon) 19. She Breaks For Rainbows20. 53 Miles West Of Venus
1. The B-52's 2. Cosmic Thing 3. Wild Planet 4. Mesopotamia 5. Bouncing Off Satellites
― kitchen person, Friday, 16 November 2018 05:34 (five years ago) link
Thanks Karl and Bee OK! I've been busy with work the past few days so have had to play catch-up with the rollout, great results and I all the images, great work there.
My tracks ballot:
Private Idaho52 GirlsRoamNip It in the BudPlanet ClaireTopazLavaDance This Mess AroundLegal TenderMesopotamiaGive Me Back My ManShe Brakes for RainbowsRock LobsterTrismThere's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)Ain't It a ShameBushfireButterbeanRunnin' Around6060-842
Albums:The B-52'sWild PlanetWhammy!MesopotamiaCosmic Thing
― Gavin, Leeds, Friday, 16 November 2018 09:29 (five years ago) link
*love all the images
"I give you fish, i give you candy"
finally finishing listening to the Spotify playlist today. i think ILM got it right, the songs just kept getting better and better and then finally ens with "52 Girls" perfect!
― Bee OK, Saturday, 17 November 2018 01:08 (five years ago) link
came across this today, and it made me laugh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pljSVp0Uk
― the girl from spirea x (f. hazel), Thursday, 22 November 2018 21:31 (five years ago) link
$120....not bad
― Karl Malone, Thursday, 22 November 2018 22:39 (five years ago) link
"we can bobble our heads, but we're not bobbleheads"
― the girl from spirea x (f. hazel), Thursday, 22 November 2018 22:49 (five years ago) link
haha. I still have my original B52s fanclub comb.
― everything, Friday, 23 November 2018 00:50 (five years ago) link
"Trism" is my #1 but I didn't know enough songs by this band to vote.
― billstevejim, Thursday, 3 January 2019 02:04 (five years ago) link
Without checking Youtube, I think it sounds weirdly similar to the themesong of the Canadian Nickelodeon show "Fifteen."
― billstevejim, Thursday, 3 January 2019 02:06 (five years ago) link
God, I was just thinking about Fifteen a few weeks ago. First time in probably 20 years
― slack thompson (Drugs A. Money), Thursday, 3 January 2019 06:08 (five years ago) link
Now you will remember forever.
― billstevejim, Thursday, 3 January 2019 07:58 (five years ago) link
is an ilxor djing in greenpoint tonight, cause I just heard "mesopotamia" transition into devo's "satisfaction" and it is sweeeeeet
― |Restore| |Restart| |Quit| (Doctor Casino), Wednesday, 6 February 2019 02:34 (five years ago) link
This was so much fun
― Bee OK, Saturday, 16 February 2019 03:11 (five years ago) link
Listen to this Spotify all the time
― Bee OK, Saturday, 16 February 2019 03:12 (five years ago) link
Same! It’s a good road trip listen
― Karl Malone, Saturday, 16 February 2019 04:51 (five years ago) link
i had a free three month trial to Apple Music that just came to an end and i missed Spotify. so today i was back on Spotify and this B-52's poll playlist was what i played first. such good stuff!
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 11 September 2019 23:32 (four years ago) link
One of today's Dangerous Minds reruns: https://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_b_52s_bring_their_mess_around_to_the_popular_soap_opera_guiding_light_1
Apparently them doing "Throw That Beat In The Garbage Can" was the producer's idea, and during that period Guiding Light had regular musical guests.
― "...And the Gods Socially Distanced" (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, 26 June 2020 16:01 (three years ago) link
how did I completely miss this
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Friday, 18 September 2020 14:45 (three years ago) link
You can only atone by posting a late ballot imo
― Karl Malone, Friday, 18 September 2020 14:47 (three years ago) link
Hmmm...
It would look something like:
52 GirlsRock LobsterJunebugBushfirePrivate IdahoChannel ZFollow Your BlissGirl From Ipanema Goes to GreenlandLove ShackStrobe LightGive Me Back My Man6060-842Planet ClaireTopazThere's A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon)Whammy KissDance This Mess AroundButterbeanDry CountyWork That Skirt
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Friday, 18 September 2020 14:58 (three years ago) link
argh actually I want to redo the whole thing but I will stand by my impulse ballot
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Friday, 18 September 2020 15:05 (three years ago) link
atonement achieved!
in retrospect, the biggest life-changer of this poll was permanently putting fred schneider singing "mesopotamia" in my head. it's ridiculous. i can't even look at a bookshelf now without thinking "before i talk...i should read a book!"
― Karl Malone, Friday, 18 September 2020 15:14 (three years ago) link
! this is a fun revive because THIS MORNING i threw my ballot/shortlist playlist on while walking the dog. just had to hear "Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland," "Nip It In The Bud," and all these other songs I really only got to know thanks to this poll.
― Doctor Casino, Friday, 18 September 2020 15:17 (three years ago) link