Debaser was on the album Doolittle (released in ‘89) but the single didn’t come out until 97.  We’re still including it on Pound Note because of it’s place in alternative rock history. It’s still a typical Pixies low overhead video, but a little better than Monkey Gone to Heaven.

WATN? After that reunion tour, hopefully not planning on touring again.

Trivia: This song popped up in an EA Sports video game.

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Aldo Nova peaked with his first single Fantasy. Given the leopard skin pimp outfit he’s wearing in the video, it’s not hard to see why.  But don’t call him a one hit wonder. He’s had plenty of hits over the last 30 years believe it or not. They were just recorded by other people. Clay Aiken’s # 1 hit in 2003 This Is The Night was written by Aldo Nova.

As for Fantasy, it hit #3 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Charts and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. The video is standard early 80’s cheese, but the song is one a rock classic.

WATN? He released several more albums in the 80’s (my favorite was Twitch) and then tried to stage a comeback in the 90’s working with Jon Bon Jovi.

Trivia: Over the course of her career, Celine Dion has recorded 11 songs written by Aldo Nova. Others to collaborate with him include Bon Jovi, Michael Bolton, Faith Hill, Clay Aiken, and Blue Oyster Cult. Now that would make for a wacky music festival!

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Rockwell’s hits with Michael Jackson: 1.  Rockwell’s hits without Michael Jackson: 0.

Kennedy William Gordy had two very well known childhood friends: Michael and Jermaine Jackson. It also didn’t hurt that his sister married Jermaine when it came time to ask the two Jacksons to sing backup on his one and only hit. The video itself is a creepy nightmare about, well you can probably guess what it’s about.

WATN? Who knows? This guy is so WATN that WATN can’t find him.

Trivia: His half sister is the daughter of Diana Ross.

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This video gets 2 guitars if for no other reason than it prevented Michael Jackson from having back to back number 1 singles. For one week in between Billie Jean and Beat It, Come On Eileen held the number 1 spot in America. The band mixes British pop, Celtic fiddle, and the worst fitting overalls to ever grace MTV. They all look like their waiting for a 100 year flood.  American singer Johnny Ray makes an appearance at the beginning of the video, but we here at Pound note think it could have been left out.

WATN? They released an album in 2007 that was mostly a rehashing of their first 2 albums.

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What the Bleep is this? That’s what longtime Scritti Politti fans had to be thinking when they saw this video. The band released Cupid & Psyche 85 in 1985 (of course) and it was a huge departure from their previous sound. Originally a post punk rock band with heavy Marxist overtones, this album was pure 80’s pop. I can only compare it to The Clash releasing something that sounds like Toto. Anyway, American pop fans took to it and Perfect Way was their first and only U.S. top 20 hit.

WATN? They toured most recently in 2006 with only one original member.

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Foreigner released Inside Information in 1987. The first single was Say You Will and it reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Shot in black in white, it’s a lot swankier than any of the videos from the Agent Provocateur album.  The guys appear to be in some NY club watching a couple of high class “pros” pick up some rich old guy. Other than that, I’m not sure what the heck is going on here.  Good song though.

WATN? Foreigner released a single earlier this year. It was their first new recording since the dismal Mr. Moonlight in 1994. Only Mick Jones remains of the original lineup.

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With album sales sagging in 1983, KISS decided to take off the make-up.  Lick it Up was the first album and video in which the band appeared without their trademark look. They keep you guessing for the first 40 seconds of the video, only showing the band from the waist down. It looks like the guy who shot all those annoying Dockers commercials was trying to sell ripped jeans and leather pants.

About 43 seconds into the video, you want them to put the make-up back on.The only member who benefited from the loss of the makeup was Vinnie Vincent (far right in the opening sequence) because he never embraced is KISS “alter ego.” Gene was the Demon. Ace was Space Ace. Peter was the Cat. Paul was Star Child. However, Vinnie never got over the guys calling his Kiss character Transgender Crack Whore. Of course, after this video was released, that’s what the rest of the world called him!

Lick it Up is another post apocalyptic videos that were popular in the early to mid 80’s (mostly with metal bands). I remember liking it when I was in high school, but let’s face it: I was pretty much an idiot then!

WATN? Catch Gene on A&E’s Simmons Family Jewels. I love that show!

Trivia: Eddie Van Halen wanted to join KISS after Ace Frehley left. Gene Simmons talked him out of it.

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Which all female group has the most chart entries in history? It’s not Destiny’s Child or The Go-Go’s. And, it’s not the Supremes, Spice Girls, or Pussycat Dolls.  Believe it or not, it’s these three ladies from Bristol, England.

Bananarama hit # 1 in both the U.S. and U.K. with this video. I can’t say I know why, but it has enough creepy elements to helps us coundown to Halloween. There are devils, coffins, and of course the performers themselves, who are pretty easy on the eyes.

WATN? Bananarama is working on a new album of Disco cover tunes.

TRIVIA: Victoria Beckham recorded a version of the song for her demo tape when auditioning for the Spice Girls.

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The Go-Go’s were the first all female group that wrote all their own songs and performed their own instruments to top the Billboard Album Charts. Head Over Heels, from the album Talk Show was their final top twenty single. Less than a year later, the Go-Go’s called it quits.

This was an odd entry into the their video library. Charlotte Caffey (keyboards) has a creepy sort of smile on her face at the beginning. Her eyes look like she’s trying to say, “help, I’m being held against my will and forced to play with these crazy chicks!”

Belinda Carlisle and Jane Weidlin appear to be wearing standard issue grey sweats stolen from some local high school gym class.  About 2:40 in to the video, they’re suddenly on the tarmac at LAX while a plane lands. Then they’re back in the studio. Not sure what the 5 seconds on the runway is about, but if you have a theory, do share.

WATN? The Go-Go’s are no longer touring or recording, but several members are doing solo projects.

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The Cure is one of a number of annoying bands that have blocked embedding on their YouTube videos. But we managed to grab this live version of Just Like Heaven from the 1989 VMA’s for our Saturday Night Concert Cuts. Seriously people, if you’re a band who’s heyday was in the 80’s, you could do with the publicity. Tell your lawyers to lighten up and let bloggers embed your videos!

Anyway, this is a pretty good song that’s unusually upbeat for a goth rock band. I tried to go goth once, but I didn’t own enough black.

WATN? The Cure are releasing a new album later this month.

Trivia: Robert Smith of The Cure battled Barbara Streisand in a classic South Park episode.

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