My apologies to the legions of readers who might be disappointed by today's lack of mullet. There are two reasons for this:
A. The cold and/or allergy symptoms that seem to be kicking in today.
2. I cannot think of any mullets that have not yet been covered, although I am sure there are more. The above mentioned malaise is dampening any enthusiasm for finding one.
Any New Mullet On Monday ideas for the future would be most welcome! Please either comment on this post or email me -- link at right.
Although Talking Heads and mullets wouldn't normally occur in the same sentence (or thought), I was at a loss for a mullet candidate this week, and, well, stumbled upon this photo of the Heads, in which Jerry Harrison (guitars/keyboards) does seem to have a bit of a mullet going on. So there you go.
Since the band's 1991 break-up, vocalist David Byrne has continued his solo work. Jerry Harrison has worked as a producer, and is one of the directors of iLike.com. Tina Weymouth (bass) and Chris Franz (now married for over 30 years) have continued their work with The Tom Tom Club, the most recent release of which was 2003's Live @ the Clubhouse -- they have live shows scheduled in June, some with Devo. Talking Heads did play together one time post break-up at the ceremony of the band's induction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.
From the 1985 album Little Creatures, this is Road to Nowhere -- a very cool video, which seems to have been made during the two seconds that Jerry Harrison had the mullet.
Book of Love formed around 1984 in Philadelphia, eventually setting up camp in New York City. Opening for Depeche Mode on the Black Celebration tour (1986) was a great source of exposure for the band.
From their 1988 album Lullaby, this is Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls, a song which, according to the All Music Guide, addressed "...the then-taboo subject of AIDS."
Book of Love released four albums of original material, the last of which was 1993's Love Bubble.
Former band members Lauren Rosetti and Ted Ottaviano are currently involved in the band The Myrmidons.
A while back, my lovely sister suggested Paul Young as a New Mullet on Monday candidate, and while I appreciated the suggestion, I wondered if he fit here -- his music seems to be seen more as Pop or Blue Eyed Soul. But then I noticed that The Post Punk Progressive Pop Party recently featured him, and if he is good enough for them, he's good enough for me. To my sister: I am not worthy.
From the 1983 album No Parlez, here are Paul Young and his mullet with Come Back and Stay.
For some time, Young has been performing in the Here and Now Tour. His most recent release, Rock Swings - On the Wild Side of Swing, features Young performing swing-style covers of, among others, Tainted Love and Enter Sandman (yes, the Metallica song).
Stories on Liz Phair, U2, The Upcoming Regeneration Tour (which will include The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Dead or Alive, A Flock of Seagulls, and Naked Eyes), R.E.M., and Duran Duran.
Mullets big and small adorned the heads of Smash Palace. The band, formed in Philadelphia, released one album in the '80s...
From that (self-titled) album, this is Living on the Borderline, a single that got a good bit of MTV and alternative/college radio play in 1985. A listen might indicate that the band was into the Psychedelic Furs, and, interestingly, the brothers who founded the band are named Stephen and Brian Butler -- but are presumably no relation to Richard Butler.
From their official website, here is an update on the band:
After a few years of touring and waiting for their major label break, the band went on hiatus as the brothers went on to work as staff writers for BMG publishing. Smash Palace reformed in 1999 to record "Fast Long Loud", followed by "Unlocked" (2001), "Over the Top" (2004) and last year's (2006), "Best of 99-06".
In January of this year, the band released a sixth album, Everybody Comes and Goes.
The band's current line-up includes original Smash Palace members Stephen Butler (lead vocals and guitar) and Phil Rizzo (bass).
You are cordially invited to visit the Classic Alternative Blog MySpace Page! Come be our friend and link to the MySpace pages of nearly all the bands and artists featured on this very blog.
About the Contributors
Mel, primary writer of the Classic Alternative Blog, was an announcer, program director, and general manager of a college radio station from 1985-1995, and can't quite seem to shake her affection for the music.
Jeff is the host of the 80s Underground, a weekly terrestrial and podcasted radio show devoted to resurrecting the best (and most forgotten) gems of underground music from the 80s. An unapologetic music geek, Jeff has a particular fondness for the 80s – a decade that spawned his transformation from slave to bloated corporate rock to aficionado of post-punk, college rock, new wave and punk. His first concert was the band X at San Diego State University gymnasium in the Spring of 1987. His fondest memory of the decade was having his ears bleed for four days following aforementioned concert. He also relishes his vast fan club memorabilia from such bands as Guadalcanal Diary, Drivin n’ Cryin, The Darling Buds, and The Primitives (among many others).
Matthias lived though the 80s in various punk and new wave bands, hoping to never make it big…and didn't. He knows there are good songs produced today, but wonders where are the Train In Vain, the Dancing on Hard Tiles or the Just Like Heaven of today.
