The 80s WERE THE SHIT
Mike’s an idiot.
The 80’s were the last major decade of influence, stylistically, for most of the music we hear today. Especially when you talk about hip-hop and electro, house, and any kind of dance music.
Leave it to Mike to find the most obscure fuck up 80s band to make a point.
Here are a few reasons why the 80s were some of the most dynamic years in music:
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First, I give you the Cure. Where would we be without the Cure? These guys alone defined a whole subculture within the 80s. Today, a lot of new bands can only hope to try and capture the emotion the Cure gives while still being so poppy.
Next, The Police. One of the greatest drummers of all time (Stewart Copeland), STING, and Andy Summers rocking the ska guitar. The seemingly simplistic tunes of The Police brought ska and reggae to the masses.
This next one, I couldn’t find a good video for. Kurtis Blow The Breaks. Along with Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Spoonie Gee and the Treacherous Three, and Lady B, Kurtis Blow was at the forefront of a new genre, you might have heard of it…HIP-HOP?
The Pixies.
Their influence is ridiculous. With Husker DU, the Pixies were the band leading up to what we called grunge, but even today, if you listen to a lot of indie music, you’re really listening the Pixies and Husker Du played by shittier bands.
Depeche Mode, another monster from the 80s. I picked the most poppy cheeseball Depeche Mode song because I wanted to make a point. Even at their most cliche and kitch, Depeche Mode was still absolutely amazing. Just Can’t Get Enough, is a tight song. Electronic music became accessible because of bands like Depeche Mode.
Herbie Hancock. This guy is already a Jazz legend. He just won a grammy, but this song is one that most people hear and say “Oh yeah I know who Herbie Hancock is.” Its sad in a way. This song is a classic but not his best, however it opened up the public’s ears to what would become a similar sound in most hip-hop for a long time. The clunky, yet grooving, simple sound. And the video itself is almost the perfect metaphor for this sound…it tries to be human, but in the end it’s all synthesized.
And for Mark (myself too) I have to bring in Oingo Boingo. MIDGETS.
These guys are absolutely amazing. Their influence and genius goes way beyond this song. When you think about what Danny Elfman (Lead Singer) and Steve Bartek (Lead Guitar) are doing today (Elfman composes soundtracks now [Almost all Burton movies] and Bartek is arranging a ton of soundtracks) its hard to deny Oingo Boingo’s place in the musical world. Millions and millions of people have heard the fruits of years labor from Oingo Boingo and don’t even know it.
I know I left out a ton of great bands. The list can go on and on. If you wanna test wits with me, you’re a moron.
Speaking of morons, back to Mike. He’s a moron. The 80s were a time of supreme originality and rebirth….and confusion. Each of the previous decades had a definite sound. The 80s were the first decade where this wasn’t the case. There were new genres being made at an incredible pace. New Wave, Hip-Hop, Electronic these are all genres that were new and original, even if they used influences from the previous decades. Ska and Punk were becoming mainstream. Hair Metal was a lot of crap, but awesome crap.
In the end the music of the 80s was great. FUCKING PRINCE! Probably the greatest popular musician/artist of our time. He got started in the 80s.
Whatever Mike.
you guys are so mean to mike. i hope you guys realize he’s soon how important he is in your lives.