The Plimsouls

On this date in 1981, The Plimsouls released their self-titled debut album. It contained the singles, "Now" and "Zero Hour". The Los Angeles power pop disbanded in 1984 after two albums but they have frequently re-formed for touring since. Frontman Peter Case was previously in Los Angeles new wave band The Nerves.



Wikipedia: The Plimsouls

Myspace: myspace.com/plimsouls

Blogload: The Plimsouls...Plus - goldenbrown77.blogspot.com

Stray Cats

On this date in 1981, Stray Cats released their self-titled debut album. It contained the singles, "Runaway Boys" (#9 U.K.), "Stray Cat Strut" (#11 U.K., #3 U.S.) and "Rock This Town" (#9 U.K., #9 U.S.). Despite the fact that they hailed from Massapequa, NY, this album was never released in the U.S., though many of the songs would later appear on their U.S. debut, Built For Speed, including the three singles. The rockabilly band broke up in 1984 but periodically reunites for performances.



Wikipedia: Stray Cats

Official Website: straycats.com

Blogload: Stray Cats - debut album - rockgratismp3.blogspot.com

Simple Minds - Celebrate

On this date in 1981, Simple Minds released their fifth single, "Celebrate". The 12 inch version had an extended version of "Celebrate" and was backed by re-mixed versions of "Changling" and "I Travel", both previous singles. The 7 inch version had a single edit version of "Celebrate" and had the remixed "Changling" on the reverse. The A side and "I Travel" appeared on their third album, Empires And Dance. "Changeling" appeared on their second album, Real To Real Cacophony. Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill had started out together in a punk band called Johnny & The Self Abusers. The disbanded and Simple Minds was formed. The Glasgow, Scotland new wave band continues on.



Wikipedia: Simple Minds

Official Website: simpleminds.com

Video: Simple Minds - Celebrate - live - 1982 - youtube

Blogload: Simple Minds - Celebrate 12 inh (all three tracks) - and more - samemistakesmusic.blogspot.com

Depeche Mode - Dreaming Of Me

On this date in 1981, Depeche Mode released their debut single, "Dreaming Of Me". The B side was "Ice Machine". Both songs were omitted from their debut album, Speak & Spell, in the UK when it was released, though the A side was included on the US version. Both were added to their debut album as bonus tracks when it was re-released on CD. The single reached the #57 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The Essex, England new wave band still records and performs but they are a trio since Alan Wilder left the band in 1995.



Wikipedia: Depeche Mode

Official Website: depechemode.com

Video: Depeche Mode - Dreaming Of Me - live - 1981 - youtube

Blogload: Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell - tequilaritmica.blogspot.com

The Polecats - John I'm Only Dancing

On this date in 1981, The Polecats released their second single, "John I'm Only Dancing". It was backed by "Big Green Car". The 10 inch version also included "All Night Long". All three tracks appeared on their only album, Polecats Are Go!. The single reached the #35 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The Middlesex, England rockabilly band released five singles and one album of new material before breaking up in 1983. They get together occasionally to tour and record new material.



Wikipedia: The Polecats

Official Website: makeacircuit.com

Video: The Polecats - John I'm Only Dancing - on TV - 1981 - youtube

Blogload: The Polecats - Polecats Are Go! - nirso.blogspot.com

Fire Engines - Lubricate Your Living Room

On this date in 1981, Fire Engines released their debut album, Lubricate Your Living Room. It included the single, "Get Up And Use Me" (#9 U.K. indie singles chart). The album reached the #4 spot on the U.K. indie album chart. The post-punk band from Edinburgh, Scotland disbanded in 1981 after three singles and just one album.



Wikipedia: Fire Engines

Blogload: Fire Engines - Fond - a compilation - includes all 8 tracks from Lubricate Your Living Room - totalwire.blogspot.com

Joe Jackson - Beat Crazy

On this date in 1981, Joe Jackson released his eleventh single, "Beat Crazy". It was backed by a live version of "Is She Really Going Out With Him? The A side appeared on his third album, Beat Crazy. The Staffordshire, England punk/new wave musician still records.



Wikipedia: Joe Jackson

Official Website: joejackson.com

Video: Joe Jackson - Beat Crazy - live - 1983 - youtube

Blogload: Joe Jackson - Beat Crazy - silveraintr.blogspot.com

The Unknowns - Dream Sequence

On this date in 1981, The Unknowns released their debut EP, Dream Sequence. It was a six song release, The Los Angeles power pop band released one album and an EP before first disbanding in 1982. They re-formed in 1990, performed, released a new album and have continued on since then without founder Bruce Joyner.



Blogload: The Unknowns - Dream Sequence - drfaustroll.blogspot.com

Rhoda With The Special A.K.A. - The Boiler

On this date in 1981, Rhoda and The Special A.K.A. released a single, The Specials' first single after the split of the band (when Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and Neville Staples left to form Fun Boy Three). The A side was "The Boiler". The B side was an instrumental version called "Theme From The Boiler". Rhoda was Rhoda Dakar, ex-member of The Bodysnatchers. This was not the first release under the name Special A.K.A. The band that was to become The Specials released their first record, "Gangsters" (a split 45 with The Selecter), under the name The Special A.K.A. back in 1979 as well as a few other releases under that name. Neither side of "The Boiler" single appeared on an album. The single reached the #35 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The ska band formed in Coventry, England. The Specials re-formed recently and did some touring. Jerry Dammers did not join them.



Wikipedia: The Specials

Official Website: thespecials.com

Blogload: The Specials - Stero-Typical - A's, B's & Rarities - marcoonthebass.blogspot.com

The Blackouts - Exchange Of Goods

On this date in 1980, The Blackouts released their second single (and third record). The A side was "Exchange Of Goods". It was backed by "Industry". The Seattle, Washington punk/pop band released three singles and this EP before disbanding. The members of this band had formerly been in Seattle punk band, The Telepaths. Bill Rieflin and Paul Barker later joined Ministry.



Wikipedia: The Blackouts

Blogload: The Blackouts - History In Reverse - a compilation - musistenz.blogspot.com

Pope Paul Pot - Adventures In Plastic T.V. Land

On this date in 1981, Pope Paul Pot released their debut EP, Adventures In Plastic T.V. Land. The four track EP included "Plastic T.V. Land On Acid", "Acid T.V. Land On Plastic", "This Is Your Leader" and "K-K-K Carolina On My Mind". The San Francisco, California area avant garde "band" had no other official releases.



Blogload: Pope Paul Pot - Adventures In Plastic T.V. Land - sanitymuffins.blogspot.com

New Order - Everything's Gone Green

On this date in 1981, New Order released their third single, "Everything's Gone Green". It was backed by "Mesh" and "Cries And Whispers". None of the tracks appeared on a regular album but all three appeared on their five song EP, 1981-1982. The A side had also previously appeared as the B side of their previous single, "Procession". The Manchester, England post-punk/new wave band rose from the ashes of Joy Division, changing their name to New Order after the suicide of singer Ian Curtis. The band continues on despite the departure of Gillian Gilbert in 2005 and Peter Hook in 2007.



Wikipedia: New Order

Official Website: neworder.cc

Video: New Order - Everything's Gone Green - live - 1981 - youtube

Blogload: New Order - 1981-1982 - napusisemajmune.blogspot.com

D-Day - Right To Know

On this date in 1981, D-Day released their second single, "Right To Know". It was backed by "Your History Complete". Neither track appeared on an album. The Austin, Texas new wave band released two singles and an album before disbanding in 1983.



Blogload: D-Day - Right To Know - 7 inch (both sides) - vinylgoldmine.blogspot.com

Rhythm Of Life - Soon

On this date in 1981, Rhythm Of Life released their debut single, "Soon". It was backed by "Summertime". The Edinburgh, Scotland post punk band was formed by ex-Josef K frontman Paul Haig. After two singles, Paul Haig started recording as a solo artist which he continues to do today.



Blogload: Rhythm Of Life - Soon - 7 inch (both tracks) - and more - norecordshopsleft.blogspot.com

1980's L.A. Punk Rock

I found this great piece of history. The site contains a lot of pix, vids and some music in crappy "Real media player" format. (hint: just come back to The P5 and search for the bands).

Read This: 1980s L.A. Punk Rock - www.tvparty.com:

"TVparty presents found articles circa 1980-85 written by Billy Eye and Judy Zee from Data-Boy, a gay entertainment magazine published in Hollywood.

These articles chronicle the avante garde bands coming up through the Los Angeles Punk and New Wave club scene during that key period. They read like a diary in the lives of these young clubgoers and the burgeoning scene they covered."

Bands mentioned include:
Fear, The Germs, Go-Go's, Motley Crue, TSOL, Missing Persons, Wall of Voodoo and more.

The Wipers - Youth Of America

On this date in 1981, The Wipers released their second album, Youth Of America. It was a six song album with "Taking Too Long", "Can This Be", "Pushing the Extreme", "When Its Over", "No Fair" and "Youth of America" as the tracks, none of which were offered up as singles. The album was expanded when re-released on CD. Their sound changed somewhat by the late '80's and were a major influence on the grunge sound that surfaced in the Northwest U.S. They disbanded in 2001.



Wikipedia: The Wipers

Official Website: zenorecords.com/wipers

Blogload: The Wipers - Youth Of America - last-train-tocool.blogspot.com

Hell Comes To Your House

On this date in 1981, Bemisbrain Records released a compilation of U.S. punk and deathrock bands. Among those featured were 45 Grave, Social Distortion, Red Cross and Christian Death. The album was called Hell Comes To Your House.



Blogload: Hell Comes To Your House - compilation - isksp.blogspot.com

The Prats - General Davis

On this date in 1981, The Prats released their fourth single, "General Davis". It was backed by "The Alliance". The single reached the #20 spot on the U.K. indie singles chart. None of their singles appeared on an album. In fact, the Edinburgh, Scotland teenage punk band did not release an album before they disbanded in 1981.



Wikipedia: The Prats

Unofficial Website: homepage.mac.com/emclaug1/theprats

Blogload: The Prats - "General Davis" - theholdingtank.blogspot.com

The Rockats - Live At The Ritz

On this date in 1981, The Rockats released their debut album, Rockats Live At The Ritz. As the name implies, it was a live album recorded at The Ritz in New York City. The New York City rockabilly band is still recording and performing.



Official Website: therockats.com

Blogload: Rockats - Live At The Ritz - lasllamasdelrockandroll.blogspot.com

The Stranglers - La Folie

On this date in 1981, The Stranglers released their sixth studio album, La Folie. It included the singles, "Golden Brown" (#2 U.K.), "Let Me Introduce You To The Family" (#42 U.K.) and "La Folie" (#47 U.K.). The Surrey, England punk/post punk band is still together but without their lead singer, Hugh Cornwell, since 1990.



Wikipedia: The Stranglers

Official Website: stranglers.net

Blogload: The Stranglers - La Folie - distantearthling.blogspot.com