Finally, all the pre-show activities were over and this celebration of New Wave Music was about to start.
Josie Cotton – Opens the Evening
Richard Blade introduced the first act, which was Dallas native, Josie Cotton. Blade mentioned that Jose Cotton had “not one, not two, but three songs” featured in the cult-classic 80’s movie Valley Girl. She and her band (guitar player and bass player) performed her five-song set, finishing with “Johnny Are You Queer”. She also played “He Could be the One” and “School is In” from the movie.
For Cotton’s set the drums, keyboard and backing vocals were pre-recorded and she had a glitch where they had to restart one of the songs. I think it was the third song “School Is In” but I’m not 100% sure.
The Polecats – Bring it With Their New Wave Punk-Rockabilly Sound
Richard Blade introduced Tim “Polecat” Worman before their set and talked with him on stage prior to their four song set. Worman with his bright orange hair was a ringer for Johnny “Rotten” (John Lydon) from afar.
They opened with their cover of Bowie’s “John, I’m Only Dancing,” which I personally like better than the original version. They then covered the 1971 T-Rex hit “Jeepster” before getting the crowd jumping with their 1983 alternative classic “Make A Circuit With Me”. I think it is one of the most fun songs of the 80’s.
Tim “Polecat” was the only original member of the The Polecats on this tour. However, his backing band were rockabilly musicians from Phoenix, AZ. Some of whom toured with him under the Tim Polecat Trio name. They were very good and it was an energetic set, plus the stand-up bass is always cool! Tim “Polecat” had mentioned this was his first time ever performing in Texas, home of rockabilly! Welcome to Texas, Tim. Hope to see you again sometime.
Belouis Some – Crisp Three Song Set
In between acts, Richard Blade, brought his wife Christa on stage. Christa was wearing a Richard Blade T-Shirt off the shoulder. She brought out some of the albums that they were selling at the merch booth. Richard talked about the artists and songs on them while mentioning the proceeds went to charity.
Richard then introduced Belouis Some who is frequently heard on SiriusXM’s First Wave. Belouis Some and his four member band played a three song set featuring his song from the John Hughes movie Pretty in Pink, “Round and Round”. They also played First Wave favorites “Imagination” and “Some People”. “Some People” was used in a Swatch Watch (I had one, did you?) TV commercial in the mid-80’s. Can you be any more 80’s that being featured in a John Huges movie and a Swatch Ad? Totally Radical, Dude!
This was one of the surprise sets for me, I knew all of the songs, but I guess I hadn’t made the connection that they were all by the same person until I made a playlist before this show and started listening to these artists. I really enjoyed his set overall.
After Belouis Some’s set, Richard Blade (who towered over Belouis Some) asked him some questions and talked about his legacy.
Peter Godwin – Overall Kind of Disappointing Set
When this tour first started, Richard Blade had Peter Godwin on for a series of interviews. I had driven up to Oklahoma one afternoon to pick up my son from Oklahoma State University for the weekend and Richard Blade had been raving about Peter Godwin and how great his sets had been. I hadn’t known much about Peter Godwin before this tour other than “Images of Heaven” was a great song, but I was excited to see him live.
Yikes, his performance did not live up to the hype or even close to it. I don’t know if he was just having a bad night or what. Several times he was inaudible, when you could hear him he was often out of tune and was just low energy overall. I guess if I was mostly retired on the French Riviera I probably wouldn’t be all that excited about being in Texas in the middle of August singing for a bunch of old farts either!
Icicle Works – Ian McNabb Leads First Big Sing-Along of the Night
I will be honest “Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)” (yes, I’m using the US name!) is one my favorite songs not just of the 80s but all time. It’s a beautiful song and it has all of those great 80s elements that made this music the greatest of all time.
This was one of my most anticipated moments of the evening and Ian McNabb did not disappoint with a rousing six and half minute version of the song. I also enjoyed their opening number “Hollow Horse”. McNabb’s voice was still strong, powerful and melodic. Icicle Works was one of several artists from Liverpool on this tour. McNabb had a bit of George Harrison resemblance.
China Crisis – Bringing Back the Miami Vice Jacket
Before bringing on China Crisis, Richard Blade came out in a sparkly Dallas Cowboys t-shirt waving towels like Pom Poms. He said since the Cowboys haven’t been very good, he had to rep the Cowboy’s Cheerleaders instead. Thankfully he stayed away from the short shorts!
Frankly, China Crisis was one of the artists that I was least familiar with before this tour. When I started listening to the playlist that I had created of the artists on the tour, I was really surprised with how many great songs that they have.
China Crisis had its two core members on this tour: vocalist Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon. Daly introduced his drummer (which was a pre-recorded track) at one point which was pretty funny. He actually had a great sense of humor and mentioned his pink jacket and green pants. They sounded excellent and I especially enjoyed “Working With Fire and Steel” though “Arizona Sky” and their other songs were also enjoyable.
I will post the rest of the review covering The Vapors through the headliner Flock of Seagulls and some more about Richard Blade in my next article. If you want to read more about the merchandise available at the show and the venue, check out Part 1 of Lost 80s Live Review.
