 
 
The Seventies ended and the Eighties began with a handful of major labels setting up shop in the B-Town vicinity due to the success of Boston, The Cars, etc. Likewise entrepreneurs like Michael Dreese (Modern Methods), Rick Harte (Ace of Hearts), Don Rose (Eat) and the people from Propeller set up independent labels. This created both a way to commercial success and a strong, thriving underground. The underground was heavily supported by college radio (primarily WMBR and WERS) and WLYN (now WFNX). WCOZ, (released local compilation albums)and WBCN were there for the bigger releases.
There was hope that someone like Mission of Burma, Pastiche, LaPeste or Human Sexual Response would explode into mass acceptance but it never happened. Some remained content with cult status and some couldn't weather the storms. Some are still trying. Above ground, fingers were crossed that new signings with Private Lightning, The Nervous Eaters, The Chartbusters, The Rings, The Fools would lead us to the Top 40. But again, to no avail. One or two LP's and a kiss good bye from their respective labels A&M, Elektra, Warner Bros., MCA, EMI.
The Cars, Billy Squier, and The J. Gails Band meanwhile were reeling in platinum and gold records. Then MTV was born. In 1981, video was the new way out. The Cars eventually won top honors at the first MTV awards for best videos and Peter Wolf lead America to #1 with "Centerfold" atop a school desk. The video age.
Things started getting strange in the underground, though, when hardcore punk reared its ugly head. It was led by skinned and straight edge (no drugs or alcohol) advocates like SSD's Springa and negative F/X's Choke, who inspired slam dancing and pigpiling. It too sputtered when they couldn't find any place to play.
MTV meanwhile began airing unsigned acts in contests entitled The Basement Tapes. Local bands Drezniak and Digney Fignus were aired in 1983 ( Ball & Pivot, Extreme and The Drive have all aired since) which led to a CBS signing for Digney .
To be a 'BCN Rumble winner was being highly questioned as a good or bad omen when The Neighborhoods, Pastiche, Someone and the Somebodies, Dub 7, Limbo Race and The Dark all fell ill with the Rumble "Curse" and had either broken up or just as well may have. (The Neighborhoods have since gotten back together).That is until 'Til Tuesday (now til tuesday) led by the girl who once sang about Spastic People and eggs with the avant garde Young Snakes, stole the'83 judges' hearts.
Most major label offices had packed up and left Boston by the time the Jon Butcher Axis, Face to Face, and New Edition all released successful debut LP's. On the downer notes were Peter Wolf's departure from Geils and a 20 million dollar lawsuit against Boston by CBS for their mysterious 3rd album. Singer/guitarist Barry Goudreau stayed busy with Lenny Petze for solo LP "Orion the Hunter."
After lows for both Aerosmith and the Joe Perry Project, the 1984 reunion featuring urine tests and health spas was just what the doctor ordered. Peter Wolf's solo effort with the House of Hits producer Michael Jonzun, " Lights Out " didn't get the respect it deserved and the Geils effort "Getting Even While I'm getting Odd" was terribly disappointing. You still couldn't beat the Cars with a stick.
By 1985, "Go East Young Man" because a prevalent attitude given toward the Boston scene, And bands began moving here. The Red Rockers and more. Status grew from "How's your draw?" to "How's your airplay?" to "What labels are looking at you?".
The Cars hit new highs with Heartbeat City and "Drive". Aerosmith enjoyed its best tour ever and a new album with Ted Templeton and til tuesday's Voices Carry went Top 10 and best remembered by Sweet Potatoe's Richard Cromonic : "As they became more popular, a wholly undeserved backlash began to develop in music circles making this a vintage year for sour grapes." Michael Jonzun bought Century III and reopened as Mission Control bringing New York to Boston in studio technology.
And the Clubs. Jumping Jack Flash closed capping a six year slide that claimed Maverick's, Cantone's, Inn Square Men's Bar, Storyville, Streets, The Underground and Down Under. Now add Johnny D's and it's 1986.
Local air support includes Ken Shelton's WBCN Top 3 Countdown, WBCN's Carter Alan and Albert 0, WFNX's Deb Brady, WAAF's Russ Mottia, and WERS 'Metrowave.
This year Jon Butcher was nominated for a Grammy for his "Ritual" instrumental. Charlie Farren and David Hull will go to bat for Warner Bros. New Man's on Epic and saxophonist Bob Gay's on new Bowie. Down Avenue's officially on RCA, joining Revere's Mass. Maurice Starr's got the New Kids on the Block on Columbia. New Edition is one of, if not the biggest, teen group in the States. The Jonzun Crew's on A&M. The Outlets on Enigma. It goes on and on and it's not going to stop. Last but not least, the 1986 BEANIE Award (you know, like the BAMMIE) goes to The Del Fuegos for their major debut Boston Mass featuring "Don't Run Wild."
Keep making history, Boston.
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