WALL OF VOODOO
THE LAST BANQUET
1980-1988
Best known for their alternative radio classic "Mexican Radio," Wall of Voodoo formed in Los Angeles in 1977, originally as a soundtrack company. Led by singer/songwriter Stan Ridgway and rounded out by guitarist Marc Moreland, bassist/keyboardist Bruce Moreland, keyboardist Chas Gray, and drummer Joe Nanni, the group issued their self-titled debut EP in 1980. With the additions of bassist Bruce Moreland and his brother Marc on guitar (replacing Noland), the band's sound crystallized on 1981's full-length Dark Continent, which couched Ridgway's highly stylized and cinematic narratives — heavily influenced by Westerns and film noir, and sung in the vocalist's distinctively droll, narcoleptic manner — in atonal, electronically-based settings.
In 1982, following the exit of Bruce Moreland, Wall of Voodoo released Call of the West, which featured "Mexican Radio," their biggest hit. After an appearance at the 1983 US Festival, Ridgway left the group for a solo career. The remaining members enlisted singer Andy Prieboy, and resurfaced in 1985 with the LP Seven Days in Sammystown which contained the minor hit "Far Side of Crazy". Happy Planet followed two years later, while 1988's live effort The Ugly Americans in Australia* (the asterisk denoting that a few tracks were recorded in Bullhead City, Arizona) effectively closed out the Wall of Voodoo story. (allmusic)
And so here's a compilation retracing the short history of one of America's most peculiar acts. Often compared to Devo, and Oingo Boingo in their later years, Wall of Voodoo remains a cult band more of today's kids should take notice of. Let's hope this Last Banquet will find a way to their ears and repair the injustice of seeing this awesome band summed up to his biggest hit and his Johnny Cash cover (Ring of Fire), they're worth much more than that.
In 1982, following the exit of Bruce Moreland, Wall of Voodoo released Call of the West, which featured "Mexican Radio," their biggest hit. After an appearance at the 1983 US Festival, Ridgway left the group for a solo career. The remaining members enlisted singer Andy Prieboy, and resurfaced in 1985 with the LP Seven Days in Sammystown which contained the minor hit "Far Side of Crazy". Happy Planet followed two years later, while 1988's live effort The Ugly Americans in Australia* (the asterisk denoting that a few tracks were recorded in Bullhead City, Arizona) effectively closed out the Wall of Voodoo story. (allmusic)
And so here's a compilation retracing the short history of one of America's most peculiar acts. Often compared to Devo, and Oingo Boingo in their later years, Wall of Voodoo remains a cult band more of today's kids should take notice of. Let's hope this Last Banquet will find a way to their ears and repair the injustice of seeing this awesome band summed up to his biggest hit and his Johnny Cash cover (Ring of Fire), they're worth much more than that.
Mexican Radio (1982)
Far Side of Crazy (1985)
1 comment:
Thanks again, good selection. Got me through a tough day at work.
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