Gee, no one mentioned Throbbing Gristle... ;-)
My not-so-short list (mind you these are more what I think of as quality bands as opposed to ones who may have defined the "sound of the 80's" for the masses) - in no particular order--
XTC
REM
The Clash
The Cure
Echo & The Bunnymen
U2
Psychedelic Furs
Peter Gabriel
The Jam
Talking Heads
New Order
Dire Straits
The Smiths
Brian Eno
Pixies
Police
Sonic Youth
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians
Wall of Voodoo
Lou Reed
The Ramones
Peter Tosh
I'm sure I've left off some good ones....
CD
My not-so-short list (mind you these are more what I think of as quality bands as opposed to ones who may have defined the "sound of the 80's" for the masses) - in no particular order--
XTC
REM
The Clash
The Cure
Echo & The Bunnymen
U2
Psychedelic Furs
Peter Gabriel
The Jam
Talking Heads
New Order
Dire Straits
The Smiths
Brian Eno
Pixies
Police
Sonic Youth
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians
Wall of Voodoo
Lou Reed
The Ramones
Peter Tosh
I'm sure I've left off some good ones....
CD