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Rembering the 80s: College Rock

For those too young...a brief history...before indie and alternative rock...there was college rock...an 80s genre that was simply named after what college radio stations were playing at the time...as a former college DJ...I have a soft spot for the genre...it was a fun time...and a simpler time... with a laid back vibe and a diversity of artists ranging from the Smiths, Bad brains, to Love tractor...U2,.Rem, and the cure all got their start during thus era...and were the few bands that broke out and penetrated the mainstream...a few like Sonic Youth and the Flaming Lips flirted with the big time...but most like Lets Active, Dumptruck, and Christmas had minor careers which is not a knock...just facts...MTV also played a role with their show 120 mins...the genre included seminal artists like Husker Du, Replacements, the Church, the Fall, Echo and the Bunnymen, Jesus and Mary Chain, Wedding Present, Meat Puppets,etc...anybody have any faves or college radio stories to share?
128x128phasecorrect
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phasecorrect OP
2,013 posts
 
Before everyone maligns the 80s it also spawned hip-hop, house, acid jazz, and world beat movements...fwiw..."Mickey"is a somwhat loose interpretation of a 60s tune...by Chinn/Chapeman...pro writers of Sweet fame...its a great cover
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geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
"Hey, Mickey, you're so fine...." Hey, but she was good in Easy Rider. Hint: she was one of the girls Hopper and Fonda take out in New Orleans at the House of Blue Lights or whatever it was called.
donjr
1,311 posts
 
There was a lot of great music and a lot of bad music in the 80's. Just like the 60's and 70's. Joe Walsh, Supertramp, The Clash, Iron Maiden, Elvis Costello and a ton of others.

I'm not saying these bands got their start in the 80's but had some success. I think the 70's may have been worse. Remember the Hooked on Classics craze?
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tostadosunidos
1,096 posts
 
"Before everyone maligns the 80s it also spawned hip-hop, house, acid jazz, and world beat movements"

--and you're saying this is good?
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
80's were mostly a musical recession for me once I graduated from college in '81.

I have higher opinion of many things from that era these days though.

THe local Jack FM radio station plays complete reruns of Casey Kasem's American Top 40 shows from the 80's SUndays at 8:00 pm. I get to catch part of these most Sunday evenings in the car.

Its a good reminder that pop music has always been a pretty mixed bag. A lot of "hits" from then are mostly forgotten these days but a fair number continue to get airplay and keep my attention still these days.

Have seen The Church twice in recent years in excellent small venue. Gotta hear them live to really appreciate their music fully. True of many acts I suppose.

Wasn't it the same British guy who sang in all those 80's "New Wave" groups? :^)

The Church and Steve Kilbey are from Australia.

There are some very good CDs and artists from the 80's, but few artists from then and newer tend to stand out for me. My favorite ones these days tend to be Various Artist compilations. I think its mostly just me leaning more towards good music and less towards individual acts or artists as I get older.
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