Ah, The B-52's are one of those bands that I find impossible not to enjoy. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only who blurts out all the words to Love Shack. The band apparently formed after a drunken karaoke session at a restaurant, presumably in their hometown (Athens, Georgia) involving all 5 members; Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Keith Strickland and the late Ricky Wilson. Anyway, the band are best known for there hits 'Love Shack' and the legendary 'Rock Lobster', yet they have much more to offer. Their self titled debut is absolutely great and their best in my opinion, but the majority of their other albums have given me enjoyment, notably Wild Planet and Cosmic Thing, both of which I recommend.
Here is my "promo" on Mr. Shelley. It is mostly taken from Wiki and is also composed of videos and tracks off YouTube.
The thing about Pete Shelley is he is an underrated solo artist! He has released some very solid albums after the end of The Buzzcocks. I would have "Homosapien" (1981) on my 80s chart.... I'm perhaps just a lazy bastard and id have to add it myself which indicates how thoroughly overlooked this man's work is.
Homosapien is the album I love most. It's just great catchy electro/synth pop/new wave. It's like the Buzzcocks just with much less emphasis on guitars and much more on Synths. Awesome!!!
Anyway, here goes. It should be noted I have never for the life of me been able to figure out how to correctly post a video on this forum. Please help me, or live with my uninformed silliness. ; ))
Shelley's debut album Sky Yen was recorded in 1974 but remained unheard until March 1980 when it was released on 12" vinyl on Shelley's own label, Groovy Records. It was recorded as one continuous piece of music with a purpose-built oscillator and was notable for its use of layered electronics and playback speed manipulation to achieve its experimental feel. Rooted in electronic music, it has garnered comparisons to krautrock.
Here's part of "Sky Yen". It's super abrasive, experimental BRILLIANCE! But not for everyone I guess... Check it out.
In 1981, Shelley released his first solo single, the song "Homosapien", again produced by Martin Rushent. On this recording he returned to his original interests in electronic music and shifted emphasis from guitar to synthesiser; Rushent's elaborate drum machine and synthesiser programming laid the groundwork for his next production, the chart-topping album Dare! by The Human League. "Homosapien" was banned by the BBC for "explicit reference to gay sex", but this didn't stop it from becoming enormously popular in dance clubs in Europe and North America: on the US dance charts, "Homosapien" peaked at number fourteen. It was also at this time that Pete Shelley talked about his bisexuality, which had been implicit in many of the Buzzcocks songs he had written but now came to attention due to "Homosapien" and the BBC ban. The next year saw the controversial single followed by an LP of the same name.
Here is first the song "Homosapien" (classic!) an also several other songs from "Homosapien" LP.
Shelley released his second LP XL1 in 1983 on Genetic Records. In addition to the minor hit "Telephone Operator," the album included a computer program for the ZX Spectrum which featured lyrics and graphics which displayed in time with the music, an innovative precursor to the visuals of today's media players. XL1 was produced by Martin Rushent and Shelley.
Here is the video for "Telephone Operator". This song very well may sell you on how cool Pete Shelley was. The video is entertaining and just classic MTV trash...in a good way. And the song... Amazing. The HORNS! OMG, so well done!
June 1986 saw Shelley release the darker, edgier Heaven and the Sea, an album that drew comparisons to Love and Rockets, Gary Numan and late period Ultravox.
Shelley has also played with various other musicians during his career, including The Invisible Girls, who backed punk poet John Cooper Clarke. Shelley also formed bands called The Tiller Boys, and Zip. He briefly reunited with Howard Devoto to make the LP Buzzkunst, released in 2002.
He also appeared on the 2005 debut EP by the Los Angeles band The Adored (who toured extensively with the Buzzcocks the following year.)
I like B-52s, but that "Homosapien" single (I didn't know it, thanks!) is better than their whole discography. Shelley it is.
EDIT: and the album is better than The B-52s best album (the first), too. Thanks very much, I had never had the curiosity.
I'm glad you like it, good sir. I still remember the day I found an old used vinyl copy of "Homosapien" used for $1! I picked it up and I was pretty much very very impressed.
I think I'll have to add all the albums tht are deserving of his to the database finally. There is literally 1 album by him even noted in BEA right now.
And the B-52s are also pretty cool. All respect there. _________________ -Ryan
And the B-52s are also pretty cool. All respect there.
Respect to Pete Shelley too. I like Buzzcocks but have never listened to his solo stuff until you stuck it up there, no doubt I'll check it out more in the future.
Respect to Pete Shelley too. I like Buzzcocks but have never listened to his solo stuff until you stuck it up there, no doubt I'll check it out more in the future.
Great post btw!
Thanks man! Any interests I can generate for Pete Shelley as a solo artist is a good thing. I mean he's statistically ranked lower than 10,000th on BEA?! That's wild! _________________ -Ryan
Okay and here is another total synth dance track from "Homosapien"! Check it out! I'd like more people to vote, yo! Check out those songs Patman an I put up. It's an intriguing matchup!
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which indicates how thoroughly overlooked this man's work is.
