Break out your Aquanet and spandex...load up on jelly bracelets and grab your lace gloves...it's time for the '80s Monster Bash!!  Spectra Records is putting on a concert full of chart toppers and one-hit-wonders!  And guess who is a sponsor?  Yup, RETRO ACTIVE!!!  We'll be on hand selling all kinds of 80s stuff so stop by our booth!  Here's the lineup:   Survivor, the creators of the Rocky III anthem "Eye Of The Tiger" and Rocky IV's "Burning Heart".  We all rocked out to "What I Like About You" by The Romantics.  And Tommy Tutone had us dialing"867-5309" just to see if "Jenny" would answer.  Plus A Flock Of Seagulls, Cutting Crew and Naked Eyes!   You may not know their faces but you know all the words to the songs!!  Six bands, one night on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC at the Family Circle Cup Stadium.  Tickets are still available CLICK HERE (as of the posting date of Oct. 1, 2007.)  We decided to do a little background research on these somewhat nameless, facesless, yet commercially successful bands from the 80s:

SURVIVOR

Formed in Chicago, IL orginal members included Frankie Sullivan/lead guitar, Jim Peterik/guitar, Dave Bickler/lead vocals, Dennis Johnson/Bass, and Gary Smith/Drums.  They were signed by Scotti Brothers Records in 1980 and released their debut self-titled album.   Through the years, the lineup has changed faces several times.  Before 1980 was over, Johnson and Smith were replaced by Stephen Ellis and Marc Droubay respectively.  In 1981, their second release Premonition finally scored them a top 40 single with "Poor Man's Son" which also caught the attention of actor/director Sylvester Stallone.  The band was asked to right a song for the Rocky III sequel, and "Eye Of The TIger" proved to be a break out hit, spending seven weeks at #1 on the charts.  It also garnered a Grammy nomination and was voted "Best New Song" by the People's Choice Awards.  By 1983, due to medical issues, Bickler was replaced by Jimi Jamison.  Once again called upon by Hollywood, "Moment Of Truth" became an instant hit as Daniel's theme song in The Karate Kid.   Vital Signs, the first album recorded with Jamison went multi-platinum, and produced such hits as "Can't Hold Back," "High On You" and "The Search Is Over."  In 1993, Jamison left the band to pursue a solo career and Bickler returned on vocals.  In 1996, after failed attempts to secure a record deal, Bickler and Peterik left, Jamison, once again, stepped in, and guitarist/keyboardist Chris Grove and bassist Randy Riley were added to the lineup.  The current lineup consists of Robin McAuley/vocals, Frankie Sullivan/guitar, Marc Droubay/drums, Billy Ozello/bass, and Chris Grove/keyboards and guitar.

A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS

The original band was formed in Liverpool, Englang and included Mike Score/keyboards and vocals, his brother Ali Score/drums, Frank Maudsley/Bass, and Paul Reynolds/guitar.  Their self titled debut release was a concept album about alien abduction.  There are four flying saucers visibile on the album cover just outside the window to the left of the television.  The only single of signifigance, "I Ran (So Far Away)" is the first song of the story, which ends with the eventual alien victory over Mankind.  Reynolds abruptly left the band, but the trio continued to tour.  After selling out four shows in Philadelphia, the three remaining members applied for and received green cards, and settled into the city of brotherly love.  Though that brotherly love was not enough to keep the Score brothers from having a falling out, and the band dissolved when Maudsley moved back to the UK and Ali Score moved to Boston, leaving Mike Score as the only original member.  They briefly met again when VH1's TV show Bands Reunited managed to get them to perform one more time in 2004.  The current lineup includes Mike Score/keyboards and vocals, Joe Rodriguez/guitar, Pando/bass and Michael Brahm/drums.

TOMMY TUTONE

Based out of a San Francisco suburb and formed in the late 70s, the original members were Tom Heath/vocals and guitar, Jim Keller/lead guitar, Terry Nails/Bass and Mickey Shine /drums.  Before they broke out with "867-5309/Jenny" Tommy Tutone had a hit single with "Angel Say No".  A common misconception is that Tommy Tutone is the name of a person, but it is actually the band name, shortened down from Tommy and the Tutones.  They have also seen their fair share of personnel changes.  Jon Lyons replaced original bassist Nails, then was replaced by Greg Sutton.  Mona Gnader, of Sammy Hagar's Wabos, also played with them for a time.  Original drummer Shine was replaced by Victor Carberry, and he was replaced with Jerry Angel.  The current lineup, Heath, Jimmy James/bass, Andy Gauthier/drums and Greg Georgeson/lead guitar, just signed a record deal with Spectra Records.

THE ROMANTICS

A group of hard-working boys from the East Side of Detroit decided they would escape the life of factory workers and formed the group The Romantics.  Their sound and message was in direct contrast to the angry nihilsm of the British punks.  Their music was upbeat and energetic.  The original lineup was made up of Wally Palmar/vocals, guitar and harmonica, Jimmy Marinos/drums, Mike Skill/lead guitar and Rich Cole/bass.  The 1979 seflt-titled debut album included the hit "What I Like About You" which reached #48 on the charts, but became more popular in the mid 80s when it was used in several TV advertisements.  Their most commercially successful album, In Heat, produced a top ten single "Talking In Your Sleep" and the band embarked on a very successful concert tour.  The Romantics made appearances on Solid Gold, American Bandstand and Soul Train.   Turmoil hit in 1987 as a battle in court began with their former managers over misappropriated profits.  After seven years, the case was finally settled and the band regained control of its publishing rights.  The current lineup includes Palmar, Skill/bass, Coz Canler/lead guitar and Brad Elvis/drums.  

CUTTING CREW

Nick Van Ede/vocals and Kevin Scott MacMichaels/guitar formed Cutting Crew in 1985, and landed a recording contract before adding bassist Colin Farley and drummer Martin Beedle in 1986.  Their first album, Broadcast, released in 1986 earned them a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1987.  Most people remember them only for their #1 hit "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight".  But the album produced another top ten hit, "I've Been In Love Before".  (I can feel the head nods and hear the "Oh yeah's"!)  The band dispersed in 1993.  Sadly, MacMichael lost his battle with lung cancer on New Year's Eve 2002, after having worked with Robert Plant on the critically acclaimed album Fate Of Nations.  Van Ede re-formed the band with new members and is currently touring with Tom Arnold/drums and percussion, Sam Flynn/Keyboards, Gareth Moulton/guitar, Dominic Finley/bass and Jamie Robinson/guitar.

NAKED EYES

Around 1980 Peter Byrne, Rob Fisher, Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal formed a band in Bath, England called Neon.  They recorded a few songs but the band eventually fizzled.  Smith and Orzabal went on to form a little band called Tears For Fears, and Byrne and Fisher created Naked Eyes.  Burning Bridges was released in 1983 in the US and produced back to back to back hits with "Always Something There To Remind Me", "Promises, Promises" and "When The Lights Go Out".  Instead of touring, the record label urged the duo to quickly produce a follow up album.  Fuel For The Fire produced one hit, "(What) In The Name Of Love".  The label still pushing for another album, forced the band to decide to put Naked Eyes on hold.  Both continued to work in the music industry.  After several years, Byrne and Fisher found themselves back in the studio ready to ressurect the band in 1999.  Unfortunately, just days before they were to begin recording, Fisher passed away from complications following stomache surgery.  Left alone to carry on, Byrne went back to his roots, spent years writing and creating, and finally released Fumbling With The Covers on July 31, 2007.

**David Bickler is the voice behind the famous Bud Light "Real Men Of Genius" radio and TV commercials.

**In 2000 Survivor threatened to sue CBS for using the title "Survivor" for their reality TV show.

**The Starbucks commercial featuring Survivor singing to Glen to the theme of "Eye Of The Tiger" was nominated for an Emmy.

**Mike Score, famous for his outlandish hairdo was a former hairdresser.

**Because of US tensions with Iran, the single "I Ran" was released in the US as "I Ran (So Far Away)".

** Score's famous hairstyle has been parodied several times including on Friends, That 70s Show, The Wedding SInger, Diet Pepsi, Supercuts, and The Family Guy.

**At the time of its release, "867-5309" was the phone number of the daughter of Buffalo's Chief of Police in New York.

**Off and on drummer Clem Burke, was an original founding member of the band Blondie.

**"What I Like About You" was licensed for use in TV commercials without the band's knowledge or approval, which was a large gripe with their management, consequently ending in a 7 year court battle.

**Broadcast was the first #1 album for Richard Branson's VIrgin Records label.

**"Always Something There To Remind Me" was a cover of a Burt Bacharach and Hal David song, but it was Sandie Shaw's version that caught the attention of Naked Eyes.

**The English version* of "Promises, Promises" has different lyrics from the US released version.  *Unfortunately I was unable to track down a full version of the UK lyrics, but I found an interview that discusses some of the changes.

**Pete Byrne delivered a very moving eulogy for long-time friend and partner Rob Fisher.

 Yes folks, it has happened again!  On the day before he was scheduled to perform at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, Alice Cooper walked into our store to do a little shopping since the weather decided to thunderstorm on his golf game!  He brought a few friends with him form the band, (including Eric SInger) signed a few autographs, and yes, snapped a photo!!  Thanks for being so cool Mr. Cooper!!