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?
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Ah.....I remember that time. Plenty of good memories, for instance:

It's 1980 ish and I'm a recent college grad, living in an apartment with a roommate in North Jersey. Of course, we haunt the NYC club scene and listen to the NYU radio station religiously. One night they play a new band that neither of us has ever heard of. My roommate is instantly smitten by the singer's sultry voice and her rather suggestive lyrics. The music is a ferocious blend of funk and punk and they immediately move to the top of my must see list. Plus, my roommate is in love with the chick singer and now we both have to see this band (if for somewhat different reasons).

Good News! They're coming to the Mudd Club (IIRC). We head in for the (weekday) early show at 11:00 PM, despite the implications for work the next morning. Bad News! The show is sold out. We head back to New Jersey, but my roommate will not be denied. He heads back into NYC for the late show.

The band in question was Romeo Void and the singer's name is Debra Iyall. If you don't know this band (and they were IMHO one of the best of the era), suffice it to say that Debra Iyall sounds a fair bit sexier than she looks. If you want to know the dictionary definition of "disappointed look on your face", you had to see my (bleary eyed) roommate at 6:00 AM the next morning.

Fortunately for him, he reported that the show was great.
"Hey Mickey you're so fine - you're so fine you blow my mind, Hey Mickey! Hey Mickey." It sucked then and it sucks now. That pretty much sums up music of the 80's for me.
Chayro,

Agreed. Popular music in the 80s led me to discover the talent in country music; was living in Nashville then, was a snob about it, but quickly saw the value. So I owe 80s pop a thanks for broadening my appreciation of other genres.
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
"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.