I am not that familiar with the LA punk scene, but YouTube recently suggested this episode about "Chinatown Punk Wars" and it is fascinating (and mentions both the GoGos and 20/20, albeit in passing). It's long, but it made me think of you.
I'm always torn about the Go-Go's. I saw them a lot around L.A. back in their days. I remember a show at the Marquee where they were an opening band and only had three songs. I used to see various members hanging out at the Whiskey before they formed the band. They were all just a force of nature and blast to be around.
But...their pop stuff was much more fun to listen to. The first time I heard "We've Got The Beat," they were frantically thrashing away at it at about twice the speed of the familiar version. Yes, the label and their management rounded off the punkiest things. But given the solo output of some of the band, I think that pop stuff was hiding not far below the surface.
I love reading you two together!
All-female bands have not been getting real respect since the first ones came to be...
...and there have been ones in virtually every genre, from jazz to rock.
I've got some books from that series out from the library, so probably....
I am not that familiar with the LA punk scene, but YouTube recently suggested this episode about "Chinatown Punk Wars" and it is fascinating (and mentions both the GoGos and 20/20, albeit in passing). It's long, but it made me think of you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKa3g_I78wY
I'm always torn about the Go-Go's. I saw them a lot around L.A. back in their days. I remember a show at the Marquee where they were an opening band and only had three songs. I used to see various members hanging out at the Whiskey before they formed the band. They were all just a force of nature and blast to be around.
But...their pop stuff was much more fun to listen to. The first time I heard "We've Got The Beat," they were frantically thrashing away at it at about twice the speed of the familiar version. Yes, the label and their management rounded off the punkiest things. But given the solo output of some of the band, I think that pop stuff was hiding not far below the surface.