Spoons - Romantic Traffic / Tell No Lies 30th Anniversary Show.

It's hard to believe it's been 30 years, it's amazing how quickly time flies. I swear it was just yesterday I headed down  to Sam the Record Man to grab my first copy of this  astounding album. Last Friday night at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club the Spoons marked the anniversary by putting on a absolutely spectacular show to a sold out crowd here in down town Toronto. This also marks only the second time in 25 years that all four original members Gord, Sandy, Rob, and Derek performed together. I see Steve Sweeny was filming the show, hopefully this means the DVD will be available at the next gig, fingers crossed.

 

 

The Belle Stars

 

An all girl seven piece band the Belle Stars were founded in London in 1980. Prior to formation four of the members (Sarah Jane, Stella, Miranda and Judy) were in an all girl band, The body Snatchers who had a hit Do Rock Steady. The Belle Stars signed to Stiff Records in 1981 releasing a series of singles, Hiawatha, Slick Trick, Iko Iko, and a four track EP featuring, Another Latin Love Song, Having a Good Time, Miss World and Stop Now. Following these releases the band spent time touring throughout Europe with The Clash, The Police, Madness, The English Beat and Elvis Costello among others . In late1982 the Belle Stars scored hit record in the UK with their Single The Clapping Song followed by Sign of the Times (January 1983) and Mocking Bird. In 1989, they finally charted in the United States when "Iko Iko" reached number 14 on the Billboard Top 100 in March, it was also included on the soundtrack of the film Rain Man.

The English Beat - Live Gateshead Stadium July 31, 1982

Great little live performance I pulled off YouTube filmed at Gateshead Stadium July 31, 1982. The English Beat actually started a new tour  in March, there are no Canadian dates but there are some dates in the US.
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