The B-52's: 1979 - 1983

 

Formed on an October night in 1976 following drinks at an Athens, GA, Chinese restaurant, the band played their first gig at a friend's house on Valentine's Day 1977. Naming themselves after Southern slang for exaggerated 'bouffant" hairdos, the newly-christened B-52s (Fred Schneider, Kate

Pierson, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson and Ricky Wilson) began weekend road trips to New York City for gigs at CBGB's and a handful of other venues. Making music that's full of quirks but also friendly and fun to dance to, the B-52s filter surf music, '60s pop, vintage soul, and low-budget sci-fi soundtracks through a pop culture kaleidoscope. Among the first American new wave acts to break through to mainstream visibility, the B-52s became one of the biggest success stories to emerge from the American underground in the late '70s. 
                                             

With their eager embrace of kitschy fashion and oddball humor, the B-52s made party music for the skinny tie crowd, and also brought a queer sensibility to their music when punk rock was turning increasingly macho and misogynistic. (Four of the five founding members were on the LGBTQ+

spectrum, and they were outspoken in their support of AIDS research and marriage equality.) Before long, their thrift store aesthetic and genre-defying songs were the talk of the post-punk underground. A record deal soon followed and their self-titled debut disc, produced by Chris Blackwell, sold more than 500,000 copies on the strength of their first singles, the garage rock party classic "Rock Lobster," and "52 Girls." The B-52s began to attract fans far beyond the punk clubs of the Lower East Side — galvanizing the pop world with their 'stream-of-consciousness' approach to songwriting and outrageous performance.
                           

The success of Mesopotamia, produced by David Byrne (1982), and Whammy! (1983) positioned the B-52s as MTV regulars as well as alternative radio staples. At the time of their greatest achievements, however, they suffered their greatest tragedy — the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson

from AIDS. Ricky Wilson's passing in 1985 came just after the sessions for Bouncing Off The Satellites (1986). As a period of mourning, Keith, switching from drums to guitar, gradually resumed writing music for a new album. Working together on vocal melodies, lyrics and arrangements for the new tracks, Keith, Kate, Fred and Cindy re-emerged with the Don Was/Nile Rodgers co-produced Cosmic Thing (1989). The album proved to be the greatest commercial achievement for the group, and its success propelled the band to international superstars.
                          

Cosmic Thing soared to the top of the Billboard Album chart, sold five million copies and yielded their first-ever Hot 10 hits — "Love Shack" and "Roam" and a Top 40 hit with "Deadbeat Club."

The B-52s advanced their reputation as the greatest party band on the planet to a whole new generation of music fans. They played to sold-out audience worldwide on a tour that would last more than 18 months, including an Earth Day gig before nearly 750,000 people in New York City's Central Park. Soon after, Cindy Wilson amicably departed. The B-52s influence cuts a wide path through much of so-called 'modern rock' — from the low-fi efforts of nouveau garage bands to the retro-hip of ultra-lounge, to the very core of dance music itself. In 2008 the B-52s released their first new album in 16 years, the aptly titled Funplex. 
                                 

As they take their party-music revolution into the 21st century the B-52s show no signs of slowing down, serving up their own unique blend of music and showmanship to millions of fans around the world. In April 2022, the group announced that they would embark on a final farewell tour, with KC and the

Sunshine Band and DJ Cummerbund. On May 15, 2024, the City of Athens, Georgia, announced that their Federal Prospects Hockey League team would be named the Rock Lobsters, honoring the band and their song. The B-52s toured with Devo on their North American Cosmic De-Evolution tour in 2025, with Lene Lovich as the opening act. The tour reached London and Manchester in June 2026 with guests Lovich and the Rezillos. The B-52s were honored with the 2,861st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 29, 2026, at 6212 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Amoeba Music. The B-52s received their star in the category of Recording.
                                         

       

ALBUMS ON THIS POST
                     

01. THE B-52's - THE B-52's 1979
02. THE B-52's - WILD PLANET 1980
03. THE B-52's - PARTY MIX 1981 + MESOPOTAMIA 1982
04. THE B-52's - WHAMMY! 1983

01.  THE B-52's - THE B-52's 1979

                             

Even in the weird, quirky world of new wave and post-punk in the late '70s, the B-52's' eponymous debut stood out as an original. Unabashed kitsch mavens at a time when their peers were either vulgar or stylish,

the Athens quintet celebrated all the silliest aspects of pre-Beatles pop culture -- bad hairdos, sci-fi nightmares, dance crazes, pastels, and anything else that sprung into their minds -- to a skewed fusion of pop, surf, avant-garde, amateurish punk, and white funk. On paper, it sounds like a cerebral exercise, but it played like a party. It's difficult to imagine the endless kitschy retro fads of the '80s and '90s without the B-52's pointing the way, but The B-52's isn't simply an historic artifact -- it's a hell of a good time. 
                                    

The B-52's – 1979 - The B-52's
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 3355-2
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 1987
Country: US
Released: 1979    
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave

TRACKS

                     

01. Planet Claire   4:35
Written-By – F. Schneider, K. Strickland
02. 52 Girls   3:34
Guitar [2nd] – Kate Pierson
Written-By – J. Ayers, R. Wilson
03. Dance This Mess Around   4:36
Written-By – The B-52's
04. Rock Lobster   6:49
Written-By – F. Schneider, R. Wilson
05. Lava   4:54
Written-By – The B-52's
06. There's A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon)   4:54
Guitar [2nd] – Cindy Wilson
Written-By – The B-52's
07. Hero Worship   4:07
Guitar [2nd] – Kate Pierson
Keyboards [Keyboard Bass] – Fred Schneider
Written-By – R. Wilson, R. Waldrop    
08. 6060-842   2:48
Written-By – F. Schneider, K. Pierson, K. Strickland, R. Wilson
09. Downtown   2:57
Written-By – Tony Hatch
    

LINE - UP

                        

Kate Pierson – vocals, organ, keyboard bass; additional guitar (2, 7)
Fred Schneider – vocals, cowbell, walkie-talkie, toy piano; keyboard bass (7)
Keith Strickland – drums, percussion, "Claire sounds"
Cindy Wilson – vocals, bongos, tambourine; additional guitar (6)
Ricky Wilson – guitars, smoke alarm

Flac Size: 258 MB

02.  THE B-52's - WILD PLANET 1980

                               

Conventional wisdom has it that all the B-52's' subsequent releases are highly inferior to their debut.

While Wild Planet is not the rarefied wonder their first platter is, it's still darn good. The songs here are generally faster, tighter, and punchier than previously, though production values are not as wonderfully quirky and detailed. These selections continue to exhibit a cunning mix of girl group, garage band, surf, and television theme song influences, all propelled along by an itchy dance beat. Performances and sound quality are fine. This album is well worth hearing and recommended. 
                             

The B-52's – 1980 - Wild Planet
Label: Warner Bros. Records – W2 3471
Format: CD, Album, Club Edition, Reissue 1989
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

TRACKS

                          

01. Party Out Of Bounds    3:21
02. Dirty Back Road    3:21
03. Runnin' Around    3:09
04. Give Me Back My Man    4:00
05. Private Idaho    3:35
06. Devil In My Car    4:28
07. Quiche Lorraine    3:58
08. Strobe Light    3:59
09. 53 Miles West Of Venus    4:53

LINE - UP

                         

Kate Pierson – vocals, organ, keyboard bass; additional guitar 
Fred Schneider – vocals, cowbell, piano; keyboard bass
Keith Strickland – drums, percussion
Cindy Wilson – vocals, tambourine, additional guitar 
Ricky Wilson – guitars

Flac Size: 211 MB

03.  THE B-52's - PARTY MIX 1981 + MESOPOTAMIA 1982

                           

Party Mix! is a six-track mini-album that selects three tracks each from the B-52's' first two albums, The B-52's and Wild Planet, and presents them in dance mixes. Since the group's bouncy songs are already

dance-ready, this makes for alternatives rather than real improvements, even from a dancefloor perspective. 
After setting dancefloors alight and funny bones aquiver in 1979-1980 with their first two albums, The B-52's and Wild Planet, the B-52's seemed to run out of gas soon after, issuing a stopgap remix mini-album, Party Mix!, in 1981, and then turning in another stopgap mini in this lackluster set, produced by David Byrne, who must have seemed like a good choice, although his sense of humor is less zany, if just as weird, as that of the B's. 
                                     

The B-52's – Party Mix & Mesopotamia
Label: Reprise Records – 9 26401-2
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

TRACKS
                               

RARTY MIX 1981

                             

           
01. Party Out Of Bounds    5:12
02. Private Idaho    4:04
03. Give Me Back My Man    7:00
04. Lava    6:07
05. Dance This Mess Around    2:57
06. 52 Girls    3:02

MESOPOTAMIA 1983            

                        

07. Loveland    5:05
08. Deep Sleep    3:30
09. Mesopotamia    3:51
10. Cake    5:36
11. Throw That Beat In The Garbage Can    4:09
12. Nip It In The Bud    3:32

LINE - UP

                         

Vocals, Keyboards, Bass, Organ, Noises [Bird Calls], Keyboards [Keyboard Bass] – Kate Pierson
Vocals, Noises [Walkie Talkie], Toy Piano – Fred Schneider
Saxophone – Ralph Carney (tracks: 7 to 12), Roberto Aaron (tracks: 7 to 12)
Trumpet – David Buck (tracks: 7 to 12)
Vocals, Bongos, Tambourine – Cindy Wilson
Bass [Fretless], Synthesizer, Guitar, Percussion – David Byrne (tracks: 7 to 12)
Drums – Yogi Horton (tracks: 7 to 12)
Guitar [2nd] – Kate Pierson (tracks: 6)
Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Organ, Noises [Smoke Alarm] – Ricky Wilson (3)
Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Organ, Piano, Marimba, Guitar – Keith Strickland

Flac Size: 354 MB

04.   THE B-52's - WHAMMY! 1983

                        

Following the botched collaboration with David Byrne on Mesopotamia, the B-52's decided to craft their fourth album as a return to the pop-culture funk explosion of their debut. Smartly, they decided to not

simply replicate the skewed Southern funk of that album, choosing to update their signature sound with drum machines and new wave synths. As a result, it now sounds a little forced and dated, but the best moments -- "Legal Tender," "Whammy Kiss," "Butterbean," "Song for a Future Generation" -- rank as B-52's classics, and the entire record is certainly entertaining, even with its faults. [Whammy! was originally released with a cover of Yoko Ono's "Don't Worry." When the time came to reissue the CD in 1989, the group ran into copyright troubles with Ono and the song was pulled, replaced by "Moon 83."] 
                             

The B-52's – 1983 - Whammy!
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 23819-2
Format: CD, Album, Reissue May 1990
Country: UK & Europe
Released: 1983
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

TRACKS

                          

01. Legal Tender   3:41
Lyrics By – Robert Waldrop    
02. Whammy Kiss    5:21
03. Song For A Future Generation    3:58
04. Butterbean    4:16
05. Trism    3:24
06. Queen Of Las Vegas    4:35
07. Moon 83    4:01
08. Big Bird   4:13
Saxophone – Ralph Carney
Trumpet – David Buck    
09. Work That Skirt    3:51

LINE - UP

                        

Cindy Wilson – vocals
Kate Pierson – vocals
Fred Schneider – vocals
Ricky Wilson – keyboards, guitars, bass, vocals on "Song for a Future Generation"
Keith Strickland – keyboards, guitars, drums, vocals on "Song for a Future Generation"

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS

Ralph Carney – saxophone on "Big Bird"
David Buck – trumpet on "Big Bird"

Flac Size: 255 MB

The Folklords: Release The Sunshine 1968

             

 

The Folklords were a Toronto, Ontario band who released one of the most sought after folk psych LP's "Release the Sunshine" on Allied Records No. 11 in 1968. Virtually nothing is known about this Canadian-spawned trio, consisting of Tom Martin (bass, vocals), Martha Johnson (vocals, autoharp)

(who looked really pretty and was not the later founder of Martha & the Muffins), and Paul Seip (guitar, vocals), except that they signed a contract with Allied Records in late 1967 or early 1968, which resulted in the recording of their only LP, Release the Sunshine. They were of a piece with such groups as William St. James, or perhaps a stripped-down We Five, but evidently -- according to reissue annotator Vincent Tornatore (who did the digging) -- they never rated a mention in any Canadian publication. They sang pretty well, however, and their obscurity is not a reflection of a lack of talent or a sellable sound. 
                                   

This pretty if somewhat low-key album is a nice piece of folk/sunshine pop with resonant Autoharp and guitar, a kind of reflective male/female vocal mix that recalls the first Jefferson Airplane album, and some diverting psychedelic lyrics. Not knowing the Folklords' Release the Sunshine won't make you

a failure in '60s music lore or trivia, even in Canada, whence they hail, but hearing it isn't the worst way to spend 40 (or 80) minutes of your time. "Forty Second River" has a spacy quality that's pretty diverting and "Windows" a stark lyricism that's a bit like the Signe Anderson-era Airplane, before the latter's wattage got boosted. Some of it is a little on the lugubrious side ("Pardon Me Judas"), while other songs seem like potential singles ("Thank You for Your Kindness"). The Folklords toured, "but didn't get much support from Allied". They appeared on a few TV shows, "but it wasn't an easy time in Canada in those days", Tom writes. 
(By Bruce Eder)
                                

The Folklords' Release the Sunshine is a captivating album, a notion shared by the many collectors world-wide who fight for original copies, which are few and far between. Strange thing is, if someone were to say to us that the Folklords album was released by Creation Records in 1987, it would be difficult to

argue. You may well ask, why? Our answer: the chiming guitars, the rattle of tambourine, the dreaminess, the sometimes dark lyrics, and the harmony vocals of Martha Johnson place the Folklords closer to Biff Bang Pow, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Revolving Paint Dream, or even My Bloody Valentine's debut, 'Ecstasy and Wine' (granted, at a much slower speed, and without the rampant fuzz guitar) than it does to sunny 1960's poppiness. Glorious newly remastered sound -- sourced directly from the master tapes. Dreamy sunshine-infused-yet-with-clouds-passing-by pop psychedelia with a folk bent and a futuristic sound."
                                  

LINE - UP

 
Martha Johnson (vocals, autoharp)
Tom Martin [aka Tom Waschkowski] (vocals, bass) 
Paul Seip (vocals, guitar)
Craig Boswell (drums)
                                       

The Folklords – 1968 - Release The Sunshine
Label: Pacemaker Entertainment Limited – PACE-047-LN
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 2008
Country: Canada
Released: 1968    
Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk Rock, Soft Rock, Psychedelic Folk

TRACKS

                          

01. Jennifer Lee   3:20
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski    
02. Don't Hide Your Love From Me   2:55
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
03. Child    3:42
04. Unspoken Love    2:08
05. Windows    4:17
06. Forty Second River   3:18
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
07. Pardon Me Judas   3:10
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
08. Thank You For Your Kindness    3:05
09. We'll Love Like Before   2:20
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
10. Suzanne Marie    4:00
11. Don't Look Back    2:50
12. The Slave   3:10
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
    

BONUS TRACKS        

    
13. Forty Second River     3:23
Words By, Music By – Tom Waschkowski
14. Unspoken Love    3:10

Flac Size: 512 MB

The Jackets: 4 Albums 2009 - 2019

 

The Jackets are a dynamic Garage-Punk-Psych-trio based in Bern, Switzerland featuring front

woman Jack Torera on guitar and lead voice, Chris Rosales on drums and Samuel 'Schmidi' Schmidiger on bass. Since 2008, The Jackets have brought their high energy live show to stages throughout Europe, USA, Mexico and Canada. Charismatic singer and guitarist Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera) is an energetic elemental force, androgynous and wild. 
                              

With her distinctive voice, her fuzz guitar, stage acrobatics and stage make-up, she captivates.

Together with the uncompromisingly rhythm and groove section of Chris Rosales on drums and Samuel Schmidiger on bass the Jackets create the perfect three-piece; raw, direct and together with Brutsche turn every Jackets concert into an unforgettable event. The Jackets strip Rock and Roll down to its essential components then build something unique to their personalities and their need for self-expression. 
                                    

The music feels new because it is authentic and free of cliché but still captures the simplicity that

Rock and Roll must have to stay honest and bold! Songs like “Wasting My Time”, “Keep Yourself Alive” and “Freak Out” have become new anthems for new times but keep the spirit and roots of garage punk in the heart of the song.The Jackets have carved out a universe of their own, steadily moving forward with independence since their formation. Over the years, they’ve built a large and loyal fan base worldwide. The band has released five full-length albums and three vinyl 7” singles  
                           

In October 2024, they released their long-awaited 5th album “Intuition” on Chaputa Records and are

touring Japan, the USA, Switzerland and Europe. They mix Punk and Psychedelic ‘60s that make your body move and lyrics that feed your mind. The Jackets are not afraid to play ballads or the most primitive punker. It always sounds groovy when it’s The Jackets! The Jackets mix the best elements of Rock and Roll into a potent, irresistible cocktail with a ferocity that is full of good humor, high spirited fun, and full blast excitement! 
                        

01.  THE JACKETS - STUCK INDIDE 2009

                                

Cut way back in 2008 (released in 2009), this debut record by the Jackets is another terrific garage rocker.

They didn't yet quite have the distinctive sound that they now possess, although it was certainly bubbling under. With a different bassist (Severin Erni - although Sam Schmidiger plays lead guitar on a couple of tracks here) and a couple more covers ("I Cannot Stop You" from the Cherry Slush and "Demolition Girl" by the Saints), the sound might be a bit more punky, but is still pretty damn striking and shows the evolution of the group.
(By Rich Coffee) 
                       

The Jackets – 2012 - Stuck Inside
Label: Subversiv Records – CDSUB047
Format: CD, Album
Country: Switzerland
Released: 2009
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                           

01. Get Back With You    2:54
02. I Cannot Stop You    2:51
03. Running    2:54
04. Got No Time    1:50
05. Make You Mine    2:20
06. Mr. Stranger    3:58
07. Traitor    3:03
08. Out Of My Head    4:04
09. Sadie    4:10
10. Demolition Girl    1:36
11. Count The Tears    4:10
12. Escape    4:51

LINE - UP

                                     

Lead Vocals, Guitar, Composed By – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Severin Erni
Drums – Chris Rosales
Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger (tracks: B1)

NOTES

Written By Jackie Jackie Brutsche ecxept track 1 (Chris Rosales)

Flac Size: 265 MB

02.  THE JACKETS - WAY OUT 2012

                             

Jackie’s vocals range from sultry to screaming and her guitar uses different effects and riffs to form a retro tone with nods to many of the major 60’s groups (everyone from the Count V to the Sonics to Richard &

the Young Lions to the Wailers, whose “Hang Up” they cover here). Chris & Samuel give a solid, hard-hitting backing with hip harmonies and the three work as a solid and powerful unit. Slashing chords, wild fuzz licks, well-written tunes and growls a-plenty! This is a terrific slab of retro garage that could easily have fit in with the best of the 80’s groups – if that is your thang, the Jackets are your band! Get it! 
(By Rich Coffee) 
                                

The Jackets – 2012 - Way Out
Label: Soundflat Records – SFR-CD-019
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 2012
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                             

01. Freak Out    2:56
02. Down You Stay    3:16
03. Wasting My Time    3:42
04. Fly My Way    5:01
05. You Said    2:57
06. Hang Up    2:24
07. In My Mind    3:29
08. Oh Baby    4:48
09. Falling Girl    4:21
10. What We Gonna Do    2:26
11. The City    4:19
12. Last Chance    3:46

LINE - UP

                     

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger
Drums – Chris Rosales

NOTES

All songs written by The Jackets except "hang up" by The Wailers. 

Flac Size: 339 MB

03.  THE JACKETS - SHADOWS OF SOUND 2015

                                       

Shadows of Sound, on Bern’s Voodoo Rhythm Records, is not only their first for the label, but an all out analogue monster built on raw sounds straight from the garage. The Result? Jackie Brutsche’s vocals rip

apart sonic barriers and range from low bass growlers (“Hands off Me”) to 60’s psychedelia Grace Slick trembles made current (“Sometimes Maybe”). These are bedroom grooves for high octane evenings. The only purity on this album is its honesty and commitment to setting the new standard of garage. It’s time to dump that puritan view of what garage should sound like, Shadows of Sound is the new standard for rock’n’roll in the 21st century. 
(The Novel Sound)
                               

The Jackets – 2015 - Shadows Of Sound
Label: Voodoo Rhythm – VRCD92
Format: CD, Album
Country: Switzerland
Released: 2015
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                                   

01. Don't Turn Yourself In    3:15
02. At The Go-Go    2:42
03. Sometimes Maybe    3:35
04. Keep Yourself Alive    3:01
05. Living In The Past    2:51
06. Watch You Cry    3:01
07. Wheels Of Time    3:34
08. You Better    2:18
09. Hands Off Me    3:02
10. Astronaut    2:51
11. Shadows Of Sound    3:38

LINE - UP

                                 

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger
Drums – Chris Rosales

Flac Size: 251 MB

04.  THE JACKETS - QUEEN OF THE PILL 2019

                     

There’s a good chance they’re going to be one of your new favorite bands. ... Every song is a snotty,

respectable pop hit, something you so rarely get one of; let alone an album filled with 10. There isn’t a weakness on this album. ... This band could work for so many music fans; they’re dirty and punk enough for die hard garage snobs, and yet just poppy enough for the radio. 
(Alex Napiwocki - Up The Punks Magazine)
                           

The Jackets – 2019 - Queen Of The Pill
Label: Voodoo Rhythm – VRCD112
Format: CD
Country: Switzerland
Released: Jun 14, 2019
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                        

01. Dreamer    3:18
02. What About You    3:16
03. Steam Queen    3:03
04. Move On    2:37
05. Don't Leave Me Alone    3:45
06. Queen Of The Pill    2:52
07. Floating Alice    4:01
08. Losers Lullaby    2:49
09. Deeper Way    3:15
10. Be Myself    2:28

LINE - UP

                         

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Jackie Brutsche (aka Jack Torera)
Bass Guitar – Samuel Schmidiger
Drums – Chris Rosales
Vocals, Gong – King Khan (tracks: 02, 03)

Flac Size: 234 MB