I caught the Pet Shop Boys at the House of Blues in Atlantic City on Sunday with my good friend Billy Suede. Go check out his blog post which includes the setlist and pictures taken on his Blackberry!

It was amazing!!!!!

R.I.P. John Hughes

As I’m sure many of you are already aware, classic 80s movie director & producer John Hughes passed away today. It is such a sad day for us 80s kids who grew up watching such classic films as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Uncle Buck (to name only a few). These are movies that literally defined a generation!

The soundtracks to these teen flicks were also classic. In fact, I can’t NOT think of his movies when I hear these great songs…

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)

“If You Leave” by OMD (Pretty in Pink)

“Weird Science” by Oingo Boingo (Weird Science)

“Eighties” by Killing Joke (Weird Science)

“Love Missile F1-11″ by Sigue Sigue Sputnik (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

“Oh Yeah” by Yello (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

“Wild Thing” by Tone Loc (Uncle Buck)

(And yes, I did, and still do, like Tone Loc!)

Thank you John Hughes… for the movies and the memories.

You will be missed.

I know, I know… I have sadly neglected this blog. I assure you new wave still pumps through my blood. I’m still DJ’ing 80s new wave in Philadelphia and love every minute of it!  I do have a day job, though, and I’m very immersed in it.

In any event, I have to give mad props to Billy Suede who continues to keep me informed of new music as well as remind me of the classics that are near and dear to my heart. Recently, Billy introduced us to a new band out of the UK called Hurts. Let’s face it, the Brits sure do know how to make music. These guys have taken an obvious new romantic influence and crafted beautifully lush melodies that have managed to melt even my cold heart.

Check out the song “Wonderful Life”. The 80s are back, my friends.

Jimmy Somerville to release new album, Suddenly Last Summer, on May 18th

25 years after the release of “Smalltown Boy”, Jimmy Somerville releases his new Album “Suddenly Last Summer” in May this year.

Prepare to experience 11 classic songs all sensuously performed. Jimmy goes back to the basics on this album with fabulous interpretations of classic numbers such as “Hanging on the telephone”, “People are strange” and “Where have all the flowers gone”.

With his distinctive voice coming once again to the fore, you will be taken on an unforgettable journey that will touch your heart.

Release date is May 18.

Videos and songs are posted on his official MySpace page.

When it was announced last year that Ultravox would be reuniting for dates in the UK, it was a dream come true! The thought of the band that I have come to adore performing live again was glorious. Unfortunately, due to various obstacles (namely monetary ones), I could not justify a trip to the UK to attend one of the live shows. Thanks to internet video, I get to see and “experience” what I am missing on the other side of the pond.

Here are a few videos that fans have uploaded to YouTube from recent shows at Hammersmith Apollo and Nottingham.

To say I’m jealous would be an complete understatement.  I really hope they find it in themselves to perform at least one show in the USA. I would not miss that for ANYTHING!

Frankmusik may be new musik (:)), but Vincent Frank will remind you of the hey day of 80s synthpop – a simpler day when fun, bouncy music set to a catchy beat made you feel all good inside! Go on, listen…

Don’t you feel better?

I gotta give props to my main man Billy Suede for turning me on to Frankmusik! Go check out his blog – you won’t be disappointed!

If you’re interested in hearing me blather about new music and other random stuff, check out my Tumblr.

If you’re on Twitter – follow @DJMarilyn.

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about the new Depeche Mode album. It’s not because I question their musical integrity – I always believe they have it in them. Being a fan of some 20+ years, I always like to believe in them and want new music from them.

But I thought, my goodness, there’s no way they could they top the musical comeback that was their last full-length album “Playing the Angel”. I went into that album with very low expections.  So when it was released, and I was blown away, I felt that they had acheived a level of “nirvana” in their career. I thought I listened to their best work to date.

Then Dave Gahan decided to release a solo album shortly thereafter. His solo effort “Hourglass”, while decent, left us wanting more in substance. We surely all felt the absence of Martin Gore’s production. And, ultimately, we were left begging for another Depeche Mode album!

Come 2009, they rise to the call!

If “Wrong” is any indication of how “Sounds of the Universe” sounds… we’re in for quite a ride! I am not only hooked on the arrangement, the lyrics, and Dave’s vocals, but in their new post-modern synthpop image. They make no bones about it, they OWN the synthpop sound.  They are not only the forefathers of synthpop, but continue to be the masters of it!  There is no better that continues its legacy.

That is a clip as performed at the Echo Awards in Berlin, Germany recently.  They are as tight as ever. Dave Gahan and co. are completely on point. This version brings the best of what they were and what they currently are. A band that commands respect and attention as the group that defined and continues to define the synthpop sound.

In summary, Depeche Mode continues to be a force to be reckoned with in modern synthpop music. They show their contemporaries they are the absolute best the genre has ever had; and ever will have.  See you on August 1st or August 3rd?

North American concert tour:

Friday, July 24th                                     Toronto
Saturday, July 25th                                 Montreal
Tuesday, July 28th                                  Washington , DC
Friday, July 31st                                      Boston
Saturday, August 1st                             Atlantic City
Monday, August 3rd                               New York
Monday, August 10th                            Seattle
Wednesday, August 12th                       San Francisco
Friday, August 14th                                San Diego
Sunday, August 16th                              Los Angeles
Monday, August 17th                            Los Angeles
Thursday, August 20th                            Santa Barbara
Saturday, August 22nd                           Las Vegas
Sunday, August 23rd                              Phoenix
Tuesday, August 25th                             Salt Lake City
Thursday, August 27th                           Denver
Saturday, August 29th                           Dallas
Sunday, August 30th                              Houston
Tuesday, Sept 1st                                   Atlanta
Friday, Sept 4th                                      Tampa
Saturday, Sept 5th                                 Ft. Lauderdale

As one of the most influential bands of the post-punk era with global sales in excess of 100 million, Depeche Mode belongs to a select premiere league of super groups who have survived from the early 1980s with their ideals, creative vision and core members intact.  Formed in 1981, Depeche Mode – Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher – continue to win critical and commercial acclaim across the world both in the studio and on the road.  All of the band’s 11 studio albums have reached the Top Ten in not only the UK and USA but 20 plus countries around the world including Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Belgium. Since their inception, Depeche Mode’s live shows continue to be a must-see attraction, with the group playing to 2.8 million people across 31 countries on their last tour alone.

Cheers,

The New Wave Diva

I just posted about Lene Lovich.  It has inspired me to keep writing about obscure 80s.  Much like other bloggers I love & know do.  Some of them are listed in my blogroll.  Others are not.

If it’s something I pride myself in knowing, it’s obscure 80s music. I don’t always get to play at it the events I spin at, but it’s the music I adore.

Do you know Figures on a Beach?  No? You should!

Look forward to learning more about obscure 80s new wave & alternative in 2009 from DJ Marilyn Thomas, the New Wave Diva!

Lene Lovich - New Wave Queen of the 80s

Recently at Sex Dwarf, we paid tribute to Lene Lovich.  It impressed me how many people not only know who she is but knew her music! If you don’t, listen for yourself.  Talk about “New Wave Diva”. I got nothing on Lene Lovich.

“Lucky Number”

“New Toy”

“It’s You, Only You”

“Blue Hotel”

“Say When”

Sex Dwarf Playlist – Lovich In The Air – February 6, 2009
a spotlight on Lene Lovich as well as songs of ‘love’

DJ Robert Drake 9:00 – 10:30pm

Lene Lovich / Sleeping Beauty
Tom Tom Club / Loralie
Lene Lovich / Wonderful One
Lene Lovich / Monkey Talk
Lene Lovich / I Think We’re Alone Now
Adam Ant / Kick
Elvis Costello / Strict Time
SSQ / Playback
Cult Hero / I’m A Cult Hero
Quando Quango / Love Tempo
The B-52s / Summer Of Love
Lene Lovich / Blue
Book Of Love / Witchcraft
Lene Lovich / Cats Away
Lene Lovich / Birdsong
New Order / Procession
Figures On A Beach / No Stars
Psychedelic Furs / Heartbreak Beat 12″
Kissing The Pink / Certain Things Are Likely
Our Daughter’s Wedding / Lawnchairs Are Everywhere

DJ Marilyn Thomas 10:30pm – 11:30pm

Leisure Process / Love Cascade 12″
Human League / Love Action (I Believe)
OMD / So In Love
Haircut 100 / Love Plus One 12″
Lene Lovich / It’s You, Only You
Siouxsie & The Banshees / The Passenger
ABC / Look Of Love
The Cure / Love Cats
David Bowie / Modern Love
Depeche Mode / Strangelove
Eurythmics / Love Is A Stranger
Erasure / Oh La’Mour
Tears For Fears / Shout
Spandau Ballet / To Cut A Long Story Short
English Beat / Hands Off, She’s Mine
Pigbag / Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag

DJ Robert Drake 11:30pm – 12:15am

Blue Rondo a la Turk / Me & Mr.
Sanchez
OMD / Enola Gay
OMD / Red Frame, White Light
Martha & The Muffins / Echo Beach
Lene Lovich / Blue Hotel
Peter Schilling / Major Tom
Lene Lovich / Home
Bronski Beat / I Feel Love – Johnny
Real Life / Send Me An Angel
PIL / This Is Not A Love Song
Thompson Twins / Love On Your Side

DJ Marilyn Thomas 12:15 – 1:00am

A Flock Of Seagulls / Space Age Love Song
King / Love & Pride
Yaz / Don’t Go!
Fad Gadget / Love Parasite
Lene Lovich / Lucky Number 12″
Marc Almond / Tears Run Rings
The Smiths / Sheila Take A Bow
The Cure / Friday I’m In Love
Ministry / Work For Love
Joy Division / Love Will Tear Us Apart
Psychedelic Furs / Love My Way
Billy Idol / White Wedding
Modern English / I Melt With You

DJ Robert Drake 1:00 – 2:00am

The Go-Go’s / Lust For Love
DEVO / Love Without Anger
The B-52s / Dance This Mess Around – 52 Girls 12″
Delta 5 / Try
Bunnydrums / Little Room
Joy Division / Digital
Lene Lovich / Angels
Split Enz / I Got You
Visage / Love Glove
Depeche Mode / Just Can’t Get Enough
Culture Club / Love Is Cold
Talking Heads / Crosseyed & Painless
Yello / I Love You
Pet Shop Boys / Love Comes Quickly
When In Rome / The Promise – closing song

Next month (MARCH 6) Sex Dwarf is ‘For The Birds’ as we spotlight A Flock Of Seagulls – feathers are the theme and we’ll be screening Hitchcock’s The Birds through the night on the Big Wall!

Since my blog posts are few and far between these days, but you’re looking for great commentary about music (new and classic), look no further than http://billysuede.wordpress.com/.

I plan on posting more in 2009, but in the meantime check out Billy Suede!