New Wave Outpost Forum

Okay, sorry for the 'little lunch/recess' inspired topic title. Being the autuer that I am what I really mean't to say was 'who were/are the most aesthetically inspiring, and impressive individuals of New Wave?'

Let's face it, as good as the music was and is, image was a HUGE component of many a band's/artist's success.

Whether it be leather clad, lipstick smeared, flannel shrouded or gel encrusted there were plenty of primping peacocks, and surly rock gods to choose from so here's my list: (in no particular order)

David Sylvian(Japan) - The great girl/boy, what a soft focus legend.
Kim Wilde - Pouty lips, doe eyes that looked straight down the camera.
Tom Bailey(Thompson Twins) - The clothes, the fingerless gloves, and the rats tail.
Keren Woodward(Bananarama) - To this day the image of her in "Robert De Niros Waiting" is what I believe to be the height of female beauty.
Terry Hall(Fun Boy Three) - The eyeliner, the mushroom hairstyle, the four bands. (and then some).
Suggs (Madness) - The whole band deserves to be here, but Suggs always, always looked like he knew where he was going, and where he'd been.
Paul Weller - More for his Style council days, 'the thin white dukes bohemian cousin.'

There are so many more like Bowie, Captain Sensible, Phil Oakey, Claire Grogan, Holly Johnson, and Ryuchi Sakamoto (fantastic cheekbones), oh and all of Duran Duran.

I know most of them are front men and women, but that's the nature of the beast. Comments on these or any additions?

Back then? Bryan Ferry had cool down to an art form.

Today? It's gotta be MikeP [;)]

No disputing the premise of this thread - - image was a huge part of the scene and why I dug these groups.....

BUT - -I'm going to go with Paul Weller in his JAM period.

True to his love of mod culture, always dressed the part, always cigarette in hand, always with his shirt-sleeves rolled up looking like he's ready to get down to business.... I love that image.

And the Clash circa London Calling. They looked PERFECT. Right clothes, right haircuts, right blend of cool and intelligence...

I always thought Stiv Bators (Lords Of The New Church)was cool, in that trashy, punk (but not TOO punk) sort of way. Also have to agree with Paul Weller, at least in his early Jam days. But, his appearance in the video "The Walls Come Tumbling Down (sic?)" with that long strand of hair dangling in his face looked pretty silly, though. Being a power pop fan I've always liked the skinny tie/Beatle boots or paisley shirt/winkle picker look. I know, call me a dinosaur.[:I]

Agree with the powerpop style - very cool. The Records album cover made me want to get a funky new wave haircut.

But since this is new wave, I also have to vote for the anti-cool: Devo (yellow contamination suits and shades), Split Enz (in their colorful suits and clown makeup)... also very cool... uh.. I mean, cool in a very un-cool way.

I'd have to go with Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics & Pete Burns from Dead Or Alive. They both displayed the fascinating gender bending androgony that the 80's were famous for. And they still continue to this day changing their looks. Especially Pete!
[:0][:X][:p]

COOLEST? I would say coolest look for a guy was Adam Ant. And for a girl would say Annabella from bow wow wow. She gets me every time with the mohawk.

During the mid 80s, the NME had a poll on this each year. IIRC Paul Weller won it a number of years in a row. I think Morrissey might have won a few times.
For me personally, Bernard Sumner of New Order.[:D]

Have to put a vote in for Morten H from A-ha
Also, what about the boys from basildon:
Dave Gahan and Martin Gore
and also what's his name, you know, the singer from Sisters of Mercy.

What about Boy George!!!!!!!!! Such a dickhead. I could have shot him!!!!!!!!![;)] Things for him haven't changed much, I could still shoot him!!![;)]

At what point did this thread turn into "What New Wave individual would you most like to shoot?" [?]

While I was never a really huge fan of Culture Club (some tunes I liked), I always sort of liked Boy George - I didn't think he was a dickhead particularly. I understand the animosity though, I'm sure everyone could think of several singers/musicians that they'd like to eviscerate.

I always thought Bow Wow Wow had a great look - all that Vivienne Westwood gear. Early Bananarama had that ratty-haired street urchin thing which I also liked. Grace Jones was imposing and scary...but cool, same with Wendy O. Early Gene Loves Jezebel I also liked - that voodoo poppet thing they had going. Also like the whole Mod look, Paul Weller was really the epitome of cool to me for a long while.

Richard Butler
Bryan Ferry
Paul Weller
Martin Frye
Deborah Harry
Chrissie Hynde

Bryan Ferry, Bowie, Lou Reed, David Sylvian, Joe Strummer, Paul Weller, Siouxsie, Patti Smith, Exene Cervenka, Debbie Harry, Annie Lenox, Grace Jones, Chrissie Hynde

Coolest:

Richard Butler
Stiv Bators
David Sylvian
Peter Murphy