New Wave Outpost Forum

by **Joshua R. Bates** » Mon May 03, 2004 8:09 am

I'm looking for bands from the late 70s early 80s era that played reggae-influenced pop/rock. Beyond the usual suspects (The CLash, Police, early Joe Jackson etc) I'm sure there were plenty others that I was either too young to know about or just haven't been clued into. Specifically, if anyone has heard of a band from Virginia Beach called Locals Only or an old San Diego band called Public Domain. I haven't heard these bands' music yet but have been told they might fit what I'm looking for. Any suggestions would be appreciated. -JB

by **fritzb** » Mon May 03, 2004 9:28 am

I can't help you with either of those two acts; I don't know them.

Just a few less well known reggae-influenced bands I know: The Tenants & Novo Combo (Police sound-alikes) and early material by The Hooters (Amore EP and earlier).

by **Joshua R. Bates** » Mon May 03, 2004 9:59 am

Thanks. That helps a lot. I'll definitely check out The Tenants and Novo Combo.

by **skinnytie** » Mon May 03, 2004 11:54 am

The Ruts might be a band you would be interested in as well, Joshua, provided they don't already fit the usual suspects grouping. [:)]

by **Joshua R. Bates** » Tue May 04, 2004 12:39 am

Thanks for cluing me in on the Ruts. Pretty sure I've never heard them. Also, I found an old UB40 tour poster (circa '83) that listed an opening band called Ipso Facto, if anyone has heard of these guys and if they play a similar style I'd appreciate so

by **ekahob** » Tue May 04, 2004 6:44 am

Try Stiff Little Fingers "Doesn't Make it Alright". They were a punk band like The Clash with some occassional forays into reggae. Also Australia's Payola$ ("Eyes of a Stranger") and later Boomtown Rats ("House on Fire").

by **Joshua R. Bates** » Tue May 04, 2004 8:18 am

Cool. I've only heard a couple of Boomtown songs and I'm pretty sure it was some of their earlier stuff. Also, is Payola$ an Australian band?

by **oneno** » Tue May 04, 2004 8:26 am

Bad Brains
Flying Lizards
Our Local-"Dick Holiday and the Bamboo Gang)

by **harleytexas** » Tue May 04, 2004 11:54 am

[quote] Also Australia's Payola$ ("Eyes of a Stranger")
[/quote]

by **ekahob** » Tue May 04, 2004 10:28 pm

no need to apologize - it was my error!

by **Joshua R. Bates** » Wed May 05, 2004 12:31 am

Thanks to all who have replied for "spreading the wealth". Has Rhino or any of the other re-issue labels ever released a compilation of this type of music? Seems to me that just by the sheer amount of bands that were aping the "changa" guitar riffs and t

by **rewind** » Wed May 05, 2004 1:21 am

In 1995 Rhino released "Ranking & Skanking: the Best Of Punky Reggae" which included some of the usual suspects (Specials, English Beat...) and some surprises (Patti Smith...). Available at Amazon.

by **Joshua R. Bates** » Wed May 05, 2004 2:19 am

Thanks rewind. I knew it had to be just didn't know where to look.

by **bowiestation** » Wed May 05, 2004 2:59 am

The Ruts were a fantastic punk band that dabbled in some reggae.One great song that comes to mind is "Jah War" ! Afterwards,around 1980-81 they changed to the Ruts D.C.--More pop oriented but they did a number of reggae influenced tunes and dub remixes ar

by **ExRat** » Wed May 05, 2004 9:09 am

The most popular (and I'm not fan) reggae influenced bands that I can currently recall are UB40 and also Amazulu. Some others that occasionally had flings with reggae are Blondie, Patti Smith, Culture Club, Police, Clash, Elvis Costello, etc.

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