Adrian Wright of The Human League turns 51 today.
The Human League, clockwise from bottom left: Ian Burden, Phil Oakey,
Joanne Catherall, Jo Callis, Susanne Sulley and Philip Adrian Wright
Human League...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An unofficial Human League website: league-online.com
Human League - The Sound Of The Crowd (Top Of The Pops 1981)
Blogload: The Human League - Dare - kikismusic.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, X released their third album, Under The Big Black Sun. It contained the song "The Hungry Wolf" which received some rotation on MTV and brought the band some attention to the mainstream. The Los Angeles band was appreciated much quicker in the U.S. where the album reached the #76 spot on the U.S. albums chart but did not chart in the U.K. 
On this date in 1978, Siouxsie and The Banshees released their third single, "Playground Twist". It was backed by "Pulled To Bits". The A side appeared on their second album, Join Hands. The B side was a non-LP track. The single reached the #24 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
Siouxsie and The Banshees - Playground Twist (from Top Of The Pops 1979)
Blogload: Siouxsie and The Banshees - Join Hands - those-wires.blogspot.com
On this date in 1978, The Buzzcocks released their fourth 7 inch single, "Love You More". It was backed by "Noise Annoys". Neither track appeared on a regular studio album but both appeared on their 1979 compilation, Singles Going Steady. They were also both added to their second album, Love Bites, when it was re-released on CD. The single reached the #34 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
The Buzzcocks - Love You More (from Top Of The Pops 1978)
Blogload: The Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady - manchessolares.blogspot.com
On this date in 1978, The Sex Pistols released their fifth single, "No One Is Innocent". It was backed by "My Way". Both songs appeared on the soundtrack to the movie, The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle. The A side was recorded by Paul Cook and Steve Jones after the breakup of The Sex Pistols with vocals handled by convicted train robber Ronnie Biggs. The B side was sung by Sid Vicious. The single reached the #6 spot on the U.K. singles chart, clearly on the band's name alone.
Sid Vicious - My Way
Blogload: The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle - The Sex Pistols and friends - ramones-discografia.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, 999 released their fourteenth single, "Wild Sun". It was backed by "Scandal In The City". Neither song originally appeared on an album but both were added to their fifth album, Concrete, when it is was re-released on CD. The band broke up shortly thereafter only to re-form a few years later. 
Not Wild Sun but...
Blogload: 999 - The Early Stuff - www.borninthebasement.net
On this date in 1981, Visage released their fourth single, "Visage". It was backed by "Second Steps". A version of the A side appeared on their self-titled debut album, but it was a more danceable version on the single. The B side was a non-LP track. The single reached the #22 spot on the U.K. singles chart. 
Blogload: Visage - debut album - jukebox-jp.blogspot.com
On this date in 1979, Devo released their second full length album, Duty Now For The Future. It contained the singles, "Secret Agent Man" and "The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprize". The album reached the #49 spot on the U.K. albums chart and #73 on the U.S. albums chart.
On this date in 1982, Government Issue released their second EP, Make An Effort. It featured the songs, "Teenager In A Box", "No Way Out", "Twisted Views" and "Sheer Terror". Only the last track made it onto their debut album, Boycott Stab. The Washington, DC hardcore band once had Brian Baker of Minor Threat fame on guitar. He was the guitarist on this EP.
Blogload: Government Issue - The Complete History Volume 1 - borninthebasement.net
On this date in 1982, Gang Of Four released their seventh single, "Call Me Up". It was backed by "I Will Be A Good Boy". Both songs appeared on their third full length album, Songs Of The Free. Their tremendous popularity never translated into singles chart success and this was yet another single that did not place on the singles chart.
Blogload: Gang Of Four - A Brief History Of The Twentieth Century - and more - bestfbothworlds.blogspot.com
In June of 1980, the Virgin Prunes released their second single, "Moments And Mine (Despite Straight Lines)". The B sides were "In The Greylight" and "War". None of these three songs made an album, but all were included in the 1993 compilation, Artfuck. Virgin Prunes was a Dublin-based goth band whose members were childhood friends of Bono and The Edge from U2.
In June of 1980, the Cockney Rejects released their sixth single, "We Can Do Anything". It was backed by "15 Nights". The A side appeared on their second album, Greatest Hits Volume II. The B side did not but was added as a bonus track when it was re-released on CD. As a side note, their first three albums were named Greatest Hits and were differentiated by their volumes, numbered I, II and III. They were not greatest hits albums, just their first, second and third albums. 
Blogload: Cockney Rejects - Greatest Hits - Volumes I, II and II - caldoecaezas.blogspot.com
In June of 1980, Sham 69 released their tenth single, "Unite And Win". They backed it with "I'm A Man". Neither song appeared on an alum but the A side was added to their fourth album, The Game, when it was re-released on CD. 
Blogload: Sham 69 - The Game - hangoverhard.blogspot.com
In June of 1980, The Plasmatics released their third single, "Butcher Baby". This was the second time this was released as a single. They originally released the single in 1979. This time, the B side was a live version of "Tight Black Pants". They also released a three song EP the same month, with "Butcher Baby" as the A side again. The B sides of the EP were live versions of "Living Dead" and "Sometimes I". "Butcher Baby" appeared on their first album, New Hope For The Wretched. All three live tracks issued in June of 1980 appeared as bonus tracks when this album was re-released on CD.
The Plasmatics - Butcher Baby
Blogload: The Plasmatics - New Hope For The Wretched - franksiniestro.blogspot.com
In June of 1980, Discharge released their second EP, Fight Back. Aside from the title track, it contained "War's No Fairytale", "Always Restrictions", "You Take Part In Creating The System" and "Religion Instigates", all on a 7 inch record. They were one of the earlier English punk bands, having started recording demos in 1977, but they didn't distribute anything officially until 1980.
Blogload: Discharge - Fight Back EP - destroyemall.blogspot.com
On this date in 1980, The Lambrettas released their debut album, Beat Boys In The Jet Age. The album contained three singles, "Poison Ivy", "Da-a-a-ance", and "Another Day, Another Girl". Like The Jam and The Chords, they were labeled as a mod band.
Blogload: The Lambrettas - Beat Boys In The Jet Age - drunksongs.blogspot.com
On this date in 1980, The Dickies released their ninth single, "Gigantor". It was backed by "Bowling With Bedrock Barney". Neither song appeared on a regular album but both were added as bonus tracks to their second album, Dawn Of The Dickies, when re-released on CD. The single reached the #72 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The 12 inch version had a cover of "Eve Of Destruction".
The Dickies - Gigantor and You Drive Me Ape (live 1983)
Blogload: The Dickies - Gigantor 12" with B sides - commercialzone.blogspot.com
On this date in 1979, Public Image Limited released their second single, "Death Disco". It was backed by "No Bird Do Sing". Both tracks appeared on their second album, Metal Box, but in altered form. The A side became "Swan Lake" and had a different ending. The B side was also altered and was called "No Bird". The single reached the #22 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
Public Image Limited - Death Disco
Blogload: PIL - Best Of - mrmagoomc4.blogspot.com
On this date in 1977, The Modern Lovers released their third album, Rock 'N' Roll With The Modern Lovers. This album, like the second album, was actually credited to Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers. This was the first album without the services of drummer David Robinson who had left to join The Cars.
Bye Bye TorrentSpy and ISOHunt, Both Plan to Start Filtering Copyrighted Content
Stick to the music blogs.
On this date in 1979, The Pretenders released their second single, "Kid". It was backed by "Tatooed Love Boys". Both tracks appeared on their self-titled debut album. The single reached the #33 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
Blogload: The Pretenders - some early demos and live tracks including Kid (demo) and Tatooed Love Boys (live) - teenagedogsintrouble.blogspot.com
Gilson Lavis of Squeeze turns 56 today.
Squeeze, left to right: John Bentley, Glenn Tilbrook,
Paul Carrack, Gilson Lavis, Chris Difford
Squeeze...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The official Squeeze website: squeezefan.com
Squeeze - Cool For Cats (1979)
Blogload: The Essential Squeeze - leechme.info
Terri Nunn of Berlin turns 46 today.
Berlin...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Berlin fan site: berlinpage.com
Berlin - Sex (I'm A) (1982)
On this date in 1982, Bananarama released their fourth single, "Shy Boy". It was backed by "Don't Call Us". The A side appeared on their debut album, Deep Sea Skiving. The B side was a non-LP track. The single reached the #4 spot on the U.K. singles chart and the #83 spot on the U.S. singles chart.
Bananarama - Shy Boy
Blogload: Bananarama - Greatest Hits & More, More, More - worldofmusics.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, Husker Du released their second single, "In A Free Land". It was backed by "What Do I Want?" and "M.I.C.". None of these songs initially appeared on an album but all were included as bonus tracks when their 1983 debut album, Everything Falls Apart, was re-released on CD. The Minneapolis band initially gained attention as a hardcore punk band but their music slowed down with time. 
Husker Du - In A Free Land (live)
Blogload: Husker Du - Everything Falls Apart - corneliussaid.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, Dexy's Midnight Runners released their ninth U.K. single, "Come On Eileen". It was backed by "Dubious". The 12 inch version added a third track, "Liars A To B". The U.S. release had a different B side, "Let's Make This Precious". All but "Dubious", a non-LP track, made their second album, Too-Rye-Ay. "Dubious" was added as a bonus track when the album was re-released on CD. The single reached the #1 spot on both the U.S. and U.K. singles charts. 
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
Blogload: The Very Best Of Dexy's Midnight Runners - novynil.blogspot.com
On this date in 1981, The Mo-dettes released their sixth and final single, "Tonight". It was backed by "Waltz In Blue Minor". The all-girl group released one album, The Story So Far, in 1980 but neither of these tracks made the album. 
Blogload: The Mo-dettes - Tonight - raidingthevinylarchive.blogspot.com
Blogload: The Mo-dettes - The Story So Far - themagicsuitcase.blogspot.com
On this date in 1980, Liliput released their third single, "Die Matrosen". It was backed by "Split" (and first under the name Liliput). The band did not release a full length album until 1982 and neither song was included. The all girl Swiss punk band was formerly known as Kleenex but they changed their name under threat of lawsuit from the makers of Kleenex.
Blogload: Kleenex/Liliput - (the entire recorded outputs) - commercialzone.blogspot.com
On this date in 1979, Chelsea released their self-titled debut album. It did not contain any of their singles. The re-release on CD included demos of their third and fourth singles, "Urban Kids" and "No Escape" as bonus tracks. The band was one of the earliest punk bands on the scene but went through some dramatic personnle changes early that set their recordings back. The original lineup featured Gene October as the lead singer and three bandmates who would leave early to form another band. Those departing were Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe. The band would be Generation X.
Blogload: Chelsea - The Punk Singles Collection: 1977-1982 - hangoverhard.blogspot.com
On this date in 1979, Simple Minds released their second single, "Chelsea Girl". It was backed by "Garden Of Hate". The A side appeared on their debut album, Life In A Day. The B side was a non-LP track. It was the second of three singles from their debut album.
Simple Minds - Chelsea Girl (live on TV)
Blogload: Simple Minds - Life In A Day- and more - saltyka.blogspot.com
Mick Jones of The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite turns 52 today.
The Clash, left to right: Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, Nicky Headon and
Paul Simonon.
The Clash...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The official Clash website: theclashonline.com
Big Audio Dynamite...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Clash - London Calling (on Fridays 1980)
Big Audio Dynamite - C'mon Every Beat Box (live 1987)
Blogload: The Clash - D.O.A. (Demos, Outakes and Alternates) - ramones-discografia.blogspot.com
Blogload: Big Audio Dynamite - B.A.D. Files volume 7 - mccranksjuke.blogspot.com
On this date in 1983, The Police had the #1 album in the U.K. with Synchronicity. It was their fifth and final album. The album contained four singles, "Every Breath You Take" (#1 U.K. and U.S.), "Wrapped Around Your Finger" (#7 U.K., #8 U.S.), "Synchronicity II" (#17 U.K., #16 U.S.) and "King Of Pain" (#17 U.K., #3 U.S.). The album also reached the #1 spot in the U.S.
Blogload: The Police - Synchronicity - thecousinbrothers.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, Joe Jackson released his fifth album, Night And Day. It contained three singles, "Steppin' Out " (#6 U.S., #6 U.K.), "Breaking Us In Two" (#18 U.S., #59 U.K.) and "Real Men" (did not chart). The album, itself, reached the #3 spot in the U.K. and the #4 spot in the U.S.
Blogload: Joe Jackson - Night And Day - jake-and-elwood-33.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, Pigabag released their fourth single, "The Big Bean". The B side was "Scumda". Both tracks were instrumentals. The A side appeared on their fourth album, Favourite Things, released in 1983. The B side was a non-LP track. The single reached the #40 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
On this date in 1982, Culture Club released their second single, "I'm Afraid Of Me". The B side was "Murder Rap Trap". The A side appeared on their debut album, Kissing To Be Clever. The B side was left off the vinyl but was added as a bonus track when the album was re-released on CD. The song would reach the #100 spot on the U.K. singles chart but that would be its peak. The next five U.K. releases would all reach at least the #3 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
Blogload: Culture Club - I Just Wanna Be Loved (4 CD discography) - choquegratis.blogspot.com
On this date in 1981, Bauhaus released their sixth single, "The Passion Of Lovers". It was backed by "David Jay/Peter Murphy/Kevin Haskins/Daniel Ash". The A side appeared on their second album, Mask. The B side did not but was added as a bonus track when the album was re-released on CD. The b side consisted of brief musical noise for the most part with each band member creating their own little snippet. The single reached the #56 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
Bauhaus - The Passion Of Lovers
Blogload: Bauhaus - Mask - the-roadhouse-viander.blogspot.com
On this date in 1980, Dexy's Midnight Runners released their third single, "There There My Dear". It was backed by an instrumental entitled "The Horse". The A side appeared on their debut album, Searching For The Young Soul Rebels. The B side was a non-LP track. The single reached the #7 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
Dexy's Midnight Runners - There There My Dear
Blogload: Dexy's Midnight Runners - Searching For The Young Soul Rebels - saltyka.blogspot.com
On this date in 1980, Klark Kent released his self-titled debut album. It included the singles "Don't Care", "Away From Home" and "Ritch In A Ditch". Klark Kent was Stewart Copeland of The Police. It was his side project.
Blogload: Klark Kent - debut album - my.opera.com/walknthabass/blog
Tim Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House turns 55 today. 
Split Enz, circa 1980, left to right: Malcolm Green, Eddie Rayner,
Nigel Griggs, Neil Finn, Tim Finn and Noel Crombie
Split Enz...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On this day in 1980, Split Enz released their fifth album, True Colours, in the U.K. It had been released in their native New Zealand. The album contained the singles, "I Got You" (#1 Australia and New Zealand, #12 U.K., #53 U.S.), "I Hope I Never" (in Australia and New Zealand only) and "Nobody takes Me Seriously" (U.S. and U.K. only). The album topped the charts in New Zealand and Australia, reached the #38 spot in the U.K. and the #40 spot in the U.S.
Split Enz - I Got You (1980)
Blogload: Split Enz - True Colours - overdoseoffingalcocoa.blogspot.com
On this date in 1980, Slaughter & The Dogs released their ninth single, "I'm The One". It was backed by "Hell In New York" and a live version of "What's Wrong Boy?". "Hell In New York" as well as a studio version of "What's Wrong Boy?" were all on their second album, Bite Back. The live track and "I'm The One" were included on the album as bonus tracks when it was re-released on CD. This was the last single before they broke up. They got back together in 1983. 
Blogload: Lots of Slaughter & The Dogs albums - bonitocadaver.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, Haysi Fantayzee released their debut single, "John Wayne Is Big Leggy". It was backed by "Sabres Of Paradise". Both songs appeared on their 1983 debut album, Battle Hymns For Children Singing. The single reached the #11 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
Haysi Fantayzee - John Wayne Is Big Leggy
On this date in 1981, The Associates released their fourth single, "Q Quarters". It was backed by "Kissed". The A side was on the Scottish band's second album, Fourth Drawer Down. The B side was a non-LP track that was added to the album as a bonus track when it was re-released on CD.
Blogload: The Associates - The Affectionate Punch (debut album) - rho-xs.blogspot.com
On this date in 1981, The Birthday Party released their second single as The Birthday Party, "Nick The Stripper". The band used to be known as The Boys Next Door. The B side was "Blundertown". The 12 inch had one additional track, "Kathy's Kisses". The A side appeared on their first album as The Birthday Party, Prayers On Fire. The two other tracks did not originally appear on the album but were added as bonus tracks when the album was re-released on CD. The band was, of course, fronted by Nick Cave.
On another note, an old friend was a HUGE fan of The Birthday Party. If you're out there, Paul B, drop us a comment.
The Birthday Party - Nick The Stripper
Blogload: The Birthday Party - Prayers On Fire - lost-intyme.blogspot.com
Curt Smith of Tears For Fears turns 46 today.
Tears For Fears, left to right: Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal
Tears For Fears...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Tears For Fears website: tears-for-fears.com
Tears For Fears - Mad World (1982)
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Blogload: Tears For Fears - The Best Of Remixes - orianik.blogspot.com
On this date in 1980, Cuddly Toys released their first single under their new name. It was "Madman" and was backed by "Join The Girls". Both tracks appeared on their debut album, Trails And Crosses. The A side was actually written by Marc Bolan (of T Rex) and David Bowie but unreleased.
The band used to be called Raped and played punk. The name was fairly unmarketable and they changed their name to Cuddly Toys and took on a more glam punk/new wave image. They couldn't hold on to their early fans and never really gathered any commercial success anywhere other than Japan. 
Cuddly Toys - Madman
Blogload: Cuddly Toys - Madman - dustonthestylus.blogspot.com
Andy McCluskey of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark turns 48 today!
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, clockwise from bottom left:
Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper and Malcolm Holmes
OMD...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The OMD website: omd.uk.com
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Electricity (1979)
Blogload: The Best Of OMD - aquellos80sa.wordpress.com
On this date in 1977, The Electric Chairs released their second 7 inch EP. It was a three song recording that featured "The Last Time", "Paranoia Paradise" and "Stuck On You". The first song was a lengthy cover of The Rolling Stones' song. The group would later change thier name to Wayne County and the Electric Chairs (and, after Wayne's sex change, Jayne County). 
Blogload: Jayne County & The Electric Chairs and Wayne County & The Electric Chairs - Let Your Backbone Slip! - a compilation - www.borninthebasement.net
Astro (born Terence Wilson) of UB40 turns 50 today!
UB40...courtesy of wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The official UB40 website: ub40.co.uk
UB40 - Red Red Wine (1983)
Blogload: UB40 - Lots of albums - schwerinmoses.blogspot.com
On this date in 1984, Duran Duran had the #1 single in the U.S. with "The Reflex". It was a spot it would hold for two weeks. It also reached the #1 spot in the U.K. The single was from their third album, Seven And The Ragged Tiger.
Duran Duran - The Reflex
Blogload: Duran Duran - The Reflex - several extended versions - bornagain80s.blogspot.com
In June of 1983, The Alarm released their second single, "The Stand". It was backed by "Third Light". The A side appeared on their debut self-titled five song EP. A different version of the song appeared on their debut full-length album, Declaration. The B side also appeared on Declaration. The single reached the #86 spot on the U.K. singles chart.
The Alarm - The Stand
In June of 1982, The Shakin' Pyramids released their third 7 inch single, "Just A Memory". It was backed by "Who Cares". Both tracks appeared on their second album, Celts & Cobras. They were a rockabilly band from Scotland.
Blogload: The Shakin' Pyramids - The Complete Pyramids - cdsearcherblog.blogspot.com
