Jul 212008
Congratulations to Townsman Sammymaudlin for correctly — even if a bit cheesily with that laundry list of mid-80s bands it could’ve been — ID’ing Scot-rockers Big Country. Somewhat reluctantly, I hand over the coveted RTH No-Prize. Congratulations, Sammy!
Greetings! Here’s a quick one for you: who’s the band charging out of the gates with a dreadful cover of this Stones classic (click “MYSTERY DATE,” below)? This is devilishly tough, so I’ll give you a few clues:
1. That’s not the normal lead singer guy on vocals. Obviously, the drummer, or lead guitar guy, or bassist, wanted some face time with the crowd, and this was the best they could muster.
2. It’s entirely possible some of you may have been at this show!
3.
HVB
What’s Simon Cowell have to do with this Mystery Date?
To the best of my knowledge, nothing.
Here’s a further clue/bit of explanation: I posted this because it seemed to me to be pretty laughably out of character for the band.
Is it Duran Duran? They did a whole album of mostly laughably out of character covers, didn’t they?
Man, this is the sound that tells me its time to finish my drink and leave the bar.
Mod, you’ve got the right era, but the wrong band. Like I said: I honestly wonder if some of you were actually *at* this show. Think back, it’s 1986, in Philadelphia, and a popular, critically praised band takes the stage. A bit past their sell-by date, maybe, but eager to prove their continued relevance. Then, two-thirds of the way through their set, the lead guitarist steps up to the mic…
We know that it’s someone who doesn’t understand the basic concept of the chorus. It’s
It’s the honky tonk women
Gimme gimme gimme the honky tonk blues.
Not
She’s a honky tonk woman
Gimme gimme gimme the honky tonk booze
It also must be someone who doesn’t understand why divorcee is pronounced the way Jagger says it. So I’m guessing it’s not a French band.
The Replacements?
OK, Hrrundi, so this rules out Style Council… I’m going to take your “uncharacteristic” note at face value, too, and rule out X-Pensive Winos, with Keef turning over the mic to Steve Jordan… Is it that Slim Dunlap guy with The Replacements? I would LOVE for that to be the answer!
I’m thinking:
The Call
Del Amitri
The Alarm
The Proclaimers
Big Country
Shoot, Andyr beat me to the answer while I took potshots at Style Council and X-Pensive Winos! That’ll teach me.
That’s OK, Bro. I’ll change my vote to The Clash (last tour in ’86)
Oh man, The Clash would be an even better call. You get credit for either guess, if you win. I’m taking a good look in the mirror.