Jul 222013
[Sorry I did not see this post waiting to be launched until now. – Mr. Moderator.]
Let’s Active was a fun power pop band that I’ve always enjoyed, so I was sorry to hear about the death of their first bassist, Faye Hunter. The local paper says it’s an apparent suicide.
I think Faye had left the band by then, but one of the first shows I went to with my wife in DC was Let’s Active at the old 9:30 Club in 1989. We started the night out at a nearby performance art restaurant/bar place called D.C. Space. Our waiteress at D.C. Space said Let’s Active would cap off “a perfect evening” — which it was. R.I.P.
This news freaked me out because I pulled out Cypress last week because it had been quite a few years since my last listen. I had no idea she had issues but apparently the news was not shocking to those who were close to her.
The sound of Let’s Active was so influential to the 80’s underground yet they’re still underrated. They’re a little dated (Big Plans For Everybody especially) but still very listenable (Cypress, Every Dog…). RIP Faye.
I dug those jangly albums too, Mitch wrote a few earworms. Make Up With Me would be a classic with a drummer who could keep time. Faye seemed to be an ok bassist.
No disrespect to the deceased but watching these clips reminds me of how much I disliked that band and how awful I found their overall stance to be. When the time is right to express myself on full musical and stylistic grounds I will. Sad that anyone takes her own life.
The missus and I saw them open for Echo & the Bunnymen in 1983 in NYC. Fun show. They had huge hair as I recall.