Top 10 80's Bands we don’t want to see again

Editorial

Just when you thought the '80s were well and truly gone and forgotten, bands like Spandau Ballet, Tears For Fears, Echo and the Bunnymen and Huey Lewis & the News are touring Australia. And Dragon too, minus Marc Hunter, of course. That'll be good news for some people, and some people's worst nightmare.

So what other '80s bands do we NOT want to see on a comeback tour? Here's our Top Ten list of bands that should remain just memories...

1. Pseudo Echo: First formed in 1982, this New Romantic boy band used Ultravox and Duran Duran as their model, and had a couple of hits with Listening and a cover version of Funky Town, and apparently they did do a 25 year anniversary tour in 2007, but we hope they’re leaving it at that…

2. Eurogliders: After Heaven (Must Be There) hit the charts in 1984, this Perth band had a bit of success, but then lead singer Grace Knight found a more lucrative career in singing jazz. That was a good move, there’s no going back now.

3. ZZ Top: They were old and out of date in the 80s, and with their song Legs managed some chart success. Rather than tour again, their time would be better spent trimming those beards!

4. Culture Club: Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? asked Boy George in the early 80s, and many people did. Many people still do, despite the success of Karma Chameleon. But the band – and the Boy – both lost the plot, and a suspended jail sentence has scuppered any plans of a reunion. Some are glad of that.

5. A Flock of Seagulls: Not the one-hit wonder most people remember them as (they had at least two or three!), but they are remembered for their big hit I Ran, and their hair. That’s not enough to want to see them tour today though…

6. Visage: This very New Romantic band is still known for its avant-garde hit Fade To Grey from 1981, but really didn’t find much success beyond that. But hey, the song was such a great one, they’ve become an 80’s icon, and that’s enough. So leave it there, please.

7. Haircut 100: The epitome of short-lived 80’s bands, and literally just a ‘haircut’ band, were another one-hit wonder band, with Love Plus One, and then lead singer Nick Heyward left for a solo career. They reunited briefly in 2009, hopefully not for a tour though…

8. Nik Kershaw: Best known for his big hair and hits Wouldn’t It be Good, and I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, this solo performer has since collaborated with a range of other artists, but nothing to match his early 80’s singles. Another one best left to memories and nostalgia.

9. Ultravox: ‘This means nothing to me, ah Vienna!’ This New Wave band hit the heights with Vienna and few songs after that, but then Midge Ure left for a solo career, and despite a number of attempted reunions, nothing has really eventuated. Let’s leave it at that.

10. Thompson Twins: With Doctor! Doctor! and Hold Me Now in 1984, Thompson Twins were on of the ‘it’ bands of that year. But after a line-up change, and a relocation to New Zealand, they were no more. And won’t be ever again. Which is good.

So what 80’s bands don’t you ever want to see tour? Or who would you love to see reform? Leave your comments below.

Tim Hunter, Citysearch