Beginner's Guide To...The Go-Gos (and beyond)

Why bother?

Because they had 'the beat'. And to be honest, probably still have it. Go ask Belinda Carlilse, maybe it's fallen down the back of her sofa or something. Yeah, Belinda Carlisle. Heaven Is A Place On Earth. Don't like that record? You're a snob. Belinda started her career drumming (under the name Dottie Danger) for hardcore punk combo The Germs (who also featured future Nirvana sideman Pat Smear), then in 1978 formed The Go-Gos with a buncha other LA punkettes and schlepped up and down the Sunset Strip playing dank new-wave hang-outs for beer money. Their first 45 was the stunning surf-pop chain-gang girl chant of 'We Got The Beat', released on the punker-than-thou Stiff Records. Ie: The Go-Gos were not empty-headed bubblegummers. They were the realest of deals, and kick the ass of every indie-kid preconception you have about 'em.

Essential Purchase: Beauty And The Beat (LP) 1981

Not just the essential Go-Gos album, but an essential US New Wave LP period. This is 50s / 60s girl-group / surf music refracted through an 80s Valley-Girl prism, real milkshakes 'n' lipstick rock and roll music, never raw exactly, but a little grittier than you might expect. There is an infectious tongue-in-cheek LA retro hip to The Go-Gos, the lyrics being all teenage cheerleader chants and Shangri-Las boy trouble, spiced up with a buncha pop-culture references to 60s dance crazes and Pontiac GTOs. Ultimately this is a FUN album, and perhaps playing up the PUNK ROOTS of The Go-Gos is somewhat wrongheaded. This is 60s influenced 80s pop music, done spectacularly well, by a buncha mall-rats in stilettos and bad perms, like the missing link between the Runaways and the Bangles.

Hidden Gem: Jane Wielden - Rush Hour (single) 1988

I unapologetically love this song. I mean, the video sucks. The production is ridiculous. But the song...oh, man. And (ex Go-Gos guitarist) Jane played Joan Of Arc in Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure. Which is really cool. .

One To Avoid: Vacation (LP) 1982

Regular situation of the sophomore effort by a band whose debut was massive suffering from the weight of expectation and record company pressure. Feels sorta rushed. Go instead straight to their third effort, Talkshow.

Now go back and watch Rush Hour by ex-Go-Gos guitarist Jane Wiedlen again. Paul Fuzz