SummersRadio™ Classic Remix! Pet Shop Boys!

SummersRadio™ Classic Remix! Pet Shop Boys - 'West End Girls' (Dance Mix) Perhaps my expectations were too high for a new remix of this song - perhaps not. A bit of history...

'West End Girls' had a lengthy shelf life - nearly 3 years! It was released twice - first in April 1984 produced by Bobby Orlando, becoming a minor club hit. Then in 1985 they signed with EMI and re-recorded the song with producer Stephen Hague for their debut album 'Please' and re-released it. It reached number 1 in the U.K. later that year, and then it went on to hit number 1 in the U.S. in the spring of 1986 and stayed on the chart for 20 weeks. The lyrics were inspired by T.S. Elliot's poem 'The Waste Land' and the song used what was then new sampling technology with the E-mu Emulator keyboard.

This is the definitive remix - the 'Dance Mix' which came out on 12" the second time around in 1985. The equally memorable video - shot around London - was nominated for the Best New Artist Video at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost out to A-ha's groundbreaking animated video for 'Take On Me'. I always remember those mannequin children and the sound of the street at the beginning - it sets the mood instantly. (this HQ video has been re-edited to fit this extended version)

The song still sounds as sleek and modern as it did over 25 years ago - so yeah it would be pretty tough to top this mix - it's pretty much perfect! I love the sound of the drumming and the cowbell - when I play it, I slow it way down - stoner house™ style - to make it even more gallopy (new word!) and hypnotic! I love this song/ remix... can you tell? :) Enjoy...

 

SummersRadio™ 'STARTLEFEST 2010' Rare Remix!

SummersRadio™ STARTLEFEST 2010 - Rare Remix! Echo & The Bunnymen - 'The Killing Moon' (All Night Version) Echo & The Bunnymen's 'The Killing Moon' was originally released in 1984 and included on their 'Ocean Rain' album, but the song reached an entire new audience when it was featured prominently in the 2001 film 'Donnie Darko'... Enjoy!

SummersRadio™ 'STARTLEFEST 2010' Halloween Spectacular Continues!

SummersRadio™ 'STARTLEFEST 2010' Halloween Spectacular continues! Propaganda - 'Dr. Mabuse' Doctor Mabuse was a fictional character created by Norbert Jacques and made famous in three films from Austrian director Fritz Lang. Germany's Propaganda, who were signed to Trevor Horn's ZTT label, released 'Dr. Mabuse' as their debut single in 1984 as a tribute to the character, and it was also included on their brilliant debut album 'A Secret Wish' released the following year. This is also one of the first videos that Anton Corbijn directed - who then went on to work with dozens of artists including U2, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Johnny Cash, Nirvana, Metallica, Coldplay and the The Killers to name but a few! Enjoy...

SummersRadio™ Classic! Ministry!

SummersRadio™ Classic! Ministry - 'Everyday Is Halloween' (Remix) Ministry first released this song on 12" in 1984 and then again with remixes in '86, and to this day it resonates with fans of both goth culture and of anyone who's ever felt like an outsider. This remix is currently available on their 'Early Trax' release. I always think of this song as the missing link between their early 80's new romantic songs like 'Work For Love' and their transformation to their much heavier sound that followed later in the decade. 'Tis the season... Enjoy!