Zion, Illinois’s Shoes are another one of those bands that should be more famous than they ever got. Their career spanned more than 40 years, they were one of the first bands on MTV, and they invented indie rock. But a household name, they most definitely are not. Maybe it’s the banality of the name itself.
While America was just getting into disco and just starting to get over The Eagles, Shoes were in their home studio recording sweet little songs that sound more like twee Brooklyn rock from the 2000’s only much better. After self releasing 2 LP’s between 1975 and ’77, they got a major label deal in 1979, but, unlike label mates The Cars, never gained much traction with their breathy powerpop. Their first self-released album, One in Versailles, is unlike anything else from the 70’s. The songs are simple and sentimental and DIY and somehow were years ahead of their time.
And they didn’t change the formula much once they were on Elektra.
A really unique band that not many people paid attention to unfortunately. Happily, though, The Numero Group re-released those first two home pressed LP’s a few years ago.
Deadsplinter thanks you for your continued support.
I’m just walking in my brown shoes…The Rings, I Wanna Be Free. A classic!
Hell yes!
RIP Eddie
Obviously I scheduled this post before the news. I was not a Van Halen fan before Jump, but everyone was after.
Bobby Freeman – Betty Lou Got A New Pair Of Shoes
I know I’ve posted this one before but it’s such a good song and since it’s Twofer Tuesday
Kirsty McColl – In Theses Shoes
The Bus Boys – New Shoes
and my twofer Tuesday offering…Mark Foggo – New Shoes
and RIP Eddie, at about 2:17 this song gets a special visitor!!!
Adam Ant – Goody two Shoes
youtube has another video of ‘Goody two Shoes’,
here’s his performance from ‘top of the pops’ too!
“Goody Two Shoes” on ‘Chuck’
The Shitty Limits – In Your Shoes
Eagles – Those Shoes
Holy shit, about Eddie!
Rip Eddie
There’s a Cheese for this….
…so, having found myself too late to snag the RunDMC number my first thought was
…but on reflection I think I can make an argument for this
falling father from just what we are […] lie some more/these conversations kill – seems pretty timely
too much walking shoes shoes worn thin – shoe reference, check
too much tripping and my soul’s worn thin – I know “patient Nero” doesn’t show any signs of having a soul but if he did that bastard is worn right out
I rest my case?
Another one gone…
And those of us who saw that awful Hercules Cartoon (from Canada City, too–we were to TV animation like Filmation…) that was Johnny Nash who sang the theme.
shoes!
Patton Oswalt – Christmas Shoes
I worked on a Valerie Bertinelli sitcom called Cafe American(it didn’t last long) – he would come some nights when we taped it. He was always so nice. One time Valerie had a headache and he went and got her some aspirin from the medic and stood over to the side behind the cameras where I was standing – he kept asking me when I thought he could run in to give the her the aspirin – the studio audience was more interested in him that what was going on on the show.
Here’s hoping there really is a rocknroll heaven.
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing that story.