If you are not familiar with The Nails don't feel bad.  They were not a hit on commercial radio, but this punk rock/new wave outfit from Boulder Colorado was much better known on college radio in the mid to late 80's.  Although Mood Swing is their debut album from 1984, the band originally formed in 1976 as a five-piece band.  They moved to New York and built both their musical chops and their following on the club circuit before their major label debut.

At the time that Mood Swing was released the band consisted of Marc Campbell on vocals, Steve O'Rourke on guitar, George Kaufman on bass, Douglas Guthrie on saxophone, and David Kaufman on keyboards.  Drummer Tommy Cotogna had left the band prior to recording the album, and Dennis McDermott provided the drum work for the album sessions.

The band produced a sound that included strong musicianship, dark and often deliberately shocking lyrics, but laced with a sense of humor.  Campbell claimed that their music came from “a mystical and sexual area.  I write in a cinematic way, trying to create through language and sound, texture and atmosphere, a specific mood.”  The songs on the album do indeed represent a diversity of mood.

Wayne relives his days as a college radio DJ as he brings us this new wave group for the podcast, and we are joined by friend of the show Heather Lynch, sitting in for Bruce (and keeping Lynch in line).

Every Time I Touch You
The distinctive bass line followed by the screaming guitar leads into this song about being lost in a mix of love and lust, though we're not certain that this is a match made in heaven.  Love is a fire which can be explosive and tear the lovers apart.   And you never can go wrong with a sax!

Let It All Hang Out
This is a cover from a 1967 song by the Hombres, and a “southern-fried parody” of Bob Dylan's “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” A number of other artists also covered this song, including Cream, John Cougar Mellencamp, and Wheezer.  It's a fun song.

88 Lines About 44 Women 
If the Nail had a “hit” this was it.  This single peaked at number 46 on the US dance chart, and was laid out on a new Casio keyboard.  The Nails had released several versions of this song previously on independent labels.  Lead singer Campbell says that the song pays tribute to the power and glory of sex, drugs, rock and roll...and love.  It is dedicated to the women in my life to did their best to keep me human."

Home of the Brave
This song has a Warhol-esque feel to it.  “Hectic madness of city living where the whores are dancing on the table tops and the juke box plays Apocalyptic bebop.” 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from the television series “Night Court”
We were introduced to Judge Harry T. Stone and the eclectic characters that pass through his courtroom on this sitcom that premiered in January 1984.

STAFF PICKS:

Say it Isn't So by Hall & Oates
Lynch starts of the staff picks with one of two new singles released on Hall & Oates compilation album "Rock 'n Soul Part 1."  It was stuck at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, behind Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney's "Say Say Say" for several weeks before finally taking the number 1 slot.  It is about the downside of fame, and the oddness of everyone seeming to know them. 

The Politics of Dancing by The Re-Flex
Rob's staff pick hits all the hallmarks of mid-80's music, including the keyboards, drum machine, spoken lyrics, and low tones.  This song went to number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.  This is the title song from the debut album by The Re-Flex.  The band stopped working together by 1985, but members often collaborated on each other's solo projects.

Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder 
Heather Lynch brings us a reggae-infused tune that hit number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The song lyrics reflect a man smitten by a woman from whom he must move on, but it also reflects Wilder's struggles with delivering a hit that the record label would take.

Holy Diver by Dio
Wayne features heavy metal virtuoso Ronnie James Dio in a solo outing.  It was from his debut solo album of the same name.  The lyrics are about a Christ-figure on another planet who sacrifices himself for his people.  This song was one on Clear Channel's “inappropriate to play” songs after the attacks on 9/11.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

1984 by Van Halen
This short instrumental leads off Van Halen's album of the same name.

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