July 06, 2020

1987 - May: Hoodoo Gurus ”Blow Your Cool!”

33 minutes

We’re headed back down under this week with Australian group Hoodoo Gurus and their third album, Blow Your Cool! The Gurus formed Sydney in 1981 under songwriter, guitarist, and lead singer Dave Faulkner. The group was fleshed out by Richard Grossman on bass, Mark Kingmill on drums, and Brad Shepherd on guitar, harmonica, and vocals. Hoodoo Gurus were most popular on college radio, and this album was released at the peak of their popularity.

The Gurus were influenced by B movies and pop culture of the 60's, and the similarity to the B-52's is clear.

Friend of the show Joel Nabors brings us this album, which he heard at Auburn on WETL. Enjoy this trip back to “college in the 80's!”

Party Machine

This upbeat song features Brad Shepherd on harmonica, and is a song about getting paid, having no obligations for the weekend, and headed out to party. "Dig my words, it's a happening scene! Hitch a ride on the Party Machine."

The Middle of the Land

This track is a little more hard rock oriented, with heavy percussion. It is about evangelical preachers and hypocrisy.

What's My Scene

A catchy guitar riff starts this song which was the most popular one off the album. It's about looking at life and love, and wondering when you're time will come. "Now the stage is set, where's my Juliet, baby?"

Good Times

This is a fun song which features The Bangles on background vocals. There was a planned tour co-headlined between the Hoodoo Gurus and The Bangles, but the skyrocketing popularity of The Bangles at the time resulted in the Gurus being the opening act.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The theme from the television series “The Twilight Zone”

In May 1987, "The Twilight Zone" motion picture director John Landis was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, killed in a helicopter accident.

STAFF PICKS:

“Holy War” by John Butcher Axis

Wayne's staff pick features a rocking song with an easter feel from New England songwriter John Butcher. This song describes people who use religion to fight a holy war. Butcher identified with Jimi Hendrix, and the name Axis comes from the Hendrix album "Axis: Bold as Love."

“Midnight Blue” by Lou Gramm

Brian brings us the lead single from Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm's solo debut. "Life is simple. It's either cherry red, or midnight blue." Cherry red is everything going well, midnight blue is dark and mysterious. They lyrics describe a couple who are broken up, but the boy vows to come back again.

“Weapons of Love” by The Truth

Rob's staff pick digs deep from a group formed in 1982. This is The Truth's best selling single, and the title track from their album of the same name. Weapons of Love peaked at number 7 on the rock charts.

“Just Like Heaven” by The Cure

Joel rounds us out this week with a well-known song from another college rock favorite. It sounds surprisingly upbeat, though still somehow melancholy, from ordinarily dark goth group The Cure. "Spinning on that dizzy edge. I kissed her face, I kissed her head."

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

"Initiation" by Helloween

This instrumental track opens German heavy metal Helloween's album "The Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I."

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings