FEATURE:
The Beat Goes On
IN THIS PHOTO: From left: Gina Schock, Jane Wiedlin, Kathy Valentine, Charlotte Caffey, and Belinda Carlisle photographed in 1982/PHOTO CREDIT: Mario E. Ruiz/ZUMAPRESS.com
The Return of The Go-Go’s
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WHEN this year started…
PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images
I was not expecting that The Go-Go’s would be announcing a return! They are a band that I became aware of in the 1990s, and I was really hooked on their music. Their debut album, Beauty and the Beat, of 1981 remains a classic and their last studio album, God Bless the Go-Go's, was put out in 2001. Led by Belinda Carlisle, the incredible group - Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, and Kathy Valentine – made a big impression on my childhood. I think that The Go-Go’s have inspired so many bands since their formation, and I did wonder whether they would put another album into the world after God Bless the Go-Go's. This article from Pitchfork provides more details:
“On July 31, the Go-Go’s will release “Club Zero,” the L.A. band’s first new song since their 2001 album God Bless the Go-Go’s. According to a press release, the self-produced song was “created via email exchanges amongst bandmembers.”
The following day, on August 1, a new documentary directed by Alison Ellwood (Laurel Canyon, History of the Eagles) will air on Showtime. The Go-Go’s, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year, will provide insight into “the group’s place in music history as it focuses on their roots as a formidable contender in L.A.’s late ’70s punk scene, detailing their rise to the top as they become one of the decade’s most beloved acts as well as an unstoppable force”.
I am sometimes sceptical when it comes to band reunions or acts returning with new material after such a time out, but I think the comeback (if that is the right word?) will hit the right note. I love The Go-Go’s, and I think their energy and sound is just what we need! Not only will the single, hopefully, lead to a new album, but the documentary will provide a fascinating into the Punk scene of the late-1970s - the documentary had its world premiere on 26th January at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, but it airs on Showtime on 1st August (so some people have already seen it). I often wonder about that time period, and how bands like The Go-Go’s would have been received. It was quite a male-dominated time, and I know The Go-Go’s and Blondie would have had to fight harder than their male/male-led peers. It is testament to The Go-Go’s’ brilliant music and defiance that they were celebrated and taken to heart. I am interested seeing the documentary, as it would be interesting to hear how they started out and what sort of reaction they faced when they became popular. I also think that The Go-Go’s will be a documentary that spurs bands to get into music, and it will also show just how far and wide the influence of The Go-Go’s stretches. This udiscovermusic article explains more:
“With full access to The Go-Go’s, both past and present, this candid archive-rich documentary assesses the group’s place in music history as it focuses on their roots as a formidable contender in L.A.’s late ‘70s punk scene, detailing their rise to the top as they become one of the decade’s most beloved acts as well as an unstoppable force. It also examines the personalities and dynamics behind their rise, fall and numerous reincarnations. Until this film, there has never been a serious appraisal of and showcase for The Go-Go’s’ talents or achievements – as musicians, ground-breakers, but even more so, as survivors.
To date, The Go-Go’s have the notable distinction of being the only all-female band to write their own songs and play their own instruments on a #1 album. Formed in 1978, they were a vital part of the early Los Angeles punk scene. Following the release of their debut album in 1981, the landmark multi-platinum Beauty And The Beat, they topped the Billboard 200 chart for six consecutive weeks and received a nomination for Best New Artist at The 24th Annual Grammy Awards”.
I will keep this brief, but I just wanted to make people aware of a brilliant band (if they have not heard of them) and keep their ears and eyes open for some big releases. It is a huge welcome back to a super group that remain…
SO hugely important.