Men without hats

Discuss any non-related Stranglers bands here

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wanderlust
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Men without hats

Post by wanderlust »

Anyone remember this 80's canadian act, everyone must remember their sole British top 10 one hit wonder The Safety dance. This is a great track and I am surprised they never had more success here especially with that kind of sound everyone was using around that time circa 81-83..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ3jqZTMOPw
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parasiteinblack
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Re: Men without hats

Post by parasiteinblack »

Don't remember them cos I'm too young, but got into them about a year agobecause I couldn't get Safety dance out of my head. They're generally quite hit n miss but they have their own niche carved out pretty well. A lot of that's to do with Ivan's voice.
The first album's (Rhythm of Youth) pretty good with Safety Dance, Ideas For Walls, Living In China, The Great Ones Remember and especially I Like.
The second album (Folk Of The 80s part III) is probably my favourite and has the best tracks (mostly hilarious) Unsatisfaction, Where Do The Boys Go? and I Know Their Name. Some slightly dull tracks here though as well.
"Pop GoesThe World"took a lot of time to get into but is rewarding if you like synth pop concept albums...
"...in the 21st Century" is largely rubbish, but the title tracks pretty cool. Easily their worst album.
"Sideways" ditches the synths altogether and is a pretty retro rock album but still looking forward, highly recommended. Nice album.
I don't have the comeback album from 2003 sadly.

Check out some of the live videos on youtube, especially I Like and Where Do The Boys Go, they're absolutely phenomenal. The combination of the live band with the old synths is fantastic.

I literally just finished listening to Pop goes The World album when I saw this thread. spooky.
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Re: Men without hats

Post by theraven1979 »

I remember when this came out - Loved it at the time - but then again I was about 6. Heard it on one of those "alternative 80s" comps recently. It's alright if you wanna bathe in nostalgia.

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Re: Men without hats

Post by mickinblack »

A great tracck from a great decade the 1980s
And the 80s are back in fashion lol
Maybe there reissue agadoo..
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Re: Men without hats

Post by The Nosferatu »

ive never heard of it so ive just looked on youtube and although its a bit cheesy its actually























fucking shit.
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Re: Men without hats

Post by miserablewoman »

Wish I hadn't read this thread ... can't get that bloody song out of my head now!!! :smt013

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Re: Men without hats

Post by ThruBeingCool »

Nowt wrong with 'The Safety Dance' imho:!: ;-)
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Re: Men without hats

Post by johnpidgeon »

I have a soft spot for Men Without Hats.

Before Safety Dance hit big, I saw them open for the Stranglers in Toronto. I think it was 1981 and it was my 2nd or 3rd concert ever.

They got a really rough treatment (spit, pop cups, and a few medical suggestions from folks who I don't think were health professionals) but they did their whole set. I saw them a few times after that but always came away with an empty feeling. I love Ivan's voice on record but never liked his stage presence. A little over the top for me.
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Re: Men without hats

Post by jbinblack »

I have a bit of a soft spot for them too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Safety_Dance

So THAT'S what it's about!

and something amusing:
http://www.wilfturnbull.co.uk/DearMenWi ... yDance.htm
:lol:
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Re: Men without hats

Post by wanderlust »

Status Quo covered safety dance believe it or not!!

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source ... LMeMc7H_5w
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Re: Men without hats

Post by Niki Wu »

wanderlust wrote:Status Quo covered safety dance believe it or not!!

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source ... LMeMc7H_5w
Oh Dear! The frontman from Men Without Hats was a bit of a spunk IMHO.
Who could forget Safety Dance?
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Re: Men without hats

Post by Niki Wu »

Niki Wu wrote:
wanderlust wrote:Status Quo covered safety dance believe it or not!!

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source ... LMeMc7H_5w
Oh Dear!

The frontman from Men Without Hats was a bit of a spunk IMHO.
Who could forget Safety Dance?
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