I Love the 80s Concert Coming This Friday To Yavapai College – Ron Williams

Photo: Animotion (Courtesy of Jon Pleeter)

A must see for those of you that lived through the 1980s is coming to Yavapai College this Friday night. Animotion, Annabelle of Bow Wow Wow, and Flock Of Seagulls will take us all back in time as they perform their hits and more inside the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center at 7pm.

These bands have been playing off and on for over 40 years now and continue to thrive in what they do. Mike Score, founder and lead singer of the Flock Of Seagulls, said, “We really enjoy what we do. Seeing the audience get into and singing along creates an amazing atmosphere and experience for everyone. It’s just great.”

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Photo: A Flock of Seagulls (Courtesy of Mike Score)

The band just finished the Tubular Tour and are getting a little rest before we get back at it with the ‘I Love The 80s Tour’. Score said, “The Tubular Tour was great, and now we switched over to the next tour. We like to fill all our time so we get on one tour and jump right on to the next one. We’re out here to play and have some fun, so most likely after Christmas we will take a break and get some rest.”

In four decades the Flock of Seagulls have played many places, but a couple have really captured the magical moments. Score said, “ Oh I have a couple that were absolutely memorable. The Hollywood Bowl is one. I stood right where Paul McCartney stood and then went up and stood where Ringo went and looked out over the venue. It’s really cool that I have a job where I can go play where my idols once played. After all I am originally from Liverpool so knowing that it makes perfect sense. The other place was Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Both of those places are iconic and very special.”

Scores’ favorite song is ‘Space Age Love Song’. “It is really a killer. When I play it I go back in my memory to recall where and when and why I wrote it. Getting that first deal in Liverpool, all of that stuff that was really big for us early.”

Touring with other bands is something that they all do and for the Flock of Seagulls Score has a very vivid memory of their beginnings. “Without a doubt our favorite band to have toured with is the Police. Sting, Stuart Copeland and Andy Summers were absolutely fantastic. They took us under their wing so to speak and we learned an awful lot. We learned from the way they structured their set. They wanted us to get better and better. That was like gold to us and they were very nice too. Meeting your heroes is great. Sting was a master and had the audience in the palm of his hand. They gave us tips and support that we needed at that time.””

Mike still has some vivid memories about the first time they took the big stage. “We were opening for the Police and I remember our very first show and we walked on and got booed at first. By the time our set was over they were cheering. That gave us confidence that we were not just a band to open but a legitimate band to entertain. Kids in the 80s were looking to listen to stuff that their parents hadn’t listened to, so by the time we were done they had found that in our music. Before we knew it our album sales were into the millions.”

The likeness of Score was used in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, where the ticket agent of the airlines has his hair like Mike had it in the early days of the band. “I have seen the part and I thought it was a good likeness. I don’t mind if people make fun of that because it’s iconic. It reminds them of A Flock of Seagulls and it just reminds people of how the 80s were such a good time. It keeps the band relevant too. It’s like they say all publicity is good publicity.”

What can the audience expect on Friday night, Score said, “Be ready to have fun. We will be playing all the hits and then some.” More info on A Flock of Seagulls at www.aflockofseagulls.org

Photo: Animotion performing at Pier 17 in New York City (Courtesy of Astrid Plane)

Animotion has been around since 1984 and with the same musicians. Lead singer Astrid Plane said, “It has been so much fun being able to continually go out there on stage and play for our audiences. The energy that the crowd brings reflects back at us and that is something really special.” Plane is proud that the band has been able to stay together for so many years. “You see a lot of groups that have a revolving door of members, but we have been very fortunate to have been playing together all these years. We plan on doing so until we get to an age where we can’t anymore.”

What to expect in their set, Plane said, “Expect everything and have the best of times.” Plane says that she and the band have had the pleasure to play with so many amazing talented people. Oh there have been quite a few but Ivan Doroschuk, the lead singer of Men Without Hats stands out and is quite a character. Thomas Dolby is another and is just such a showman. He did a show with an 8 piece orchestra and has a David Bowie vibe to him.“

Thoughts on how your journey has gone so far. “I am just thankful there has been a resurgence of 80s music that has opened up the door for so many of us that were part of an amazing decade. I like being close to the fans and able to say hello and give hugs to people that want to say hello.”

Animotion has played in a lot of places and there are a couple that stand out. “I like ‘The House of Blues’ in Anaheim because it is not a huge place and the sound quality there is excellent. The Hollywood Palladium was a memorably wild show. The crowd was not what we expected. We expected a kind of laid back crowd, but they were screamers. Recently we played at Pier 17 in New York City. It is a recent venue and you have the Brooklyn Bridge behind you in the distance. Just amazing. My daughter even came over, riding her bike from her apartment to see the show. Looking out at the statue of Liberty was just mind blowing.”

Every singer has their favorites and Plane explained those and the reasons why. “My favorite songs are ‘I Engineer’ with me and Bill sharing the singing duties. There is a lot of playful banter between us that the audience just loves. The timing is also key and we have to be spot on to make it work out right. ‘Let Him Go’ is always a good one and we open with that and of course our biggest hit ‘Obsession’. We also do a hard rock version of ‘Tainted Love’ that was made famous by Soft Cell. Our version is very edgy with guitars and that has gone over very well and yes we will be doing that as well.” More info on the band at www.animotionlive.com

Photo: Annabella Lwin (Courtesy of Jon Pleeter)

Annabelle Lwin, of Bow Wow Wow said, “It is so much fun to be able to go out on stage and see all the smiling faces in the crowd. We get all ages at our shows, from as young as seven to those in their 80s.” Bow Wow Wow released their first mini-album in 1980 after the discovery of Annabella singing to the radio at a dry cleaning establishment where she worked at the time. “I was so young, just 13 and just kind of went with it.”

The bands first single was “C-30 C-60 C-90 Go” which is still Annabella’s favorite Bow Wow Wow song. “ I just love that one. It is rough and edgy and of course being the first single we released.”

One thing that helped boost the popularity of the band and their music was MTV. “ I really liked doing the videos. Especially ‘Do You Wanna Hold Me.’ That one was so much fun to do because I got to dress up in so many costumes. That channel came along at just the right time for us and so many artists and groups.”

Annabella has been performing in front of audiences for 47 years now and she sees no signs of letting up.”Well as we all get older it does get a little more difficult to do some things but I still very much enjoy what I do and I have a really good band. Each member is one that I handpicked.”

After years of being tabloid fodder, Annabella decided it was time to set the record straight about so many things that happened early on with her life and the band. Coming out soon will be her book, co-written with David Thompson titled, ‘Punk Pop Mohawk Answers Back!’ “If you want to get the facts and the truth, then this is the book to read,” said Lwin.

About the concert, Annabella said, “I just want people to come out and have a great time. People pay good money to come out and see us and we want to give them the best experience. I am looking forward to seeing everyone out there and be sure to say hello.” More information about Annabelle Lwin and Bow Wow Wow can be found at her website. www.annabellalwin.com