Are We Not Men? We Are DEVO!

DEVO - Photo: Robert Matheu, copyright 1981

I will never forget the first time I saw DEVO.  It was much like the first time I saw The Cramps' Lux Interior "Tear This Damn Place Up" in 1981 on Urgh! A Music War!  With jaws agape, my sister and I were speechless, intrigued, shocked and energized all at the same time. They just don't make bands like these anymore!

Lux Interior almost loses his pants and has a very special relationship with the microphone

Maybe DEVO wasn't quite as raunchy, but cracking a whip to eliminate articles of clothing from a woman, piece by piece, was seriously pushing the envelope back in 1980.  Who were these strange guys in black Bermudas and sleeveless turtlenecks with red flower pots -- as I used to refer to them before I found out that "energy dome" was the proper term -- on their heads?  Were they not men?  Not exactly.  They were (and still are) DEVO.  And they were (and still are) COOL.  

It's almost impossible to find the original video, but this is just as good (even without the babe!)

Sadly, drummer Alan Myers died from brain cancer on June 24th at the young age of 58. Alan joined the band in 1976 and eventually left in 1986 due to the increased use of electronic drums.  Like a true artist, Myers was not fulfilled creatively so he had to seek it out elsewhere. Apparently, bandmate Gerald Casale pleaded with Myers, who he referred to as the 'human metronome' not to leave, but to no avail. 

Myers' time with DEVO was the most creative portion of the band's career -- in my opinion!  He was a huge part of what made that DEVO sound so distinctive and innovative.  He contributed to many memorable tunes like: Uncontrollable Urge, Gut Feeling, Freedom of Choice, Gates of Steel, Beautiful World and, of course, Whip It!

One of my all-time favs.  And Alan helped make this a Beautiful World!

R.I.P. Alan, you will be missed.  I'm going to wear my old DEVO tee shirt this weekend to honor you!

BIOHAZARD VIDEO!!

It's here, it's finally here!  Hope you guys enjoy it... feel free to share!  Isn't it incredible what a little crowdsourcing/fundraising can accomplish?  Thank you to everyone who contributed, supported, participated and rooted for me!!!  I'm so happy with the result and so grateful that you guys all helped make it happen!

STACY LOMMAN : NEW YORK

SPRING 2012 : BIOHAZARD COLLECTION

Lookin' On The Bright Side

I've been a busy bee, hard at work on my spring samples.  I'm moving forward so that I can stay on track with the timing of the collection though I'm still holding my breath that my Kickstarter crusade is successful.  I'm 57% there, but if I don't meet the goal 100%, then my fundraising efforts will go unfulfilled and my spring show will not come to pass.  But, I'm staying positive, crossing my fingers (and toes) and I'm looking on the bright side!

Speaking of bright, check out some of the qualities I'm using for my "Biohazard" collection!  I love these techno textiles and they happen to look fantastic in acid brights.  If you're anxious to see what I create with these fabrics, please make a small contribution to my spring show/collection by clicking on this link.  Any amount is helpful and certainly appreciated.  And pass it along... tell your co-workers, family, friends, dog walker, dry cleaner, butcher, mailman (oops, mail carrier is more PC)!

Noticeable One

I should begin by saying that I'm a product of the 80's and I'm not ashamed to admit it, in fact, I'm quite proud of it.  The 80's brought us MTV, and back when they used to actually play videos, MTV was great!

Adam Ant (the real one!) in 1980

WendyB (or Adam Ant??) in 2010

WendyB and I started planning our Halloween costumes last November (uh, yeah we are ridiculous) and when she told me her idea of dressing as Adam Ant, I felt comfortable enough to let her in on my secret desire to dress as Dale Bozzio from Missing Persons for years.  I never had the guts to prance around in a plastic bra and then, Lady Gaga happened.  Since Gaga practically stole Dale's look initially (though the Lady certainly has had some wild wardrobe ideas of her own), I didn't think anyone would pin me as Ms. Bozzio anymore.  I was sure that if I attempted a Dale outfit, I would be mistaken for Lady G. and would be lost in a sea of  hundreds of other Gaga costumes.  So, I switched gears (but not decades!) and came up with Siouxsie Sioux as an alternative.

Siouxsie Sioux

UPDATE: This photo just in! Thanks to beautiful, blonde, bombshell blogger, Tina (of the Occasional Cook).  You can even see my "feather lashes."

Julie (Marie Antoinette), Me (Siouxsie), WendyB (Adam Ant), Tina (blonde bombshell)

We were an 80's power couple!  Wendy was such a convincing Adam Ant, I wasn't sure I trusted myself to be alone with her.  Kidding!  I kid, people, I jest.  But seriously, her outfit and make-up were dead on... perfect!  I, on the other hand, wasn't quite so perfect.  After two hours of fussing with my eyes, lips and hair, I pretty much looked like a punk rock Cleopatra.  I'm not saying that's such a bad thing, but it seemed like a little too much effort to fall short of my goal.  Anyway, it was still a fun Halloween so I can't complain.  Maybe next year I'll just go for it and rock a blonde wig with a shock of pink and blue, some silver spandex and a plastic bra...

Dale Bozzio is most definitely a "Noticeable One"

Turquoise And Glitter

After the Gaga experience last week, I got to thinking about all of the concerts I’ve been to in my lifetime – which isn’t a lot considering I’m such a music fan. I already wrote about my amazing experience seeing Berlin at a small college in Pennsylvania in 1986. Before that, I saw The Fixx at the fairgrounds in my hometown in PA. And I was lucky enough to see the band, LIVE (who were actually known as Public Affection at the time), when they were in High School playing at a local club in Pennsylvania which I frequented in the late 80’s.

Berlin, 1986

I got to see my teenage heartthrob, Charlie Sexton, at some very small club in NYC – I can’t even remember the name of the venue, but I remember having pleasant dreams that night. Adam Ant rocked at Irving Plaza in the early 90’s. I thought it was so cool that a 40 year old guy could still jump up on top of speakers and dance and strut around like he did. God, I was young! I saw Joe Strummer shortly before he passed and had the incredible luck to be backstage and meet him. Strangely, Roberto Benigni was there too and was quite a nice fellow.

Charlie Sexton sings, "Beat's So Lonely" - 1985

There was the Gipsy Kings concert at Radio City years ago, Erasure at McCarren pool, and of course, The Police at Giants Stadium in box seats… nice. My pal (and musician), Jensen took me to see Joan Jett sometime in the late 90’s and through her backstage connections we got to meet the rock queen. We also saw Debbie Harry a couple of years ago -- too bad I threw out my painted jean jacket from 1985!

gorgeous Blondie, circa 1980

But, the best concert I’ve ever been to was Chris Isaak. In 2006, I went for the first time ever to a concert with my parents (and my sister)! On our way to our seats, I heard some guy yell, “Excuse me!” I turned to give him my New York attitude when I realized he was one of Chris’ peeps. He asked if I wanted to dance on stage during a particular song. Uh…. Hell YES. “I need 3 more girls, so how about the other two?”  My sister and my mom were quite reluctant, but I finally managed to twist my sister’s arm. Mom didn’t cave.

"How could your momma refuse me?"

“San Francisco Days” was our cue. When we heard the beginning of that song, we were supposed to head down to the front and go back stage to get ready. Exciting! Chris sounded incredible and he swooned like only Chris can. He looked incredible too, like only Chris can! Suddenly, I heard the first couple notes of the signal song and my sis and I made our way toward the back stage door! We were merged with a group of about 8 other girls and we were all given instructions to dance and have fun, but not to take photos.

my backstage badge

Finally, “Bonnie Bee” started and we were released like a flock of penned in chickens and we all rushed on stage. Chris was sparkly. He was wearing his “mirror ball” suit and it almost hurt to look directly at him, but I did. He glittered, sparkled and reflected everywhere while he shook his booty. I had a fantastic view. My sister and I danced and laughed and had a great time.

Chris in his mirror ball suit

After the show, we bought T-shirts and stood in a relatively short line to have him sign them. I never do that. I made an exception. When it was our turn, he drew a guitar on my sister’s tee and then moved over to me. I felt like a school girl with a mad crush. My heart beat faster. He started to draw a caricature of his face on my tee when he glanced up and noticed my necklace. I was wearing a huge piece of turquoise on a silver chain. “I love your necklace,” he said. I love YOU, I wanted to say, but managed to reply, “I just got it in San Francisco. I was there last week.” He put down his Sharpie, looked up from the table and said to me in a very sweet and nostalgic tone, “Oh… I miss my home town.” He paused for a few seconds to reflect. “Yes, it’s a really wonderful city,” I said. Those are the words that came out of my mouth, but in my mind I was thinking… God, you are so good looking, what I wouldn’t do…

Chris Isaak's "signature"

my lucky turquoise

I still wear my giant hunk of turquoise. It makes me think of Chris and his glittery, sparkly tush!

Not Your Typical Nunn...

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of the music of the late 70’s and the 80’s – not the top forty crap, of course! So many interesting bands emerged during that era like; Talking Heads, Ramones, The Clash, Bauhaus, Roxy Music, The Stranglers, The Smiths, etc. MTV hit the airwaves in 1981 and The Buggles, “Video Killed the Radio Star” made history as the first music video shown.

Berlin lead singer, Terri Nunn with her signature hairstyle

Videos changed everything. Image became as important as the music (today it’s even more so) and people started to adopt the styles of their favorite artists. Women were extremely influential with performers like Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Siouxsie Sioux, Dale Bozzio (aka “the original Lady Gaga”), The Go Go’s and, of course, Madonna leading the way.

Terri Nunn, 1984

Back in the day, Terri Nunn was the coolest of cool in my book. The gorgeous Nunn is the lead singer of the band “Berlin,” known to most for their hit single “Take My Breath Away” in the film Top Gun. Ironically, this happens to be my LEAST favorite song! Why is it that bands I like only gain mainstream popularity when they release an average and uninspired tune? Anyway, the band hail from Orange County, CA and formed in 1979. They released their first single, “A Matter of Time” in 1980, and then in 1982, their controversial song “Sex (I’m A…)” was actually banned by some radio stations. I’m sure it would be considered quite tame by today’s standards!

The band in 1986 (Terri Nunn, Rob Brill & John Crawford)

In 1986, my awesome sister took me to see Berlin for my birthday. Because they were not well known, they were playing at a gym in a little college near our town in Pennsylvania. It was incredible. We were sitting on the bleachers watching the opening act when I noticed a very attractive man with cool hair over my right shoulder. I would know that spiky hairdo anywhere! It was John Crawford, the bassist for Berlin – just sitting there watching the warm up band! Unfortunately, I couldn’t muster up the courage to say hello to him before he slipped away out the side door to go get ready. That would never happen today! I’m not exactly the shy young kid I used to be.

one of my all time favorites!

Terri and the boys took the stage and she looked and sounded amazing. That’s what is so great about Berlin -- they have super style and talent. Ms. Nunn has pipes beyond belief. Just listen for yourself…

very cool "Bonnie & Clyde" style video

Do you "Nomi"

Klaus Nomi

I’m feeling in a very German mood since the end of Berlin Fashion Week on Saturday. Music influences and fashion and vice versa.  This is a topic I will discuss frequently on this blog. In 1982, my sister and I snuck downstairs to watch MTV late at night. Remember when MTV actually played music videos? Ah, the good old days. Anyway, they were showing a film called “Urgh! A Music War” which featured some very cutting edge musicians including up and coming bands like The Police, Devo and The Go Go’s. When singer Klaus Nomi took the stage, our jaws hit the ground. We couldn’t help but laugh at his strange appearance, yet we couldn’t stop watching. There was something fabulous about him! And wait until you hear him hit notes that would shatter glass...

Klaus Nomi - 1981

Klaus Nomi was born Klaus Sperber in Bavaria, Germany in 1944.  In the late 60's, he started singing in a gay discothèque in Berlin before moving to New York in 1972.  Nomi became very involved in the New York art scene.  He sang in a four night event called "New Wave Vaudeville" where he dressed in a spacesuit with a clear plastic cape.  His performance was so well received that he was invited to play at clubs all over the city.  David Bowie heard about the phenomenal performer and hired Nomi and friend Joey Arias in 1979 to sing backup in an appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Nomi's spacy outfits

Although Nomi never enjoyed mainstream success, he was an important part of the punk-rock, avant-garde, visual art scene in the East Village in the early 80's.  Nomi wore his signature black and white plastic tuxedo with spandex pants most of the time, but sometimes he donned a Shakespearean ensemble complete with Elizabethan collar.  It's not hard to see how he has influenced fashion.  Designers such as Gareth Pugh have adopted some of his ideas.

              Nomi in 1981      Gareth Pugh - Spring 2007

                        Klaus Nomi                      Gareth Pugh - Spring 2009

In August 1983, Nomi died at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York as a result of an illness complicated by AIDS.  Apparently, his ashes were spread all over the city.  If you're interested in learning more about this talented and outrageous human being, check out Andrew Horn's 2004 documentary titled "The Nomi Song."

UPDATE: Madeline was kind enough to share a post from her blog.  What a great story!  Thanks Madeline.

The original Lady Gaga

In 1982 when the new-wave band Missing Persons released the hit song “Destination Unknown”, it’s not likely that lead singer Dale Bozzio (i.e. the original Lady Gaga) would have predicted she was destined for prison. Last year, Bozzio was sentenced to 90 days in prison for animal cruelty after authorities discovered 12 cats in her New Hampshire home, all of which had to be put down. It’s hard to fathom such a drop-dead gorgeous entertainer could fall so far (sarcasm implied).

Dale  Bozzio in the early 80's

Regardless of the recent incident, I’m still a huge fan of Bozzio. She was fearless, edgy and sexy. Her bold and inventive fashion sense influenced me. Clearly, Lady Gaga was influenced as well. Some 20+ years later, Gaga has “borrowed” Dale’s style and is enjoying fame of her own. I know my friend WendyB is a fan!

Dale wearing a bubble wrap vest (it's actually got nice structure and I like the use of small bubbles vs. large!)

Since their lyrics weren’t the most poetic and thoughtful (i.e. “Walking in L.A. Walking in L.A. Nobdoy walks in L.A.” Or, “My lips are moving and the sound is coming out.” Genius… ), it’s safe to say that Missing Persons’ success was largely due to Ms. Bozzio’s outfits. Light bulbs, electrical appliances and even bubble wrap were all parts of her ensembles. Dale is also known for her high-pitched squeaks with which she so often finished verses. Luckily, I’m able to imitate this fairly well so “Words” is my go-to tune when forced into a karaoke situation.


Dale with Missing Persons singing "Words" on Solid Gold!  Remember Marilyn McCoo?

It requires a high level of confidence to be influential or to be an icon. Thank goodness Bozzio was ballsy enough to step out on stage wearing nothing more than a sheet of tin foil or a few light bulbs! Fashion has greatly benefited from her avant-garde approach to style. It’s actually nice to see Lady Gaga bringing it all back. I’m feeling nostalgic…

Don't Change...

Can you believe Michael Hutchence, the sexy front man from INXS would have turned 50 today if he hadn't left us in November 1997?  I'm sure he would still look great at 50!  Here's a vintage clip of a young (23 yr. old!) Hutchence singing one of my favorites...