Dec 29, 2023·edited Dec 29, 2023Liked by Kevin Alexander
Great record! Missing Persons exemplify the beauty and mystery of early MTV. Now, there would be a long Wiki entry about the band before they even released the record. Then, my only access to music news was Rolling Stone -- Spin debuted a few years later -- and MTV's music news with Kurt Loder, so bands like this would show up on my screen with no history or context. Like a comet hitting my little working-class-kid life in Northern Kentucky. I loved them from the start (and I had a massive crush on Dale, of course, but Chrissie Hynde already had my heart by then). The best songs hold up well.
This band really nailed that classic early 80s style I think about all the time when I remember this time. They had rock roots and pop twists, something really emblematic of the time, and they did it really well.
Exactly right about this band being underrated and under-appreciated. They have a distinctly 80s tone while managing to sound unlike any other 80s band. I like "Destination Unknown" better, but "Walking in LA" is still (ironically) on my main running playlist. Always get a little spring in my stride whenever that comes on. And if you think nobody walks in LA, man, try jogging there and see what kind of looks you get.
Amazing album! I think that even Dale sang backup for Frank. It seems like Frank Zappa was the Harvard of studies for musicians of note. But then, I won't say too much because, you know, what are words for? Jaysus, talk about a prescient song...
I was never a huge Missing Persons fan (Dale's voice, like Gwen Stefani's later, was always nails on chalkboard for me), but I always respected them both for their musical chops and for how they managed to create a massive local following for themselves before any major labels got involved. I had moved from L.A. to Chicago around the time they started, but I would hear from my old friends that there was this really happening band in L.A. called Missing Persons, and that they were selling out venues like the Santa Monica Civic Center before I ever heard their music in the Midwest.
Like all the praise from the other comments, I was a huge missing persons fan in the 80s. I got to see them live at least twice. On both Spring Session M, and Rhyme and Reason tours.
Terry Bozzio’s drumming was beyond anything I had heard before at the time. I couldn’t get enough of his playing. And his innovation with electronic drums was legendary. The song “No Way Out” closing their debut album to this day blows my mind.
I had a weekly spot on on a college radio station that was all new wave and goth. Missing Person was on constant rotation.
I really am impressed with the sounds coming out of Southern California at that time between the New Wave, punk, and sunset strip. You had bands like the Dickies, the gears, and spent idols heading up the punk scene and of course all of the bad boys coming off the sunset strip. What a time it must have been to be in that part of the world.
Been flicking through this album and wow! It’s amazing! I wasn’t tuned into them at the time and I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever heard “Words” which was a popular inclusion on many of the 80s compilations in my (now dearly departed) CD collection.
Great record! Missing Persons exemplify the beauty and mystery of early MTV. Now, there would be a long Wiki entry about the band before they even released the record. Then, my only access to music news was Rolling Stone -- Spin debuted a few years later -- and MTV's music news with Kurt Loder, so bands like this would show up on my screen with no history or context. Like a comet hitting my little working-class-kid life in Northern Kentucky. I loved them from the start (and I had a massive crush on Dale, of course, but Chrissie Hynde already had my heart by then). The best songs hold up well.
This band really nailed that classic early 80s style I think about all the time when I remember this time. They had rock roots and pop twists, something really emblematic of the time, and they did it really well.
Exactly right about this band being underrated and under-appreciated. They have a distinctly 80s tone while managing to sound unlike any other 80s band. I like "Destination Unknown" better, but "Walking in LA" is still (ironically) on my main running playlist. Always get a little spring in my stride whenever that comes on. And if you think nobody walks in LA, man, try jogging there and see what kind of looks you get.
One of my very fav records of the 80s. Great musicians all, and strong songs to boot.
It's a fantastic look back and a song I'll keep listening to, even as I look forward to new music experiences.
Love the song. But, I have to say, quite a few of us do walk in LA. Just not nearly enough!!
Amazing album! I think that even Dale sang backup for Frank. It seems like Frank Zappa was the Harvard of studies for musicians of note. But then, I won't say too much because, you know, what are words for? Jaysus, talk about a prescient song...
I was never a huge Missing Persons fan (Dale's voice, like Gwen Stefani's later, was always nails on chalkboard for me), but I always respected them both for their musical chops and for how they managed to create a massive local following for themselves before any major labels got involved. I had moved from L.A. to Chicago around the time they started, but I would hear from my old friends that there was this really happening band in L.A. called Missing Persons, and that they were selling out venues like the Santa Monica Civic Center before I ever heard their music in the Midwest.
Like all the praise from the other comments, I was a huge missing persons fan in the 80s. I got to see them live at least twice. On both Spring Session M, and Rhyme and Reason tours.
Terry Bozzio’s drumming was beyond anything I had heard before at the time. I couldn’t get enough of his playing. And his innovation with electronic drums was legendary. The song “No Way Out” closing their debut album to this day blows my mind.
I had a weekly spot on on a college radio station that was all new wave and goth. Missing Person was on constant rotation.
I really am impressed with the sounds coming out of Southern California at that time between the New Wave, punk, and sunset strip. You had bands like the Dickies, the gears, and spent idols heading up the punk scene and of course all of the bad boys coming off the sunset strip. What a time it must have been to be in that part of the world.
Been flicking through this album and wow! It’s amazing! I wasn’t tuned into them at the time and I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever heard “Words” which was a popular inclusion on many of the 80s compilations in my (now dearly departed) CD collection.