To celebrate the 200th edition of Namesakes, I've chosen one of my favourite bands. Admittedly, they have a longer name than just "The News", but after two hundred of these ridiculous posts, that should by now be known as Standard Operating Practice. Pedants have no place here, do they, George?
Here is The News...
THE NEWS #1
Our top story today - a German beat band from 1965...
THE NEWS #2
First making headlines in 1969, this Armenian-Lebanese band from Beirut went on to become "the #1 rock band in the Middle East" according to the Tube of You. They broke up at the end of the 70s.
The News - Teardrops
THE NEWS #3
Starting life as Dayv (sic) Butler and The Delmars in 1965, this North Carolina band changed their name to The News a year or so later, "reaching their psychedelic peak in ‘67 and '68".
THE NEWS #4
From Norwich in 1966, these guys were originally known as The Continentals. Their second single, This Is The Moment, was featured in an episode of the BBC TV show Adam Adamant. That was their moment.
THE NEWS #5
Reporting from South African in 1967, featuring singer Buddy Vaughn.
THE NEWS #6
Melbourne soul band from 1968, covering the Edwin Starr song.
THE NEWS #7
West of England psychedelia from 1970. Extra marks for using Letraset transfers on their record sleeve. Bit of class.
NEWS #8
Back after the break with some New York Soul News from 1971...
THE NEWS #9
Not the Nine O'Clock News... Psychedelic country rockers from Connecticut in 1974. Losers!
THE NEWS #10
The News at #10! Aussie punks who started making a racket in Melbourne in 1978...
THE NEWS #11
Making New Wave News in 1978, this UK band featured members of Cockney Rebel and Landscape, along with Sal Solo from Classix Nouveau.
THE NEWS #12
Over in Chelmsford around the same time, this lot were making the News until they decided to change their name to The Gents. Insert your own joke here. Discogs rather belabours this point by stating, "Identical single to The Gents (12) release with the same title, except it lacks "The Gents" sticker placed over the word "NEWS" in the band title on the labels."
THE NEWS #13
Hip to be square just before Huey - these guys were making L7 shapes in Wyoming back in 1978.
THE NEWS #14
I won't bore you all with my adoration of Huey and his pals... if you need more, you can
read this again. I know they can rely on your votes today...
THE NEWS #15
Here's The News from Fargo - oh, you betcha! - in 1980... also known as The Newz.
NEWS #16
Ohio power pop News from 1980...
THE NEWS #17
A Belgian news bulletin of the disco variety from 1980.
THE NEWZ #18
The News from New Zealand were obviously going to be called The Newz. That's a little bit of genius right there. Plus they even made their own videos in 1980. Credit where it's due.
THE NEWS #19
Also in 1980 - clearly a big year for the News - here's some UK post-punk sounding not unlike the Boomtown Rats. Pay no more than 57p for this single - a bargain at twice the price!
THE NEWS #20
In 1981, The New Seekers (or some of them, at least) recorded a "glam rock*" single as The News. Couldn't find the A-side (Boomerang), but here's the B-side for Mrs. Top Ten...
(*Because, y'know, glam was really big in 1981.)
THE NEWS #21
Breaking News from Capetown in 1981, these guys "built a reputation for uncompromising originality... and dynamic live shows... before members moved on to international careers". Well, one of them moved to LA. Their biog states, "after three tireless years of playing, sometimes up to three different venues a week," they were too knackered to continue. I mean, bloody hell, three gigs a week? No wonder they needed an easier life.
NEWS #22
Forming in 1981, News became leading lights in the Danish "Innocent Pop" scene throughout the 80s and into the early 90s. They reformed last year. This was their debut single...
THE NEWS #23
British New Wave band who got invited in for a Peel session in 1981...
THE NEWS #24
A dispatch from Zambia in '81 or '82.
THE NEWS #25
Can't find out anything about these guys, not even a date, but it's a slightly better song than some of today's offerings...
THE NEWS #26
This just in - the News from Sweden in 1982.
NEWS #27
We interrupt this programme for a New York jazz trio led by pianist Mal Waldron in 1982...
NEWZ #28
While over in Pennsylvania, in the same year...
THE NEWS #29
Japanese girl-punk three-piece active from 1985, through the 90s.
NEWZ #30
Also in 1985, Garon M. Smith was calling himself Newz in Detroit - and listening to a shedload of Prince records too, by the sound of it.
THE NEWZ #31
Newzflash from Belgium in 1993 featuring singer Patty Burns, who would go on to take over the headline slot. Curious how they can spell News correctly in the song title, just not in the band name.
NEWS #32
Japanese boyband who started out with nine members in 2003, but whittled themselves down to a three-piece by 2020. I'm sure the six who left aren't bitter.
NEWS #33
Polish electro-pop from 2014 onwards. Not sure what former teachers will make of the shenanigans in this video...
THE NEWS #34
And finally, as I allowed that guy at #14, I guess I better make room for this guy too... before the lawyers get to him.
Well, it was certainly a busy news day, wasn't it? Which News made headlines for you?
