R.U. Carley, 'Boys In L.A.' (private label, 1984)

R.U. CARLEY, 'Boys In L.A.' b/w 'One More Time' (private label, 1984)

I am willing to bet, dollars to donuts, when Ms. R.U. CARLEY and CO. sang the chorus to this sunny-A-side-up piece of fluff boulevard power pop that she had - much more - the city (El Eh) in mind than she did the state (the great Huey P. Long Child Of The Mississippi - LA - Louisiana).

...which is unfortunate, as it's taken this boy in LA (the state) to rediscover this 30 year old municipal gnu wave footnote, long after the GQ boys in corvettes on Sunset had ceased caring.  However, perhaps this was merely a realization of radio rock realpolitik, as one can not cruise very far in the Pelican state bayou.

That said, what is known about R.U. CARLEY is that this is her group's only record, the A-side of which was included on a neuvo Girl Group compilation put out by Rhino ('The Girls Can't Help It') the same year their self-issued single came out and that the B-side is terrible.

That's it.   

THE SHIVVERS it is not!

As phoney as PEARL HARBOR & THE EXPLOSIONS, as slick as the post-Stiff GO-GO'S, yet only one VALLEY GIRL party scene away from immortality.  And, in all actuality, a pretty catchy tune.

Enjoy then R.U. CARLEY and thank me for keeping the B-side all to myself.

'BOYS IN L.A.'


 'ONE MORE TIME'

THE PILLS, 'THE PILLS EP' (VileTone, 1980)

THE PILLS, 'Mini-LP' (VileTone, 1980)

I like PILLS.

MAAAAAAAAN

And, by that statement, I, of course, mean THE PILLS - STR8 OUTTA Phoenix, Tucson* Arizona.

The Copper State's finest circa 1980 and, even by that time well past their prescription expiration date.

Forget skins, brains and guts, this is HAIR, FLARES and (cigarette) BUTTS.  These five PILLS guys are preening proud and looking menthol soft-pack loud.  Also, they have a skilled trade in melodic/if derivative power-pop sounds.

Listen:  90% of all bands taking their style cues from THE NEW YORK DOLLS suck.  And while I don't have PILLS particularly pegged as heroin addict transvestites, the unfortunate scronching BO DIDDLEY cover and their name immediately give it away.

That said, they're still at least a million times better than THE MEAT PUPPETS.

Seriously, if you can listen to 'In A Car' after ingesting this dose, you have massive problems that modern medicine may not be able to fix.

Enjoy then the lone EP Mini-LP by THE PILLS on your ride to the emergency room!

Or choke on a bottle cap!

It's up to you!

*  correct origin of the PILLS confirmed with their biggest fan, Tony "AA"
'DC-10'

'PILLS'

'HOLLYWOOD DOLL'
 
'LEAVIN' TOWN'