Video killed the radio star

February 23, 2004 6:05 PM

An 80s band hires a much younger group of musicians to lipsync in their new video - and it becomes a hit. It's a good thing the music industry isn't all about image...
posted by chumptastic (24 comments total)

The Alarm were fake back in the '80s. Sorta like The Clash meets The Monkees (although I do like both The Clash and The Monkees).
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:16 PM on February 23, 2004

Girl you know it's true.
posted by xmutex at 6:32 PM on February 23, 2004

Ummm... what was fake about The Alarm?
posted by weston at 7:05 PM on February 23, 2004

It'd be great if there was a link to the video... or, at least, the song.
posted by scalz at 7:18 PM on February 23, 2004

"False Alarm" is a genius headline. Heh.
posted by GaelFC at 8:47 PM on February 23, 2004

This happens with mefi posters all the time. I, in fact, have mimed a post for an older mefite, in fact many MANY older mefites - all whose fame extends back to the days of CB radio. Yes, and whose minds are in fact still capable of opinions and wit, but yet have greyed into that forgotten world of "the older people" that you, of the metafilter, seem to constantly snicker at, and who you refuse to take seriously, despite their wisdom and profound experience. I, a youth, have betrayed my fellow meta-youths, and have typed in these older people's comments (which I receive through telegram) ... I have type in their comments as my own, only to the applause of the entire youth-centric horribly vain and ephemeral mefi mtv community.

Many of my greatests comments have, which have been met with such youth-driven responses as "great youthful post!" were, I tremble with guilt to reveal, actual the words of an older man or woman!

(sobbing) .... now it can be told ... (sobbing) I AM SO SORRY
posted by Peter H at 9:10 PM on February 23, 2004

I like the Clash, the Monkees and the Alarm.
posted by jpoulos at 9:47 PM on February 23, 2004

that's awesome. reminds me of a Blues Traveler video a while back that joked about this very idea (good-looking band on stage, real band playing behind the curtain).

They should make a regular practice of doing this for jazz singers. Just put a supermodel on the CD cover and make people think she's the actual singer. Then maybe talent alone would be enough.
posted by boltman at 10:36 PM on February 23, 2004

duh.
posted by Opus Dark at 10:56 PM on February 23, 2004

New Order did this for the "Crystal" video, as well as doing osmething similar in using the cast of 24 Hour Party People for "Here To Stay"... not really anything new.
posted by cheaily at 11:51 PM on February 23, 2004

The "False Alarm" idea is dually appropriate -- the only member of the original Alarm who is still around is Mike Peters, even though VH1 proved that the original band members still have their chops when the combo was a part of "Bands Reunited" earlier this year. Would've been nice if the others might've had a second bite at the apple, too.
posted by Dreama at 2:09 AM on February 24, 2004

You can hear a bit of the song on The Alarm website. Sounds good to me.
posted by insomnia_lj at 6:29 AM on February 24, 2004

It's like the "Hot for Teacher" video all over again.
posted by smackfu at 6:52 AM on February 24, 2004

Tesla is coming out with a new album soon and I've heard a new song by them starting to get airplay. Pop metal is making a comeback!
posted by joeadk at 7:00 AM on February 24, 2004

They should make a regular practice of doing this for jazz singers. Just put a supermodel on the CD cover and make people think she's the actual singer. Then maybe talent alone would be enough.

Or just find an incredibly talented jazz singer who just happens to actually look like a "supermodel." Case in point: Eden Atwood.



Oh, and Pepsi-Blue and such.
posted by davidmsc at 7:04 AM on February 24, 2004

They should make a regular practice of doing this for jazz singers. Just put a supermodel on the CD cover and make people think she's the actual singer.

The secret of every chillout compilation is revealed. Or didn't you all know that Jose Padilla is a veteran of the Spanish Civil War?
posted by rory at 7:05 AM on February 24, 2004

Other prior art: REM's "Crush With Eyeliner".

Then again, those cats were Japanese, so you knew something was dodgy from the beginning.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:00 AM on February 24, 2004

Mike Peters never stopped playing. I've seen him tour solo and with pick-up bands every few years, and he might not be Mr. 68 Guns anymore, but he's still got some good years left in him. And this is a quick way both to get back on everyone's radar and to make a statement about people over 30 who can still bring it.

Good on him. I like the song, too. I hope he sells a few records.
posted by chicobangs at 10:15 AM on February 24, 2004

Come on, guys, this is much older than REM and Blues Traveler -- ever see Singing In the Rain?
posted by me3dia at 12:05 PM on February 24, 2004

its a good thing you dont listen to the music industry
posted by Satapher at 3:42 PM on February 24, 2004

Moby and The Cure have both used kids to pretend to be them...
posted by meech at 4:27 PM on February 24, 2004

Of course music is about image. This is precisely like complaining that movies have characters you can relate to.
posted by effugas at 9:33 PM on February 24, 2004

which icon do you relate to? which clothing style expressess your individuality the best? why not write it down on a notecard and keep it in your front pocket? you can never be too sure of who you really are.
posted by Satapher at 10:39 PM on February 24, 2004

Yeah, while REM, Moby, The Cure et al used a fake band in the video, The Alarm released the record under a fake band name too - The Poppyfields.
posted by benzo8 at 5:16 AM on February 25, 2004