THIS AIN’T NO DISCO! Revolution in Late 70’s music

THIS AIN’T NO DISCO!

Revolution in Late 70’s music

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June 24’s This Ain’t No Disco! showcase presented game-changing music and artists that made 1977-1979 one of the most eclectic and influential moments in popular music history.

Think of all the things that were happening:

  • Punk’s tumultuous rise and fall…driven by acts like the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The Clash, The Damned and The Jam
  • A Disco craze culminates with all-time best seller Saturday Night Fever…followed in 1979 by a violent anti-disco backlash
  • Post-punk and new wave breaks with artists like Gary Numan, Blondie, Devo, Talking Heads, The Cars
  • Groundbreaking metal and hard rock bands emerge: AC/DC, Van Halen, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy
  • Game changers and genre-benders like The B-52’s, Elvis Costello, The Police become mainstream
  • Nick Drake and the Bad Seeds, Joy Division, Bauhaus and others lay the seeds for Goth Rock
  • The Sugarhill Gang releases “Rapper’s Delight,” the first hip-hop track to reach the top 40
  • Pop radio churns hits by the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, Elton John, Peter Frampton and James Taylor

Over 100 industry tastemakers joined us on a “strange trip” through the late 70s to find out what made this pre-MTV period so creative, impactful and important. We delved beyond well-known artists and influences into unknown gems, baby bands, B-sides and even current bands representing the best of late 70’s influences, like indie post-new wavers Heroes and Heroines and the neo-Goth outfit Minimum Contacts. And a surprise performance by The Skabbs, a largely unexplored band who had just released their album that was originally recorded in 1978.  This showcase also featured a recreation of late 70s vinyl record store — one of the primary forces in breaking these new bands, including freshly minted vinyl from The Skabbs and Heroes and Heroines.

Surprise guests included Prescott Niles from the Knack (who participated in our panel) and David J from Bauhaus (who performed a guest DJ set and signed albums for attendees).  Complementary boutique wine and hors d’oeuvres were served and limited-edition art by Scott Horton and Kaleo was presented in the gallery, featuring representations of late 70’s icons specifically created for this event and available for purchase that night only.  Our industry panel included Niles, Phil Gallo (Senior Correspondent/Billboard), Scott Goldman (VP/GRAMM Foundation), Chad Haes of Minimum Contacts and Mike Enzor of The Skabbs.

Beyond the artistic showcases and panel, attendees got a free music bundle courtesy of RapidShare, which included dozens of tracks — all unreleased and clearance-ready. Attendees also received a free copy of  the This Ain’t No Disco! handbook with comprehensive music licensing information, industry contacts and resources, a chance to win valuable raffle prizes and more.