Focal Point : The B-52s

June's focal point mixtape is on the fun, summery sounds of The B-52s.

 Naming themselves after Southern slang for exaggerated 'bouffant" hairdos, the B-52s possess a kitschy, thrift store aesthetic, along with hyper, oddball, and genre-defying songs rooted in New Wave and 1960s Rock and Roll. Formed on an October night in 1976 following drinks at an Athens, GA, Chinese restaurant, the band played their first gig at a friend's house on Valentine's Day 1977.


 The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson, and Keith Strickland At the time of their greatest achievements, however, in 1985 they suffered their greatest tragedy — the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson from AIDS.


 I chose to focus on only songs created before Ricky's untimely passing because, although they continued on without him and broke into mainstream success, I feel that it is in these early albums that the band's heart and soul dwell.

As always,

 *** ENJOY ***

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If you'd like to download the mix, you can RIGHT HERE.

The track list can be found HERE.

And now, a bunch of grade A fancy B-52s videos!

1stly, Deerhoof brings us a "deer witch project" !!! Haha

Dig this excellent Willis Earl Beal animated short

Plenty of butt action in this new one from Majer Lazer

and on a completely different note, here's Father John Misty combining crashed airplane wreckage with moping and dancing!

Believe it or not, in Philadelphia, Aug. 28th has officially been dubbed Kurt Vile Day ... I shit you not!

Haha ... Ryan sent me this funny bit of cursing on the news! Thanks, R!

and Elise recently sent me some Prancercising and some Pizzaghetti! Gracias, E!

And finally, dig these headbangers painting a room jackson pollock style! Yes!