This installment of "forgotten songs" comes from our friend Hillary, who while at dinner with Danette last week mentioned being a fan of Winston-Salem's Let's Active back in the day. Danette had never heard of them and I only knew that there was a band by that name (probably via Terry).
I did some poking around and their first real song was "Every Word Means No", from their 1983 EP "Afoot". The song sounds vaguely familiar, but I'm not sure if I actually remember it or if, sounding like a cross between R.E.M. and The Connells, it is just representative of the early- to mid-80s college sound. The connection with R.E.M. is not accidental -- guitarist and vocalist Mitch Easter produced the first two R.E.M. LPs (as well as other bands) for I.R.S. Records.
This is the kind of band that fleshes out a musical scene, even if they are overshadowed by the scene's more central bands. So is it new, overlooked, or simply forgotten? In the car collecting world, we'd call this "new old stock". Enjoy like its 1983.
Let's Active -- "Every Word Means No"
Edit: After poking around some more, I'm pretty sure I remember their 1989 song "Every Dog Has His Day", even though I could not have told you it was by Let's Active. Regardless, "Every Word Means No" is a better song.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
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