Tuesday, March 22, 2022

The 1981 Listening Post - Social Climbers - Social Climbers

 Social Climbers - Social Climbers



#520

1981 Housekeeping

Social Climbers

Social Climbers

Genre: No Wave

4 out of 5



Highlights: 

Chicken 80

Chris & Debbie

Palm Springs



There’s precious little about this band so Imma just say this reminds me of xex in that it sounds very DIY electronic stuff with a bit of sardonic wit and a whole lot more proficiency. 

And it borders on the early days of hip hop. I’m thinking of the drum programming on “Chris & Debbie” which is also an heir apparent to latter day Clash. Keyboardist Dick Connette has been putting his stamp on music for decades, as evidenced by his website catalog. He’s worked with the likes of Louden Wainwright III and others but it’s not extensive and this project lasted one record. 

It’s a headset joint that doesn’t require much of the listener. Just have it on and check in once in a while and I’m noticing a lot of that in the 80s: artists are playing with form and what “music” is and none of this would be heard anywhere outside of the club where they play or wayyyyyy left of the dial on a college radio station. 

This would definitely find it’s way onto the WFMU playlist at some point. 

And I would not have hesitated to put Social Climbers on a bill with The Feelies. As an opener, of course. But it would have worked. For Pere Ubu as well. 


I’m super curious how Producer Bob Ludwig got involved in this thing. 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lkM3RYxmDs

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