Totally 80s Tour with Big Country, Tommy Tutone, Gene Loves Jezebel, and Bow Wow Wow

The Garden Club at Wild Heaven West End has plentiful free parking and $7.50 beers from Wild Heaven. The Garden Club and Wild Heaven West End are cash free venues.

BIG COUNTRY
Big Country is one of Scotland’s most iconic rock bands, known for their unique fusion of post-punk, new wave, and Scottish folk influences. From their breakthrough in the 1980s to the present day, Big Country continues to captivate audiences with their anthemic sound and repertoire of memorable hits. Through 2025 Big Country are set to embark on a world tour stopping in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

TOMMY TUTONE
Tommy Heath and Jim Keller founded the band in 1978 along with bassist Terry Nails (Steve Jones, Ozzy Osbourne), with Heath acting as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, also playing keyboards on occasion. Keller played lead guitar and Terry Nails played bass and provided supporting vocals. Heath and Keller were the only constant members of Tommy Tutone during the band’s heyday, and the lineup featured a rotating membership of bassists and drummers. Bassist Jon Lyons (original name Jonathan Lyons Terlep), who performed on “867-5309”, replaced founding member Terry Nails, but was soon himself replaced by Greg Sutton, Pete Costello, and more recently Jimmy James. Mona Gnader, the bassist in Sammy Hagar’s The Waboritas band, played with the band as well. Original drummer Kenny Johnson (of Chris Isaak’s band) was replaced by Mickey Shine (Clover and the first Elvis Costello album), then Victor Carberry for the band’s second album, and later Jerry Angel. John Cowsill of The Cowsills played percussion (and sang) on “867-5309/Jenny”.[1] From 2001 to 2010, the band consisted of Heath, James, Greg Georgeson (guitar), and Andy Gauthier (drums). By 2012, Tommy Heath had become a computer analyst and software engineer and moved to Portland, Oregon.[2][3] In 2007, the band signed a recording contract with Spectra Records.

In 2017, with the addition of Steve Fister (Steppenwolf, Lita Ford) on guitar, Jimmy James switched to drums and the band released the single “My Little Red Book”. Jim Keller went on to become the director of Philip Glass’s publishing company, Dunvagen Music Publishers.[4] He still performs in New York City. In 2019, the band released their first studio album since 1998, Beautiful Ending.

GENE LOVES JEZEBEL
In the fall of 1982, Michael Aston set out from his native South Wales and settled in the leafy dilapadated elegance that was 56 St. Georges SQ Pimlico SW1 (passport anyone?). After hooking up with James Chater, a drummer of questionable ability, he formed his first band (briefly known as ‘Slavorian’). They were joined soonafter by Ian Hudson (guitar) and twin brother ‘J’ (vocals, guitar) and the twins began their assent in the U.K. Underground. A demo resulted in a deal with ‘Situation 2 Records’ (appropriate) a Beggers’ Banquet subsidiary. The bands London debut at Covent Gardens Rock Garden Shaving ny neck’a well and receiving E.P. followed (incidentally ‘ALL ABOUT EVES’ Julliane Regan on piano & vocal debut).

1985 saw Marcus Gilvear replace Hawkins and Chris Bell replace Gilvear for the ‘Immigrant’ Album (The bands’ favourite by the way). After touring Europe with Gilvear and now Rizzo on bass, the Astons & Hudson recorded ‘Desire’ and ‘Sweetest Thing’ for English release before heading off to the U.S. (Relativity released Immigrant) for their first sortie into the U.S. (late ‘85). The tour saw the last straw placed on Hudsons’ back…he lost his mind & was replaced mid-tour by James Stevenson (Generation X, Chelsea) for the recording in early ‘86 of ‘Discover’…the bands’ first major label release (signed by Gary Gersh of Geffen Records). 1986 was a very good year…‘Desire‘ was voted college record of the year and “Heartache” was racing up the pop charts (ahead of the likes of REM and the CULT) a No.7 dance hit. They sold out theatres across the U.S. (Universal in a matter of hours!) 1987, the world at their feet, the ‘Pre-Raphaelite Brothers recorded the ‘House of Dolls’. Despite another sell out tour, “Motion Of Love” their most commercially successful record and world-wide tour…Michael bailed. Was some 3 years before THE JEZEBELS with J at the helm released ‘Kiss of Life’….heralding a triumphant return with ‘Jealous’ a No.1 modern rock track chart. Severing their ties with Beggers’ Banquet, they signed to the ill fated Savage Records.( turning down Atlantic, would you believe?). Despite the massive radio hit in ‘Josephina’ the label folded and the JEZEBELS were in limbo…Until now that is. Michaels’ made two albums, ‘Edith Grove‘ and last years’ critically acclaimed ‘Why Me, Why This, Why Now’. J’s just completed his first solo album as yet untitled ‘Pre Raphaelite Brothers’. Last year, the brothers also sold the release titled, ‘Some of the Best of Gene Loves Jezebel’ (Avalanche Records). Michael is currently working on a new solo record…and the twins are writing material for ‘The Pre Raphaelite Brothers’. Today Founding member Michael Aston (Lead vocals) owns the “Gene Loves Jezebel” trademark world wide and is still touring and recording new music as Gene Loves Jezebel.

BOW WOW WOW

Bow Wow Wow’s music ranges from simple, goofy, non-sensical tunes to complex, crisp pop masterpieces. Their music has been described as a pastiche of Latin and African beats, 50’s rock-n-roll, and Spaghetti Western soundtracks. The band packaged all of this together with an incredible sense of humor and vigor.

With thundering African/Latin percussion and twangy, Duane Eddy guitars, Bow Wow Wow maintained a consistent image and sound through a host of record producers in their short life span. But despite the numerous people who shaped their sound from 1980-1983, a strong Bow Wow Wow identity remained intact.