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Was (Not Was)
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Was (Not Was) is an eccentric pop group founded by David Weiss (a.k.a. David Was) and Don Fagenson (a.k.a. Don Was). (Don Was is also a famous producer, who has worked with The B-52’s, Rolling Stones and many other artists.)
Weiss and Fagenson were childhood friends who grew up together in suburban Detroit. Due largely to Fagenson’s poverty, they decided to form Was (Not Was) in 1979. The name of the band was derived from Fagenson’s son, who enjoyed contradicting words such as ‘Blue’ with ‘Not Blue’. Their first recording was “Wheel Me Out”, a 12-inch dance record for the avant-garde Ze Records.
Their first album ‘Was (Not Was)’ (1981) was an amalgam of rock, disco, Weiss’s beat poetry, Reagan-era commentary and jazz. On vocals they recruited Harry Bowens and “Sweet Pea” Atkinson, who proved to be distinctive, very soulful front-men, who frequently found themselves singing absurd, surreal songs alongside tender ballads. The MC5’s Wayne Kramer (guitar) and The Knack’s Doug Feiger (vocal) were guest players.
Born to Laugh at Tornadoes (1983) introduced even more guest musicians, including Ozzy Osbourne rapping over electro, Mel Torme crooning an oddly beautiful ballad and an abstract funk piece “Man Vs the Empire Brain Building”. The band were shortly dropped from their record label.
In 1987, they found their biggest hit with the album What Up, Dog?, along with the singles “Walk The Dinosaur” and “Spy in the House of Love”. Special guests include Stevie Salas, John Patitucci, Frank Sinatra Jr. and a writing credit for Elvis Costello. About this time, the Was Brothers developed separate careers as producers, film scorers and music supervisors.
Weiss and Fagenson were childhood friends who grew up together in suburban Detroit. Due largely to Fagenson’s poverty, they decided to form Was (Not Was) in 1979. The name of the band was derived from Fagenson’s son, who enjoyed contradicting words such as ‘Blue’ with ‘Not Blue’. Their first recording was “Wheel Me Out”, a 12-inch dance record for the avant-garde Ze Records.
Their first album ‘Was (Not Was)’ (1981) was an amalgam of rock, disco, Weiss’s beat poetry, Reagan-era commentary and jazz. On vocals they recruited Harry Bowens and “Sweet Pea” Atkinson, who proved to be distinctive, very soulful front-men, who frequently found themselves singing absurd, surreal songs alongside tender ballads. The MC5’s Wayne Kramer (guitar) and The Knack’s Doug Feiger (vocal) were guest players.
Born to Laugh at Tornadoes (1983) introduced even more guest musicians, including Ozzy Osbourne rapping over electro, Mel Torme crooning an oddly beautiful ballad and an abstract funk piece “Man Vs the Empire Brain Building”. The band were shortly dropped from their record label.
In 1987, they found their biggest hit with the album What Up, Dog?, along with the singles “Walk The Dinosaur” and “Spy in the House of Love”. Special guests include Stevie Salas, John Patitucci, Frank Sinatra Jr. and a writing credit for Elvis Costello. About this time, the Was Brothers developed separate careers as producers, film scorers and music supervisors.
Top Albums
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What Up, Dog?
Was (Not Was)
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Hello Dad... I'm In Jail
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Are You Okay?
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Out Come the Freaks
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Top Tracks
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Walk the Dinosaur
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Papa Was a Rolling Stone
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Spy in the House of Love
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Out Come the Freaks
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Shake Your Head (Let's Go to Bed)
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Dad I'm in Jail
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I Feel Better Than James Brown
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Wedding Vows in Vegas
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Shoutbox
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egnightz wrote:
BOOM BOOM AKA LAKALAKA BOOM!!!
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poorshakes wrote:
they are so SO good, Born to Laugh at Tornadoes is practically perfect, and What Up Dog is one of those albums where you can't choose a favourite. Are You Okay is a bit weaker, but How the Heart Behaves and Elvis' Rolls Royce are superb. I only regret not having the other two albums...
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dmen01 wrote:
Fantastic Band. Cannot think of another group who can produce such eccentric funk tunes alongside great soulful ballads
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PandaGetSad wrote:
Was (Not Was)!!!
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TheBenjamino wrote:
The only good thing about The Mario Brothers film!
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EcoBuckeye wrote:
I got to see them open for Dire Straits in Germany, 1992, I think it was in Karlsruhe. Fantastic show.
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Caesar2711 wrote:
...live waren sie einfach nur > Spitze...
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hunnybunny21 wrote:
i can do the walk the dinosaur dance and so can you.
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Naimina wrote:
This band is so flipped. I like it.
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conditionals wrote:
Say hi to mom... FROM JAIL.
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fordiebianco wrote:
Boo! rules
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Freehammer wrote:
I'm calling you from jail! I like it here! It's nice!
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ajphux wrote:
Love this band (or amalgam of musicians), and always will. Have to agree with woodstreet below; this band has it all, great vocalists, cyincal lyrics, great musical curiosity and appropriation of musical forms, always with an arch sense of humour. Every time they're in my area, I end up missing them, dammit.
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jarizappa wrote:
EVERYBODY WALK THE DINOSAUR
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Colfire wrote:
The woodwork squeaks
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Runeii wrote:
BOOM BOOM HAKKA LAKKA LAKKA BOOM
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woodstreet wrote:
I like that stuff, cause it hasee nice grooves, fat voices, cynical lyrics and good melodies. Unfortunately they where not going on making such nice albums.
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nosmo wrote:
HELLO DAD! I'M IN JAIL!
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AssD wrote:
Great band!
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Recent Activity
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Elconquistador1, jonthebully, kirkpearson and 1 other person added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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IanAR connected Was (Not Was) to the group Born Tiger. Tuesday afternoon
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heels-tickling, tomwaddill, toxicbob and 3 other people added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. Sunday afternoon
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Thehitparade updated the wiki page for Now That's What I Call Music! 23 (disc 1). (diff) 21 days ago
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remcodulac tagged Was (Not Was) with ‘less than 200000’. 21 days ago
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ashleyrobb, Tokheim11, michiganrocker and 2 other people added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. 24 days ago
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Terrasidius created the wiki page for Now That's What I Call Music! 23 (disc 1). last month
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elmartino74 tagged Was (Not Was) with ‘seen live’. last month
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saikaku67, kaynyl, rjquantum2 and 8 other people added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. last month
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ShadowMaiden tagged Was (Not Was) with rock and 80s. August 2009
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