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.
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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
Was (Not Was) Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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Branislav-BGD wrote:
Shake Your Head >>>>>>>>>>>
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hookbags wrote:
If anyone is interested, I found some free LEGAL downloads of WAS (NOT WAS) live gigs at archive.org http://www.archive.org/details/WasNotWas They are actually reasonable quality. There are four shows from the 2006 to 2008 period available and they play their good stuff.
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Pebling wrote:
SHAKE YOUR HEAD!
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airwickhaze wrote:
1. Open the door 2. Get on the floor 3. everybody walk the dinosaur 4. ????? 5. PROFIT!!!
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ninja1234z wrote:
EVERYBODY WALK THE DINOSAUR
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jimmytheone45 wrote:
OPEN THE DOOR GET ON THE FLOOR
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infant-tango wrote:
hi
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Demetriuss wrote:
Hello everybody! I`m in Jail!
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TakeyaIkuhara wrote:
A shadow from the sky much too big to be a bird!
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daverichards99 wrote:
this is the wrong version, where's Suzanne? who ate her breakfast from the pan?
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Psiloscud wrote:
goood
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ashleyrobb wrote:
was (not was) brings the heat
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ladybuggin66 wrote:
I used to play the HELL out of 'What Up, Dog?'! Love that CD.
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ashleyrobb wrote:
out come the free eeeeeeks
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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.
Videos
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Play
Walk The Dinosaur
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Play
Spy In The House Of Love
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Play
Knocked Down, Made Small…
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Play
Semi Interesting Week
News
Music legends from the Stones to Bob Dylan call on producer Don Was for expert…
14 Jul 2011 | from worldwidewas.com
There are kids who want to grow up and become rock stars. And
then there are the Don Fagensons — the ones whose visions of
musical glory lie amid the microphones and mixing boards of a
…
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14 Jul 2011 | from worldwidewas.com -
4 Sep 2010 | from worldwidewas.com -
27 May 2010 | from worldwidewas.com
Top Listeners
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Recent Activity
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A-O-Disco and jt_hiroller added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. Friday morning
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moarkthx tagged Was (Not Was) with ‘electro-funk’. 10 days ago
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tomasso1980, HerzogDavid, mbiumi and 9 other people added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. 11 days ago
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marsyman tagged Was (Not Was) with american, rock, pop and 2 other tags. last month
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Branislav-BGD, the-cause, Rhodewarriorlm and 4 other people added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. last month
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lefribema1 tagged Was (Not Was) with ‘seen live’. December 2011
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stevenwarren, thatsmahplaydo, matttheflatuk and 1 other person added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. December 2011
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Capitan_Impallo tagged Was (Not Was) with funk rock, soul, pop rock and one other tag. November 2011
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rgs900 and johnnytrashmcr added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. November 2011
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smgoode2, Accept-Yourself, bacteriasleep and 5 other people added Was (Not Was) to their libraries. November 2011
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