I caught this video on VH1 Classic about 4 years ago and, despite the fact that it blew my mind, I forgot everything about the song that would enable me to search for it once I got on the internet. What can I say? It was early in the morning, and I’m really no good until my second cup of coffee. Fortunately, I found it on a blog this morning — after all, lots of people are posting their favorite early-’80s videos in commemoration of MTV’s 30th anniversary.
The intro to this video is weird and goofy and corny as all get out. (Be careful, the first few seconds of this YouTube file are quieter than the rest.) Yet it makes me incredibly happy that it exists, that someone involved in rock ‘n’ roll thought to do this. For those of you who were paying more attention to music (particularly power pop and new wave) back then, had you seen this before? What were your thoughts then? And how about now?
Also, according to Wikipedia, this band was from Atlanta, GA. I call upon jungleland2 to provide any special insight he might have.
I look forward to your responses.
The Producers are home town heroes. I have seen them many times both at clubs and when they were past their hit making days, at Frat parties at UGA in the early 90’s. They were kinda a poor man’s Police in some ways. Their 1st two records are fantastic power pop with an extreme 80’s / MTV style. They moved to a new label and the 3rd record never came out, which kinda killed their career. Wayne Famous was the king of the Key-Tar. His “move” was to point at the ceiling right before he was about to play a keyboard lick and then the crowd would all do the same. Their other “hit” was “What She Does To Me”
Didn’t they put out one of those 10-inch eps on CBS, along with Black Market Clash and that Cheap Trick ep? The video has a cut to a theater full of people in 3-D glasses or whatever. I think the ep cover used that classic ’50s image. I don’t recall their music making an impression on me. They crossed that line of “bad” new wave in my 16-year-old sensibilities.
Here are some other hit songs from The Producers
http://youtu.be/katOCMHLofM
http://youtu.be/mVtP_kV-IRI
http://youtu.be/e2TJO_rWoIA
Their big closer was a cover of A Hard Day’s Night – can’t find it on you tube though.
I have seen this video a few times over the past several years though I don’t remember seeing it in the 1980s. The cartoonish intro gets tiresome after the first viewing and the bald keyboard player looks and acts like a royal doof. However, the “What’s He Got” song itself is great power pop – catchy, fun, and inventive. I’ve never heard anything else by them but I think I’ll try to seek out their 1981 album.
I knew I could count on you. Thanks!
Cd Copy of “The Producers / You Make The Heat” came out in 2000 and sold out and was not reprinted. If anyone wants a copy I can post mp3’s.
Another song I could not find was called “I Love Lucy” that was a single or at least a live staple.
This video was ubiquitous on MTV ca. 1983.
I don’t remember seeing it back then, and I barely remember seeing it just now. Remember seeing that 10″ sleeve, though. Pretty bland stuff, and I hate their overly-rehearsed “high energy” performance shtick.
I didn’t realize Chachi ever put out anything this good. Was this an ode to Joanie’s previous boyfriend?
I remember that She Sheila song . . . all their stuff seems to be out of print — replaced by band making ambient music call The Producers.
One other piece of Producers Trivia. Their bassist left in 1985 and was replaced with Tim Smith who later replaced Chris Manning in Jellyfish and then went on to play with Sheryl Crow. Tim plays in an Atlanta XTC cover band called “Nigels With Attitude”
I like the fact that they let their dad be in the band and play keyboards. That’s a sign of some good upbringing. The song was okay, but I don’t think it will hold up fpr me over the long haul. If I find their album for two bucks in a used record bin, I might grab it, though.
I was expecting the camera to cut to Gerry Todd at the end there.
Pretty cool song for me, though the jangly power chord guitar gets tiresome after a while. LOVE the counter-melody backup vocals at the end.
An XTC cover band? I can’t conjure up anything more frightening than that, though the Billy Squier video comes close.
I haven’t read Mod’s entry today on New Wave, which I certainly embraced in its day, but it seems like this song was custom written in order to highlight everything that could be annoying in a “New Wave” song. As such, it succeeds brilliantly.
Mayor: http://youtu.be/qCkFpHli_vU
Love On a Farmboys Wages: http://youtu.be/oUvFWxEGVZE
Always dug this song back in the early MTV days. I always got them confused with that band Shoes. Anyone remember them? As I hazily recall they were also a foursome of well-dressed pop/rockers.
Yes, I still own and like Shoes’ first, homemade album. I didn’t care much for the glossy stuff that followed, but yes, that was similar.
Is that Charlie Sheen fronting the band?
As soon as I saw the 4 guys on tall chairs at the beginning of the video I recognized this one. This album was always up front of the “Play sometime during your shift” bin at the college radio station where I worked briefly. My partner and I would play this one while arguing about the things we gave a damn about.