Biography
Way of the West was a fairly popular band on the club scene in the early 1980s - at least in the NYC area and presumably in the UK as well. However, they were exclusively a singles band and never (yet) released a full-length album. As a result, they seem to be off the radar screen of a lot of fairly comprehensive directories, even Trouser Press (amazingly). They were known for their catchy, danceable (usually 5-8 minute) songs, which can best be described as 80s pop/ bordering on new romantic. Their first single "Don't Say That's Just for White Boys", released in 1980 was by far their biggest hit. They followed with "Drum", which got some club and airplay (mostly on college stations), and "See You Shake", both in 1981. In 1984, they released the Talking Heads-esque (circa "Remain in Light") "City for Lovers" which was also a fairly big hit (relatively) in clubs and college radio; the flip-side, Countdown, was also fairly successful. The only other single I know of is "Feel the Steel", also released in 1984.
The singer/guitarist has started a page at http://mercury66.wordpress.com/
In the UK the group did not come close to a commercial breakthrough. However, they were, with their funk and reggae touches, seen as a more serious proposition than straightforward New Romantic fare, more Leisure Process than Blue Zoo. Certainly they were given airplay on the highly influential John Peel show, upon which strictly New Romantic pop groups never appeared. Restricted to releasing singles, their recorded output is around 13 tracks including versions.
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