Missing Persons

In one of the more surreal comings together of music history, 1980 saw four Frank Zappa alumni join with keyboardist Chuck Wild to form Missing Persons. The other members are drummer extraordinaire Terry Bozzio, his wife Dale Bozzio (who says the words "Warren Cuccurullo" in "Catholic Girlz"), late Duran Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, and bassist Patrick O'Hearn. More indie than most indie bands today, this group wrote their own songs, designed their own clothes, booked their own shows, promoted their own debut release, and built their own stages. This hard work paid off, along with the fact that they wholly bought into the '80s pop of keyboards, simple melodies, and big hair. You know that vixen singer Dale Bozzio knows what boys want, but you won't hear that song here. Instead, this collection of 1981 live material contains other signature tunes such as "Destination Unknown," "Walkin' in L.A.," and a unique, over the top, pop-psychedelic version of the Doors' "Hello I Love You." This is also the part of the set where Bozzio starts ending more and more lines with high-pitched squeaks culminating in "Walkin' in L.A." This important document of '80s pop proves that modern rock is '80s nostalgia minus the keyboards. The album also contains a previously unreleased 1980 demo song entitled "Action Reaction," the heaviest thing on this record. Paraphrasing Solomon, this song says, "you might think its new, but its not." ~ Tom Schulte, All Music Guide