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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMEN WITHOUT HATSNew wave pop group formed in Montreal early '80 by brothers Ivan and Jeremie Arrobas, respectively vocals/composition and drums. Both played synths in the electro-pop style just reaching Canada. Folk Of The '80s EP picked up by Stiff '81 created cult following outside Canada; lead track "Antarctica' edited for UK single release on Statik; Stiff also released 12} single "Nationale 7' in USA. Jeremie left before recording of LP Rhythm Of Youth '82, replaced by brothers Stefan (guitar, violin) and Colin Doroschuk (keyboards), the former adding a folk infl. to quirky pop. (Joel Whitburn says they were all Doroschuk brothers.) Allan McCarthy (keyboards/percussion) completed new lineup. LP prod. by manager Marc Durand was boosted by surprise international hit "Safety Dance', an electro-folkdance that put across anti-nuclear message on video amid riot of maypoles, costumes and mediaeval jollity (parodied by Al Yankovic as "The Brady Bunch'); LP was no. 13 USA, single no. 3. Folk Of The '80s Part III '84 did not reach Top 100 USA LPs despite following two years of heavy touring; Colin left and Pop Goes The World '87 reached no. 73 USA. |