Music Retrospective: Was (Not Was)
Long ago, before the days of Hughes Net satellite internet (or any internet, for that matter), two childhood friends came together in suburban Detroit. Joined by their love of music (and a pressing need for cash), the two friends decided to transform themselves. David Weiss became David Was. Don Fagenson became Don Was. Together, they became the avant-pop group known as Was (Not Was) (and yes, the parentheses are always included).Was (Not Was) formed in 1979, at a time when the punk genre was reinventing itself as post-punk and even the pop genres of dance and funk were becoming open to a new form of experimentalism. W(NW) certainly provided that. Beginning with their first self-titled album in 1981, the group became known for combining disparate musical genres with spoken word poetry and surprising but talented guest stars. On their debut, these included Wayne Kramer from the Michigan proto-punk group MC5, Doug Fieger from the LA new wavers The Knack, and Marcus Belgrave, trumpeter for the avant-jazz musician Charles Mingus. Read the rest of this entry »