Cowboys International

Cowboys International formed when vocalist and songwriter Ken Lockie assembled an all-star lineup that connected the innovations of Bowie and Eno to the emerging new-wave sound. The group issued its sole full-length album in 1979 together with several singles—Thrash, Aftermath, Nothing Doing, Today Today—then quickly faded from view. Punk luminaries ranging from the Clash’s Terry Chimes to Public Image Limited’s Keith Levine added their contributions, helping The Original Sin earn a glowing notice from Rolling Stone’s David Fricke. Melody Maker placed the record at number 11 on its list of the year’s best albums, alongside Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, the Clash’s London Calling, Talking Heads’ Fear of Music, and Elvis Costello’s Armed Forces. The album’s official single, “Here Comes A Saturday,” achieved modest success in the United States, while “Thrash” and “Pointy Shoes” became fixtures in New York City clubs, even though the Soft Boys-styled “Aftermath” was arguably stronger. The loose collective soon dissolved, and The Original Sin remained unavailable for more than two decades. In 2003 Ken Lockie restored the work, appending unreleased tracks and alternate mixes under the title Cowboys International Revisited, then turned to writing fresh material for a projected follow-up release.