Wall Of Voodoo

Wall of Voodoo originated in Los Angeles during 1977 as a soundtrack production outfit before achieving recognition chiefly through the alternative radio favorite “Mexican Radio.” Fronted by singer and songwriter Stan Ridgway, the initial lineup also featured guitarist Marc Moreland, bassist and keyboardist Bruce Moreland, keyboardist Chas Gray, and drummer Joe Nanini, and the collective delivered its self-titled debut EP in 1980. The group’s sonic identity solidified once bassist Bruce Moreland and his brother Marc on guitar (replacing Noland) joined for the 1981 full-length Dark Continent, which framed Ridgway’s elaborately stylized and cinematic narratives—heavily influenced by Westerns and film noir and delivered in the vocalist’s characteristically droll, narcoleptic tone—within atonal, electronics-driven arrangements.

After Bruce Moreland exited in 1982, Wall of Voodoo issued Call of the West, which included “Mexican Radio,” their most successful single. Following a performance at the 1983 US Festival, Ridgway departed to launch a solo career. The remaining members recruited singer Andy Prieboy and returned in 1985 with the album Seven Days in Sammystown. Happy Planet appeared two years later, while the 1988 live release The Ugly Americans in Australia* (the asterisk indicating that several tracks were recorded in Bullhead City, Arizona) essentially brought the Wall of Voodoo saga to a close.