Sacramento 1980s Bands Reunite
SacTV.com "Video of the Day" review by
Alex Cosper on August 5, 2013
The 1980s return to Old Ironsides on Friday, August 9 with some local bands of that era getting back together.
The Features, Numonix, Secret Service and Thomas Bix of Mod Philo are getting back together to bring back the spirit of the new wave era.
This SacTV video features scenes of some of these bands rehearsing for the show. Radio star Kitty O'Neal and
her husband Kurt Spataro were originally in Secret Service and will be singing with Numonix, who were formed by Harrison Price,
who had local radio hits in the 1980s.
The music scene is Sacramento during the 1980s was characterized by many more places for bands to play
than the current nightclub landscape. There also seemed to be a lot more bands and much bigger crowds
populating the clubs, not just on weekends, but throughout the week. It was a time when local musicians
could make living playing music throughout the week. Many of the bands played mostly cover songs, while
The Features and Numonix incorporated originals in their sets. The Aug 9 reunion show will also be a
mix of originals and covers for both bands. This video introduces band members and captures music from their
original repertoires. The Features can be seen and heard performing "Uncontrollable Girl" while the Numonix play "She's the One."
The Features were played on the "rock of the 80s" station called KPOP, which briefly ventured into new wave
music in 1983 before switching to top 40 and eventually rock as 93 Rock, which later became 98 Rock. KZAP offered
the Features a slot for the opening track on their Hometown Album in 1982, but the Features refused due to the
fact that their format had moved away from freeform and focused on a tight list of top rock bands. Singer Johnny
Pride felt it would not be good for the band's image. Instead, KZAP went with "You Don't Want Me Anymore" by
Steel Breeze, who were managed by the same organization as the Features.
Even though the Features had success selling their one self-produced album Up Up Side Side, they disbanded
and reformed as Pride In Peril after moving to Los Angeles. Harrison Price formed other bands after Numonix and
enjoyed a string of local radio hits such as "Spiritual Zoo," played on KWOD and FM 102. Mod Philo's Thomas Bix played
in other
bands as well, such as Cherry Murmur, who were featured on the KWOD compilation CD Transcentury Detour.
Old Ironsides only holds about 200 people and the event is expected to be packed with 80s fans who get their early.
The Features: Johnny Pride, Curtis Hilliar, Waylin Carpenter, Vinnie Panaaleosi, Curtis Blankenship
Numonix: Harrison Price, Maurice Fitzmaurice, Ben Harvey, Bob LoRusso, Jerry Pompei, Kitty O'Neal, Kurt Spataro
Interview with The Features
The Features Rehearsal of "Misfits"
The Features Reflect on the 80s
The Features: "Lost in the 80s"
The Features: Future Plans
Sac Scene 80s Reunion Movie
The Features Sacramento Show: Rich Girls/No Rock and Roll Radio
The Features Show: Blue Video
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