New Musical Obsession: Transvision Vamp

A sporadic series celebrating old music that's new to me.

Very few things in life can compare to that powerful jolt of electricity that shoots through your body and straight to your heart and soul when discovering an old band whose sound is exactly everything you've ever wanted out of music. I had that experience with Transvision Vamp recently. I'm still on a high, several days after first hearing them via their 1989 UK hit, "Baby I Don't Care."

The British alternative rock band was active from 1986–1991, but during that short career they left behind some truly extraordinary music. Their sound is at once of their era and also utterly transcendent of it. Transvision Vamp's sound and style may fit squarely into the post-punk/power-pop/shoe-gaze style so prevalent in the 1980s, but it's music was built to last. Ringing guitars, a pounding rhythm section, and an absolute spitfire lead singer who sings every song as if it's her last night on earth and she's going out with a bang.

This lead singer would be one Wendy James, and, folks, stop searching because she is what you have been looking for. She's got it all—voice, attitude, looks, style, energy, and honesty, to name just a few of her numerous strengths. James belongs in any discussion involving great lead singers of her era—she can be added to the list alongside such stellar performers as Chrissie Hynde, Chrissy Amphlett, Debbie Harry, and Hope Sandoval. Like those legends, James effortlessly segues from a soft, sultry singing voice straight into the defiant roar of a true Riot Grrrl. She's pure platinum blonde charisma, a wildly expressive and stunningly gorgeous frontwoman whose strengths translate to any musical era. Whatever "it" is, James has it. In excess.

My Transvision Vamp deep dive has been an extraordinarily invigorating experience thus far, with one excellent discovery after another. Favorite tracks so far include, "Baby I Don't Care," "I Want Your Love," "Tell That Girl to Shut Up," "Landslide of Love," and "Sister Moon," to name just a few. James's opening banshee scream in "Baby I Don't Care" is a call to arms, and the song's total "fuck off" attitude is an absolute inspiration—there's a lot of bullshit flying in every direction every day of my life, and nothing sums up my reaction to it all better than, "Baby, I don't care!"

It's a crime that Transvision Vamp didn't break big in America, because I for one needed this music, circa 1988, '89, '90, '91. It could have changed my life back then, for real. So while I mourn for the teenage me who didn't get to fist-pump the air while shouting along with Wendy James, I'm positively ecstatic to have discovered this band today. Rarely has a band been any more in my wheelhouse than Transvision Vamp. Thank the gods they existed, even if for just a little while. For those five years, they were mind blowing, and have left behind enough great music to rock my world for the rest of my days.

Comments

Paul SAugust 14, 2019 at 8:16 AM
Wow this a blast from the past. I live in England so I was aware of Transvision Vamp, I'm glad you've discovered their music and it sounds like it has blown your mind.
Man, I miss the late 80s/early 90s so much. They really were happy days.
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