Written by Cindy Dice
Image by Marcela Laskoski
In the late 1970s, a unique genre of music was sweeping through Europe and capturing the hearts of punk rock fans who were originally against it. New wave music helped post-war kids in Britain cope with their undying curiosity about what life was like outside the cities they lived in. As more European kids took on the rebellion and punk rock scene, new wave eventually began to spread like wildfire throughout the 1980s.
In the beginning, the term “new wave” was coined because of the various sounds and instruments that were used to give a more upbeat, romantic feel, such as synthesizers and keyboards. While new wave was tied into the punk rock genre later in the ‘80s, it wasn’t always so at first. Punk rock songs often voiced various opinions on politics and led to dangerous riots. However, new wave had a more carefree feel and celebrated personas that didn’t fit into the mainstream media.
The new wave culture also introduced a bold style for men and women alike. Women wore fishnet tank tops, lace, and gaudy jewelry to dramatize their fashion statement. Men often had extraordinary hairstyles that have been teased and filled with hairspray, wore black leather jackets, and even wore a thin line of eyeliner. People during that time would even go as far as buying intentionally ripped clothes and wearing safety pins as earrings.
Aside from the desired hodgepodge fashion breakthrough, the new wave genre had gained widespread attention when a new channel called MTV aired their first new wave music video. The band The Buggles, a synth-pop group from London, released their iconic song “Video Killed the Radio Star” which instantly propelled the band to fame. Although millions excitedly tuned into MTV to watch these men perform a song in bright metallic suits, their song unfortunately turned out to be their only hit. While this may be perceived as the downfall in new wave, bands such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Duran Duran also jumped onto the new wave train by providing fans with a new collection of sounds and beats that are still enjoyed today.
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