Go-Go's Demo Tape (October 1980)

[@kookadams85]

The GoGo's were top notch pioneering soCal punkrock along w/ the Dickies, Gears, Crowd, Surf Punks, Agent Orange, Angry Samoans, Flyboys, Plimsouls, X, Redd Kross, Simpletones... the bands w/ the most melody & pop-laden hooks were/are The most legendary!!! 🎶 💯

[@jamiking1696]

They set the standard for DIY bands after 1980 influencing so many bands that would follow them! ICONIC band with all the right ingredients

[@rherchenreder]

The drumming and the harmonies. For their time, this was material way ahead of their time. I feel their music in my bones and my admiration is eternal.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Ahead of their time.... not at all. Quite the opposite

[@brithaddenhadden8383]

says the sexist sociopath !@@morbidmanmusic

[@soniamaia8158]

❤

[@MissionForward3]

Saw them open for The Police Rosemont Horizon Chicago..... Awesome concert!

[@johnnythekid4601]

Love Margots bassline opening on cool jerk

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Heard all these versions before except for Surfing & Spying. Very cool to finally hear it. I had already been familiar with the version recorded for the B-side of the “Our Lips Are Sealed” single, but this version is much better.

[@Shikta-poobah67]

For the uninitiated, these versions of “We Got The Beat” and “How Much More” are the same ones that were used for their first (UK-only) single on Stiff Records in 1980. That version of “…Beat” was a minor local top 20 hit in Southern California that fall. Personally I always thought these recordings were not only superior to the later, more well known versions, but represented a band at the peak of their powers. They were so much better when they still kept a small amount of their punk edge intact (that ‘punk edge’ being Margot).

[@aelius93]

How has the surfspy demo gone ignored until just now? The gun shots!!! Omg

[@japanlovesyou]

This song is very barracudas-esque

[@cosmicsunbeams]

Wow, they had a good sound ❤

[@OrcaSnack]

I like their punk better than their pop but I understand why they were urged to go in the direction they went. They had the talent to make it succeed! Nothing but respect and admiration for these ladies!

[@brianmcguire500]

Great to hear. A really great group. Especially live.

[@gonzalocerron5690]

Oh my god. Beautiful material.

[@ThundersMcCoy]

This version of How Much More is a million times better than the one on We Got The Beat.

[@no_onein2024]

Did you mean "Beauty and the Beat"? And yes I agree lol

[@ThundersMcCoy]

@@no_onein2024 So when I typed this I was referring to the original We Got The Beat 7" on Stiff but after listening to both again just now for clarity they appear to be the same versions. This is also the recording that's on Return to the Valley of the Go Go's. It IS the one on Beauty and the Beat that's the lesser of the two. Although the bass line is better on BATB because it's Kathy. ;)

[@no_onein2024]

@@ThundersMcCoy Yes I love Kathy!!! While I love the original "Cool Jerk" better than the one on Vacation album, I DO love Kathy's bass runs much better than Margot's!

[@alejandrobattaglia6485]

Is a thousands millions better !!

[@candicelockwood4103]

I like Lust to Love better as well!

[@sicsempertyrannis1849]

I bought their first album when it came out, this is so much better.

[@Neptuneman07]

This is tight. Loving it

[@syrinx9196]

We Got the Beat is definitely the strongest song here.

[@MissionForward3]

Best all girl band in music history....IMO.

[@GUITARCOVERS-b7v]

Awesome

[@blessedbowmanmichelle]

I love this thank you

[@smedleyx]

I heard these versions for a while on the radio (likely KROQ in pasadena) prior to the album being released, and I still prefer the garage sound on these

[@allanhonrubia2372]

WOW!

[@andrewr62]

Margot on bass?

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Yes

[@dancingdiomontedear2wear499]

Please say there is a side two lol

[@StarsOnESP]

I wish I could!

[@dancingdiomontedear2wear499]

@@StarsOnESP you mean there is!?

[@StarsOnESP]

@@dancingdiomontedear2wear499 There isn't :-)

[@dancingdiomontedear2wear499]

@@StarsOnESP ahh ok. I have tons of go go’s stuff to trade an no one to share it with lol

[@chrisscamurra]

@@dancingdiomontedear2wear499 what else do you have?

[@addicktedtocharlton1167]

1:54 does that sound like Elvis's "latest flame"?

[@addicktedtocharlton1167]

It's still wonderful, of course.

[@davidthompson4649]

I always thought it did too.. they sound the same.because its the same chords

[@JoeFranke]

doesn't really sound like a demo, rather perfect.

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Often times demo versions sound a million times better than album versions.

[@NousSommesYeu]

🌈🔥♥♥♥♥

[@aelius93]

I always said the gogos were wrong about sexism. I wouldn't have signed them based on this demo. Not to be a commercial success. It's too campy and niche. BUT, hearing surfspy.... I'd absolutely sign them. It reveals immense talent and vision. But most importantly... Infinite COOL.

[@sxnico]

that's why you dont run a record company.

[@sergiocaplan1168]

Everybody’s got their own tastes, totally cool. But I think that there’s more than enough “here to hear” that business wise translates to: “Yeah, can see people buying this. I’ll give them a shot.” ps. I should add that I was a teenager back then. So I’m also saying that this fit in with the times. pps: Don’t feel too bad tho. More than one label passed on The Beatles. Everyone makes mistakes.