She's So Modern

The Boomtown Rats were an Irish Punk Rock band who had huge success in the UK, but were almost unknown here. Kicking off this survey is the tune "Shes So Modern" from the Rats second album "A Tonic For The Troops." Big hit in the UK, did nothing here. A pattern that the Rats were all too familiar with. This high energy slab of vinyl was fairly typical of their sound circa 78.



Led by lead singer Bob Geldof, the bands one moment on the US charts was the intense ballad "I Don't Like Monday" about San Diego playground shooter Brenda Spencer who uttered the phrase when asked why she shot into a school playground killing two adults and injuring 8 children.

The song struggled to reach number 73 in the US charts while being a worldwide smash in all English speaking countries around the world.

Allegedly part of the reason the song didn't chart very highly was radio stations refusal to play it after on-tour visits from Geldof and the Rats who evinced a surly, dismissive attitude toward their playlists, jingles, patters, neckties, etc. It's a great tune!

The one that started it all, and was pretty much unheard in America was their first hit, the Springsteenish "Rat Trap" which I first heard while working at Full Moon Records in Pontiac. Loved it at first listen, played it to death. Still holds up in my opinion, and fresh due to it's not being overplayed on radio over here.

Bob Geldof soon became more well known for his charitable efforts as he was the driving force behind the Live Aid concerts and efforts to raise funds for the starving people in Africa. Twice nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and given an "honorary" knighthood, (because he was born in Ireland), Bob doesn't record with the same frequency as in the Rats days. The band split in 86 and has never really reformed, aside from some one offs that did not have all the members.

But if you are interested in listening to some "fresh" punk rock and you have worn out your Clash and Jam records, give the Rats a try!