I actually got into New Wave a bit late in the game. It wasn't until the late 80's after the movement was already established that I learned more about it. Before then, artists like Devo, ABC, New Order, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, A Flock of Seagulls, Gary Numan, Human League and OMD I thought were kind of weird, but I was also being brainwashed by pop radio.

It wasn't until I saw the John Hughes Classic Film, 'Pretty in Pink' and heard many of the songs on the soundtrack that I realized the true appeal of the genre. I will admit that it's just about as 180 from Grunge as you can get, but that's how the 80's was at the time.

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The general definition of what New Wave music is? It's kind of like mixing Punk & Disco but without the anarchist lyrics or the cheesy violins... and instead adding synthesizer & electric drums.

One of the first influential bands in the New Wave style was Kraftwerk who had their distinctive electronic sound as early as 1973. A real shame that they have not been considered for the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame yet. If there's any band that deserves it... these guys do.

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New Wave, to me, is the type of music you toss in when you want to reminisce back to a happier time and dance while you do it. Granted, not ALL New Wave music is "happy". Some of it (like most of The Smiths & The Cure's catalogue) is downright emo to the point of being suicidal. Regardless, there's just something about hearing the first few synth chords to Human League's "Fascination", New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle", or Yazoo's "Situation" that makes you wanna push all of your built up anxiety away... and just dance. \o/