From the Record Collection (8 of 8)_ The Psychedelic Furs

We conclude our series on records from the vinyl collection with the debut record "The Psychedelic Furs" (1980) from the band of the same name.

Like all things Psychedelic Furs, the record is quite surreal and it focuses on the arbitrary of shallowness based on looks and fashion in society. Though songs which were released on later records, such as "Pretty in Pink" and "Ghost in You," perfected these themes, their roots can be found on this record in songs, such as "We Love You," "Soap Commercial" and "Imitation of Christ."

The lone single from the record is "Sister Europe," the second song on side one, which is an edgy song that pays homage to the Velvet Underground and David Bowie.

The band had a loyal following, but like many of the artsy new wave bands, such as The Smiths and The Cure, as opposed to the commercial new wave bands like The Thompson Twins and Men at Work, there were not many 'hits' for the Furs. In fact, "Heartbreak Beat" (1987) was the band's only top 40 hit in America.

Much of the band's legacy can be credited to the success of the song "Pretty in Pink," which became the title of a 1986 John Hughes comedy about the difficulties and awkwardness of teen life. The movie starred Molly Ringwald, who was the leading lady for many Hughes films of the '80s, including "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles," which have surprisingly found followings with teenagers of today's generation.

The members of the band include lead singer Richard Butler, who is known for his raspy vocals, and his brother Tim Butler, who plays bass guitar. The band is also set to go on a North American tour. It kicks off at the State Theatre in Falls Church, Va., near Washington, DC, on St. Patrick's Day.

The Big Annoucement!!! My 40th Birthday Movie Party is On!

It indeed looks like plans for the screening of the 1984 cult classic "Gremlins" at the historic Grandin Theatre in Roanoke, Va., has a proverbial green light.

I must profess that putting something like this together is not as easy as going out for pizza and beer as one of my friends sugggested, but it looks like it will be all be worthwhile in the end.

"Gremlins" will screen at midnight on March 6 at the Grandin. My 40th birthday is actually on March 4, but that date does not fall on a Saturday night.

Interestingly enough, "Gremlins" is also showing this week at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.

I got the idea to screen "Gremlins" in particular from my friend Joe Scott who showed the film as part of his Mixed Tape Series in Greensboro, NC, in December.

The 1984 film features Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates and Corey Feldman. It was directed by Joe Dante.

Here are some interesting tid-bits I learned from the film through the Internet Movie Database:

-Like the Wicked Witch in "The Wizard of Oz," Mrs. Deagle has little tolerance for young people and dogs.

-The movie that Lynn Peltzer is watching in her kitchen is "It's a Wonderful Life."

-Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez (both were in "The Breakfast Club") were considered for the role of Billy played by Galligan.

-Several references to Dante's earlier film "The Howling" (1981) are in "Gremlins."

-The original cut of the film ran for two hours and 40 minutes!

PS_ The film's central character Gizmo is also the name of my tuxedo cat who just bit and scratched me this morning, but he also licked my hand (I think he could be schizo!). We profiled the no-kill cat shelter Safe Haven for Cats in Raleigh, NC, a short time ago.

Movies of Our Youth (1 of 11)

"The Breakfast Club."

I couldn't resist!