The Reagan Eighties

When we released our debut EP in May, we told the fans to come dressed up "like the eighties." Nothing fancy (we didn't promise cash prizes or awards) just told them to dress up if they felt like it. When people started pouring in, we were shocked: nearly every single person was decked out. There was a Richard Simmons, Ferris Bueller, Billy Idol, Madonna, Morrissey, Mick Mars, a Pat Benatar. Heck, one person came dressed as Mario. We realized that, regardless of current music trends, eighties style rock-pop music (complete with synthesizers, catchy vocals, good guitar riffs, and pomped hair) didn't stop on December 31 of '89. It's embedded into our culture and it's something that not many bands take advantage of.

The Reagan Eighties started out with the idea that synthy, danceable music should be made mainstream once again. We believe that people need to be excited to go to the shows because they'll get the chance to dance and mix with other people, not just listen to the whims of the guys onstage. We're not gimmicky, and neither are our fans ... they just realize that it's a rare chance to let their hair down (or out).

Our influences are wide-ranging and include the Beach Boys, The Cars, The Cure, Duran Duran, New Order, the Smiths, and the Smashing Pumpkins. We try not to marry ourselves to a style, so we're always open to expanding the sound.

"Say No to This Drug" was nearly a year in the works and came from our struggles with relationships and college life.