The Cosmopolitans
| The Cosmopolitans | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | New wave |
| Years active | 1975–1982 |
| Website | wildmooseparty |
| Past members |
|
The Cosmopolitans was a United States new wave band that was based in New York from 1979 until 82. The band was best known for songs “(How to Keep Your) Husband Happy” and “Wild Moose Party” released on Alan Betrock's Shake Records in 1980 (USA), and Albion Records in 1981 (UK). Characterized by its quirky choreography and lyrics, songs were often based on tabloid news stories. Shows often included 1960's go-go dance lessons, Wild Moose-call contests, baton routines, and chartreuse fake furs worn over blue mini-skirts.
The Cosmopolitans' origins date back to 1975, when Jamie K. Sims founded the North Carolina Progressive Dance Troop [sic], a rogue dance/theater company, while a music composition student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1977 she moved the company to New York City, and facetiously renamed them the Cosmopolitan Dance Troop [sic]. As a sideline, the group - then consisting of both guys (Glen Tig, Harry Gantz, Greg Vines, Shaun) and gals (Jamie K. Sims, Karin Bradford, Nel Moore) - go-go danced onstage with rock-scene friends the dB's and the Fleshtones at clubs Irving Plaza, CBGB, Maxwell's, and Tier Three. They also hosted 60’s go-go dance lessons at Club 57, teaching New York downtown hipsters retro dance moves like the Jerk, the Watusi, and the Boogaloo.
On May 6, 1979, a benefit concert was thrown for the struggling dance group at CBGB. The bill included Monster Masher Bobby Pickett, The dB's, the Fleshtones, Information, and Big Help. At the show's end the Cosmopolitan Dance Troop performed one of their own satirical pop song and dance numbers. It was a hit with the new wave crowd. Sims shortened their name to the Cosmopolitans, and from then on began booking them at rock clubs instead of theaters.
By 1980 the boys were out of the group and the Cosmopolitans were an all-girl threesome of Jamie K. Sims, Nel Moore, and Leslie Levinson. They performed Sims's songs and an assortment of covers to prerecorded backing tracks. These tracks were recorded by Sims on keyboards and fellow North Carolina musicians Mitch Easter and Chris Stamey on drums and guitars. During live performances Will Rigby often sat in on drums to augment the taped tracks. Levinson left later that year, and the Cosmopolitans forged on as a duo.
...
Wikipedia