OBSC Magazine

C S B O A NEW ARCHIVE FOR POP CULTURE APRIL 2018

STRANGER THINGS VS GOONIES

LET THE BATTLE COMMENSE!

SIC U M MTV IAL! SPEC v! iew er AL + int RIGIN hO k t i ar w VJ M man d o Go

ISSUE 1 - 80’S EDITION

2

This m aga zine belongs to:

SPECIAL

4

issue 1

out of this world Welcome to OBSC (Outdated But Still Cool) This magazine was inspired by my love of the history of pop culture. I wanted to create a pop culture encyclopaedia for others to celebrate the outdated but still cool icons, films, music and everything influential from the past; all of which have helped shape the landscape of entertainment today. Each issue will have a different focus; in our first issue we celebrate the cult impact of MTV when it first aired and focus on music of the ‘80s. There is also battle between The Goonies and Stranger Things.

Hope you enjoy your journey back to the ‘80s…

Chelsea

chelsea@obscmag.

f

OBSC MAGAZINE

t

@OBSCMagazine

i

obscmagazine

6

9dsLMR

contents

April 2018

STRANGER THINGS VS THE GOONIES..............6 MTV MUSIC SPECIAL ....................12 MARK GOODMAN INTERVIEW ....................21 CONCERTS YOU WISH YOU SEEN................24 SOUNDTRACKS ....................26 ILLUSTRATORS Front cover ..................JOE MOUZOUROS

i

joe_mouzouros

Page 24 and back cover ..................NATHANIEL J.HALL

i

njhallart

7

OBSCFILM& TV

Give back Dustin’s hat!

.

S V 8

ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHELSEA BATT

HEY, YOU GUYS!!!

STRANGER THINGS BATTLES

The Goonies

In 1985, the world would be introduced to a group of young American kids, who would arguably be the at the very epitome of ‘80s nostalgia. 30 years later, a love letter to the ‘80s cult classic would be made by the Cohen Brothers in the form of a new smash hit show called Stranger Things. We compare the two iconic staples of television and film to see who comes out on top…

W

hen reminiscent of the ‘80s, few would deny the fact that the gang from the Goonies is the first thought we are joyfully greeted with. Whether than be Chunks truffle shuffle or even hearing the high squeaks of Cyndi Lauper’s soundtrack ‘The Goonies R Good Enough’. The loud echoes of it’s influence can still be heard and seen in the landscape of film and television today.

It’s also hard not to watch the Goonies, without early hints of what Spielberg, and what he would go on to be the most celebrated for in his career – child centric family films. Though, Spielberg was not the director of the Goonies, he produced and was consistently on set, even bringing Michael Jackson to visit.

The film manages to speak to an adolescent audience whilst still capturing the nostalgic hearts of adults simultaneously. A feat, that in Hollywood, is rare to come by. The decade curated the action blockbuster, knocking out hit and after hit. In the wake of a decade full of greed, The Goonies would shine ten times brighter than the rest with grace, radiating imagination and a big heart.

Whilst many have tried to conquer the soul of the light hearted coming-of-age adventure, nobody had quite grasped its edgy flair. Along came Stranger Things, a sci-fi Netflix show based in the 1980s. Suddenly audiences were able to relive the decade again, with veracity.

Adults were taking back to their childhood evenings disappearing until the call of dinner being ready - riding on bikes and hanging out at the arcade. It was the perfect homage to the Goonies. Audiences were infected with the nostalgia bug, but this time it provided them with a form of escapism at a time when it was needed most.

ROUND 1: Friendships and relationships Eleven and Hopper’s father-daughter relationship shifted the essence of Stranger Things in season 2 and is among a fan favourite for lovers of the series. We are able to see a completely new side to Hopper, which fans were in awe of, in contrast to his hard-headed attitude the season before. The Goonies managed the convey a flawless embodiment of friendship in a decade free of cell phones and the internet. The adventure that Will and the gang go on to find

9

OBSCFILM& TV the treasure manages to create and enlarge a bond between them like no other. In contrast to Stranger Things, The Goonies manages to depict the real double-edged sword of teenage friendship. The insults and mockery of one another (especially dear Chunk) are ruthless but at the end of the day, they will do anything for each other.

Verdict: With the iconic quote, “Goonies never say die!”, the film takes the lead with a T.K.O. ROUND 2: Romance This one’s for the girls who love a bit of romance thrown into the mix. Mike’s ‘ The Notebook’ worthy declaration of to Eleven at the end of the second season is hard not to beat. The endearing love affair between to the two throughout the series, is one of the most enchanting things about the show and takes you back to your thirteen-year-old self, and the completely boy crazy topics of lunchtime at school.

Verdict: Stranger Things comes out on top this round. “Do you want to dance?” “I don’t know how” “I don’t either. Do you want to figure it out?” (sobs) THE FINAL ROUND: The Anti-hero In the first season of Stranger Things, we undeniably were rooting for Nancy Byers and Jonathan Byers. Even their brief secret yet sultry locks of eye contact was enough to make viewers squirm, especially seeing as she was desperate for Steve the dick. Screw Demogorgon, he was the true villain of season one after smash Jonathan’s camera. However, cut to season

An older Goonie’s cast.

1 0 10

two and we are introduced to a whole new side to Steven. However, no one can compare to Sloth who manages to save the day in The Goonies with a triumphant echo of “Hey you guys!”

Verdict: Although we do love a bit of Steven the babysitter, Sloth is one of the most iconic characters in movie history. The winner of this round goes to The Goonies.

WINNER

Although Stranger Things put up a good fight and never gave up, The Goonies proves to hold too near and dear to the hearts of movie lovers everywhere. Who can resist Chunk’s adorable truffle shuffle or the imagination that created the adventure to One-Eyed Willy’s pirate ship.

The Goonies comes out on top, knocking Stranger Things into oblivion (okay not oblivion, we’ll probably be re-watching it on Netflix next week).

CHUNKS CONFESSION

“Everything. Okay! I’ll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my uncle Max’s toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog… when my mom sent me to the summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch I got nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out… but the worst thing I ever done: I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theater, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, t-t-then, I made a noise like this: hua-huahua-huaaaaaaa - and then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life.”

MTV MUSIC AL! I C E P S

12

VIDEO KILLED The RADIO StAR Illustrations by Chelsea Batt

G

OBSCCULTURE

FROM CULT TO ChaoS

two page collage

Nearly 40 years ago, a new music video revolution was born. One that would encourage American music lovers to connect with it on an entirely new level. Turn to the channel today and there doesn’t seem to a music video in sight. MTV seemed to have abandoned the ‘M’ and is all about the trashy ‘TV’. So what happened to the biggest thing that impacted music culture in the ‘80s? We travel back the golden age of music television…

When the show began, nobody knew the impact MTV would have on both the world of music and TV. Many executives believed it wouldn’t work. Even more artists rejected the idea. Music videos were mostly unheard of in the early eighties.

Europe broke ground for music videos as the Beatles made promotional videos in the mid sixties. Another British band who were familiar to the concept of music videos were Queen, with their distinct clip for Bohemian Rhapsody, originally made for Top of the Pops. Top Of The Pops would become notorious for promotional, which would lend a helping hand to the song, to become one of the band’s greatest hits. More artists in Britain would begin to send in their videos to the TOTP when they were too busy to go in and perform live. Over in America, the only way to see your favourite artists would be through their concerts, merchandise, vinyl sleeves or magazines. With a new 24-hour channel on cable TV solely dedicated to music videos, the viewfinder of music as we know it changed like the flash of a camera. Cable TV was limited to certain areas of the country so not everyone

1 4 14

was lucky enough to access it. The middle and upper class kids of America had an exclusive first look at the new golden era that was about to take over the world.

Suddenly, the music heard was not only for ears, but eyes too. Conan O’Brien from the hit talk show ‘Conan’ was a freshman in college when he first heard of MTV. “What a weird thing. What do you mean they’re showing music videos? What’s a music video?” he discusses in the book; I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. Suddenly the music industry was forced to define themselves visually, and very many were hesitant. Especially the artists that had spent the previous decade doing whatever the hell they wanted.

NO BUSINESS LIKE MUSIC VIDEO BUSINESS Rock and roll artists that didn’t get any airtime whatsoever on the radio were suddenly selling records and selling out concerts, all due to being shown on MTV. At the very beginning MTV was desperate for videos. With a small library of only 300 videos to begin with, it was hard to convince record companies to invest in creating promotional videos for their artist’s music. They thought it was a complete waste of time. Little did they know, labels and musicians would soon become dependant on MTV to get through the ‘80s.

After a year or so being on air, MTV started to get negative criticism for not showing enough black videos. The public began to pin the racism badge on the channel. Whilst other black artist’s videos were merely played here and there on the channel, Billie Jean was the first video by a black artist to receive heavy

Illustration by: Chelsea Batt, photography from Unsplash

L

adies and Gentleman… Rock and Roll. It was the 1st August 1981 when a group of young VJs (video jockeys) including Mark Goodman, would introduce a channel to America that would define a decade.

“You’ll never look at music the same way again” he declared. And it was true. The MTV Golden era would go on to change the landscape of music and television completely. Ironically the first video shown on the channel would be the new English new wave band Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star”. This song would become a prophesy for the future of music for years to come.

writingg.....

Thriller

1983

G

OBSCCULTURE

“MTV

was a perfect venue to host a new persona that would transform him from the little price of Motown, to the King of Pop” rotation. Albeit, this was grudgingly by the network. The video was forced to be show on the channel. This was a far cry from the late ‘80s diversity aesthetic it wanted to depict. MTV was running out of ideas and was slowly losing money, even being threatened to be taken off air. Something had to change.

David Bowie would go on to be one of the only white voices who would bravely interrogate MTV and grill VJ Mark Goodman in 1983, for the channel’s lack of black artistry (which MTV oddly uploaded onto their YouTube channel after he passed away in 2016) “I’m just floored that by the fact that there’s so few black artists featured on it. Why is that?” he said. Later that year, a video by a black artist would be released that would change the relationship between music and video forever. It would never be the same.

THE KING OF MTV Along came the notorious MJ, the first black artist to triumphantly crack MTV. Whilst he managed to pave the way for others, MTV seemed to ignore most black artists unless it was Michael Jackson or featured Jackson. Was it because there weren’t many black rock artists around at the time? Was it because record companies wouldn’t budget promotional videos for black artists due to them not being in high rotation on the channel? Whatever the case, Michael managed to Beat It with ‘Billie Jean’ initially, although at first it didn’t get much air time. Fresh faced from Jackson 5 and eagerly ready to reinvent himself to the the world as something more unforgettable - MTV was a perfect venue to host a new persona that would transform him from a little price of Motown, to the King of Pop. If you look back on the history of music videos, you can see the blatant cultural shift before and after Thriller was made. The budget for the video was a whopping half-a-million dollars.

At the time it would become the most expensive video ever made, compared to a measly $50,000 being the high budget for videos before this.

It’s impact on culture is seen today, completely changing the landscape of music and film –

116 6

making them an inseparable entity. Thriller managed to make the first majorly successful hybrid of both. It was one of the first to have a compelling storyline. Adolescents around the globe would either be hiding behind their sofas in terror or recreating Jackson’s inhumane and effortless dance moves alongside the track. Who knows if MTV would have made it past the 1980s without Michael or other black artists curating new and exciting craft for the music industry.

Without a doubt, Jackson manufactured some of the most unforgettable hits accompanied by the game-changing videos in that era.

The aftermath of Thriller being shown on MTV; Michael Jackson was the biggest star on the planet. If MTV wasn’t big before, it was now.

The video at it’s height was played hourly on the channel, becoming an event that nobody could get enough of. There were even announcements for the audience whenever it came on. With every mere mention of his name, there was an echo of screaming fans lurking around every corner.

Today the Thriller album has achieved a platinum mark of 33 times in the U.S. alone. It’s hard to not at least give some of the credit to MTV for that one.

Michael laid down the decade’s best music videos, and soon everybody wanted Michael Jackson’s Thriller a taste of his success. The casette 1982 infection began to spread.

Synth-pop began dominating airwaves and the beats were to hard to resist a boogie. Artists that previously protested an anti-video movement, began dancing, in the shadows of the moonwalk (though with plenty of awkward reluctance). Their early on audience was white middle class white teenagers and the channel portrayed a very traditional white

“MTV gave birth to a new breed of superstars and mothered them throughout their careers” The original video jockeys of MTV. From left to right: Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood and J.J. Jackson

American rock culture.

This was now expanding in more ways than one.

Left: Photography Chelsea Batt Right image from the book ‘VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV’s First Wave’

WITH SUCCESS COMES RESPONSIBILTY Although MTV provided artists with a major platform to showcase an aesthetic component for their songs, some would feel like they were required to perform and become more of an actor rather then a musician. Women were treated repeatedly like sex objects in men’s videos. They would also rarely appear in the top 20 countdowns. Artists didn’t like that the music had become too literal. Visualisations had become forced to songs and there was no imagination anymore. However, performing added a new dimension to just hearing a record.

Audiences could do nothing but want more.

The 1980s consisted of teenage evenings (through to the early mornings) dancing around the TV with a big group of friends, eager to see the top 20 music videos countdowns of the week. Youth culture craved it and lived vicariously through the lifestyle it embodied.

It wasn’t just about the music, it was premium entertainment. Questionable hairstyles of rock stars were imitated and the female pop stars were impersonated. It was a new superficial way of life. The young folk embraced it, leading to them eventually being labelled the ‘MTV Generation’ and ‘Generation X’. Not only this, being a teen in the ‘80s, MTV became an unparalleled source for all things music.

Even when they weren’t watching it on cable, they were re-watching VCR recordings of their favourite parts. The superstars of the ‘80s pushed boundaries through each decade, and screaming fans followed relentlessly every step of the way.

The channel opened up a new world of possibilities, helping smash down the doors of stereotypes. MTV gave birth to a new breed of superstars and mothered them throughout their careers. Feminism blossomed as Madonna oozed and owned her sex appeal. Also representing the ladies as more than sex objects, was Cyndi Lauper with songs like ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and her wacky stance. Both of these women were icons with hard-headed attitudes for women everywhere, sprung from MTV and the new platform it gave artists. Boundaries of gender quickly became vague, with the likes of videos from the Eurhythmics, Prince and Boy George. “Express yourself!” Madonna ordered. And so, everybody did.

MTV FOREVER Whilst many rejected the idea of MTV to begin with, it managed to defy all odds and the iconic channel’s impact still stands tall today. The music video has allowed artists to have a new form of artistry with their music and reinvent themselves time and time again. Since MTV started, it has even initiated a ground-breaking guidance for artists and their performances.

Music videos are now an essential part of music.

The fine lines between music and film have become even more blurred due to the footprint it has engraved into pop culture. This undoubtedly is attributed to the revolution it started.

Unfortunately, technology and the internet has inevitably forced MTV out of the spotlight of youth culture (although one could argue it has still a major influence on teenager pregnancies with shows like Teen Mom). The channel had the whole music business on orbit in it’s heyday, changed the route of music programming with an edgy flair. Looking back now, the treasured music videos of the ‘80s will live on forever and although it’s glory days are long gone, so will MTV’s momentous impact on the music industry. As ‘90s MTV VJ Adam Curry would later declare, as he quit live on air, “That’s it. I really think the internet is the place to be.

I had a great seven years. I’ll see you on the internet.” Turn for more MTV...

G 17

18

First ever TOP 20 VIDEO COUNTDOWN March 9th 1984

Get this playlist OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

y

LEFT: ILLUSTRATION BY CHELSEA BATT

OBSC Ma gazin

e

20. Hall & Oates - Adult Education 19. April Wine - This Could Be The Right One 18. John Lennon - Nobody Told Me 17. Duran Duran - New Moon On Monday 16. 38 Special - Back Where You Belong 15. Phil Collins - Against All Odds/Take A Look At Me Now the first top 20 countdown 14. Michael Jackson - Thriller 13. The Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane 12. Huey Lewis and the News - I Want A New Drug 11. The Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again 10. Nena - 99 Luftballoons 9. The Cars - You Might Think 8. Dwight Tulley - Girls 7. Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 6. Rockwell - Somebody’s Watching Me 5. Manfred Mann’s Earth Band - Runner 4. Christine McVie - Got A Hold On Me 3. Dan Fogelberg - The Language Of Love 2. Van Halen - Jump 1. Kenny Loggins - Footloose

G 19

mat

eri

al

gir

l.

2 0

““It was like being at the center of the

”

UNIVERSE OBSC talk to one of the iconic original VJs Mark Goodman about what it was like to work at MTV during the glory days, and where he sees the music industry going now...

OBSC: MTV had the music industry on it’s axis in the 80s, what was it about it to you that made it so iconic in that era? And how do you feel being a big part of that?

W

Mark: We did something that was never done! It was compelling programming of music on TV 24/7.

How was it to be there? Like being at the center of the universe!

OBSC: If you could pinpoint one moment when MTV went from being a defining part of pop and music culture, to not being as influential, what point in time would this be?

Mark: It’s hard to pick an exact moment when MTV lost its’ influence. But as reality TV took over programming from music, and when in the late 90s, it became clear that they were playing a catch up game with the internet and specifically YouTube...it was certainly around then.

within 10 years and exist (if at all) on line.

OBSC: Is there a song from the ‘80s that you would change the music video for? If yes, which one and why?

Mark: Change a video? There are plenty of bad videos out there that could have been better.

OBSC: Do you think “video killed the radio star”?

Mark: (laughs) Well considering I came from radio; I don’t think so.

OBSC: If you had to choose one song or music video to define the ‘80s, what one would you pick and why?

Mark: It is impossible to pick one song to define a decade, OBSC: What did working at MTV teach you about ‘80s music culture that was so musically diverse and the industry and do you think and even saw the rise of a new genre (hip hop), that is now it still relates in today’s the dominant force in music. culture?

Mark: MTV lead 80s music culture and industry. So we were teaching, OBSC: Sum up your experience working at MTV in three words. not being taught. Sadly, I think Mark: Three words? I only need we are near the end of the era two. Fucking. Incredible. where MTV is even necessary. I expect it will be gone from TV

Left image: Wikipedia Right image: from the book ‘VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV’s First Wave’

OBSCinterview

2 2

pPHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA BATT

OBSC CONCERTS

2 4 24

concerts you' wish you SAW LIVE

LIVE AID 1985 Illustration by Nathaniel J. Hall

It was an overcast day on July 13th 1985. Yet, that didn’t stop 72,000 music lovers around England from ditching their troubles and being completely engrossed in the event. It was one of the biggest concerts in the history of music. Live Aid 1985 was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Urie and labelled as the global jukebox. It was spectacular event that included some of the biggest and best artists of all time from around the U.S. and England.

Live Aid 1985 had a lineup that included David Bowie, Phil Collins, George Michael, The Beach Boys, Black Sabbath, Madonna, Lionel Richie and Ronnie Wood.

One billion viewers tuned in for the magic

that would go down in the history books as not only the most-watched live concert but the day Queen ingrained themselves into rock history as the greatest band there ever was. The atmosphere on that summer’s day was beyond euphoric and not a single cell phone was in sight. Freddie Mercury was never better, completely engrossing the audience in his performance. Let’s not forget the event also gave us, possibly the most simultaneously best and worst rock duo/video, Dancing in The Street by Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

The day was an out of world experience, the audience and watcher’s from around the world would never forget.

25

OBSCMUSIC

Don’t... you... forget about these soundtracks!

ut Me o b A et rg o F u o Y 't Don Breakfast Clyb

ggins Kenny Lo one Danger Z 2 6 26

The ‘80s was known for it’s blockbuster hits and could arguably be described as the best decade for cinema, with pop culture officially reaching its height.

These soundtracks make the perfect companions for their cult movies.

You chose your favorite soundtracks from the era...

(I've Had ) The T ime of M Life - D y irty Dan cing

C S B O issue 2

COMING SOON

90’s sitcom special!

+ 'I'LL BE THERE FOR YOu'' a look back on the world’s most famous sitcom FRIENDS + The Rise of POKEMANIA + LOADS more OBSC stuff!

2 8