The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers | |
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| Also known as | Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers |
| Origin | Natick, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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The Modern Lovers were an American rock band led by Jonathan Richman in the 1970s and 1980s. The original band existed from 1970 to 1974 but their recordings were not released until after the band broke up. It featured Richman and bassist Ernie Brooks with drummer David Robinson (later of The Cars) and keyboardist Jerry Harrison (later of Talking Heads). The sound of the band was heavily influence by groups like the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, now sometimes classified as "proto-punk."[1] It pointed the way towards much of the punk rock, new wave, alternative and indie rock music of later decades. Their only album, the eponymous The Modern Lovers, contained idiosyncratic songs about dating awkwardness, growing up in Massachusetts, love of life, and the USA.
Later, between 1976 and 1988, Richman used the name Modern Lovers for a variety of backing bands, always billed as "Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers". These bands were quieter and featured more low-key, often near-childlike songs as Richman drew on folk-rock and other genres. Of Richman's original bandmates, only Robinson was part of any of the other Modern Lovers incarnations.
Background and Formation
The Modern Lovers were a part of the Boston music scene of the 1970's, and had a unique "proto-punk" sound. In an interview from 2024, Jerry Harrison has discussed the feeling of "being alone out there in Boston!," disconnected from the New Wave sound of New York clubs like CBGB.[1]
Connections
- When they were still a trio (members David Byrne, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz) Talking Heads heard The Modern Lovers album and loved the music
- After hearing of the band's breakup, and knowing they loved the album, this inspired Chris Frantz to inquire about getting Jerry Harrison to join Talking Heads
- Member Jerry Harrison would stand in for a few shows with Talking Heads before officially joining the band in March of 1977.