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Wall of Voodoo

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Musicians

The Resume

    (1977-1988)
    Born in Los Angeles, California
    Members:
    Stan Ridgway, vocals, keyboards, guitar, and harmonica (1977-83)
    Bob Moreland, guitar
    Bruce Moreland, bass guitar and keyboards(1977-82,1985-88)
    Chas T. Gray, keyboards
    Joe Nanini, drums and percussion (1977-83)
    Bill Noland, keyboards (1982-83)
    Andy Prieboy, vocals, guitar, and keyboards (1984-88)
    Ned Leukhardt, drums and percussion (1984-88)
    Recorded the albums ‘Call of the West’ (1982), ‘Seven Days in Sammytown’ (1985), ‘Happy Planet’ (1987), and ‘The Ugly Americans in Australia’ (1989)
    Best known for the single ‘Mexican Radio’ (1983)

Why they might be annoying:

    The band got its name when Ridgway compared their music to Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound and a friend replied that it was more like ‘a wall of voodoo.’
    They were one-hit wonders, with ‘Mexican Radio’ their only Hot 100 entry.
    Ridgway said that in the wake of the success of ‘Mexican Radio,’ We were destroying ourselves. We were all on drugs.’.
    ’Trouser Press’ described their post-Ridgway recordings as ‘somewhat short of character and thus uncompelling.’

Why they might not be annoying:

    Their first concert was opening for the Cramps at a benefit concert.
    Their sound combined synthesizer-based new wave with elements of Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western soundtracks.
    ’Mexican Radio’ was described by Rolling Stone as ‘unconventional but extremely catchy.’
    The surreal video for ‘Mexican Radio’ was a favorite in MTV’s early, low-budget days.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 140 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 83 Votes: 43.37% Annoying