Talking Heads

David Byrne and fellow Rhode Island School of Design students Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz formed a trio in 1974 called The Artistics. After rejecting names such as The Portable Crushers and The Vague Dots, the band opted for Talking Heads after seeing the term in an issue of TV Guide.

Their debut gig took place at New York's CBGB's club in 1975, supporting The Ramones. In 1976 they added Jerry Harrison (guitar, keyboards, vocals), formerly of Jonathan Richman's band The Modern Lovers. The group quickly drew a following and was signed to Sire Records in 1977.

If any band defined the energy and angst of New Wave, it was Talking Heads. David Byrne became a figurehead for all those outsiders who despised hippies and heavies but didn't have the front to cut it on the Bowery.

The Brian Eno-produced 1978 album More Songs About Buildings and Food went Top 30 on both sides of the Atlantic. Working with Eno until 1980, the band crafted dense, paranoid, near-dance albums that encapsulated New Wave's nerdy, end-of-days panic. As Huey Lewis later observed, it was suddenly hip to be square.

Video Clips

Psycho Killer (Live)

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David Byrne
Vocals, guitar
Jerry Harrison
Guitar, keyboards, vocals
Tina Weymouth
Bass, vocals
Chris Frantz
Drums