Song of the Day: 'Boys in Town' by Divinyls

 

Piggybacking off of Rolling Stone's updated 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, I would put the 1983 debut by Divinyls, "Desperate," as the best LP not included on the list. Remembered unfairly by many as a one-hit wonder for their international smash "I Touch Myself" in 1991, these Aussie post-punk rockers were the real deal, led by the band's enigmatic singer/songwriter, Chrissy Amphlett. cranking out tight albums packed with hook-filled songs. 

When Divinyls' first video for a song called "Boys in Town" hit the MTV airwaves back in 1983 it was as if Amphlett had reinvented rock 'n' roll. Bucktoothed and dressed in a schoolgirl uniform and torn fishnet stockings that would make Britney Spears blush -- and scream-singing into a lightsaber microphone, I just couldn't wait to find out everything I could about this riveting new band. Almost to my surprise, their entire debut long-player was every bit as good as the song in the video -- much in the mode of the Pretenders debut a few years earlier. The perfect pop song "Only You," the playful "Ring Me Up" and "Science Fiction" and the suicidal angst of "Elsie" -- the album had it all. Chrissie's band rocked and her snearing, overtly sexual lyrics and persona were like a breath of fresh air in the era of Quarterflash, Sheena Easton and Irene Cara. 

(My brother Bill saw them at a 21-and-over bar show and bought me a T-shirt that I wore till it was nearly see-through.) 

The band went through numerous lineup changes -- ultimately becoming the duo of Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee -- and put out four more excellent albums. (The Pretenders even covered "Human on the Inside" from 1996's "Underworld.") But after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007 and later breast cancer, Amphlett succumbed to her ailments in 2013 at just 53, ultimately leaving us with a brief but substantial catalog of work, work Rolling Stone would be wise to acknowledge for future generations of music explorers to discover.

P.S. Stunned to learn that McEntee at least attempted to carry on the band, with singer Lauren Ruth Ward and ex-Blondie guitarist Frank Infante, although its 2019 tour was abruptly canceled. 

UPDATE: Was just made aware that a expanded remaster of "Desperate" came out earlier this year -- featuring "Monkey Grip" material and the first CD appearance of the Aussie-only song "Sahara." 

RIP: Christina Amphlett of Divinyls Dies at 53

Woke up to a dozen tweets, Facebook messages and e-mails from friends letting me know that Christina Amphlett had died, after a courageous battle with MS and breast cancer. She was just 53. Heartbreaking end to a wonderful life, filled with great music, acting and writing. One of my first "Music Box" posts was about my love of Divinyls, who I fell for 30 years ago when I first saw Chrissy in a baby-doll dress and ripped stockings holding a lightsaber microphone belting out the tramp anthem "Boys in Town." Although she will be "best" remembered for the band's biggest hit, "I Touch Myself," it was that 1983 debut, "Desperate," that is truly her finest hour, 10 perfect songs that explored more range and more emotion than anything I've heard since.

With Hugh Jackman

Amphlett also acted on stage and in film, and starred alongside Oscar winner Russell Crowe in the Australian production of the musical "Blood Brothers" in 1988, and as Judy Garland in "The Boy From Oz." Crowe led the tributes to Amphlett on Twitter today with this:

"Dear Chrissy, the last time I saw you was in the Botanic Gardens, loving life and reciting verse. That's how I'll remember you, your boy, R" 

You will be missed, Chrissy. RIP.

Music Box: Divinyls

Desperate by Divinyls

When the Divinyls' first video for a song called "Boys in Town" hit the MTV airwaves back in 1983 it was as if singer Christina Amphlett had reinvented rock 'n' roll. Bucktoothed and dressed in a schoolgirl uniform and torn fishnet stockings that would make Britney Spears blush -- and screaming singing into a light-saber microphone, I just couldn't wait to find out everything I could about this riveting new band. Almost to my surprise, their entire debut long-player was every bit as good as the song in the video -- much in the mode of the Pretenders debut a few years earlier. The perfect pop song "Only You," the playful "Ring Me Up" and "Science Fiction" and the suicidal angst of "Elsie" -- the album had it all. Chrissie's band rocked and her snearing, overtly sexual lyrics and persona were like a breath of fresh air in the era of Quarterflash, Sheena Easton and Irene Cara.

A great sophomore album and a less-great third effort preceded their 1991 self-titled disc, probably named as such because by then Divinyls was essentially a vehicle for Chrissie and Mark McEntee rather than a full-fledged band (a la Chrissie Hynde, once again). That album delivered the band its first huge hit, "I Touch Myself," which created a stir and topped the charts around the globe. In a classic case of be careful what you wish for, the hit and its backlash ended up virtually destroying the band. They wouldn't record a follow-up album for nearly six years and by then the iron was so cold it didn't even see distribution outside of their native Australia (interestingly, that album's first single, "Human on the Inside," would end up being re-recorded by Chrissie Hynde for the Pretenders' 1999 album, "Viva El Amor.")

All these years later the band Divinyls is remembered as a one-hit wonder -- that female masturbation anthem. Yet one listen to "Desperate" -- which has long been out of print and sells on eBay for close to $100 for the CD -- will show you that there was so much more to this band, one of Australia's finest music imports ever.

Especially: "Boys in Town," "Only Lonely" "Siren Song" (Big Bird never sang the ABCs with such charisma!)