To: mq@marthaquinnonline.com
Subject: Flash in the Pan

HELP. Do you remember a band called "Flash in the Pan"?  They used to play them on the local "album rock" station back around 1980.  I can find no trace of their existence. According to my cloudy, yet occasionally accurate memory their music was ahead of their time due to the different way they presented their lyrics.  It was like their lyrics
used a staggered timing that bordered on a rock-rap theme with a hint of pre-new wave.  Seems like "walking in the rain" was one of their songs.

Also, Do you have any idea where can I find a recording of an obscure song from 1980 or 81.  It's "Eugene" by Crazy Joe and His Variable Speed Band?  I can't find it anywhere.  If you can't help me, then I guess I have to accept the fact that it's gone into obscure music oblivion!

Michael, Lexington, Tennessee


Dear Michael, 

Yeah, no kidding.  I have one of those cloudy yet occasionally accurate memories too!

Your mind was right about the band doing "Walking in the Rain." Accurate! But the band name? Partly cloudy. They were actually called Flash AND The Pan. They're from Australia, and it was Malcom and Angus "AC/DC" Young's brother, George. He and his partner were also the core of the Easybeats.

Glad I could solve that mystery for you, 'cause you solved one for me! I swear, months ago, I got an e-mail regarding that song "Eugene" and my mind was cloudy to the point of thundershowers 'cause I couldn't for the life of me figure out who did it. It was driving me nuts! Crazy Joe and His Variable Speed Band. Thank you!!!

I couldn't find a version anywhere, either. I'd love one for my show! Did you try Limewire?

Thank you so much for writing! xoxoxo, Martha

Dear Martha,

I've tried limewire and no luck with Eugene...It's out there somewhere though and sooner or later I'll dig it
up on album at some yard sale or 2nd hand store.  When I do, I'll share with you!!

Thanks! 
Mike

I think I might possibly have had a tiny personal growth spurt today. Even if I can't maintain it, even if today's epiphany only lasts as long as I type this blog to tell you about it, it still happened.

I started perusing my usual web suspects, TMZ, Perez Hilton, Defamer, just like any other day, when I spied this headline:

CLICK HERE to read Lynne Spears' entire declaration to the court and her shocking allegations against Osama Lutfi! 

The strangest thought came into my head. Foreign. Outlandish yet something in me said, "Yeah, that might be true." The invading thought that appeared was..."That doesn't have anything to do with me."  

Doesn't have anything to do with me.  I mean really, what's it to me? How's it going to improve my life in anyway to have Lynne Spears' shocking allegations in my consciousness?

But in spite of that nagging notion, I thought it was acceptable to check in with my pal pagesix.com where I was foiled. They went ahead and printed some of the allegations. So in spite of my revelation I fell upon this:

"Britney then said again at some point during the night, 'When do I get to see my babies?' Sam answered, 'Wednesday.' Britney then said, 'What do I have to do to see them?' Sam responded, 'Take the pills I tell you to take.'

My new insight was beaten to a pulp. I clicked back to Perez Hilton. The full page of allegations appeared, and I began to read,

"I, Lynne Spears, declare: I am the mother of Britney Spears (“Britney”)., who is the subject of this action. I have personal knowledge of each of the facts set forth..." 

But then, right there, right at "each of the facts set forth..." my enlightenment gathered it's strength and  threw out yet another roadblock to my gossip enjoyment: How's this going to make me happier? Reading about Sam Lufti and Britney's pills won't get my kitchen cleaned, my dogs fed, my daughter's birthday present wrapped, or my laundry put away.  At least those tasks will give me some sense of mission accomplished. Hell my time would be better spent taking a nap. At least then I'd get some rest.

I can't imagine I'll be able to maintain this kind of clarity for very long. Like, much after today. After all, I need to do research for Martha Quinn Presents...or do I? What would a show be like after a week of only self-generated thoughts and activities? Should I limit myself to music sites? 'Cause you can forget right now me relying on my memory for all pertinent 80's info. That's gone the way of Chilliwack's girl. 

So you know what I did instead of wasting my time reading about the horror going on at Britney's? I wrote this blog. And I feel proud of myself, I really do. Every time I hit "publish" I get a sense of satisfaction. And it puts me in touch with how great it is to be able to interact with you all. 

Here's the link if you can't take it. 

http://perezhilton.com/2008-02-05-every-little-bit#more-13574 

I'll probably beat you to it.  xoxoxoxoxo, Martha 

I need six more songs to have a full set for next week's "Listener's Choice" edition of Martha Quinn Presents. If you have an 80's song that you'd like to hear, send it on in. Join the fun. Come on. All the cool kids are doing it. Your parents will never know. xoxoxoxo, Martha