The Payola$
If you're from Canada you're going to tell me the Payola$ aren't a "Lost Band". They signed to A&M in 1980 and scored hit singles with "Soldier" and the Juno award winning "Single Of The Year", "Eyes Of A Stranger" in 1983. But the success was limited to Canada. In the U.S. they had a tough time getting on the radio. Eventually they were pressured by the label to change their name and direction. The band became Paul Hyde And The Payolas and the album "Here's the World for Ya", produced by David Foster, contained a few slick radio singles but lacked sales. They were let go by A & M Records and split up in 1986.
Primary members/songwriters Paul Hyde and Bob Rock stayed together, changed their name to Rock 'N' Hyde and released an album on Capitol Records in 1987. Hyde continued on as a solo artist while Bob Rock went on to produced hit records for Motley Crue, The Cult, Bon Jovi, Cher, Metallica, Aerosmith and more.
"Christmas is Coming" is from the 1983 A&M album "Hammer On A Drum".
Get the "The Best of the Payola$" here.
Go to the download page to get The Payola$ - "Christmas Is Coming"
Chris Stamey. If you follow this site you know him. Played with dB's, Sneakers and more. Solo artist. Producer for Yo La Tengo, Whiskeytown, Alejandro Escovedo, Mayflies USA and more. In 1985 he made a Christmas album "Chris Stamey and Friends - Christmas Time" (Coyote). Friends included the dB's. In 1993 more songs were recorded with more friends (Alex Chilton, Syd Straw) and a CD was released. "Sha La La" is kinda cheesy, but it's fun and you can dance to it. The definition of a New Wave holiday tune. It's sung by Cathy Harrington. It's from the original vinyl LP and I only have the vinyl so this is a rip. You can get the CD pretty cheap at Amazon. I ordered mine.
