Monday, August 04, 2014

Your Monday Moment of "Why Didn't I Get the Memo?": Special Call Any Vegetable Edition

From Hoboken, NJ in 1983, please enjoy indie-rockers The Cucumbers and their delightfully infectious college radio hit "My Boyfriend."

Or as Dean of American Rock Critics Robert Cristgau said in the Village Voice at the time -- "a girl-group masterstroke for a feminist age."




I don't know if I'd go quite that far in the fulsome praise department, but I do think "Boyfriend" is as cute as the proverbial bug's ear. Although -- as I confessed with some embarrassment last week to Cucumbers singer Deena Shoshkes (who had graciously sent me some of her more recent work, and see below) -- I somehow managed to miss the song back in the day. I mean I had heard of the Cucumbers -- hell, I lived in Hoboken for much of the 80s -- but for whatever reason, the record never impinged on my consciousness. I hope posting it now will make some small amends for that.

I should add that Deena's thoroughly charming new CD Rock River -- which is very Cucumberish (although it takes some interesting pop and country stylistic detours) and behooves, as they say behearing -- can (and should) be sampled over HERE.

You can also buy a physical copy of the CD...


...over at CD Baby HERE.

You're welcome

5 comments:

The Phantom Creep said...

Very cute song indeed.

One of my Facebook pals said "The B-52s should have covered it," which is very high praise, and deserved.

Anonymous said...

The Go-Go's meet the B-52's by way of "Is She Really Going Out With Him" and kinda anticipating "Love Shack."

Vickie Rock - bring your jukebox money

Mark said...

I know I've got a 3 or 4-song Cucumbers EP on Fake Doom Records that features ALL SHOOK UP. Somewhere. See the circa 1985 video of ALL SHOOK UP here --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZANpXjt2kjc

Dave said...

"My Boyfriend" is terrific. Deena sounds like she knows exactly who she is and what she should be singing.

Brooklyn Girl said...

I also love the cover art,