Quickly becoming known for our
quirky pop songs and our punk-
rock attitude, we soon caught
the eye of Hilly Kristal, the late
owner of the already legendary
CBGBs in lower Manhattan.
Hilly began managing the
group and began having us
open for all the big-name and
up-and-coming acts that played
CBGSs, especially those that he
knew would draw industry folks.
After a brief and enjoyable bid-
ding war (there is nothing like
being wined and dined at the
Russian Tea Room!), we signed
a 2-album deal with Geffen Re-
cords in their offices overlooking
Rockefeller Center in 1984. At
the time, it was rumored to be
the largest contract ever offered
to an unknown band.
Geffen asked us to make a list
of the producers with whom we
most wanted to work. Near the
top of our list was the famed
producer, Steve Lillywhite, whom
we had loved for his production
of Peter Gabriel and XTC and
had recently been catapulted to
THEN: Watch a video for “Canary Song” by Crossfire Choir
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 44
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