io9: bands

Robots Twist, Make Out With Human Women

peril — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:40:05 PST

English band The Tornados had a big international hit in 1962 with "Telstar," the Joe Meek-produced instrumental tribute to the world's first communication satellite. In this short film from 1963 (made to be played on the cool Scopitone visual jukebox), they perform "Robot" dressed in suits, skinny ties, and metallic helmets, all of which the local maidens apparently find irresistible.

Blast Off With The Spotnicks

peril — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:40:00 PST

Sweden, 1961. Entertainment history is made when, in tribute to the satellite launched by the USSR four years earlier, an obscure rock 'n' roll group changes its name to The Spotnicks and starts wearing spacesuits onstage. Fame, fortune, and number one hits in Australia and Japan soon follow. Here, in 1962, the group performs "The Rocket Man" (definitely NOT the Elton John hit from a decade later, though Sir Elton would probably appreciate their suggestively shaped helmets).

Zolar X Rocks the Star System

peril — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:30:14 PST

With their spacesuits, antennae, pixie haircuts, and prosthetic ears, nobody in L.A.'s 1970s glitter rock scene looked anything like Zolar X. Band members allegedly wore the getups offstage as well as on, spoke their own language, and, when forced to communicate in English, insisted they were from outer space. Now they're coming down to Earth for a documentary.

Luckily for us all, Zolar X recently reformed (though they were booted off The Next Great American Band before they finished a single song). P.S. They weren't the first musicians to claim alien heritage. Lead singer Question Mark of 60s garage legends ? & the Mysterians says he's from Mars and free jazzman Sun Ra always listed his birthplace as Saturn.