The Nu Kats
Encyclopedia
The Nu Kats were a popular original music rock group from Minneapolis in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The band performed under many other names, including Skogie, Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos, The Kats, Boy and The Kat Club.
As the Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos, a documentary story of the band was produced by and presented on WCCO CBS 4-TV and a lengthy cover story by music journalist Tom Murtha was published in Insider Magazine. Skogie was managed by David Zimmerman who then produced their first published record: 'The Butler Did It/I Won't be Pushed Away' (1973 on Mill City Records), which can still be heard occasionally on the radio. Between its recording and its release changed members and changed its name from Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos to 'Skogie'. Skogie then recorded a new album at Sound 80
Recording Studio which was released in 1974. Randy Levy of Schon Productions handled the majority of Skogie's career in Minnesota. The entire band relocated to Hollywood California in 1976.
with The Police
, The Knack
, The Motels
, Oingo Boingo
... followed. Then, later, attendance records at The Starwood
, Whisky
, The Troubadour and Madame Wongs
. The Kats recorded an LP with Tom Petty
's producers Noah Shark and Max Reese at Shelter Studio, Hollywood, for Infinity Records
1979, and contributed the 1st
track to the Rhino Records LP "L.A. In
".
departed. The Nu Kats continued as a 4-piece unit and went on to record and release 'Plastic Facts' and 'Yes Nukes' on Rhino Records in 1980. The "It's Not A Rumor" video (shot by Jan de Bont
, starring Freddy's wife Demi Moore
) was in rotation on MTV
. The Nu Kats also contributed several new songs to various film soundtracks.
in 1981, by ex-members of The Nu Kats, The Motions, The Scooters, and Snapshots. Freddy Moore
of The Nu Kats, Mark McEwen
of The Motions and Dave Srb of Snapshots were the founding members. They recruited Bobby Wickland of The Scooters and Bobbyzio Moore
of The Nu Kats and began rehearsing. Bobby Wickland received a call inviting him to join Badfinger
and was quickly replaced by John Nyman
. A few months later Dave Srb was replaced by Nu Kat Dennis Peters
. The line up was set. Although the Boy Horns (Patrick Boone and Norm Cowan) were soon added. Boy recorded and released a 4 track ep, Next Door on Radioactive Records
in 1983 and contributed songs to film soundtracks.
and Freddy Moore
, finished off the 2nd album as a duo.
In 2002 they enlisted the help of many ex-bandmates, and friends and began work on album number 3: 'los angelenos
' released in May 2007.
Studios, Minneapolis in 1973, produced by David Zimmerman, and engineered by Scott Rivard. This was recorded by Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos, but released by Skogie.
History
Sound 80
Sound80 was a recording studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States founded by Tom Jung and Herb Pilhofer in 1969. Largely involved with local artists, the studio is best known for recording portions of Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks in 1974, but also made what is believed to be the first...
Recording Studio which was released in 1974. Randy Levy of Schon Productions handled the majority of Skogie's career in Minnesota. The entire band relocated to Hollywood California in 1976.
The Kats
In 1978 they formed The Kats by adding guitar hero Pete McRae to the band, debuting at the Troubadour's Hoot Night in late September 1978 after sweltering through myriad gigs at The Rock Corporation. Opening dateswith The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, The Knack
The Knack
The Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
, The Motels
The Motels
The Motels are a New Wave music band from the Los Angeles area best known for "Only the Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer", each of which peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982 and 1983, respectively. Their song "Total Control" reached #4 on the Australian charts in 1980...
, Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
... followed. Then, later, attendance records at The Starwood
Starwood Club
The Starwood Night Club was a popular club in West Hollywood, California from early in 1972 to late 1981. Many punk bands and heavy metal bands started their careers playing at the Starwood....
, Whisky
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
, The Troubadour and Madame Wongs
Esther Wong
Esther Wong was born August 13, 1917 in Shanghai, China, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1949.After fierce initial resistance, she became a punk rock and New Wave music promoter. She got started in the early 1970s as the owner of “Madame Wong’s," a Los Angeles Chinatown restaurant with a floorshow --...
. The Kats recorded an LP with Tom Petty
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
's producers Noah Shark and Max Reese at Shelter Studio, Hollywood, for Infinity Records
Infinity Records
Infinity Records was a short-lived subsidiary of MCA Records established in New York City in 1977. The label was conceived by MCA president Sidney Sheinberg as a way for the Los Angeles-based entertainment conglomerate to improve its presence on the East Coast...
1979, and contributed the 1st
track to the Rhino Records LP "L.A. In
L.A. In
L.A. In is a compilation of studio recording by various artists. It was originally released in 1979 as an LP by Rhino Records.-Track listing: Side One1.The KatsI Can't Have You2.Oingo Boingo I'm Afraid...
".
The Nu Kats
The Kats were renamed The Nu Kats, just before Pete McRaePete McRae
Pete McRae is an American rock guitarist.Born Robert F. McRae, Jr. in Austin, Texas in 1955, McRae and his family moved to California when he was aged ten. Pete graduated from Terra Linda High School, in Marin County, in 1973. He began serious guitar studies with Paul Miller, in Terra Linda, and...
departed. The Nu Kats continued as a 4-piece unit and went on to record and release 'Plastic Facts' and 'Yes Nukes' on Rhino Records in 1980. The "It's Not A Rumor" video (shot by Jan de Bont
Jan de Bont
Jan de Bont is a Dutch cinematographer, producer, and film director.-Early life and career:De Bont was born, one of 17 children, to a Roman Catholic family in Eindhoven, Netherlands. His earliest work after studying at the Amsterdam Film Academy was with the Dutch avant garde director Adriaan...
, starring Freddy's wife Demi Moore
Demi Moore
Demi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as St...
) was in rotation on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. The Nu Kats also contributed several new songs to various film soundtracks.
Boy
Boy was founded in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1981, by ex-members of The Nu Kats, The Motions, The Scooters, and Snapshots. Freddy Moore
Freddy Moore
Frederick George "Freddy" Moore is an American rock musician.- History :Moore was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up obsessed with the newly popular Beatles, and moved to San Francisco, California in June 1964. "I didn't have any friends and really didn't want any...
of The Nu Kats, Mark McEwen
Sharkey McEwen
Mark "Sharkey" McEwen is a California born musician currently living in the Hudson Valley area of New York . He is the lead guitarist for the group Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, where he also plays mandolin and provides backup vocals....
of The Motions and Dave Srb of Snapshots were the founding members. They recruited Bobby Wickland of The Scooters and Bobbyzio Moore
Bobbyzio Moore
Bobbyzio Moore , is a Saxophonist, Keyboardist, guitarist, Bass Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter and Arranger....
of The Nu Kats and began rehearsing. Bobby Wickland received a call inviting him to join Badfinger
Badfinger
Badfinger were a British rock band consisting originally of Pete Ham, Ron Griffiths, Mike Gibbins and Tom Evans, active from 1968 to 1983, and evolving from The Iveys, formed by Ham, Griffiths and David "Dai" Jenkins in Swansea, Wales, in the early 1960s. Joey Molland joined the group in 1969,...
and was quickly replaced by John Nyman
John Nyman
John Nyman age 69 was a Swedish wrestler who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.In 1936 he won the silver medal in the Greco-Roman heavyweight competition.-External links:*...
. A few months later Dave Srb was replaced by Nu Kat Dennis Peters
Dennis Peterson
Dennis Peterson is a Bass Guitarist, Vocalist, and Record Producer also known as Dennis Peters.Peters grew up in Minneapolis where he pursued a recording career, with Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos, later renamed Skogie. In 1976 he relocated to Hollywood, California...
. The line up was set. Although the Boy Horns (Patrick Boone and Norm Cowan) were soon added. Boy recorded and released a 4 track ep, Next Door on Radioactive Records
Radioactive Records
Radioactive Records was an American record label. It was formed as a joint venture between talent manager Gary Kurfirst and MCA Records, and it is now out of business....
in 1983 and contributed songs to film soundtracks.
The Kat Club
The Kat Club is a band formed by the members of above bands after retiring from the music business from 1985 to 1990. Former members of Skogie, The Kats, and The Nu Kats formed the group. They worked as a trio, recording 1 and 1/2 albums, before Al Galles died of liver failure. The remaining two members Dennis PetersDennis Peterson
Dennis Peterson is a Bass Guitarist, Vocalist, and Record Producer also known as Dennis Peters.Peters grew up in Minneapolis where he pursued a recording career, with Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos, later renamed Skogie. In 1976 he relocated to Hollywood, California...
and Freddy Moore
Freddy Moore
Frederick George "Freddy" Moore is an American rock musician.- History :Moore was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up obsessed with the newly popular Beatles, and moved to San Francisco, California in June 1964. "I didn't have any friends and really didn't want any...
, finished off the 2nd album as a duo.
In 2002 they enlisted the help of many ex-bandmates, and friends and began work on album number 3: 'los angelenos
Los angelenos
Los Angelenos recorded at The Kat Club Cabaña Studio, on Santa Monica Bay 2007. Produced by D.J.Peters. There is a song by Billy Joel with the same name, made some 40 years before this album.- Track listing :#"Lavanderita"...
' released in May 2007.
Members
- Mark Goldstein: Keyboards, Guitar, Harmonica (November 1972 - February 1978).
- Freddy MooreFreddy MooreFrederick George "Freddy" Moore is an American rock musician.- History :Moore was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up obsessed with the newly popular Beatles, and moved to San Francisco, California in June 1964. "I didn't have any friends and really didn't want any...
(Rick 'Skogie' Moore): Composer, Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards (November 1972 - June 1983). - Al Galles: Drums, Piano, Vocals (November 1972 - February 1981).
- Dennis PetersonDennis PetersonDennis Peterson is a Bass Guitarist, Vocalist, and Record Producer also known as Dennis Peters.Peters grew up in Minneapolis where he pursued a recording career, with Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos, later renamed Skogie. In 1976 he relocated to Hollywood, California...
: Bass, Vocals (November 1972 - June 1983). - Bobbyzio MooreBobbyzio MooreBobbyzio Moore , is a Saxophonist, Keyboardist, guitarist, Bass Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter and Arranger....
(Robert Moore): Tenor Sax, Percussion (September 1975 - June 1983). - Gary DunnGary DunnGary Dunn is a former professional football player American football defensive tackle for twelve seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers....
: Lead Guitar, Vocal (February 1978 - June 1978). - Guido Charles: Alto Sax, Vocal (February 1978 - June 1978).
- Pete McRaePete McRaePete McRae is an American rock guitarist.Born Robert F. McRae, Jr. in Austin, Texas in 1955, McRae and his family moved to California when he was aged ten. Pete graduated from Terra Linda High School, in Marin County, in 1973. He began serious guitar studies with Paul Miller, in Terra Linda, and...
(Robert F. McRae): Lead Guitar, Composer (June 1978 - March 1980). - Dave Srb: Bass, Vocals (July 1981 - September 1981).
- Bobby Wickland: Drums (July 1981).
- John NymanJohn NymanJohn Nyman age 69 was a Swedish wrestler who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.In 1936 he won the silver medal in the Greco-Roman heavyweight competition.-External links:*...
: Drums (July 1981 - June 1983). - Mark McEwenSharkey McEwenMark "Sharkey" McEwen is a California born musician currently living in the Hudson Valley area of New York . He is the lead guitarist for the group Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, where he also plays mandolin and provides backup vocals....
: Lead Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards (July 1981 - June 1983). (aka "Sharkey McEwen") - Patrick Boone: Tenor Sax, Keyboards (June 1982 - June 1983).
- Norm Cowan: Trumpet (June 1982 - June 1983).
As Skogie and the Flying Pachucos
- Call Me Crazy - North Country Music (1972) Recorded at AudioTek Recording Studio Executive Producer by Mark HughesMark HughesLeslie Mark Hughes, OBE , is a former Welsh international footballer. As an international footballer, he made 72 appearances and scored 16 goals....
"The Butler Did It" (single)
"The Butler Did It" was recorded at Sound 80Sound 80
Sound80 was a recording studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States founded by Tom Jung and Herb Pilhofer in 1969. Largely involved with local artists, the studio is best known for recording portions of Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks in 1974, but also made what is believed to be the first...
Studios, Minneapolis in 1973, produced by David Zimmerman, and engineered by Scott Rivard. This was recorded by Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos, but released by Skogie.
Tracklist
- "The Butler Did It" (Freddy Moore)
- "I Won't Be Pushed Away" (Freddy Moore)
Personnel
- Jim Greenberg - sax
- Mark Goldstein - keyboards
- Al Galles - drums, vocals
- Dennis Peterson - bass, vocals
- Freddy Moore- guitar, vocals
There's A String Attached (album)
There's A String Attached... was recorded at Sound 80 Studios, Minneapolis, in December 1973, recording supervised by Scott Rivard.Side One
- "Queen Of Clubs" (Freddy Moore, Mark Goldstein) 4:59
- "The Ballad Of Righteous Riders" (Freddy Moore) 3:50
- "You Gotta Work For What You Get" (Freddy Moore, Steve Brenner) 3:23
- "It Will Work Out For Us" (Freddy Moore) 4:59
- "Springfield Gardens" (Freddy Moore) 2:58
Side Two
- "You Got Me Sufferin'" (Freddy Moore) 4:33
- "Old Fred Sings A Song" (Freddy Moore, Gerald Wilfong) 5:11
- "Sunday Drive" (Freddy Moore) 4:45
- "Goodbye Nemours" (Freddy Moore) 5:40
Personnel
- Mark Goldstein - piano, synthesizers, electric piano, electric harpsichord, and Hammond organ
- Al Galles - drums, vocals
- Dennis Peterson - bass, vocals
- Freddy Moore - guitar, vocals
As The Kats
- L.A. InL.A. InL.A. In is a compilation of studio recording by various artists. It was originally released in 1979 as an LP by Rhino Records.-Track listing: Side One1.The KatsI Can't Have You2.Oingo Boingo I'm Afraid...
(1979) Rhino Records - Get ModernGet ModernThe Kats - Get Modern was recorded at Shelter Studios, Hollywood in 1979. The album was produced and engineered by Noah Shark and Max Reese. It was originally intended for release on Infinity Records but the label went out of business before the album could be released...
(1979) The album was recorded for Infinity RecordsInfinity RecordsInfinity Records was a short-lived subsidiary of MCA Records established in New York City in 1977. The label was conceived by MCA president Sidney Sheinberg as a way for the Los Angeles-based entertainment conglomerate to improve its presence on the East Coast...
but not released until several years later by General Records.
Compilations
- Yes Nukes (1980) Rhino Records compilation
- Spring FeverSpring Fever (1982 film)----Spring Fever is a 1982 independent film, set in the world of competitive tennis. It was produced with the participation at the Canadian Film Development Corporation and Famous Players Limited.-Plot:...
(film soundtrack) 1983 - ScarredScarred (1984 film)-Cast and crew:Directed by: Rose Marie TurkoStarring: Jennifer Mayo, Jackie Berryman, David Dean, Rico L. Richardson-Synopsis:Shot in a cinema verite style, perhaps because this film about teenage prostitution began as a project while director Rose-Marie Turko was a student at UCLA, the format...
(film soundtrack) 1984 - Loose ScrewsLoose Screws (film)-Cast and crew:*Bryan Genesse ... Brad Lovett*Lance Van Der Kolk ... Steve Hardman*Alan Deveau ... Hugh G. Rection*Jason Warren ... Marvin Eatmore*Annie McAuley ... Nikki Nystroke*Karen Wood ... Gail Poulet*Liz Green ... Tracey Gratehead...
(film soundtrack) 1985
As Boy
- ParasiteParasite (film)Parasite is a 1982 horror/science fiction film starring Demi Moore in her first major film role.-Plot:In the far future, an atomic disaster has reduced the world to poverty. Instead of a government, America is run by an organization called the Merchants, who exploit the degenerate remains of...
(Film Soundtrack) 1982 - Next DoorNext Door EPNext Door is an EP by the American rock band Boy, released in 1983. The tracks were recorded at SoundCastle Studios, Los Angeles in 1983, produced by Mark Goldenberg, and engineered by Larry Hinds.- Track listing :Side one...
1983 Radioactive RecordsRadioactive RecordsRadioactive Records was an American record label. It was formed as a joint venture between talent manager Gary Kurfirst and MCA Records, and it is now out of business.... - ScarredScarred (1984 film)-Cast and crew:Directed by: Rose Marie TurkoStarring: Jennifer Mayo, Jackie Berryman, David Dean, Rico L. Richardson-Synopsis:Shot in a cinema verite style, perhaps because this film about teenage prostitution began as a project while director Rose-Marie Turko was a student at UCLA, the format...
(Film Soundtrack) 1984
As The Kats
- I'm A Kat (1979) United Artists PicturesUnited ArtistsUnited Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
- Using an experimental 70mm 3D filming technique.
As The Nu Kats
- It's Not A Rumor (1981) Featuring: Demi MooreDemi MooreDemi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as St...
, Director: Philip Brewin Cheney, CinematographerCinematographyCinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
: Jan de BontJan de BontJan de Bont is a Dutch cinematographer, producer, and film director.-Early life and career:De Bont was born, one of 17 children, to a Roman Catholic family in Eindhoven, Netherlands. His earliest work after studying at the Amsterdam Film Academy was with the Dutch avant garde director Adriaan...
.
As The Kats
- Lost My TV (1979) Hollywood Heartbeat - Pre-MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
rock television series.