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    Patty Smyth and Scandal Return With First New Album in 25 Years

    • Posted on Jan 16th 2009 2:00PM by David Chiu
    • Comments (13)
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    Singer Patty Smyth was making a comeback in the '90s after being the frontwoman for '80s pop group Scandal. She had a big solo hit in 1992 with 'Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough,' and co-wrote and recorded an Oscar-nominated song, 'Look What Love Has Done,' from the 1994 movie 'Junior.' But then, nothing.

    "That was when grunge started," Smyth explains to Spinner. "There were a lot of things changing in the music industry. A lot of the things I didn't like about the music business and all of the s--- really didn't change. I just wasn't really sure what I wanted to say."

    Smyth has plenty to say now with some new material that she's recorded with her old friends from Scandal. She and original members Keith Mack (guitars) and Benjy King (keyboards), along with new guys Tom Welsch (bass) and Eran Asias (drums), are currently putting together Scandal's first new studio album in 25 years. The catalyst for the reunion was the group's appearance on the VH-1 series 'Bands Reunited' in 2004. "It just felt so good and it was so much fun," she says about that moment. "I was like, 'Let's do a few more gigs.'"

    Scandal had originally planned to release an EP towards the end of last year; the material from the sessions, however, sounded so good that it was decided that a full-length album should be made. It is scheduled for release sometime this year. "We did a bunch of gigs," Smyth says, "and that's all I heard at every show, 'Are you gonna make a new record?' I really felt compelled to do it. I figured, 'Why not?'"



    Smyth maintains that while she likes performing the Scandal songs, she also enjoys making new music. "It doesn't sound retro at all," she says about the new material. "[Guitarist Keith Mack] just really evolved, just as I like to think I have as a songwriter and singer. That's kind of what you want -- to be different but still us."

    Scandal's first album was a self-titled EP in 1982, that contained the hits 'Goodbye to You' and 'Love's Got a Line on You,' both written by the group's founder and guitarist Zack Smith. For Smyth, who before joining Scandal was singing at New York City's Catch a Rising Star on the weekends, everything was happening so fast. "We were doing 'American Bandstand,'" she recalls. "We were having fun and it was great."

    The video for 'Love's Got a Line on You' featured a young Jon Bon Jovi. "He was a cute kid from New Jersey," says Smyth, "so we had to get somebody to pretend to play guitar. He and his girlfriend, whom he's married to now, were always in that bedroom up there. I remember I walked in on them once [and] asked him to him to be in the video. I was scarred for life after that."

    Scandal released their next record, 'The Warrior,' which had the hit title track, in 1984. It turned out to be Scandal's last album at the time and the group broke up shortly after. Eight years followed when Smyth had a hit as a solo artist. During that period, she met tennis legend John McEnroe, whom she later married.

    Now that Scandal is back, Smyth was asked about being in the band the second time around. "You have a little bit of experience under your belt," she says, "so you know what to expect, what to look out for." Then she adds: "Of all the stuff that I have going on in my life, that's that one 75-minute period where I can step out of my life and just have fun. For me it's so much more of a joyful thing than it ever was. And I always love to sing -- always."
    • Filed under: News, Exclusive
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    Reader Comments(1 of 1)

    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    sgrancaricat 1-19-2009

    Scandal were one of the great bands of the 80s and helped define the 80s. So glad they're putting out another album (however the selfish part of me would love it to be retro sounding, but we all must evolve).

    Reply
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    Terryat 1-20-2009

    Can't wait to get this new project. Patty Smyth has the most incredible sexy sultry rock voice. You could always tell her songs when they came out. Thanks for getting the band back together. I believe it will only prove that you only improve with age and experience!
    Thanks P.S. & Scandal!

    Reply
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    ritasd22at 1-20-2009

    I always loved this band! Plus Smyth can pick 'em when she does solos...no other than the awesome Don Henley of course!!! Glad you all are back! Look forward to seeing you play the circuit...Rock on

    Reply
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    deeat 1-20-2009

    I was a big fan of Scandal when they came out. Always had the hots for Patty. Looking forward to see/hear how this will turn out. Lots of luck with the new project.

    Reply
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    Casat 1-20-2009

    They SUCKED in the 80'S they still SUCK today.

    Reply
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    Casat 1-20-2009

    I didn't think it was nice when she was singing. "GOOD BYE TO JEWS". that was not nice

    Reply
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    Cameronat 1-20-2009

    NO MENTION HERE OF WHAT A HARD-PARTYING BABE SHE USED TO BE...I LOVED GILDA RADNER'S VERSION OF PATTY AND SCANDAL PERFORMING...LOL!!!

    Reply
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    marktiiat 1-21-2009

    Umm, I think you've confused this Patty Smyth (the BORING PS) with Patti Smith of the Patti Smith Group.

    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Shawnat 1-21-2009

    To borrow a line from her husband, "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!!!!!"

    Reply
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    Ivan Millerat 1-21-2009

    Scandal was one of the few bright spots in the 80's music. Them, Bon Jovi, and Springsteen, oh and White Snake...hmmm, there were some good things in the 80's...LOL

    Reply
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    marktiiat 1-21-2009

    They were incredibly boring the first time around. How could they be any better 25 years later?

    Reply
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    Kevinat 1-22-2009

    I love all things retro! I love the 80's music but love the 70's even more!

    Check out www.earlyxer.com the place for all things retro!

    Reply
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    rusty rodat 12-14-2009

    I love Patty and Scandal. I bought her 1987 CD Never Enough and it was $5 for the sealed Japanese release from Sony. Well, the sound quality was quite bad, there is no way it was transferred from the original masters. It sounds like it was duplicated from a cassette tape. Anyone else have Never Enough that is normal CD quality?

    Reply

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