Was: The Pioneering Electronic Music Project

Was is the innovative electronic music project founded by American musician David Was, a key architect of the eclectic sound that defined the early Los Angeles alternative scene. Emerging from Detroit, the project, often a duo with his musical partner Don Was, achieved critical acclaim and commercial success with their genre-defying debut album, which became a cult classic and a benchmark for artistic fusion.

Early career

David Was, born David Weiss, formed the core of Was (Not Was) in the late 1970s in Detroit alongside his childhood friend Don Fagenson (Don Was). The duo's early work was a bold, satirical fusion of funk, soul, jazz, and nascent electronic elements, leading to their self-titled debut album in 1981. This initial release on the independent label Ze Records established their reputation for witty, sophisticated, and musically unpredictable recordings.

Breakthrough

The project's major breakthrough arrived in 1988 with their third studio album, What Up, Dog?, released on Chrysalis Records. The album's lead single, "Walk the Dinosaur," became a global smash, its infectious beat and quirky lyrics propelling it into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This success was cemented by the sophisticated soul of "Spy in the House of Love," which also charted highly, leading to the album achieving Gold certification in the United States.

Key tracks

Walk the Dinosaur — This global hit single defined their commercial peak with its iconic party beat and became a permanent fixture on 80s playlists.

Spy in the House of Love — A smoother, soul-infused track that showcased the project's musical depth and earned significant adult contemporary radio play.

Where Did Your Heart Go? — A earlier, poignant cover that demonstrated their versatility and emotional range beyond their more famous novelty hits.

I Feel Better Than James Brown — A track from their debut that perfectly encapsulated their early, funky, and lyrically sharp avant-garde approach.

Following their peak, Was (Not Was) continued to release albums like Are You Okay? in 1990, featuring collaborations with artists like The Roches and Frank Sinatra Jr., before entering a long hiatus. The duo reunited in the 2000s for performances and a final studio album, Boo!, in 2008, reminding audiences of their uniquely irreverent and musically rich legacy. David Was also maintains a parallel career as a respected music journalist and critic.

Fans of Was's inventive blend of styles should also explore the work of similar artists. Talking Heads shares a similar intellectual and rhythmic art-rock curiosity. The B-52s mirrors their playful, danceable, and quirky new wave sensibilities. They Might Be Giants operates in a comparable space of clever lyrics and eclectic genre fusion. Fishbone parallels their energetic, ska-funk-punk hybrid approach born from a similar era of experimentation.

The music of Was remains a staple on a variety of radio formats, from classic 80s stations and alternative rock channels to specialty shows focusing on new wave and eclectic pop. Their unique sound ensures regular rotation on online radio streams dedicated to innovative and danceable music history.

Listeners can discover the groundbreaking electronic and funk fusion of Was on radio stations featured across our network. Tune in via onairium.com to hear their iconic tracks and explore the breadth of their influential catalog on dedicated airwaves.