It’s the story of an underground band called Information Society who came out of nowhere to grab the national spotlight in 1988. Virtually ignored by their label, no one saw these guys coming… not even them. But when their first single What’s Your Mind (Pure Energy) barely missed #1 on the Hot 100, and then their second single Walking Away went Top 10, all of a sudden America was paying attention. And yet, by the time they released their next record, outside of a decent showing of their lead single Think they had completely dropped off the map. From overnight success to commercial extinciton, what led to the demise of this promising band? It’s a bottled lightning mystery just waiting to be revealed. Stick around to find out what went right and what went terribly wrong… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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It’s time for another edition of our series Bottled Lightening where we celebrate a song or album that was king for a day. Here honor artists and bands and that rocketed up the charts… but for reasons unknown weren’t able to sustain that success. Called by some ‘one hit wonders’, we celebrate them instead as lightening in a bottle. On previous episodes we have covered Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners, 8675309 Jenny by Tommy Tutone, and She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals.
But today we taking a deep dive in Information Society, a band who barely missed the top of the charts with their hit song ‘What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy)’. And after that they actually had another top 10 hit with their next single ‘Walking Away’. For a short while these guys were actually a global sensation and seemed to have a lot of promise. And yet after their debut album, they all but vanished. We’re going to try and figure out why and where they went.
Information Society was formed in 1982, in Minneapolis, Minnesota by friends Paul Robb and Kurt Harland. During their early years, the band would go through a rotating cast of characters as they tried to nail down a stable lineup. In 1983, Paul and Kurt led the way in putting together ‘The InSoc EP’, a 5-song set along with Pamela Brustman and Kristin Leader on keyboards. Afterwards, the latter two would part ways with the band and be replaced by James (aka Jim) Cassidy who played bass. In 1985, Information Society released a second EP, ‘Creatures Of Influence’. But that record featured a short-lived appearance by Murat Konar on vocals while Kurt took some time off from the band. ‘Creatures of Influence’ contained the underground hit ‘Running’, which gained popularity with Latin audiences in New York and Miami.
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Poll: What is your pick for the best song and album of the last two years of the 80s… 88-89?
Thanks for the name check, but you did leave out one or two other names (and got a wee bit creative in its telling), but hey, it was a quarter century ago. We're lucky anyone can remember back to the days before earbuds when carrying a 25 lb. boombox on your shoulder was the cool thing to do!
These guys and gal were ahead of their time—their band name sez it all as we’re living it in 2022. And we’re always happy to share What’s On Our Mind on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Disqus, etc. via the Pure Energy of wi-fi📲😉
I don't remember that band or the 80s for that matter….it was a strange time…Thank Prof
My favourite from album is "Repetition".
“Running” is one of my favorite 80’s dance songs. Underrated.
Think! Love that song
That debut album was a big part of my "High School Soundtrack" when it came out… Played the hell out of it…
Never heard of it, nor of them. I like it tho 😀 sounds a bit like Phil Oakey
I had hits as a DJ with their later tracks "Going, Going, Gone" and "Peace & Love Inc."
the $50 story reminds me of the time my friends and I would give money to strangers and trust them to buy us beer LOL
Peace and Love, inc. is a great album, although I've never heard anything from it played anywhere on the radio, TV, or a movie. Maybe it's better that way.
InSoc was always BIG here in Brazil. They can tour and sell tickets anytime, any state. They have 10 hits here besides What's On Your Mind and Walking Away. They still have How Long, Come With Me, Lay Your Love On Me, Repetition, Running, Cry Baby, Think and Peace and Love Inc. A setlist with these hits and other songs will be heaven sent 🙂
I’m pretty deeply involved in music but I have to say…I’ve never heard of them. I guess I just wasn’t. Into that kind of kiddie bop.
Cathy Dennis was on the Club MTv tour but quit after 3 shows.
Sad that some people are like that kid who stole your money. But I bet he wishes he was you right about now.
Totally forgot about them even though I had a very well-worn copy of that cassette. I'll have to check out some of their newer albums now. Great story, too!
Thank God I was a teenager back then.
I got Hack when it came our… And I LOVED the album Don't Be Afraid. It was so good
I think Johnny Rotten had something to say about that guy copying his style 🤔
Adam you tell a great stories. Ya know… let’s hope and pray that the nasty guy that stole your money after an unfair agreement made amends somehow someway to someone else for the cruelty and thievery he put on you. You’re a boss on YouTube and he’s probable shoveling hot tar on roofs lol
Beautiful story at the end. What a way to learn about the evils of the human condition 🤔
First time I ever heard What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy), I thought it was Duran Duran, so it's no surprise that they studied DD's technique!
Information Society was the 1st album I bought and I still own that.
This album is a masterpiece, but they released some other great albums that unfortunately didn't made the same success, specialy P&L Inc. wich was a criticism about greed and overconsumption… I think their commercial label didn't like the idea.
The Thompson Twins, also, the bands that could have
Ironically their flop 1992 album may be their best overall
You didn't mention that the CD of the debut album had a visual component to it that displayed lyrics and fun facts…. it was the first of it's kind. Peace And Love Inc had a dial up modem sound that acted as an internet link! "Where would I be without IBM" is chilling as it describes the world today!
My husband is a big fan of this band still! He wants you to look into the song “Where were you?” on the album Hello World. He thinks it might be about their guilt over not visiting Amanda in rehab. Dwain is hoping you could dig into this song. Thanks for featuring them on Bottled Lightning!!!
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Ooh wow well I know now that I liked and remember all of these songs but didn't know which group recorded them.
Love the story about your dad.
Oh yeah, this is a great one from ‘88. I’m about your age Professor, I was 13 in ‘88 when this dropped and I remember loving the video and watching it on MTV. I loved the cool colors on the album cover. This is my fave era in music, I love the 80’s. Especially the late 80’s, it was best. 😎🎵🎶💯
Hit in the world is an exaggeration, I remember the type of music, but not the group, and I listened closely to the hit lists every week in the 80s. Now I can't find them either. Oh well, Swedens loss… I think. 😉 And… the best dad ever?
I have their 2016 album, Orders of Magnitude.
I did not typically listen to this type of music. I liked that song back in the day. 1988 was the best year in music of the 80s. The video was entertaining.
I can see why they failed in the UK – by 1988 their sound was already passé and outdated. The UK was heading into the Madchester scene which took dance music to another level. I was musically active at this time and have to confess I have never heard of them and must say I possibly would not have checked them out as I find the name oddly annoying. So, this was my first experience of the band and had they released that single two years before (and got a better name imo) they might have done a lot better. Good pop; too late.
I had the cassette single.. B Side was the same song, but a radio edit with a rolling keyboard in the intro and it was about 30 seconds shorter overall.
Great song, unique as all heck for the time period. Got me into stuff like the pet shop boys and thompson twins.
Fun Fact : i was always a star wars/stargate fella… Just have never actually watched more than the passing episode of star trek… So I had no idea till your video that the voice overs and "Pure Engery" was Leonard Nimoy/Star Trek at all.
That Song Was a Bamger!
👏😎💯🎶🍻
First album I remember buying on CD. I treasure it to this day!
If you haven’t already, you gotta do a segment on the group Londonbeat. Fascinating backstory on the lead singer. “I’ve Been Thinking About You” is a killer track.
Great music tape story.
They dropped a new album in 2021 with kurt on vocals
I absolutely love this band… BUT, I was working at a nightclub in Houma, Louisiana by the name of Illusions at the time of the Peace and Love Inc. tour and 4 songs into the show they walked off the stage stating that the audience wasn't as responsive as they wanted??? It was a packed house and people were losing their minds loving the show..
I remember the late 80's,Riding in my buddy's car, jamming out to this group in Baltimore MD.
They sound alot like early Fixx.
A techno THOMPSON TWINS would be…..THE THOMPSON TWINS
I always thought they were British, turns out they are a Minneapolis band.
Great T-shirt
The title: Information Society, is a genius prelude to , Social Media. I was so inspired by the song, I created a clothing line entitled Pure Energy Fitness! Greatly appreciate you highlighting the band.
Best regards
Frank Molina
What's on your mind was my vm intro back in the day.