Returning to the West Coast tonight. Spirit pretty much epitomized the L.A. scene in the late 60s and early 70's. They had a combination laid back and hard rock approach and the extra added attraction of their drummer Ed Cassidy, who had the somewhat dubious distinction of being "the oldest drummer in rock", and whose step-son, Randy California was one of the younger lead-guitarists, hovering around 16 when the band got started. Originally a folk-rock group (The Red Roosters), they went through a number of musical (as well as band name) changes before finally hooking up with Lou Adler who signed them to a four album deal in 1967.

The initial result was the self-titled album and tonight's track, Topanga Windows. It was met with "okay" success when it was released in January 1968, but it established Spirit as one of the enduring bands from Los Angeles and Randy California as a gifted player. Spirit went through a number of changes, breakups and reunions until the untimely death of Randy California changed things pretty much for good.

But in 1968 that was all a ways off and Spirit was just getting started. And Topanga Windows was giving L.A. an earful via the FM Underground.

(Andy and Paul of OMD - All things New Wave and Synth)

By 1986, when The Pacific Age was released, OMD had gone through a subtle but distinctive change. When their first hit Electricity came out, it was in the solid footsteps of bands like Kraftwerk, whom they were most closely associated with. Later, around the time of their second single, Enola Gay they had already undergone a change of direction, heading into New Romantic territory, while still keeping swatches of Synthpop in their makeup. Their third hit single, Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) came in full-on the coat tails of the New Romantic period. So when (Forever) Live and Die was issued it was still synthpop-based but with more in the spirit of New Wave and it was this point where OMD (after more or less dropping the full title of Orchestral Maneuvers In the Dark) hit their stride to become one of the more enduring bands of the 80's.

Still around and still touring, they were another band I had the pleasure to work with on a few videos and, as was the case with Wang Chung, good sports about the whole thing and were even spotted carrying light stands, helping out the Grip Department between setups.

Can't complain about that - one little bit.