What a tease: Siouxsie and the Banshees’ awkward appearance on goofy public access TV in 1980
New York Dance Stand was a music and dance public access show on New York cable in the early 1980s. While much of its history has been lost to the sands of time, a few video clips have resurfaced over the years. This one features an appearance by Siouxsie and the Banshees on November 25th, 1980. The group was in the city for their very first US tour, which was not well attended due to lack of US distribution by their label, Polydor. (During the interview Siouxsie mentions that just 60 people showed up for their show in Boston.) A performance at Club 57 at Irving Plaza occurred on the 21st, four days before this was shot. Kaleidoscope was released earlier that year and reached #5 on the UK charts.
Watch Siouxsie and the Banshees premiere their single “Israel” along with Kaleidoscope‘s “Christine” below. Despite the lip sync, the awkward interaction between goofball host Carl Bloat and Siouxsie Sioux makes it well worth it. The goth queen teases and backcombs her spiky blackhair throughout the interview.
Currently the only existing full episode of ‘New York Dance Stand,’ this was videotaped at Manhattan’s Danceteria club in 1983 and features 80s “It girl” Diane Brill.
Post-punk legends The Monochrome Set were not thrilled to mime their ‘New York Dance Stand’ performance. Shot at Hurrah.