Word of Mouth by Toni Basil, VHS, 1981

Toni Basil with wild intense eyes, a Kate Bush-esque voice, pre-Madonna styling, Devo on production and members of The Lockers in the dance. Sound’s like another case of ahead of the game? Possibly.

Like many, the  main thing you may know about the would be pop princess, is the chart topping, most watched MTV video Mickey. But this is just one small glitch in the career of Toni Basil.There is the usual tale of an artist being  exploited ,(Basil only recieving a miniscule amount of cash for her contibution into chart topping ‘Mickey’) but we will not dwell on the inevitability of exploitation in the music buisness.

In 1981 Chrysalis released the Toni Basil debut album Word of Mouth on VHS. Holy Roller Productions located a copy (literally only one copy, anywhere on the internet) and wowed at this groundbreaking rare gem. Toni Basil choreographed and directed the  entire ‘Music Video Album’, coinciding with the release of the long player.

Word Of Mouth plays simply from one music video to another, with each video featuring a choreographed dance on set with various members of The Lockers and the Electric Boogaloos in different guises, including Poppin’ Pete, Fluky Luke and Creepin Sid. The crazy punk dancer known as Spazz Attack, who performed with Devo and David Bowie was also part of the crew.

‘Kooky’ is the word that comes to mind, Toni’s character is theatrical to say the least. At times, the dance, studio set’s and Basil’s performance struggles to compliment the lyrics (check the jungle inspired video for My Little Red Book). The highlights of Word Of Mouth come in the second half – Be Stiff, Space Girls, and You Got a Problem, these are musically and visually hot. You Got a Problem and Be Stiff feature the Lockers more prominently, and it is pure coincidence that these three tunes that are all Devo covers (Devo also features on the production of all three tracks). Space Girls is ripe for a rerub… So here’s one we prepared earlier!!!

SOS Version of Space Girl Blues featuring on Electro Rewire vol 1

One hit wonder to Hip Hop legend Toni Basil  facts:

1. In the mid 70’s, Basil managed and performed in an incarnation of Don Campbell’s Lockers and also only female member, the line up featured Adolpho ‘Shabbadoo‘ Quinones, Fred ‘Rerun’ Berry and founder member Don ‘Campbellock’ Campbell. Basil, with her connections in the entertainment industry helped the group  gain recognition.
2. Toni Basil had been performing since the 60’s!! And sang on a ‘nothern soul classic’ the title tune to the film Breakaway… in 1966!
3. A young Toni Basil started out as a go go dancer with actress Teri Garr…
4. She also featured in Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider and also the movie Five Easy Pieces.
5. Toni Basil  was the choreographer responsible for David Byrne’s famous dancing in Talking Heads videos, most notably the memorable ‘Once in a Lifetime’.
6. It is said that Basil filmed in dance clubs in Watts in the 70’s as well… this is some footage we’re hanging to get our eyes on.
7. In 2009 Toni Basil received a Living Legend of Hip Hop Award at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships! She’s 65 and still fresh!

Word Of Mouth contains the raw essence of dance and music, it fused the avant garde with black dance styles as a way forward –Toni Basil’s concept was ahead of it’s time and predates pop queen Madonna’s latter day video dance pop fusions.

Word of Mouth showcases the movers and shakers that have gone down in history as the innovators of a worldwide dance movement, Toni Basil was privileged to have danced with them.

Space Girl Blues video
:

Toni Basil - You Got a Problem video


Toni Basil 2009


The Original Lockers