The Other Kids “Living in the Mirror” 1985. Boat Records. Produced by Butch Vig, recorded at Smart Studios; mid-80’s jangly Midwestern alternative power pop. Think The Replacements with less of edge and a smattering of R.E.M and Cheap Trick. Our copy clearly used, and likely part of the Cafe Voltaire dj collection based on the cover graffiti. Cafe Voltaire was a short-lived mid-80’s Bay View/Milwaukee club that became the Odd Rock in ’87 (an infamous music venue that hosted bands like Social Distortion – that show notorious for a bunch of arrests and general mayhem – I still stories about it to this day). My guess is that Madison-based The Other Kids most likely performed at Cafe Voltaire and dropped off a copy of their debut LP after the show. The Other Kids were as short-lived as Cafe Voltaire, recording two records in ’85 and ’87, though it looks like they have reunited for shows on and off in subsequent years. My favorite track is the glam-inspired “She’s Got Me Where It Hurts” which is edgier than most of the album – a real rocker. The only version I can find is a live one, recorded at the UW Madison Field House, probably in ’85. The album track is much better. The rest of the songs are fine (the production: excellent), but kind of bland in a jangly, shimmery very 80’s way. The title track exemplifies that sound and vibe pretty well.

As this is very obscure band, there is next to nothing online but I did find this live performance “Where the Wild Things Are” (not on Living in the Mirror) from ’87 at the now gone but not forgotten and also infamous O’Cayz Corral (Madison):