For those unaware, Vivabeat was formed in 1978 as a hybrid of musicians from the burgeoning Los Angeles and Boston punk/new wave scenes: Marina Muhlfriedel (also known as Marina del Rey) had founded the seminal LA punk/pop band Backstage Pass; drummer Doug Orilio and guitarist Alec Murphy were in Boston bands Reddy Teddy and Human Sexual Response, respectively; Connie De Silva was a prodigy synth player from Boston; and Marina’s brother, Mick Muhlfriedel, was a bassist and record store manager in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Back in Los Angeles, strikingly handsome lead singer Terrance Robay was the final member to join Vivabeat, fresh off from the London stage from playing James Dean.

The group’s debut 1980 album, Party in the War Zone included their most successful song, Man from China, a tune that first captured Peter Gabriel and Charisma Records’ attention. Its haunting whistle hook is said to have inspired Gabriel’s Top 5 UK hit, Games Without Frontiers. Man from China quickly gained underground club play in Europe, the U.S., and Asia.

Vivabeat continued to record until 1986, although diminishing funds and poor distribution meant that most of the music from their later years failed to reach an audience.

The band’s only album is now available expanded with four bonus tracks, new liner notes and rare photos.

1. Working For William
2. From The Bop
3. To The Heart
4. Not Dead Anymore
5. Pop Girl
6. Man From China
7. Wild World
8. Enemy Fire
9. I Know Your Room
10. Jet Set
11. The House is Burning (But There’s No One Home) [Bonus Track]
12. The Good Life [Bonus Track]
13. On Patrol [Bonus Track]
14. Power of Love [Bonus Track]

This expertly crafted body of work opens on the sturdy pop-synth are of Working For William, the synthtastic pop beauty From The Bop and the free flowing To The Heart and then we get the harmonious Not Dead Anymore, the fervently crafted Pop Girl and both the compelling flashback cut, and their hit single Man From China Man From China and the jaunty Wild World.

Along next is the perky pop-synth sounds of Enemy Fire and that is in turn backed by the languishing reverb sounds of I Know Your Room, with the original album rounding out on the forthright Jet Set, this expanded edition now adding the quintessential new wave sound of The House is Burning (But There’s No One Home), the pleasing The Good Life, the pop-synth lite On Patrol and the happy rhythms and melodies that drive Power of Love.

Musicians:
Terrance Robay - Lead Vocals
Marina (del Rey) Muhlfriedel - Keyboards and Vocals
Consuelo De Silva - Keyboards and Vocals
Mick Muhlfriedel - Bass Guitar and Additional Keyboards
Alec Murphy - Guitars
Doug Orilio - Drums

Vivabeat - The House Is Burning (But There’s No One Home) Official Music Video

Official Purchase Link