Figures on a Beach "No Stars" MTV video

[blockyanderson]

An absolute gem of a song from a perfect time in my life!!!

[geejaycrazy]

Ive been in love with this song for the longest time... this is my time machine when I need to go back in time!

[TheNewMusicNetwork]

met the keyboardist. was a cool dude

[iching2001]

What about this rarity Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)

[djcorbijn]

The copy of this video sucks but oh the memories. The infamous 80's bolo tie!

[amazonranger]

This is awesome!!!!!! I LOVE this music! Rik, man you Rock!!! Thanks for turning me onto your most amazing band! I would love to hear you guys play again. Pleeeeeese.

[evad520]

HAHA I love Chris playing the toy piano.

[andycane1]

This is a freaking GREAT song. I wish No Doubt had covered this instead of Talk Talk (which is also a great song). FOAB were sadly overlooked. Their second album is just fantastic.

[saffree]

I <3ed this song with it came out! The whole album (on tape) was awesome. I miss the late 80s!

[bubba362]

Oh Fitzgerald, he would have liked this...he'd be the only one who'd understand.

[bubba362]

Great Song. Great album-Standing on Ceremony. First song to last. We miss you FOB.

[am4516]

Saw these guys live in Boston a thousand years ago.  Great memories. Thanks for the post.

[bullheadcopyshop]

This song is extremely catchy, and the chorus is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you, Anthony, for giving us this great tune!

[AlphaGeminorium]

This was truly one of the best tunes ever from the 80s. I have such fond memories of when it came out, when I bought the album and played the damn thing until I wore the needle out!

[SaveUsMavis]

Fabulous song! One of the great underrated songs of the eighties.

[yaywhewclips242]

THis was not even a one hit wonder group!! Albeit, good good song!!

[andong1969]

To Anthony, can I ask for the lyrics to this beautiful song..... I really like this song since I first heard it in 87...PLEASE!!!

[anytownUSA]

I have to agree the was and still is on of my favorites... I too have never seen the video. Everyone that I ever made a mixed tape or CD , I made sure it had NO STARS on it. They always came back and wanted to thank me for turning them on to FOAB. I still hear that today, GREAT SONG......

[TheRealLeybra]

One of the best song of all time. Each and every time I log on youtube, I MUST listen to that masterpiece. Thank you so much Anthony and FOAB.

[manictarantula1618]

no stars by figures on the beach, nice twist for a new wave music, such originality... funky music with the touch of genuine new wave flare... nice combination..

[hunterx1103]

One of my favorite new wave hits in the 80's. At first, I thought they're a British group but they're from Detroit, Michigan. Cool taste of an American New Wave. Anthony Kaczynski's voice is classic. Cheers!

[bostonguido]

This was one of my favorite songs from the 80s. I still have it on vinyl and just listened to it. I had never seen the video before tonight. It brought back great memories!!!

[ctla4play]

great expression...

[sweatingfretboards]

great song. classic eighties.

[Fyrekynge]

Actually, that was my piano solo; cut at a separate session in NYC before finishing the track in London. Chris Ewen will back me up on this one :-)

Anthony Kaczynski

[CesMan83]

Wow, is this really the former lead singer of Figures On a Beach? If so, awesome...I'm 25 years old and I totally dig this song, probably one of the best underrated 80s hit I've ever heard! This came out when I was, like, 4, but it still sounds really cool 21 years later...

And if this isn't Anthony Kaczynski, shame on you, haha

[Fyrekynge]

Indeed I am the singer of "No Stars," and thanks for the compliment! "Standing on Ceremony" has been rereleased on CD, if you still believe in that medium, so go check us out.

Cheers,

Anthony Kaczynski

[marycase01890]

i saw you guys at axis or other places like paradise many times i early 90's....thank you...LOVE THE MUSIC Boston Fan...when I heard Shiny Toy Guns this year I immediatetly though of Figures on a Beach. Love YOU, tkae cae

[Fyrekynge]

Hey, Michael Smith and I from FOAB are still playing together in a band called Fireking. In fact, we're playing later tonight (January 21st) at Church in Boston (69 Kilmarnock Street) at 10:00 p.m. Come check us out!

Cheers,

Anthony Kaczynski

[1groovygreg]

What compilation album was this song on?

[Fyrekynge]

It was on the very first of the Sire "Just Say" comps..."Just Say Yes." Don't know if it's still in print, but "Standing on Ceremony" has been recently issued on a nice sounding CD.

Cheers!

Anthony Kaczynski

Figures on a Beach

[aredhedguy]

Hey figs.. I saw you open for X in East Lansing. What a blast! Thanks for the memories.

[traincollector1]

Warner hung you guys out to dry. You guys had an awesome sound. This song is awesome! So is "Accidentally..." I've got both of your albums on vinyl, but wish I could get them on CD.

[msr0069]

I saw you guys at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit. I remember when the show started there was hardly anyone there so it was easy to get right to the stage. For some reason I remember the lead singer wearing big ass doc martin shoes. Anyhow, the crowd filled in soon enough and it was a great show. My favs: Accidentally 4th St. and You Ain't seen Nothin Yet (cover). This song is cool too. Thanks for the great music and memories!

[glitchplayer1]

back in the day...rik rocks on guitar.

[moongloom]

thanks-I hope I still do (rock that is).

Rik

[thedarkirish]

Inspirational!

[UptownGirl27]

Did you guys ever do a video for Breathless? I just discovered that song on internet radio and I never heard it before then. And I'm absolutely hooked on it. I love how upbeat and awesome it is.

[innerstatejt]

hey guys.. so loved and still love your band.. any chance of getting ahold of tracks like camera obscura and breathless? so tough to find.. still have 2 of your albums on vinyl...lovely!

[troutlord1]

I remember seeing these guys at the Ritz in Roseville michigan great show takes me back i was the light guy for Passion Nouveau at the time

[trailgoat]

Ah, The Ritz. So many memories of that place. I saw Guadalcanal Diary there. Also, Dream Syndicate. Can't even tell you how many Detroit bands I saw grace the stage. Rhythm Corps, Toby Redd, Beer On The Penguin, Crossed Wire, Second Self, Tanjent Image. Passion Nouveau!!! Man, I haven't thought of that group in years!!!! Great memories!

[Ramonafloyd]

Hmmm Derek is still around from Passion Nouveau he has his on record label called soiree records and does mostly Techno now! I recorded a song on his label for him years ago!

[troutlord1]

I talk to Derek all the time.Drivetrain is another of his alias!!I still listen to Passion alot!! Those were great times!!

[Butterflypoo]

Hey dudes!!! I'm another longtime Bostonian who graduated from Emerson in the mid-eighties and fondly remembers your heyday. I was thrilled to get this single on I-tunes, and even more so to see you on here. This song is so stupendous and has always been a favorite. Anyway, hope ur doing well - peace.

[patriciatugger]

Hey Guys! I still have my autographed Figures on a Beach towel. You guys stopped by X-15 (WXVX 1510 AM) in Pittsburgh summer 89. You ahd the number one song on our chart. Great times!-P.F. Wilson

[figuresonabeach]

An autographed FOAB beach towel! That completely rocks! I don't even have one of those anymore. Well done.

Smitty

FOAB drummer dude

[freyml]

Wait a minute.... MTV plays videos??

[plazmaorb]

Been a long time since i have seen this video... i know i talked to Christopher from the band a few years ago, talked about when he worked at the now defunct record store Harmony House :)

I think Fire King is the new band that the lead singer is in now.

Last time i remember seeing these guys was when they opened up for Til Tuesday at the Royal Oak Music Theatre.

[puffinman1963]

saw you guys live..you are great

[dstybottoms]

About 16 years ago, a friend of mine sent me a CD with all of your autographs. He was your keyboardist at the time when you opened for B-52's. I have loved your music ever since. So glad you guys are back.

[moodylady]

Oh wonderful. I didn't know there was a video for this song.

[johnmcboston]

Hey Mike. Was any video ever mad for "A Pagan Gift"? That was always my fave.

- J

[figuresonabeach]

Hello JohnMcBoston! "A Pagan Gift!" Yeah, that's a good one for sure. I always loved playing it live because when it kicked in, I really got to cut loose on the drums. No video for it though. Enjoy the song and thank you for your message. It's always appreciated. Smitty

[Soccerham]

Hey Smitty you're most welcome. Are you guys planning a new album by any chance?

[figuresonabeach]

Hello Soccerham, Thank you for your inquiry. The only plans we have are to "at-some-point" release a number of songs that were slated for, what would have been, album number three on the Sire/Warners label that never happened. We had unfortunately lost our record deal before the album and CD came to fruition. If your fingers are crossed that these songs will see the light of day, I promise you my fingers and toes are crossed that we can make it happen. Thank you again. All the best, Smitty

[MeanGene66]

I really dug your music and was sad when y'all broke up, but glad to know you might get back together. The self title album was an awesome work of art, every song kicked!Can you link me to a site that I can purchase downloadable FOAB tunes? Big Fan in Japan

[figuresonabeach]

Hello MeanGene66, Great to hear from you. Good news! All of Figures on a Beach's music on the Sire/Warner label is downloadable from iTunes and Rhapsody.com. We are working on making the songs from our pre-Sire days and our post-Sire days available at some point too. Thank you very much. Smitty

[Soccerham]

Amazing song from the most underrated band of the late 80's! I guess this was released at the wrong time when the great 80's was coming to a close, giving way to grunge rock, a horrible mishap of course!. there's no way you can find songs like this nowadays. I also love "accidentally 4th street"

[figuresonabeach]

Thank you very much Soccerham, We really appreciate your words. Thank you. All the best, Smitty

[amyandnam]

Most excellent.  I hope you'll be in NY. In the meantime, I'll keep checking your website. Thx ~Amy and Nam

[spoony303]

I love this band! Just to let you know, Accidentally 4th St. [remix] got very heavy airplay in the early 90's on my radio show on WRTC Hartford! Great to see you blokes again!

[figuresonabeach]

Thank you Spoony. Check out http://www.figuresonabeach.com for future Figures on a Beach updates. Thank you again. Smitty

[amyandnam]

are you touring by any chance?

[figuresonabeach]

Hello Amyandnam,

Figures on a Beach does not have any current plans to play out at the moment, but we have discussed playing a one time only event back in our old stomping grounds of Detroit at some point. We will keep you posted if it ever comes to fruition. In the meantime, please checkout our songs available at iTunes and Rhapsody. We will be posting samples of unreleased songs on our site at www.figuresonabeach.com very soon. Thank you very much for your interest. All the best, Smitty

[johnmcboston]

Boston. I was in Newbury Comics buying your lp, and the woman at the register yells over and says "hey Mike, someone is buying your album". Certainly unexpected. You were actually the first "real" musician I had met. :-) Since then I had seen you live (Axis I think), but we weren't friend-friends - just a fan passing in the night. Would love to see what you & the band members are up to these days as you continue to expand the web site.

- J

[figuresonabeach]

That is awesome John. And here's the best part. I absolutely do remember that because I was more than a little embarrassed at having a coworker yell that out so the whole store could hear. I will definitely keep you in the loop of FoaB goings on. Drop us a line at info@figuresonabeach.com and I will put you on our list of friends that need to be kept up to date. Thank you very much. All the best, Smitty

[johnmcboston]

Hey, had to ask. hald the band site on myspace are run by fans and not the band. Since FoaB has been gone for so long, well, yah never know. Although I did meet you once way back when we both were young. :-)

[figuresonabeach]

Hello John, Great to hear from you. Did we meet at a club in Boston or in Detroit? Yes, FoaB has been away for a while. We missed the world wide web era, so we're making up for it by posting a few items that might be of interest to some people. All the best. Smitty

[johnmcboston]

Cool - real blast form the past. Would 'smitty' be drummer Mike Smith?

[figuresonabeach]

Hey Columbo, excellent deduction. Yes, you've cut me to the quick. I am the old Michiganian synth-drum player from the 80's band posted here. FOAB has a brand new web site at www.figuresonabeach.com that we are slowly building out. FOAB also has it's entire Sire/Warner Records catalogue available at iTunes and Rhapsody now. Thank you for the note. Smitty

[karimamir]

Thank you!

[newwavepopman]

Great song and thank you so much for posting this.Now if only you can post the video to the song Breathless? I have the 12 inch record to that on the Metro America label from 1985.It got a lot of heavy airplay up in New York,on the New Wave radio station WLIR,and was a Screamer Of The Week,if I remember correctly.

[figuresonabeach]

Hello Newwavepopman,

You are very welcome. I wish I had a video for "Breathless". The only two other videos Figures have are one from a local Detroit radio station's weekly music video show for the song "Decay" and a promotional video shot by the woman who photographed the band for the cover of "Standing on Ceremony" done to the song "Under The Big Top". I will post them as soon as I can compress them for YouTube.

All the best,

Smitty