Back Porch Videos

February 25, 2008 6:21 PM

Back Porch Videos "Way before the internet and YouTube, there was public access cable television. And so...we proudly present these vintage clips from the 1980's alternative music video show, "Back Porch Video." Premiering January 28, 1984, this pioneering program was crewed and hosted by high-school students from the Dearborn/Detroit, Michigan area. Stay tuned for the ultimate best (and ultimate tacky) in retro-80's videos - from pop alternative, to hair bands, to rock and some of the most exclusive hardcore!!!" Almost 700 videos of post punk brilliance. "Sharkey's Day" by Laurie Anderson: Rare Iggy and the Stooges - MC5 Footage: "Beat Box" by Art of Noise: "Kiss Me on the Bus" by The Replacements: "Our Lips are Sealed" by Funboy Three: "Let Me Be Your Pirate" by Nena: "Rainy Season" by Howard DeVoto: "Save it For Later" by the English Beat: "Boys in the Street" by Eddie Grant: "Too Loud" by Robert Plant Student Video
posted by vronsky (25 comments total)

Fucking awesome. Bravo, vronsky!
posted by psmealey at 6:30 PM on February 25, 2008

Ooooh! I totally remember this! AWESOME!!!!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 6:39 PM on February 25, 2008

I love seeing live Art of Noise stuff, and checking out who in the crowd knew what they were getting into, and who is utterly confused....

Excellent find!
posted by pupdog at 6:42 PM on February 25, 2008

Holy Crap. That Laurie Anderson video gave me the most intense acid flashback. Good times...
posted by JeffK at 6:42 PM on February 25, 2008

Iggy and the Stooges and Robert Plant are "post-punk?
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:13 PM on February 25, 2008

"White Light, White Heat" by David Bowie
"I Did it My Way" by the Sex Pistol + space patrol
"Rise Above" by Black Flag
"Operation" by The Circle Jerks

"Lovergirl" by Teena Marie
"The Stand" by The Alarm
"Driver 8" by REM
"Drop the Pilot" by Joan Armatrading
posted by vronsky at 7:38 PM on February 25, 2008

Oh my sweet jesus yes.
posted by klangklangston at 8:09 PM on February 25, 2008

It's a goldmine, innit?

Break Dancing to "Jam On It" by Newcleus
Interview with Gene Loves Jezebel
"Rise" by Public Image Ltd.
"Hardcore Reggae" by the Fat Boys
posted by vronsky at 8:21 PM on February 25, 2008

I still listen to this record more than I'm comfortable admitting.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 8:28 PM on February 25, 2008

Oh yeah BOP - I had a crush on that lead singer. I think Robbie Robertson produced that record. It definitely still holds up.
posted by vronsky at 9:01 PM on February 25, 2008

Man, this is awesome, thanks.
posted by equalpants at 9:29 PM on February 25, 2008

Laurie Anderson is so awesome! Crap, great stuff!
posted by Eekacat at 9:37 PM on February 25, 2008

Never saw the show or any of the videos, I'm favoriting the first link, which is obviously the first real Numa Numa style American high school kid lip synching Eastern European pop, in this case Greek, which has to be at least as hard as Gary Brolsma lip synching Moldovan. Loved their smug enjoyment.

The other 80's videos give me delicious cringes.
posted by nickyskye at 9:39 PM on February 25, 2008

I grew up on this in Dearborn. Spectacular post vronsky. I'll have to email this to Stiv.
posted by McLir at 9:40 PM on February 25, 2008

I'll bank this FPP. Woooo!
posted by not_on_display at 9:45 PM on February 25, 2008

heh - good call on the numa numa video Nicky. Dino reminds me of Adam Sandler. They are surprisingly funny for high school kids.
posted by vronsky at 10:19 PM on February 25, 2008

Very tempted to be late for work -- much tacky goodness to be had here.
posted by pax digita at 3:30 AM on February 26, 2008

[This is really, really awesome]
posted by Spatch at 6:05 AM on February 26, 2008

Oh yeah BOP - I had a crush on that lead singer. I think Robbie Robertson produced that record. It definitely still holds up.

Lone Justice. Their other song was "Shelter", no? I think Robertson produced Maria McKee's solo album, which was also pretty good. I liked it at the time, anyhow.
posted by chococat at 7:57 AM on February 26, 2008

Ok, so I sent this post to my brother and he had some info regarding Back Porch Videos:

"That was Russ Gibb's media class in Dearborn.

I'd heard many times about the show but never saw it (since it was only on Dearborn's cable access). Russ Gibb was a DJ at WKNR & helped break the 'Paul is Dead' Beatles rumor.
He then opened the legendary Grande Ballroom. After that he taught high school media classes in Dearborn. His classes produced 'Back Porch Video' for many years."
posted by Bron at 10:47 AM on February 26, 2008 [1 favorite]

Thanks for that Bron. The show makes more sense knowing that there was a clever/connected professional behind it.
posted by vronsky at 1:01 PM on February 26, 2008

This totally made my day. And ruined my productivity for many more to come. Thanks, Vronsky!
posted by Work to Live at 4:11 PM on February 26, 2008

Hey boys and girls. Glad to see that my channel is starting to break out of its shell and getting some fresh viewers. I've still got loads of tapes yet to look through, and there is much more 80's flashbacks yet to come. We had a blast doing the show, and I've got back in touch with so many old friends who I hadn't talked to in 20+ years. I definitely want to post more hardcore and punk stuff, so subscribe to my channel, and check back often at youtube.com/backporchvideos. Peace, and thanks Vronsky!
posted by backporchvideos at 6:17 AM on March 1, 2008

Welcome to the blue BPV! I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed your videos. Keep 'em coming!

(fyi the link to your website on your profile is broken. just email jessamyn or cortex and they will fix it right up)
posted by vronsky at 11:24 AM on March 1, 2008

Cool, thanks. I fixed the link.
posted by backporchvideos at 2:03 PM on March 1, 2008