Robin Lane

Back in the late seventies/early eighties, I was way into the Boston music scene. The Atlantics, The Real Kids, Human Sexual Response, Luna, Private Lightning, The Cars, The Nervous Eaters – all were supreme to see in the hey-day. One of the more outstanding, for me, was Robin Lane and The Charbusters. Coming out of a vibrant Cambridge/Harvard Square scene Robin lane – whose father Danny Lane was Dean Martin’s long time piano man – took off with a vengeance.

Asa Brebner, Leroy Radcliffe (who also played with Jonathan Richmond), Scott Baerenwald and Tim Jackson rounded out the band with jangly guitars, spot-on rhythm section, catchy phrasing and thoughtful lyrics. Their live shows were perfect for the release of energy on the weekends and were a rival to any others on the scene at the time.

Evidence: Why Do You Tell Lies?
Ideal bendy/whiny guitar to accompany the wail of Robin’s voice as she sings about why are you telling lies? Echo and gutsy pop drive here in abundance. Something almost sinister about the guitar that folds in and out of the melody and blends absolutely perfectly with the structure of the song. Craftsmanship. Pure genius.

Meet me on the corner at midnight,
And don’t you be late.
I’m gonna love you!

I’m giving you a second chance,
And you better not let me down.
I’m gonna love you!

Evidence: Don’t Cry
Again, with the jangly guitars. And, the snappy drums. Perfect blot of what was known, at the time, as “new wave” delivered with a tough/gentle lead vocal.

It really doesn’t matter what your name,
I can see myself in you.
Maybe together we’ll stop the rain
This could be a dream come true!
Don’t cry baby, cry.
Don’t cry my baby!

Robin Lane: Why Do You Tell Lies? (19)
Robin Lane: Don’t Cry (17)
From: Robin Lane And The Chartbusters [1980]