The Reaganomics are an '80s cover band. "Our very first show was about two and a half years ago," says drummer Jonny Basher, "and the only same members from then are Nero and myself. We had set up in this East County bar that was tiny...the stage was barely big enough to even put the drums on, let alone the whole band. Nero actually stood on the bar and played his guitar most of the show -- something he often does. We didn't even have a PA at the time.

"In the beginning we went through several male vocalists and a couple female ones, but no one was as committed as we wanted them to be. We play out every weekend somewhere; it can be a little grueling. We got Marky C [vocals] in January 2005, and ToddtheMod [bass] and Madana in September of 2005 -- they used to be in Eighties and Gentlemen."

Why the '80s? "We saw the need for a new kind of '80s experience," says Basher. "Costumes, choreography, a video show...It's the most memorable of eras. It's fun, not only because of the music but because of the style: clothes, hair. We're amazed every time we play an all-ages show and kids who were born in the '90s know all the words to these songs, including Tawny Kitaen in Whitesnake's 'Here I Go Again' video."

-- "Lists," 7-20-06