"We Are What We Are" by The Other Ones

Song#:  3097
Date:  04/18/1987
Debut:  91
Peak:  53
Weeks:  9
Genre:  New Wave, Alternative Rock



Pop Bits:  Although this band was developed by Australians Alf Klimek and his siblings Jayney and Johnny (twins), their home base was Berlin, Germany. They padded out the band with three other German musicians and became The Other Ones in 1984. A couple of years later they signed on with Virgin Records and recorded a self-titled debut album. Their first single, "All the Love," failed to make an impression, but this second single caught on in a few countries including the US where it nearly cracked the top half of the Pop chart while getting to #38 at Rock. A third single would end up doing even better in the summer of '87.

ReduxReview:  This is like the Pretenders meets The Fixx and I kinda dig it. Jayney Klimek's voice recalls Chrissie Hynde while the new wave vibe of the track reminds me of The Fixx and 'til tuesday. The mysterious opening is cool and the chorus is memorable and hooky. If it had a bit more of a promotional push behind it, the track might have done better and at least cracked the Top 40. It's an unexpected, cool find.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia: Co-lead singer Alf Klimek had an interesting career path before The Other Ones. In the late 70s, he was a member of comedy/puppet troop Stuffed Puppets. It was with them that he had opportunity to travel to Europe. After a couple of years, he left and joined the cabaret act The Busby Berkeleys. But it wasn't until 1980 that he got more involved with rock music. He became lead singer and songwriter for Spliff. They had previously been Nina Hagen's band, but both acts parted way due to internal issues. They recorded a debut album in 1980 titled The Spliff Radio Show. Klimek left after that album and returned to Australia. He then convinced his siblings to move to Germany and start a band, which ultimately became The Other Ones.

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