With a platinum album, The Warrior, and a self-titled debut that is the best-selling EP in Columbia history, Patty Smyth and Scandal are one of the '80s signature female-fronted rock bands, scoring the Top 10 single "The Warrior" and standards like the MTV hit "Goodbye to You," "Love's Got a Line on You," "Beat of a Heart," "Hands Tied" and "No Mistakes."
Spurred by an impromptu reunion in 2004 on VH1's Bands Reunited series and a stint on the network's "We Are the '80s" tour in the summer of 2006 with Rick Springfield, Patty Smyth and Scandal have regrouped, including two original members in guitarist Keith Mack and keyboardist/guitarist Benjy King along with the new rhythm section of bassist Tom Welsch and drummer Eran Asias, with plans to tour and record new material.
"I really wanted to get back out there gigging and doing shows," says Smyth, who also attributed the decision to the fact her kids are now all grown up. "People think I have this comfortable married life, so I'm not serious about working. But this is something I really need to do, and want to do."
Smyth and Scandal first burst onto the scene in 1982 with a self-titled EP that produced a pair of hits in "Goodbye to You," a 1 MTV video, and "Love's Got a Line on You." The Warrior, released in 1984, climbed into the Top 20 on the sales chart, eventually moving more than a million copies, producing the Top 10 single, "The Warrior" as well as "Hands Tied" and "Beat of a Heart."
Smyth's self-titled 1993 second solo album included "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough," a hit duet with The Eagles' Don Henley that reached 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks, 1 on the AC chart for four consecutive weeks and was named BMI Song of the Year. Smyth co-wrote the song with Glen Burtnick. The album and single both earned platinum status by selling more than a million units apiece.
Smyth earned Oscar and Grammy nominations in 1994 for the song "Look What Love Has Done," included on the soundtrack for the movie Junior with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, which she performed at that year's Academy Awards ceremony.
Today, a whole new generation is being turned on to Patty Smyth and Scandal. "The Warrior" has been featured in an episode of Family Guy and on video games Grand Theft Auto and Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the '80s.
"I have six kids and they listen to our stuff all the time on their iPods and turn all their friends onto it, too," she says. "People want to hear someone singing live over a real band and not just playing to tape or having 15 dancers on-stage. We get all ages at our shows. It's a pretty wide demographic."
Getting back on-stage with her current band has revitalized Smyth. "We're kicking ass and blowing minds out there. We're so tight, if I fell down a flight of stairs, these four guys would follow me and we'd all land on our feet. I've never had more fun. For once, I feel like all the weight isn't on me. I'm at the top of my game. When I step out on that stage, I'm in my element. It's an unbelievable joy!"
When will you guys be out west. Central Cali would LOVE to see you live. Been such a fan for SOOOOO long and never had the pleasure of seeing you live.
Hey, Patty. Our bassplayer got the chance to see you in Southern California back in the 80s. He says he's glad to see you back in action. Rock On, Sister!
Hi Patti, OMG! I loved your show last weekend at the Phraze in Kettering,Oh. You put on a awesome show. This is my second year seeing you. You really take me back to the 80's. I love...love...love that error. I never got the privilage of seeing Scandal back in the 80's. I am so glad that I finally did. You rock! Keep on keeping on:)
