Genre
garage punk
Years Active
1980 - 1985, 1999 - 2000, 2005, 2007
Well Known Songs
"Knock Me Out," “Bright Lights,” “Best Friends”
Members
Original Lineup:
David Barton (vocals)
Rick Barton (lead guitar)
Mike White (bass)
Walter Gustafson (drums)
Band Bio:
The Outlets were a young garage punk band that came on to the scene in 1980. While some of the then younger bands on the scene were in their 20s, these guys were all still in high school, so their extra energy and and willingness to have a good time came out on stage and partying afterwards backstage. In a 2007 interview with The Phoenix, lead singer David Barton described everything has happening pretty quickly for the group: first they were playing a gig at The Club, then opening for Misson of Burma at the Rat.
In ‘80 the group came out with an EP vinyl shared with Boys Life called Boy’s Life vs. The Outlets, produced by Unnatural Axe's Richie Parsons. Their singles on it included “You Told Me” and “Knock Me Down” that would become their most well-known song and a local classic. Although Barton wrote “Knock Me Down” about what an attractive girl did to him, folks took the song literally and started pushing each other around at shows. The song is credited with starting slam-dancing, something one of the city’s many local hardcore bands probably wishes it could claim.
The band released another single “Bright Lights/Best Friends” in ‘81 and signed with Restless records, releasing their LP Whole New World on the label in ‘85. The band reached their height of their popularity with the album, and though they made a mark locally, even getting acclaim in Billboard, they never made it nationally.
The band played on and off in the years to come. Guitarist Rick Barton (lead singer David’s brother) went on to found the Dropkick Murphy’s and helped write the majority of their first few albums, before leaving the group. Drummer Walter Gustafson would go on to play with Gang Green, The Freeze, and Nervous Eaters, among others.
The Outlets reunited in 1999 for I Remember, but most of the songs were written by David Barton. The following year they recorded new material and released some older tunes for a self-titled compilation. In 2007 they re-recorded their 1980 setlist on The Outlets Rock 1980, and included some original recordings as well of their underground hits.
[Content combined from Last FM, The Phoenix, Wikipedia, and The Outlets page.]
Photos
Video
The Outlets peforming at "Knock Me Down" at The Channel and their interview on Boston's "30 GO" program in '86: