Timex Social Club
| Timex Social Club | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | TSC, The Social Club, The Timex Crew |
| Origin | Berkeley, California |
| Genres | R&B, new jack swing, dance, post-disco, soul |
| Years active | 1982–1987 |
| Labels | Jay Records/Danya/Fantasy Records |
| Associated acts | Club Nouveau |
| Past members | Marcus Thompson Gregory "Greg B" Thomas Michael Marshall Craig Samuel Darrien Cleage Alex Hill Kevin Moore |
The Timex Social Club was an American contemporary R&B group, formed in 1982 and best known for the 1986 hit single, "Rumors" and for being creators of the new jack swing movement.
Contents
History
Originally known as the Timex Crew, members included Marcus Thompson (founder), Gregory "Greg B" Thomas, Michael Marshall, Craig Samuel, and Darrien Cleage. By 1986, Samuel, Cleage, and Thomas had departed, Alex Hill and Kevin Moore were added, and the name Timex Social Club was adopted. They specialized in both old school hip hop and the merger of urban R&B with hip hop rhythms, which were later known as new jack swing.
In 1986, they released the Vicious Rumors album on Danya/Fantasy Records. Its one major hit, "Rumors", peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100; it reached #1, #13 in the UK,[1] and #1 on US Billboard R&B, Hot Black Singles-Sales, Hot Black Singles-Airplay, US Hot Dance Club Play, and Hot Dance/Disco-12 inch Singles-Sales charts.
The two follow-up singles, "Thinkin' About Ya" and "Mixed-Up World", reached the R&B Top 20.
Rumors
The success of the single "Rumors", prompted hip hop impresario Russell Simmons to hire the group as the opening act for 38 dates on Run DMC's Raising Hell tour in 1986. Other acts on the tour were Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and Whodini. Besides solo dates, the group also opened for New Edition, Midnight Star, the S.O.S. Band, Kool & The Gang, and Jermaine Jackson.
Touring
As of 2011, the current Timex Social Club roster consisted of founding member Marcus Thompson (DJ) and Samuelle Prater (vocals). Timex Social Club still tours. They can also be booked for Old School 80's concerts, private parties and appearances through GigSalad.com (http://www.gigsalad.com/timex_social_club) and GigMasters.com (http://www.gigmasters.com/rb-band/Timex-Social-Club/). Their records still surface on Pop and R&B radio, especially during old-school mix shows. The group's records have now become sample sources for contemporary artists such as: 2 Pac, Public Enemy (group), Master P and others.
In pop culture - cover versions, parodies and usage
Over the years, the group's hit "Rumors" has spawned a host of remakes, parodies and uses, such as:
- "Back From The Dead" - House Of Pain
- "Call Me Back" - Lady Unique
- "Cross Game" - Kingpins Only San Quinn Ed Bone Lady Unique
- "(Come Mai) Proprio a Noi" - Sottotono
- "Half Man Half Machine" - Goldie Lookin Chain
- "Haters" - More Fire Crew
- "He Said, She Said..." Andre Nickatina and Mike Marshall
- "Hood Ratz" - Killafornia Organization
- "Hookaz" - South Central Cartel
- "Jealous Niggas" - Guerilla Maab
- "Jealousy" - Club Nouveau
- "La Racaille Sort 1 Disque (Remix)" - N.A.P.
- "More News At 11" - Public Enemy (band)
- "Roaches"- Bobby Jimmy & the Critters
- "Rumaz" - J.R. Boss
- "Rumors" Father Dom feat. [Timex Social Club]
- "Rumors" Van & His Crew
- "Rumors" - Jo De La Rosa
- "Rumors" - Mr. Shadow
- "Rumorz" - Tyga feat. Chris Brown
- "Rumores" - Memo Rios & M.C. Aplausos
- "Stop Hatin'" - Master P
- "Streets" - The Jacka and Lee Majors feat. Young Bossi
- "Soon As I Get Home" - 2 Pac
- "Throw Up the Dub" - OG Daddy V feat. Bad Azz
- "You Got Me" - N.Y. Confidential
The Club Nouveau song Why You Treat Me So Bad uses the same keyboard melody riff from "Thinkin' About Ya" (Life, Love and Pain, Warner Bros. Records 25531). The following is a selected list of other covers/samples.
- "Can't Trust a Man" - Mia X feat. Suga T
- "Everyday" - Adana Twins
- "Lifestyles Of The Rich and Shameless" - Lost Boyz
- "How Can I Get Over You" (Remix feat. LL Cool J) - Taral Hicks
- "I Got 5 On It" (featuring Michael Marshall) - Luniz
- "I'm Gonna Be Alright" (Track Masters remix, featuring 50 Cent) - Jennifer Lopez
- "Irresistible" (So So Def remix, feat. Lil Bow Wow) - Jessica Simpson
- "Only U" - Ashanti
- "Satisfy You" (feat. R. Kelly) - P Diddy
- "Thinking Bout U" (feat. Mia X) - Master P
- "Untouchable" (feat. Infa-Red, Cross and Drag-On, Syleena Johnson, Sheek Louch) - DMX
- "What's My Name" - Mr. Capone-E
Discography
Albums
- Vicious Rumors (1986) - US R&B #29
Singles
| Song | Chart Peak | Chart |
|---|---|---|
| Rumors |
|
US, R&B, Dance, UK, CAN |
| Mixed Up World |
|
|
| Thinkin' About Ya |
|
|
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Source | Song | Result | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 |
|
Rumors/Vicious Rumors | Awarded (key to city) |
|
| 1986 |
|
Rumors/Vicious Rumors |
|
|
| 1986 |
|
Rumors/Vicious Rumors |
|
|
| 1987 |
|
Rumors/Vicious Rumors |
|
|
| 1987 |
|
Rumors/Vicious Rumors |
|
|
| 1987 |
|
Rumors/Vicious Rumors |
|
|
| 1987 |
|
Rumors/Vicious Rumors |
|
|
Books
- I Heard It Through the Grapevine: Rumor in African-American Culture by Joseph Stone(1994)[3]
- Mad Season: (Changing Stations)] by Joseph Stone(2005)[4]
- Flashbacks to Happiness: Eighties Music Revisited by Randolph Michaels (2005)[5]
- How Do Rumors Get Started: The True Story Of Timex Social Club by Marcus A. Thompson (2011)[6]
Film
- 1986: Modern Girls
Television
- 2001: The Proud Family, Disney (Season 1 Episode 3 - "Rumors")
- 2008: The Hills, MTV (Season 4 Episode 16 - "You Did This")
See also
- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
- List of bands from the San Francisco Bay Area
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Timex Social Club- R&B chart placements @Billboard.com Retrieved 6-12-2011.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Articles with hCards
- African-American musical groups
- American dance music groups
- American soul musical groups
- American boogie musicians
- New jack swing music groups
- Fantasy Records artists
- Music of California
- Musical groups established in 1982
- Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area
- 1982 establishments in California
