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. The group is perhaps best known for its 1986 hit single, "Rumors" and for being major forerunners of the new jack swing movement.
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, and both Alex Hill and Kevin Moore were added to complete the group, 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, the group released the Vicious Rumors album on Danya/Fantasy Records. It had one major hit, "Rumors", which peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also reached #1 in Canada and #13 in the UK Singles Chart,[1] and held the number 1 position for: US Billboard R&B chart, Hot Black Singles-Sales, Hot Black Singles-Airplay, US Hot Dance Club Play, Hot Dance/Disco-12 inch singles sales charts.
The two follow-up singles "Thinkin' About Ya" and "Mixed-Up World" both 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 thirty-eight 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 consists 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
- "Half Man Half Machine" - Goldie Lookin Chain
- "He said, she said..." Andre Nickatina and Mike Marshall
- "Hookaz" - South Central Cartel
- "Jealousy" - Club Nouveau
- "More News At 11" - Public Enemy (band)
- "Roaches"- Bobby Jimmy & the Critters
- "Rumors" - Jo De La Rosa
- "Rumors" - Mr. Shadow
- "Stop Hatin'" - Master P
- "Soon As I Get Home" - 2 Pac
- "Rumores" - Memo Rios & M.C. Aplausos
- "Jealous Niggas" - Guerilla Maab
Their single, "Thinkin' About Ya", was first sampled by Club Nouveau on "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (Life, Love and Pain, Warner Bros. Records 25531). The following is a selected list of other covers/samples.
- "Rumors" Father Dom feat. [Timex Social Club]
- "Can't Trust a Man" - Mia X feat. Suga T
- "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 | High Position | 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
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 560. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ Timex Social Club- R&B chart placements @Billboard.com Retrieved 6-12-2011.
- ↑ Turner, Patricia (1994). I Heard It Through the Grapevine: Rumor in African-American Culture. US. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-520-08936-5.
- ↑ Stone, Joseph (2005). Mad Season: (Changing Stations). US. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-595-37007-8.
- ↑ Michaels, Randolph (2005). Flashbacks to Happiness: Eighties Music Revisited. US. p. 196. ISBN 978-0-595-37007-8.
- ↑ Thompson, Marcus (2011). How Do Rumors Get Started: The True Story Of Timex Social Club. US. p. 176. ISBN 978-1-257-28542-6.