The Payola$ - Biography
By Marcus Kagler
Taking their name from one of the largest scandals in the history of American radio, it’s no wonder Payola$ had difficulty receiving mainstream U.S. airplay. Founded by vocalist Paul Hyde in 1978 the Vancouver, Canada outfit seemed to change their line-up as many times as they changed their sound (not to mention their name). Starting out as an underground power pop band the group quickly caught the attention of fledgling producer Bob Rock who invited Payola$ to cut their debut single, “China Boys” at his Little Mountain Sound Studios in 1979. Largely sold at local record stores and live shows “China Boys” led to A&M Records signing the band with the Introducing Payola$ EP (A&M) following in 1980. By the time their debut full length, In A Place Like This (A&M) was released in 1981, Rock had become a full time guitarist for the band and often served as Payola$ in-house producer. Unfortunately the album was a commercial dud and the group quickly reinvented their sound to incorporate elements of reggae and new wave to reflect the popular trends of the times. No Stranger To Danger (1982 A&M) was produced by former David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson and spawned the Canadian hit “Eyes Of A Stranger” garnering the group three Juno Awards for Best Single, Best Songwriting for Hyde and Rock, and Most Promising Group. In the U.S. market however, the band was still largely ignored. In an attempt to breakthrough to their southern neighbor Payola$ again retooled their sound by incorporating more keyboards for the new wave album, Hammer On A Drum (1983 A&M). Also produced by Mick Ronson the album was another huge Canadian hit spawning the singles “Where Is The Love” and “No Prisoners”, but again U.S. radio play was almost non-existent.
The band subsequently changed their name to Paul Hyde & the Payola$, in an attempt to appeal to U.S. radio by taking the attention off the derogatory “payola” aspect of their moniker. Unfortunately the name change combined with the lackluster material of their third full length, Here’s The World For Ya (1985 A&M) culminated in another commercial flop that also alienated their fanbase. Under The Volcano (A&M) was released under the moniker Rock and Hyde and was a return to the band’s power pop roots but it too quickly fell off the charts. Although the Payola$ never officially broke up the band endured a prolonged hiatus throughout the 90’s with Rock producing the likes of Metallica and Motley Crue and Hyde venturing into a sporadic solo career. Payola$ made an unlikely comeback in 2003 when they self released the rarities EP, Missing Links followed by an EP of original material titled Langford Part One (EMI) in 2007.
