Friday, May 11, 2001 | 9:04 a.m.
"Remember the '80s?" It's a slogan that's appeared countless times, on TV and in movies, books and CDs.
A not-too-distant incarnation of "Saturday Night Live" even went so far as to spoof the ubiquitous catch-phrase in its "Goatboy" sketches, with the title character ironically screeching, "Hey, remember the '80s?!"
The show has a point.
Newspapers, magazines ... all have recently announced that the '80s are back. Everything from big hair and designer jeans with intricate stitching patterns on the back pockets, to the music and prevailing mood of the times.
With today's fashion scene and political climate, it seems as if the '80s have returned.
For example: There's another Bush in the White House, with George W. taking over eight years after the one-term stint of his father ended.
Everyone's favorite Aussie spokesman, Paul Hogan, is back on the big screen in the role that made him famous, "Crocodile Dundee." "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" is the most recent release in the series and the first since 1988's "Crocodile Dundee 2."
In the early '80s few business rivalries were as heated as the one between Atari and Mattel, makers of the Atari 2600 and Mattel Intellivision home video-game systems. These days it's Nintendo and Sony that routinely slug it out for control of the video-game dollar.
For three years, beginning in 1983, the United States Football League tried to challenge the National Football League as America's choice for grid-iron action. It failed. Nearly 20 years later the XFL also tried to challenge the NFL, but folded Thursday afternoon.
In the late '70s VCRs were introduced. It wasn't until the early '80s, when prices dropped and more movies were made available, that the VCR took off in popularity.
In the late '90s DVD players were introduced. And as the machines become more affordable and more titles are released, DVD players are becoming increasingly popular.
Even pioneering '80s all-girl group the Go-Gos are getting into the act, releasing its first album of all-new material in 17 years.
For some of us the decade never disappeared. There are some who still wear Polo shirts, own a Rubik's Cube, listen to "Tears for Fears' Greatest Hits" (these days on CD, not cassette tape) and often take a "Gag me with a spoon!" attitude toward life.
Regardless of whether the '80s are back or if they never really left there's no doubt of their popularity among the twenty- and thirtysomethings.
Why? Nostalgia.
"The reason we were so quick on the draw to get into nostalgia it started in the mid-'90s is probably partly due to our need for speed," said Matthew Rettenmund, the 32-year-old New York author of "Totally Awesome 80s."
"For the children of the '80s, we were used to demanding our MTV and getting it now. Malls and the global reach of MTV made the pop-cultural information exchange nearly instant," he said. "We were all on the same page for the first time, and I think that lends itself to quick trends and quick nostalgia for those trends.
"I think (the '80s resurgence) has peaked, fashion-wise. I've seen skinny ties and other '80s accoutrements, but I think that is also due to the way the '90s and so far '00s exist as a mishmash of everything good or bad -- depending on your tastes -- from all previous eras. So that there is no definitive style now, it's just a rich palette of different styles from the past 100 years."
Big shirts, bigger hair
Mayra Politis, co-owner of the Attic, a Las Vegas store specializing in vintage clothing from the past 40 years, said she's seeing a lot of the '80s -- especially in fashion magazines.
"It looks very much like the '80s-type of clothing," Politis said. "The cut-up T-shirts, jeans with rhinestones or studs on them, the Michael Jackson- type of jacket, the airbrushed-denim jacket -- that is reminiscent of the '80s.
"That's one era I really disliked the fashion of, but it is coming back."
She said the Attic recently put on a fashion show, and six of the 20 pieces shown were either mixed with ornamental '80s pieces or made to look like something entirely from from the '80s.
"From the reaction of the fashion show, people really enjoyed when those kids (wearing '80s clothes) came out," Politis said. "It was very unusual, very crazy."
Other types of '80s clothes finding popularity include rock T-shirts -- particularly from the hair bands at the end of the decade -- and the "Flashdance" look, with the shirt that's too big, so one side droops off the shoulder.
As for accessories, plastic bangle bracelets and wide, gaudy belts that are studded or chained -- in much the same style as Madonna wore when her career began -- are back in style.
But Politis agrees with Rettenmund that the '80s look may be waning in popularity.
"I noticed (the '80s trend) towards the end of last year, the winter of 2000," she said. "I think it's going to be a short-lived trend. I'm not sure how much of an influence it will have with the summer stuff."
And hairstyles have followed suit.
Wade Graff, stylist director for the Salon at Bellagio, said he's noticed some of the '80s styles for women coming back, including the feathered cut and, in particular, big hair -- perhaps the defining 'do of the decade.
"Everything was so straight for the last 15 years. People want curling irons and rollers," Graff said. "It's more streamlined and sophisticated now than before, but big hair is back."
We got the beat
Eighties music might not be known as the most sophisticated, but it remains popular as ever.
Several big-name '80s bands have made their way through Las Vegas recently, including the Go-Gos and Psychedelic Furs.
There was to be a down-under tour of sorts this summer, with Australian bands INXS, Midnight Oil and Men at Work joining forces. The show was cancelled, however, when INXS nixed its involvement.
For those still not convinced of the return of the '80s, turn the radio dial to KSTJ 105.5-FM -- one of several stations in the United States to try an all-'80s format.
With the emphasis on rock rather than pop, a typical play-list includes '80s stalwarts Duran Duran, the Fixx, Tears for Fears, Missing Persons, Simple Minds and less radio-friendly favs the Cure and Depeche Mode.
"There was a whole category of music in the '80s -- post-modern -- that has a following," Ken Carson, the station's program director, said. "That particular type of music was being avoided by radio because they didn't have a place for it. Now we have a format for it."
KSTJ doesn't simply limit itself to "new wave" music, however, but mixes ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Don Henley, REO Speedwagon, Guns n' Roses and U2 with Wham!, Madonna and even some Michael Jackson.
"All the songs we play are certified hits from the '80s," Carson said. "These are songs that if you grew up in the '80s, you will recognize these songs."
Overall, the switch has been successful, he said.
When KSTJ changed to the '80s format from hot adult contemporary in August, the station was ranked No. 14 in the city, overall. Since the switch, Carson said, it has jumped to No. 5, according to the latest Arbitron ratings. KSTJ also did well in the coveted 25-to-54 age group, particularly among women, where it was the second-most listened to station.
Why are '80s songs so popular?
"They were fun," said Matt Chernoff, aka Devo, the lead male singer of local '80s cover band Loveshack. "It wasn't pretentious."
Loveshack, which performs every Friday and Saturday at Armadillo Lounge at Texas Station, has developed a loyal following in Las Vegas by playing hits and/or nostalgic tunes from the '80s -- everything from New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" to Madonna's "Like A Virgin."
"Every year we get more people coming to see us," Chernoff said.
Is that because of the band or because of the retro movement?
"Both," he laughed. "But I think the '80s songs are becoming more popular. It's what we grew up on and want to hear again. I don't listen to today's music. I don't want to."
But to categorically say a decade is back simply because some of its styles and trends are experiencing a resurgence is a bit superficial. It should be more than that.
And between the '80s and now, there are many similarities.
When Ronald Reagan first took office in January 1981, he was working with a Republican-controlled Congress. When George W. Bush took office, it was under the same conditions -- the first time that has happened since the Reagan era.
There was the stock market roller-coaster ride in the mid-'80s, which eerily mirrors the market of today.
There was the escalating fear of the Soviet Union in the '80s, which dissolved shortly before the decade ended. In the '90s, however, there was no real threat on a super-power level. But with recent troubles in the East, could China be the United States' next rival?
"I think there's potential," said Chris Rasmussen, assistant professor of history at UNLV. "I hope that can be averted."
Specializing in recent American and cultural history, Rasmussen said there are other similarities as well, such as Bush's commitment to the Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars," a program that Reagan started but had been all but abandoned by the Clinton administration.
He also mentioned the energy concerns of today, including skyrocketing gas prices, which are reminiscent of the energy problems of the late '70s/early '80s.
"I don't want to make the generalization that history repeats itself," Rasmussen said, "but there are some obvious parallels."
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