The Brains

With their first independent single — the brilliant, hook-filled, and cynical "Money Changes Everything" — this new wave quartet from Atlanta made some waves in the early '80s and got a major-label deal with Mercury. The Brains' two records for the label had solid songwriting that built on the ground they staked out on their first single, yet the sound was considerably tamed by Steve Lillywhite, which is unusual for his productions; the band left the label for independent waters after two years. Their last release, 1982's Dancing Under Streetlights EP, was rougher and the songwriting continued to improve; unfortunately, it was the last thing they released and it is hard to find.