Enter the NU SHOOZ Time Machine...

In April 1985, Valerie Day, John Smith, and their band NU SHOOZ released the five-song EP ‘Tha’s Right!’. Acting on a dare from a local music writer, Gary Bryan of Portland, Oregon’s KKRZ put the song “I Can’t Wait” on the air. Listener reaction was strong and immediate- the kind of response known in radio jargon as ‘Instant Phones.’

But this was no overnight sensation. By the time the whole world heard about the Soul band from Oregon, they’d spent seven years onstage, four hours a night, four or five nights a week. So, when their spotlight moment came, the Shooz could get up and play.

By the end of the year, “I Can’t Wait” was a regional hit. But the song really took off when it was remixed by Dutch DJ Peter Slaghuis. Atlantic Records signed the band in January 1986. “I Can’t Wait” eventually reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other hits followed. NU SHOOZ was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy in 1987.

In 2013, Nu Shooz join joined the 80's revival tours, "Superfreestyle Explosion" and "Lost *80's," sharing the stage with acts like Expose', The Jets, Animotion, WangChung, Flock of Seagulls, Boy George, and More. At the same time, they reformed the live band featuring former members from every incarnation of the group. 

Nu Shooz announced their retirement from performing in 2019.

"I Can't Wait " plays somewhere on Earth every eleven minutes.

What a long, strange trip it's been.

For a more complete history of the band, check out the Nu Shooz bio HERE.

FOR AN AUDIO HISTORY OF THE BAND LISTEN TO ONE OF OUR FAVORITE INTERVIEWS EVER — FROM CHOONS!

CHOONS is a podcast about "The Songs we vibe to," dedicated to the "History and longevity of underrated and much loved tunes."

Host Diego Martinez takes us back to the Mid-70s and the incredible series of events that led to "The Bassline Heard 'Round the World." It’s filled with fantastic audio examples of the music that influenced the Nu Shooz sound, plus all kinds of snippets of songs we didn’t even remember were in our repertoire! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.