THE BACKGROUND
It is 1985 and the skies are grey. The Cold War is on and the U.S. and U.K. are hungover in the midst of stingy Reagan-Thatcher rule. The advent of the ugly yuppie class has sent jaded university kids retreating into the beauty of music and art, and naturally, the two have co-mingled into a budding genre of art music, where the visual component will be as important as the sound.

4AD Records emerged as the ultimate stable of this new sound, home to such art bands as Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Pale Saints, Lush and, from across the pond, Throwing Muses and Pixies. Rather than a shared sound, the bands were gathered under an umbrella ethos of pure artistic integrity over commerical compromise.

Take yourself back to 1987. You grew your bangs long, collected a handful effects pedals and found yourself in the middle of this scene. You decide to form a band and send a demo to 4AD Records…

THE CONTEST
What is the name of your band? Who plays what instrument? What does the LP cover look like? What’s your album name and what are some of your song titles?

Send your entry to contest@losanjealous.com

THE PRIZE
Our favorite response wins our respect and a pair of tickets to see Dead Can Dance at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, September 25.

THE DEADLINE
Wednesday, September 21 at 5pm. Now get crackin.