Question on 80's band called "China"(?)

orca8589 · 05-15-2013, 01:49 AM

Hi all, first post here. I have a question I'm hoping someone may have an answer to:

I was serving in the U.S. Navy in the 1980's. While stationed in Bremerton, WA, I bought a two-song EP cassette tape from a used record store in downtown.

I'm fairly certain the band was called China, and the first song was called something like, "Eyes in the Back of my Head", or something like that. The lyrics were: "I've got eyes, eyes in the back of my head...no more lies, lies are better left unsaid...". I can't think of the title of the second song, but it was just as good.

I've found China on Google, and I've contacted a member in that band named Eric St. Michaels. He was the bands' lead singer in the early 1990's, and he's not familiar with that song or those lyrics.

I figure I might have the band name wrong, but I've searched the internet for years and haven't been able to find anything on this band or the song. I've had good luck twice this last year, finding an old Dare EP and an old Malice album. I thought I'd try my luck here and see if any of you folks have heard of this band, or this EP, and if you might have a source for it.

Thanks everyone -

~Chris

Poindexter · 02-08-2014, 01:34 PM

Hi Chris. I saw your post about the 80's rock band China. Turns out you got the band and song names right. I was guitarist/vocalist in the band when we recorded the self-titled EP in the early 80's. The song you are talking about is, in fact, called "Eyes in the Back of my Head" with John Morris on lead vocal. The EP also included "You're Never Gonna Hold Her" (Randy Widener-lead vocal), as well as 2 of my compositions "Passion's Flame" (myself-lead vocal) an up-tempo rocker, and "A Day in Calabria", a guitar-featured instrumental ballad, on which I played all of the guitar and guitar synth tracks. Eyes, and Hold Her came from a couple staff writers from a couple different labels. We played the large night club venues in Seattle mostly and worked steadily for many years. I left in the mid-80's and the band kept on truckin' for quite a while. If you're still interested, I could probably send you Mp3's of the 4 songs, or a CD, if you're willing to share an e-mail address. Anyway, we had a good thing going for quite a while. Good solid rock! Strong vocals and guitar, my favorite combo. Thanks for your interest. T Cox

orca8589 · 03-28-2014, 06:04 PM

Tom - thanks for the reply here - I just came back on here to update the thread here, with the YouTube video. (I'm in school full time, so I'm a little distracted right now.)

It's funny how out of nowhere my quest has been successful, after all these years. I'm ecstatic - I've looked for "Eyes In the Back of my Head" and "Rocking With You" by Malice as well, and found both in the last year.

I sent an email through YouTube, and I'll send one through MusicBanter here as well. I'd love to get a CD of these tunes, or MP3 is fine as well. I'd have loved to have seen you guys play this live. Most of the guys on our crew loved the song.

Man, I miss the 80's.

~Chris

Poindexter · 04-10-2014, 11:39 AM

Hi Chris. Glad I could help you out. The world has definitely gotten smaller and connections become easier. Since I last spoke to you I have uploaded all 4 songs from our EP to YouTube. So, you could go get them there, and then convert them into Mp3's. There are lots of free reliable systems online for converting YouTube vids to Mp3.
Check: youtube-mp3.org
The songs are: Eyes in the Back of My Head, You're Never Gonna Hold Her, Passion's Flame and A Day In Calabria. Good luck! I definitely miss the 80's as well. It was a great time to be alive and be playing music live! Ciao. TC

orca8589 · 04-10-2014, 06:20 PM

Thanks - I'll definitely grab them from YT.

~Chris

MarkusWelby · 03-04-2015, 07:59 PM

I have to say, I had the great pleasure of not only seeing these guys perform this song and others a few times, but I was also able to get to know these guys when they would come play at Parker's Restaurant and Ballroom. I have to say China was always one of my favorite bands that would visit us, and they always gave us a great night of Rock & Roll. It was a pleasure pouring drinks and jamming to them Tuesday through Saturday when they played. Tom if you still keep in touch with Randy, tell him Markus Welby said hello.

USAF · 08-07-2016, 11:56 PM

Poindexter: I have an original photo of CHINA that I made from the Original Negative. Is there an email where I could send it to you?

Annamhh · 03-24-2019, 09:55 PM

I saw the band play on several occasions Meekers Landing and A lot of other great places. Randy was my favorite buddy. Wish I new how he is doing. Miss those great nights. Thanks for the great nights out. 80's were the best. Glad to hear they kept playing for many years. Does he still live in Lake Stevens if so tell him Anna said hi..good times

05-15-2013, 01:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
orca8589 Groupie Join Date: May 2013 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 3	Question on 80's band called "China"(?) Hi all, first post here. I have a question I'm hoping someone may have an answer to: I was serving in the U.S. Navy in the 1980's. While stationed in Bremerton, WA, I bought a two-song EP cassette tape from a used record store in downtown. I'm fairly certain the band was called China, and the first song was called something like, "Eyes in the Back of my Head", or something like that. The lyrics were: "I've got eyes, eyes in the back of my head...no more lies, lies are better left unsaid...". I can't think of the title of the second song, but it was just as good. I've found China on Google, and I've contacted a member in that band named Eric St. Michaels. He was the bands' lead singer in the early 1990's, and he's not familiar with that song or those lyrics. I figure I might have the band name wrong, but I've searched the internet for years and haven't been able to find anything on this band or the song. I've had good luck twice this last year, finding an old Dare EP and an old Malice album. I thought I'd try my luck here and see if any of you folks have heard of this band, or this EP, and if you might have a source for it. Thanks everyone - ~Chris

02-08-2014, 01:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Poindexter Groupie Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 2	Band called China from Seattle Hi Chris. I saw your post about the 80's rock band China. Turns out you got the band and song names right. I was guitarist/vocalist in the band when we recorded the self-titled EP in the early 80's. The song you are talking about is, in fact, called "Eyes in the Back of my Head" with John Morris on lead vocal. The EP also included "You're Never Gonna Hold Her" (Randy Widener-lead vocal), as well as 2 of my compositions "Passion's Flame" (myself-lead vocal) an up-tempo rocker, and "A Day in Calabria", a guitar-featured instrumental ballad, on which I played all of the guitar and guitar synth tracks. Eyes, and Hold Her came from a couple staff writers from a couple different labels. We played the large night club venues in Seattle mostly and worked steadily for many years. I left in the mid-80's and the band kept on truckin' for quite a while. If you're still interested, I could probably send you Mp3's of the 4 songs, or a CD, if you're willing to share an e-mail address. Anyway, we had a good thing going for quite a while. Good solid rock! Strong vocals and guitar, my favorite combo. Thanks for your interest. T Cox

03-28-2014, 06:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
orca8589 Groupie Join Date: May 2013 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 3	Tom - thanks for the reply here - I just came back on here to update the thread here, with the YouTube video. (I'm in school full time, so I'm a little distracted right now.) It's funny how out of nowhere my quest has been successful, after all these years. I'm ecstatic - I've looked for "Eyes In the Back of my Head" and "Rocking With You" by Malice as well, and found both in the last year. I sent an email through YouTube, and I'll send one through MusicBanter here as well. I'd love to get a CD of these tunes, or MP3 is fine as well. I'd have loved to have seen you guys play this live. Most of the guys on our crew loved the song. Man, I miss the 80's. ~Chris Last edited by orca8589; 03-29-2014 at 04:24 PM.

08-07-2016, 11:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
USAF Groupie Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1	CHINA 80's Band Poindexter: I have an original photo of CHINA that I made from the Original Negative. Is there an email where I could send it to you?

03-24-2019, 09:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Annamhh Groupie Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 1	China best night club band in the Pacific NW I saw the band play on several occasions Meekers Landing and A lot of other great places. Randy was my favorite buddy. Wish I new how he is doing. Miss those great nights. Thanks for the great nights out. 80's were the best. Glad to hear they kept playing for many years. Does he still live in Lake Stevens if so tell him Anna said hi..good times

04-10-2014, 11:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
Poindexter Groupie Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 2	Hi Chris. Glad I could help you out. The world has definitely gotten smaller and connections become easier. Since I last spoke to you I have uploaded all 4 songs from our EP to YouTube. So, you could go get them there, and then convert them into Mp3's. There are lots of free reliable systems online for converting YouTube vids to Mp3. Check: youtube-mp3.org The songs are: Eyes in the Back of My Head, You're Never Gonna Hold Her, Passion's Flame and A Day In Calabria. Good luck! I definitely miss the 80's as well. It was a great time to be alive and be playing music live! Ciao. TC

04-10-2014, 06:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
orca8589 Groupie Join Date: May 2013 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 3	Thanks - I'll definitely grab them from YT. ~Chris

03-04-2015, 07:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
MarkusWelby Groupie Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 1	I have to say, I had the great pleasure of not only seeing these guys perform this song and others a few times, but I was also able to get to know these guys when they would come play at Parker's Restaurant and Ballroom. I have to say China was always one of my favorite bands that would visit us, and they always gave us a great night of Rock & Roll. It was a pleasure pouring drinks and jamming to them Tuesday through Saturday when they played. Tom if you still keep in touch with Randy, tell him Markus Welby said hello.