Ever feel like there is something missing in your life? Whether it be love, money or material. There is a scene in Pretty in Pink where Andie Walsh talks with her ultra-cool boss Iona about the possibility of not going to the prom. Really it’s not about prom, but rather the things we miss in life when we sit things out:

“Did you go to your prom?”
“Yeah sure.”
“Was it terrible?”
“It was the worst. But it’s supposed to be. But you have to go, right?”
“You don’t have to. I mean, it’s not a requirement.”
“A girlfriend of mine didn’t go to hers. Once in a while she gets a terrible feeling, like something is missing. She checks her purse and her keys. She counts her kids. She goes crazy. Then she realises that… Nothing is missing. She decided it was side effects from skipping the prom.

I went to my prom, but I still get that feeling. That sort of lingering itch that life just needs one more piece of the puzzle. A couple months ago, I found what might be that missing piece thanks to 1st Wave. I was still in America, driving home from visiting my friend in Milwaukee with DJ Bueller’s Saturday Night Safety Dance came on – one of my favourite bits about contemporary American radio. As soon as Comateens’ “Get Off My Case.”

The New York band released a trio of albums in the early 80s before disbanding. “Get Off My Case” is pretty standard club new wave, but still feels pretty damn perfect. The sort of group-chant is what helps it be a bit more memorable. The lyrics are a bit juvenile in style (it’s not enough to say hello / you always had to make some kind of comment), but when isn’t there some asshole trying to break your back?