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 Pieder 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.
1979 NU SHOOZ founded. Original band has four members. First gig is 6.21.79 at Col. Summers Park, Portland Oregon.
1980 Lineup expands to 12, including four horns and three backup singers known as the I-Lets.
1981 The band [slimmed down to nine] lands the Ladies Night slot at the Last Hurrah, one of the top clubs in Portland.
1982 “Can’t Turn It Off’ LP recorded at Desitrek Studio.
1983 Percussionist Valerie Day becomes lead vocalist.
1984 The Shooz record the EP ‘Tha’s Right’ with producer Fritz Richmond, [a legendary figure in the early ‘60’s folk scene, sideman for Jim Kweskin and Maria Muldaur, and jug band music pioneer.] “Tha’s Right” begins with a loping down-tempo song called “I Can’t Wait”.
Spring '85 “I Can't Wait” breaks on Portland's #1 Top-40 station, KKRZ FM (Z-100), and quickly becomes a regional Top 10 hit.
Fall '85 Warner Bros. Records extends a demo deal to NU SHOOZ, but passes on the band soon afterward, stating “We've already got Madonna.”
Winter '85 Dutch producer Pieder “Hithouse” Slaghuis discovers “I Can't Wait” on a Hot Trax 12". His re-mix on Dutch label Injection Records becomes a hot-selling import in the United States and tops dance charts around the world.
January '86 Atlantic Records signs NU SHOOZ. Recording sessions begin at Atlantic Studios in New York and the Sunset Sound Factory in Los Angeles.
March '86 The band's first album, Poolside, is completed after just six weeks. Fusion legend Jeff Lorber co-produces with Smith and Waritz.
Summer '86 NU SHOOZ tours 70 U.S. cities in 73 days.
September '86 “I Can't Wait” reaches #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
October '86 “Poolside” album certified Gold by the RIAA.
November '86 “Point of No Return” reaches #28 on Billboard Hot-100.
Winter '86 NU SHOOZ nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ Grammy. (The award goes to Bruce Hornsby and the Range.)
Summer '87 Producer ‘David Z’ Rivkin signs on for the follow-up album ‘Told U So.’ Recording begins at Metro Studio, Minneapolis and later moves to Paisley Park, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Winter '87 “Told U So” album completed in Los Angeles.
Spring '88 “Told U So” released. The first single, “Should I Say Yes,” reaches #41 on the Billboard Hot-100.
Winter '88 Atlantic calls for a third album. Working title is “Eat&Run” September ’92- “Eat&Run” album completed but not released. Atlantic drops Nu Shooz. Smith disbands the group saying, “It’s not fun anymore.”
2006 NU SHOOZ records “I Can’t Wait- 20th Anniversary Edition” a chamber-jazz version of the song. Valerie Day and Gregg Williams produce.
2007 The band re-unites as NU SHOOZ ORCHESTRA. The instrumentation is based on the “I Can’t Wait” remake- horns, strings, vibes, and upright bass, etc. They begin work on the album ‘Pandora’s Box.’
2010 “Pandora’s Box” released.
2011 The Shooz go into Titanic Studio, Portland Oregon to work on ‘The Demo Project,’ which will eventually become ‘Kung Pao Kitchen.’
May 2012 Kung Pao Kitchen slated for release.