MTV Unplugged

The Alarm with Nuclear Valdez

Season 1, Episode 4, Aired 2/11/90

Episode Summary

Miami-based quartet Nuclear Valdez, and Welsh rockers the Alarm are featured in this edition of "MTV Unplugged." Alarm band members Mike Peters (vocals/guitar), Dave Sharp (guitar), and Eddie MacDonald (bass/vocals) perform "Change," and "One Step Closer To Home," which the band dedicates to "all the people of Eastern Europe." Nuclear Valdez showcase their rich Latin Heritage with renditions of "Summer" and the Phil Lynott song "Don't Believe A Word."'' ''Recorded 12-14-89 at National Video Center - NYC''''Set List:''01. Change [Sharp/Twist] ''02. My Land, Your Land [Sharp/Twist] ''03. One Step Closer to Home [Sharp solo] ''04. Summer [Nuclear Valdez] ''05. Don't Believe a Word [Nuclear Valdez]''06. If She Knew What She Wants [Shear with Alarm] ''07. This Train [all]''08. 20 Flight Rock [all]moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Jules Shear

Host
Jorge Barcala

Nuclear Valdez
Froilan Sosa

Nuclear Valdez

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

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This is one of the first of the Unplugged episodes. While the lead singer from the Alarm does not make an appearance, rare footage of now forgotten Nuclear Valdez is worth the watch and listen.moreless

9.7

"Superb"

By GuitarOcean, Apr 18, 2008 Report Abuse

...particularly a lovely rendition of Thin Lizzy's "Dont Believe a World." Early host Jules Shears lacks the ebullience of a long list of more TV savy video jocks. Shears, however, is a serious songwriter a-la Dylan, while also having written several pop hits during the eighties video boom.

But the real jewel here is a rare footage of forgotten Nuclear Valdez, a band who MTV enthusiastically introduced but quickly neglected. I remember their songwriting as evocative, energetic and hopeful. It was regrettably buried by the more nihilistic Seattle based Pearl Jam and superiorly talented Nirvana.

While not for everyone, it provides a rare glimpse at 80's Americana, hair exuberance, and folksy, heart based rock-n-roll.moreless

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