New Wave Tuesday: Pulsallama

Pulsallama was a short-lived, yet legendary, 12 piece all-girl percussion band who ruled Manhattan nightlife for a brief period in 1981 and 1982. Their sound has been described as “13 girls fighting over a cowbell.” The band often fought with each other verbally and physically in the studio and at shows. The groups rowdy behavior, theatrical stage antics, props and costumes and awkward time signatures were what the New York underground loved most about them.

In 1982 Pulsallama opened for The Clash, where an adoring audience of 6000 showered them with coins and cups of beer. Pulsallama’s single, ‘Devil Lives in My Husband’s Body’ was released on Y Records and was distributed by Rough Trade & became a minor college radio and cult hit.


MP3:  Pulsallama - Devil Lives In My Husbands Body [Recommended]


MP3:  Pulsallama - On The Rag


MP3:  Pulsallama - Ungawa Part 2


MP3:  Pulsallama - Oui Oui


MP3:  Pulsallama - May

Pulsallama’s record company ran out of funds during the last stages of recording their first full length and the band called it quits shortly thereafter. Jean Caffeine, one of the founding members went on to form a new group, Clambake.

The various 7 inces and singles that Pulsalamma did release are often on gemm. I got my ‘Devil Lives In My Husbands Body’ 7 inch from ebay a few years back and there actually is another copy on there right now going for $6.50.



4 Responses to “New Wave Tuesday: Pulsallama”


  1. Gravatar 1 c@meron

    seriously, not one mention of Ann Magnuson?

  2. Gravatar 2 GSD

    Thanks for this! I’m lovin’ “Oui Oui”!

  3. Gravatar 3 don Simon

    amazing! now this a reason to keep reading your blog, I would never have heard this otherwise!

  4. Gravatar 4 Davester

    I saw Pulsallama at the 930 Club in DC in ‘82. They were fabulous! Very exciting and entertaining live show that for me has been unforgettable.

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