When was the last time you got Jenny’s number, felt wearing sunglasses at night was cool or fantasized about Jessie’s girl? Even if you’ve never had any of those things happen to you, it’s probably been a while since you’ve heard their related songs. That’s where Tainted Love comes into play.

The seven-member band — three singers, rhythm section, guitar and keyboards — began re-introducing their audience to the world of ’80s and new wave music 13 years ago. The new wave didn’t last long, but the ’80s took off and struck a chord with fans, young and old. Literally — crunchy cougars come out for a night out on the town. Don’t cross them, they bite!

“The last Tainted Love concert I went to, the older women were very territorial,” concertgoer Reynolds deVries said. “But we didn’t let that stop us, we just pushed our way to the front and rocked out all night long.”

While many fans like deVries were just born when the original songs hit the airwaves, it seems to make little difference.

“The way I see it, when people are ready to revisit it 20 years later, they become re-enamored with it,” said Doug Carlson the drummer and bandleader. “Plus TV and commercials have made it popular again.”

So has fashion.

Tainted Love used to search Los Angeles stores high and low just to find the perfect leopard spandex or leather gloves. Now those items are readily available at Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Television and clothing aside, a huge part of Tainted Love’s success is based around its natural talent and passion to perform.

Named after the 1981 (and only) hit by Soft Cell, Tainted Love is not as much a cover band, as it is an “experience band,” Carlson said, adding that members “channel their alter-egos, so we can let go of our inhibitions and just enjoy.”

They’ve watched their fans, many of who came to their concerts regularly over the years, become close friends with the band. “People who used to go to Harlow’s (in Sacramento) 10-12 years ago are now e-mailing us about how they’re getting a babysitter so they can catch the show,” Carlson said.

In fact, according to Carlson, many of their fans who met at their concerts had Tainted Love play at their wedding.
Tainted Love plays at weddings every other week May through September. But you’ll also find them performing in
smaller venues in San Francisco or Sacramento. Don’t let that fool you though — this is not your average cover band.

“They consistently play good music and we consistently have a good time,” Geoff Henderson of South Lake Tahoe said. “It’s like ’80s music never got old.”

Tainted Love annually performs 130 to 140 shows across the country.

Though the band is based out of San Francisco, it’s traveled to the East Coast for sold-out shows, including a recent New York performance in front of more than 960 fans.

Each member is a full-time musician. Steven Moon, the keyboardist, teaches piano lessons and also helps kids learn his passion at a rock ‘n’ roll camp. Alex and Brett Pels do television voice-overs for TV commercials and shows.

Some, like Carlson, perform in other bands. Carlson’s other band, A Sex Type Thing, plays ’90s music.

“We all have our individual stuff on the side such as penning original songs, but we don’t let that interfere with the Tainted Love experience,” he said. “When you go to Tainted Love, you get full-time ’80s.”

Some ’80’s songs aren’t meant to be covered. Tainted Love used to perform Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded me with Science.” But the poetry in motion did not resonate.

“The fans just weren’t into it,” said Carlson, who said he received e-mails requesting he stop playing the song.
But there is very little else they can’t and won’t play. In fact, they take requests. Despite a set playlist, they’ll dive into a suggested song without so much of a blink of an eye.

“We get to play the best songs of the decade, which keeps it fun for us,” Carlson said.

Tainted Love plays Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31 in Crystal Bay Casino’s Crown Room. The band has performed in the area several times, including South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City and Reno.

“When you go to Tainted Love, you just get lost in the experience,” deVries said. “It’s like being transported in time. The band dresses up and the fans dress up. Everyone just wants to be part of it, no matter what their age or recollection of the ’80s is.”

So, why Tainted Love for Halloween?

“Get your ’80’s freak on!” Carlson said.

Enough said.