One Good Lover

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning some righteous vinyl tonight, and we’ve got a killer track for you: One Good Lover by Red Siren from their 1989 album All Is Forgiven. This tune’s got a vibe that’s pure late-’80s magic, blending catchy pop hooks with a hard rock edge. Did you know this song was featured in the quirky sci-fi comedy My Stepmother Is an Alien? That’s right—while Kim Basinger was playing a celestial babe, One Good Lover was setting the mood with its infectious energy. It’s no wonder the track caught the ears of soundtrack folks; its mix of Kristin Massey’s soaring vocals and Robert Haas’s slick guitar riffs makes it a standout.

Here’s a juicy tidbit: One Good Lover was released as a single after the band switched their name from Siren to Red Siren due to a legal tussle with another band. Talk about rock ‘n’ roll drama! The name change happened mid-promotion for All Is Forgiven, which meant some early pressings of the album and singles under the original Siren name became instant collector’s items. Fans on the Red Siren Fan Club Facebook group often share stories of hunting down those rare vinyls, with some claiming they snagged copies for just a few bucks at thrift stores back in the day. The song itself? It scored moderate airplay, climbing the lower reaches of the rock charts, but Zoo Freaks know it’s a gem that deserved way more love.

Let’s dive into how Red Siren got their start. Hailing from Chicago, the band was fronted by the powerhouse Kristin Massey, whose versatile voice drew comparisons to everyone from Stevie Nicks to Evanescence’s Amy Lee. Massey, who also played rhythm guitar and keyboards, teamed up with lead guitarist Robert Haas, a musical wizard who doubled as a producer and even dabbled in sports nutrition writing. Rounding out the lineup were drummer Gregg Potter and bassist Jon Brant, the latter bringing some cred from his time with Cheap Trick. Formed in the late ’80s, the band caught the eye of Mercury Records, who saw them as a potential rival to Heart, thanks to their blend of melodic hard rock and pop sensibilities. Their debut, All Is Forgiven, was a groundbreaking moment—it was one of the first major-label rock albums recorded entirely digitally, skipping tape altogether.

Sadly, Red Siren’s time in the spotlight was short-lived. The legal battle over their name threw a wrench in their momentum, and Mercury’s support fizzled after the name change kerfuffle. But the band’s legacy lives on, especially with fans who keep the flame alive online. You can catch up with Red Siren on their official website, where they’ve shared news about a 2018 covers album called Recovered and a Led Zeppelin tribute release. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, though their posts are more sporadic these days. For some fan love, check out the Red Siren Fan Club on Facebook or dig into fan-made tributes on sites like Hard Rock / AOR Heaven, where devotees still rave about the band’s unsung brilliance.