Survival In The Western World

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it's your groovy pals from the Zoo Crew here at THE ZOO, spinning those vibes that keep the peace flowing and the love rocking. We're dropping the needle on "Survival In The Western World" by Refugee from their album "Burning From The Inside Out," and man, does this track take us on a journey through the wilds of the modern world. Let's dive into some far-out trivia and stories about this song, pulled from old interviews, quotes, and those social media echoes that still resonate like a distant drum circle.

Back in the late '80s, Refugee was making waves in the AOR scene, and "Survival In The Western World" was their opener on that 1987 Polydor release. From what we've gathered from music forums and old rock reports, the song captures that raw energy of navigating life's chaos, with lyrics that hit like a cosmic revelation. One cool story comes from a guitarist forum where folks reminisced about the band's wild tour in Zimbabwe. Apparently, Refugee headed down there in the late '80s, playing gigs in places that were totally new to rock 'n' roll. Their manager took payment in local currency, thinking it was a sweet deal, but turns out those Zimbabwean dollars were about as valuable as autumn leaves in the wind – couldn't convert 'em back home. It led to some heated moments at the airport, with yelling and threats, but the band powered through. They even played at a local shebeen, a bar where the crowd was more into southern African grooves than heavy riffs. The show was good, but it felt like bringing tie-dye to a black-tie affair – a bit out of sync, yet memorable. One poster shared how they helped set up the PA system on the fly, calling it fantastic lifelong memories for the "backwards Zimbos," and praised the band as a great bunch of guys. RIP to Myles Hunter, who left us too soon in 2017, but his spirit lives on in these tales.

Digging deeper, in old Billboard mentions from 1987, the song popped up in playlists alongside other fresh tracks, getting airplay as a PolyGram single. There weren't tons of direct quotes from the band about this specific tune, but in broader interviews about the album, lead singer Myles Hunter talked about infusing personal struggles into the music. He once reflected on how the tracks were born from real-life battles, like surviving the cutthroat music industry. Fans on social media back in the day – think early forums that predated today's feeds – shared how the song's driving guitar riffs and anthemic chorus reminded them of fighting through urban jungles, much like the Western world's hustle. One archived post from a rock enthusiast group highlighted how the title track and "Survival" mirrored the band's own journey from obscurity to brief spotlight, with Hunter's vocals carrying that heartfelt plea for endurance.

Shifting gears to how this artist got started, Myles Hunter, the heart and soul of Refugee, had roots that go way back to the mid-'70s in Ottawa, Canada. Growing up in a super religious home, young Myles was all set to become a minister, spreading the good word and all that peaceful energy. But music called to him like a siren's song, pulling him away from the pulpit and into the rock world. He kicked things off with a band called Avalon, where he was the lead singer and guitarist. They dropped an album called "Voice of Life," full of those early progressive vibes that blended folk-rock with deeper messages. Avalon released a bunch of singles, building a local following with their harmonious sounds and thoughtful lyrics. It was all about that communal spirit, man, sharing stories through melody.

By the early '80s, Hunter linked up with some talented cats – guitarist Rob Kennedy, bassist Martyn Jones, drummer Terry Martell, and keyboardist Howard Helm – in a group first called Michael Fury. Named after a character from James Joyce's "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," it had that literary flair, but folks got confused, thinking it was a solo gig instead of a full band. They signed with Passport Records and put out "Affairs in Babylon" in 1985, but to clear up the mix-up, they flipped the script and became Refugee. They reissued the debut and followed up with "Burning From The Inside Out" in 1987, where "Survival In The Western World" shines as the lead track. The album was produced by Pat Glasser, with Brian Doerner on drums, and it captured that melodic rock essence with hooks that stick like honey.

After Refugee wrapped up, Hunter went solo, keeping the flame alive with albums like "Northern Union" in 1990 and "Tales From Stoney's Bar & Grill" in 1994, credited to Hunter-Greer. His path was all about evolution, from religious roots to rock rebellion, always chasing that authentic sound. In one bio snippet, it's noted how his upbringing influenced his songwriting, weaving themes of freedom and inner fire into every note. Fans loved how he transformed personal quests into universal anthems, much like the hippie ethos of self-discovery and harmony with the universe.

Speaking of connections, if you're digging this vibe, check out THE ZOO for more rockin' tunes and community love. For more on Refugee and Myles Hunter, groove over to their page on AllMusic at AllMusic, where you'll find bios and album details referencing "Burning From The Inside Out." There's also a cool fan spot on Discogs at Discogs, packed with track listings and credits for the song and album. If you're into community chats, join the active Facebook group for AOR and Melodic Rock fans at Facebook Group, where posts often spotlight Refugee albums and share stories. Unfortunately, no official social media accounts for the band seem active these days, but these spots keep the spirit alive.

Wrapping this up, Zoo Freaks, "Survival In The Western World" isn't just a song – it's a mantra for pushing through the madness with love and resilience. Myles Hunter and Refugee brought that fire from their Canadian roots, evolving from humble beginnings to crafting tunes that echo eternal truths. Keep the peace, spread the love, and rock on with us here at THE ZOO. Until next spin, stay groovy!