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OC Marathon: Flashback and special guests create ultimate ‘80s party

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Say what you will about the 1980s, but the decade known for its neon, leg-warmers and over-the-top pop music usually conjures fun memories for most.

The music is usually described as cheesy, but it still turns to be favorites for many, including recently wed Linda Perry and Sara Gilbert. As a gift, Perry had Orange County’s popular 80s cover band Flashback Heart Attack play at the celebrity wedding, and brought in special guests Annabella Lwin (Bow Wow Wow), Martha Davis (The Motels), Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons) and Terri Nunn (Berlin).

John Hampton, who coordinates special events for OC Wahoo’s Fish Taco, thought it would be fun to do the same type of show at Sunday’s U.S. Bank OC Marathon Nutrilite Finish Line Festival at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa.

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It was an ultimate 80s party.

The performances helped make the day a much different setting from last year, when the OC Marathon was filled with security and some tense emotion in reaction to the Boston Marathon bombing.

Participants in the OC Wahoo’s Fish Taco 5K couldn’t help but dance a little as they ran toward the finish line and listened to Flashback Heart Attack and the special guests.

Mike Score of Flock of Seagulls performed the perfect song for the day, “I ran.”

Bozzio sang popular tunes, “Destination Unknown,” “Words,” and “Walking in L.A.”

Pete Byrne of Naked Eyes performed “Always Something There to Remind Me.”

Tommy Heath of Tommy Tutone had everyone saying, “I love this song,” while he performed, “Jenny, Jenny/867-5309.”

John Easedale also performed songs from Dramarama, including, “Anything, Anything.”

Richard Blade introduced them all.

“We thought, why don’t we get the best 80s band, which is Flashback Heart Attack, and put them with artists from that time,” Hampton said. “I don’t think people realize until today that it’s here and that it’s really great.”

Backstage, Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco, danced and took photos with the artists. He knew the show was a hit. Hampton says he wants to do it again.

Flashback Heart Attack will be on board. The band stays busy. Later Sunday, the band performed at halftime at the L.A. KISS arena football game at Honda Center.

They also play twice a month at The Harp Inn in Costa Mesa, where they’ll perform Friday.

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