GOING TO A GO-GO’S UPDATE: Has it...

GOING TO A GO-GO’S UPDATE: Has it really been five years since the Go-Go’s had two Top 10 singles (“We Got the Beat” and “Vacation”) and a No. 1 album? Since then, the band is gone, but the individual members are not forgotten. Belinda Carlisle recently enjoyed a solo hit and, as you’ve probably heard, just left I.R.S. Records (after the label forgot to renew her contract) and signed with MCA, not PolyGram, as had been reported recently. In some ways the move was expected (MCA chief Irving Azoff used to manage the Go-Go’s), in some ways not--MCA already distributes I.R.S., so why bother to leave I.R.S. in the first place?

Carlisle’s manager, Danny Goldberg, downplayed reports of personality conflicts between his artist and I.R.S. execs.

“I.R.S. just didn’t make a competitive offer,” he said. “We had to go through the process of shopping around to make sure Belinda had the best possible deal. And PolyGram was definitely in the bidding.

“But MCA always had a natural advantage because of Belinda’s longstanding relationship with Irving, from his management days.” Goldberg said Carlisle will be in the studio “within a matter of weeks” to start work on a new album, which could be out as early as late summer.

And what of the other Go-Go’s? Charlotte Caffey has been writing songs for Carlisle as well as recording demos, which could lead to a solo record deal later this year. Gina Shock’s band, House of Shock, is expected to sign a record deal with Capitol Records.

Jane Wiedlin has been working on a solo album too (for EMI) and has been pursuing an acting career. Her latest role finds her playing Joan of Arc in an upcoming time-travel fantasy film, “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” which is shooting in Arizona. And Kathy Valentine has formed a new band (which is still looking for a moniker), with ex-Girls School guitarist Kelly Johnson, drummer Craig Aaronson and bassist Jesse Sublett, who was in a Texas group with Valentine before she came to L.A. and formed the Textones.