Guadalcanal Diary was formed in Marietta, GA in 1981. They were tagged as part of the Jangle Pop movement and often compared to fellow Georgia band R.E.M., which was due in part to sharing producer Don Dixon. After an independent debut EP in 1983, the band released their first full length album Walking In The Shadow Of The Big Man on DB records. A music video was produced for the song Watusi Rodeo and submitted as part of the MTV show Basement Tapes. The video caught the attention of Elektra records, who offered the band a recording contract and reissued the LP in 1985. It quickly became a college radio favorite and remains a respected Alternative classic.