New Wave Thread

[Guest]

Has anyone read Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-84 by Simon Reynolds?

Its a cracking read if you are interested in this exciting period of musical transition.

I am a huge fan of Howard Devoto and his seminal band 'Magazine' who happen to be reforming soon for a few gigs. Anyone else here a New Wave fan?

[sheringham]

I would have said 'dunno' but I checked the list of New Wave bands on wikipedia and it appears that yes, TOTALLY.

Incidentally - I bought both living by numbers and world of water when they were hits!

[Guest]

I would have said 'dunno' but I checked the list of New Wave bands on wikipedia and it appears that yes, TOTALLY.

Incidentally - I bought both living by numbers and world of water when they were hits!

Ah, but was our Tony's band really 'New Wave'? I'd have said it t'was 'pop' as it never had the 'edge' bands like Magazine or Devo etc ran with.

[The Co=Ordinator]

Enormous fan Lee. My Bowie passion through my teens led me to punk, which quickly deveoped into New Wave. So many great bands, so many wonderful gigs and memories.

I've read about Magazine's reunion and I'm sure it'll be very good. My personal fave of theirs is "Give Me Everything". Here's a great live version from that German TV show of the late 70's, early 80's.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TFVrEJR2jN4

However my all-time favourite band ever, not just New Wave, is XTC. For me they defined an era and their influence has been far, far greater than ever acknowledged. From their beginnings as The Helium Kids, the Barry Andrews wacky keyboard sound, through the more main stream period, to Partridge's breakdown and their re-emergance as a studio band they were simply awesome. I saw them live 9 times until Andy cracked in 1982. Such a tragedy as they were about to become enormous with the brilliantly crafted "English Settlement".

And I'm not even scratching the surface yet..............

[The Co=Ordinator]

Ah, but was our Tony's band really 'New Wave'? I'd have said it t'was 'pop' as it never had the 'edge' bands like Magazine or Devo etc ran with.

Not sure, but they were bloody good and I've got 2 or 3 treasured 10 inch classics.

[Guest]

XTC were genius! 'English Settlement' was amazing.

[sheringham]

They are on the wiki list. To be fair - so is practically everyone else you've ever heard of from that period though.

I suspect the wiki list may be flawed.

I haven't read the book (not for want of recommendations from others I have to admit) so perhaps I'm getting confused. Bands included on the wiki list under the heading 'new wave' which I adored include: The cure, the Cocteaus, The Associates, Classix Nouveau, The bible, Julian cope, Scritti Politti (I'm assuming they mean Songs to remember rather than Cupid and Psyche et seq)

.....oh no! You got Tony started on XTC

[sheringham]

XTC were genius! 'English Settlement' was amazing.

I told you you guys had more in common than you though.

[The Co=Ordinator]

Bands included on the wiki list under the heading 'new wave' which I adored include: The cure, the Cocteaus, The Associates, Classix Nouveau, The bible, Julian cope, Scritti Politti (I'm assuming they mean Songs to remember rather than Cupid and Psyche et seq)

Classix Nouveau were good fun. Sal Solo fronted the band, saw them live once - another memory coming back there.

.....oh no! You got Tony started on XTC

I didn't realise you knew that I liked them!

[sheringham]

'cos you've never mentioned it!

Did I ever mention I like Sting?

[The Co=Ordinator]

'cos you've never mentioned it!

Did I ever mention I like Sting?

Not that I can recall.

A couple more bands that spring to mind are 999 and Wire (who are still going in one form or another of course).

And a couple of great gigs.

Rezillos (on their first farewell tour) supported by The Undertones at The Lyceum in the Strand.

And for a triple header, at the Hammy Palais I once saw Elvis Costello and the Attractions, supported by Richard Hell and the Voidoids with John Cooper Clarke opening proceedings. That was a very sweaty night indeed.

[Frank]

Has anyone read Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-84 by Simon Reynolds?

Its a cracking read if you are interested in this exciting period of musical transition.

I am a huge fan of Howard Devoto and his seminal band 'Magazine' who happen to be reforming soon for a few gigs. Anyone else here a New Wave fan?

Yes, it's a stonkingly good book. I would also recommend White Bicycles by Joe Boyd, which deals with his career as a promoter of rhythm and blues, folk and prog rock. Although I don't have that much interest in these genres, the book is written so well that you get carried along with the story. A fascinating picture of the UK music scene in the late 60s too.

I would say the period 1978 - 1983 - that 'new wave' era that rolled into 'synth pop' was my time. I really got into music at that point and basically Reynold's book sums up about 90% of my record collection.

So yeah, Bowie, Magazine, Associates, Television, New York Dolls etc etc....

[LeeRatbag]

Rezillos (on their first farewell tour) supported by The Undertones at The Lyceum in the Strand.

Ah, the Rezillos. NOW we're talking. They still do the odd tour, I saw them three years back at Leeds Cockpit and they were astonishing. Fay Fife's looking incredible for her age.

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