F'n wow! I saw New Order, A Certain Ratio, and a then-unknown Happy Mondays at Finsbury Park on the first night of my first trip to London, but that certainly kicks my memories to the curb...
In my first year at Liverpool University all of my mates were going to see this band called Joy Division at Eric's. I didn't bother, opting to go to Eric's the next night to see Splodgenessabounds instead. Oh, the folly of youth.
@Avante@debutch my riders for the bands contract will include , bellyrubs and the royal canin and tasty liver treats should be delivered in the boot of a Maserati Quattroporte ( Grigio) ...my tastes are simple!.
#ISawThemLive Nice try @debutch but I was part of an invited audience to see The Nolans perform "I'm In The Mood For Dancing" on LiveTv ( used to be owned by The Daily Mirror newspaper) ....they were the act on just after Topless Darts and before The News Bunny.
I'm always envious of anyone who saw Joy Division live, you jammy bugger. One of my all time favourite bands, I've managed to hang on to my scrapbook of music paper cuttings and rare photos of the band as @colinflynn28 will attest ! Ian Curtis was the greatest frontman of his generation for me (based on tv/concert footage/reviews from my perspective), and their influence on popular music is still in evidence today, as I'm sure you'll agree sir.
Great write-up, DC. I just didn't do nearly enough Joy Division and to this day, I have no idea how I let it all pass me by. Listened to quite a lot on TIMJ and realise I made a bit of a boo-boo. Hey ho...late learner and all that...
@BladeRunner I think I've seen about 5 or 600 live performances....some were VERY special. I'd need this theme to run another 3 or 4 years to jam them all! :-)
@21schizoid We've all made those kind of blunders. I always wonder how Joy Division would have turned out had Curtis not died. Would they still have become like New Order, I wonder?
@lynn200 ...get your sou'wester ready for that monsoon ( Is that the one called "Noul"?) btw, re; my avatar...I thought it was time to show my face at my 60th Birthday last week (2nd) I can't hide behind 'Lou' forever! :-)
@debutch Wait.......What???? The VELVETS????? You can't just drop that in there and leave it lie. I've seen most of the big hitters and tonnes of the smaller ones but I've never got near the Velvets......
@paulgdaly Yes, Wembley Arena London , June 6th 1993. Original members of Reed, Cale , Morrison & Tucker. They done a short European tour of only 7 or 8 countries like France, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy etc. I don't think they actually played America at all. I remember there were many Americans at the gig who had flown over specially for the gig. It was a superb performance by the way! One of the most exciting gigs I've ever been to .
@paulgdaly When I think of all the gigs I've been to, well,I know it sounds big-headed but the list really IS pretty impressive! .....But you have to remember my age & the fact I've been going to gigs since 1970 at the age of 15 & I've ALWAYS been an absolute music nut.....
@debutch '93 and I would have been here in the States. In NY no less, where they could have filled the feckin' Garden ten nights running. ****Fumes****
@debutch I totally get that --- I haven't had a many "anniversaries" as you, but I started going to gigs round about '76 in Ireland when I was just in time for punk, then living in NY for two decades, well you can see pretty much anyone. It's funny when someone mentions a band and you go "well the night I saw them...." and watching the play of emotions on their face.
@paulgdaly I remember reading at the time that Lou said it was a big thank you to England and certain European countries who paid them some attention in their early years. He said there was the 'Artistic appreciation' shown at their work in countries like France, Czech Republic & England , whereas the States, at the time, only seemed interested in boogying ( his words, not mine!) :-)
@paulgdaly I know! I get a lot with the Velvet Underground mention + Joy Division, the MC5, Captain Beefheart etc etc ( I'll name a few of them soon) BUT....I've NEVER seen the Pistols OR Led Zep and let's face it...who HAS seen the Velvets the FIRST time round??
@debutch That sounds like Lou alright, some bullshit "artistic" reasoning. He was loved in NY, so is Moe Tucker, who is some kind of lesbian icon. It's funny, I am very close to a doyen of the downtown scene, (I should be, I married her), and of all the Debbies and the Joeys and the Richard Hells etc. you would run into, I don't even remember seeing Lou on the street or in a club, which is strange 'cause in NY you eventually see everyone.
@debutch well I actually have seen Zeppelin (1980 Mannheim, Germany -- the next night they played the Zeppelinfelde in Nurnburg but that's another story) . I know some people who are of an age to have seen the VU at Max's but the only one I believe is a guy who actually could have passed for Andy Warhol.
I had to settle for seeing New Order in Boston and NYC once Ian decided there was not going to be a U.S. tour by Joy Division, or any more Joy Division for that matter (or any more Ian). :(
@paulgdaly Really appreciate yor comments Paul. Fabulous & interesting indeed. We'll have to compare our top20 gigs list one day ( in a friendly non-competitive way, of course! :-). )
@metallicagirl You really should check out the album, "Unknown pleasures" A dark masterpiece. Some people say that their 2nd ( and final) album, "Closer" is even better. Neither of these LPs include their singles like their most famous song, "Love will tear us apart" You have to get a compilation for those tracks....
@iMatthew_ I've had bad luck with gigs too! I was all ready & packed ( at the age of 15) to go & see JIMI HENDRIX + The Who, The Doors etc at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 when my mum found out & grounded me. Two months later, Jimi was dead......
@debutch I love Magazine!!! OMG you and me and what 5 other people! I thought I'd check in and see what you were up to..as usual, lostsa good...who doesn't luv old school Joy Division...but ur a Brit LOL - I lived in Florida in the '80's so the rave scene, but as punker I never attended, was HUGE - Thx to your island:) FYI - remind me to tell the story of seeing Led Zep and getting kicked out - not my fault - evil biker chicks attacked me-had to fight back! Sigh We should write book together!
@debutch and I rarely send out negatives but tonight I had a few - my last was someone claiming to be presenting surf songs...instead it was a basic shoe gazer yawn boring song with a cool vid of bif wave surfers so I hunted for a cool Dick Dale (yes I've seen him live - lucky me as he rarely shows on early vids what he does) but I found this to post on the poor tart's page as she obviously likes the surfers more than surf music - I can say this as I grew up in a hard core local only surf ..
@debutch...village where in the '70's you'd get beat up in the water...today, your car only gets waxed....anywho - I couldn't find the site so I can explain what real surf music is - oh well...not my problem - (I owe this to Ms. Jess's b'day when out of the blue ton's of people were following me for just a sweet Fleetwood Mac song - so -for your viewing pleasure Dick Dale from 1963 - the TRUE father of Surf music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwx2pephwKU
@debutch he and his Strat~! hope you watch that vid I posted - you have to get through a few seconds of BS - most Dick dale won't show his playing - he was realling finicky about getting ripped off - He's an inspiration for every guitar player I know 'cuz he plays like no one can - and he made the Strat famous:) Yes, oh so self involved -Antics Across the Ocean is a much better subtitle:) So our book is: Antics Across the Ocean: Musings from Two Music Lovers?
@debutch Those title just rolls off the tongue, yes..OMG Right in the middle of this fun talk, my computer did an auto update so hence the fun was stopped...how about Evil Thoughts,Punishing Nightmares: We Shall Teach You LOL
saw the a couple of times at London Students' Union on Malet St (also no megadome). In retrospect you can see that Curtis wasn't doing an act like his hero Bowie but was a deeply troubled individual.
This has been my ringtone since I got my very first mobile phone, never changed it (the ringtone that is...I would look silly now if I'd never changed that first mobile phone haha).
Oh and that obviously means it's one of the most brilliant songs ever imo...and I'm at a loss for words to describe Unknown Pleasures (that goes for Closer as well really).
@lesakramer5 Oh! Thanks for that link Lesa! Dick Dale had just about the coolest guitar sound around in those days...these days too, I think! ...Makes that Fender "radiate", doesn't he? :-) sees'ya Lesa...keep in touch! :-)
@lawrence35523 Yes! There's probably so many I've forgotten. I remember TG in that school ( a junior school, I think . I remember having to virtually kneel to use those tiny urinals! )
@redheadx ....and when you think that only about THREE notes are sung by Ian in a monotone voice all the way through, it just doesn't make sense that the song could be so good...but it IS!! A haunting, mesmerising mood-piece that I have NEVER tired of. ...and as for Joy Divisions' albums / records...well, they never , ever made a bad one, did they?
@debutch That's still pretty good going. One a month is usually my average, but we've set off at a rate of knots this year. :-) Although after tonight the diary gets a bit empty until August.
@debutch True, it is such an emotional-laden song and it never tires me either, nor do the albums. And I think Control is a very good representation of what Ian's struggle in life was like, awesome movie!
@timeisnow Really pleased you liked it! btw, was it you who asked if I saw the Smiths? I'm afraid ( AND ashamed ) to say I didn't. I really don't know why because they were my favourite 80s band. ......probably because of "busy" time of my life...settling down, children, new job etc
@sbrennan0161 Yes, I've only gone to about 2 or 3 gigs a year for the last 10 years due to ....stamina, I suppose!! The 70s were ridiculously prolific for gig-going with me. One a week on average but the LATE 70s...wow! Quite often, 2 or 3 a week and on a few occasions 2 gigs in one night! Now I think about it, it's probably nearer to 1,000 than 500....
81 Comments (since 12 May 2015)
thisismymistake
F'n wow! I saw New Order, A Certain Ratio, and a then-unknown Happy Mondays at Finsbury Park on the first night of my first trip to London, but that certainly kicks my memories to the curb...
shme
My hat is off, sir debutch. :)
Bukowski
High Hall, Birmingham University, 1980. (aged 14) (too young to really appreciate)
pauseliveaction
In my first year at Liverpool University all of my mates were going to see this band called Joy Division at Eric's. I didn't bother, opting to go to Eric's the next night to see Splodgenessabounds instead. Oh, the folly of youth.
shiningsun2k
Another day, another epic, envy-inducing memory/tale from Dave. I'm getting used to it but it still blows my mind.
ada23
Great jam!
BladeRunner
oh wow, even THEM you saw?! omg, wow!!!
jimbergson
Joy Division...those are big words
BeeBee
@Avante @debutch my riders for the bands contract will include , bellyrubs and the royal canin and tasty liver treats should be delivered in the boot of a Maserati Quattroporte ( Grigio) ...my tastes are simple!.
BeeBee
#ISawThemLive Nice try @debutch but I was part of an invited audience to see The Nolans perform "I'm In The Mood For Dancing" on LiveTv ( used to be owned by The Daily Mirror newspaper) ....they were the act on just after Topless Darts and before The News Bunny.
philipnareike
@pauseliveaction Well, on the positive side, at least Splodge must've given you more laughs!
philipnareike
@BeeBee You had a private audience with The Nolans!!!! @debutch must be writhing with jealousy.....
timeisnow
@debutch I"M GREEN :)
garyprice265
I'm always envious of anyone who saw Joy Division live, you jammy bugger. One of my all time favourite bands, I've managed to hang on to my scrapbook of music paper cuttings and rare photos of the band as @colinflynn28 will attest ! Ian Curtis was the greatest frontman of his generation for me (based on tv/concert footage/reviews from my perspective), and their influence on popular music is still in evidence today, as I'm sure you'll agree sir.
jackietheripper
very cool!
21schizoid
Great write-up, DC. I just didn't do nearly enough Joy Division and to this day, I have no idea how I let it all pass me by. Listened to quite a lot on TIMJ and realise I made a bit of a boo-boo. Hey ho...late learner and all that...
daved
@jimbergson well put sir
colinflynn28
The one band i would have loved to have seen play live! Very jealous :) still play a lot of joy division now :)
colinflynn28
@garyprice265 jealous of your scrapbook too gary, very well put together and a cracking item to look back on :)
debutch
@colinflynn28 @timeisnow @shiningsun2k @shme @thisismymistake The price I'm paying for having had the privilege of seeing them is being old! :-)
debutch
@Bukowski Your parents let you go to gigs at 14?
debutch
@pauseliveaction I bet that's difficult to live down!
debutch
@ada23 Thank you!
shiningsun2k
We all pay that price and many of us for far less reward, at least as far as concerts go. :)
debutch
@BladeRunner I think I've seen about 5 or 600 live performances....some were VERY special. I'd need this theme to run another 3 or 4 years to jam them all! :-)
debutch
@jimbergson You're right. The other 'two biggest words' I've seen live is probably the Velvet Underground.
debutch
@BeeBee ...the Nolans & topless darts....sounds like Heaven... :-)
debutch
@philipnareike ....how did you know? :-)
debutch
@garyprice265 Yes, I do agree. Ian Curtis was an unbelievably "tense" performer , sometimes leaving you feel fearful for him.
debutch
@jackietheripper They were!
debutch
@21schizoid We've all made those kind of blunders. I always wonder how Joy Division would have turned out had Curtis not died. Would they still have become like New Order, I wonder?
debutch
@shiningsun2k Nicely put. I feel better now!
debutch
@lynn200 ...get your sou'wester ready for that monsoon ( Is that the one called "Noul"?) btw, re; my avatar...I thought it was time to show my face at my 60th Birthday last week (2nd) I can't hide behind 'Lou' forever! :-)
paulgdaly
@debutch Wait.......What???? The VELVETS????? You can't just drop that in there and leave it lie. I've seen most of the big hitters and tonnes of the smaller ones but I've never got near the Velvets......
debutch
@paulgdaly Yes, Wembley Arena London , June 6th 1993. Original members of Reed, Cale , Morrison & Tucker. They done a short European tour of only 7 or 8 countries like France, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy etc. I don't think they actually played America at all. I remember there were many Americans at the gig who had flown over specially for the gig. It was a superb performance by the way! One of the most exciting gigs I've ever been to .
debutch
@paulgdaly When I think of all the gigs I've been to, well,I know it sounds big-headed but the list really IS pretty impressive! .....But you have to remember my age & the fact I've been going to gigs since 1970 at the age of 15 & I've ALWAYS been an absolute music nut.....
paulgdaly
@debutch '93 and I would have been here in the States. In NY no less, where they could have filled the feckin' Garden ten nights running. ****Fumes****
paulgdaly
@debutch I totally get that --- I haven't had a many "anniversaries" as you, but I started going to gigs round about '76 in Ireland when I was just in time for punk, then living in NY for two decades, well you can see pretty much anyone. It's funny when someone mentions a band and you go "well the night I saw them...." and watching the play of emotions on their face.
debutch
@paulgdaly I remember reading at the time that Lou said it was a big thank you to England and certain European countries who paid them some attention in their early years. He said there was the 'Artistic appreciation' shown at their work in countries like France, Czech Republic & England , whereas the States, at the time, only seemed interested in boogying ( his words, not mine!) :-)
debutch
@paulgdaly I know! I get a lot with the Velvet Underground mention + Joy Division, the MC5, Captain Beefheart etc etc ( I'll name a few of them soon) BUT....I've NEVER seen the Pistols OR Led Zep and let's face it...who HAS seen the Velvets the FIRST time round??
paulgdaly
@debutch That sounds like Lou alright, some bullshit "artistic" reasoning. He was loved in NY, so is Moe Tucker, who is some kind of lesbian icon. It's funny, I am very close to a doyen of the downtown scene, (I should be, I married her), and of all the Debbies and the Joeys and the Richard Hells etc. you would run into, I don't even remember seeing Lou on the street or in a club, which is strange 'cause in NY you eventually see everyone.
paulgdaly
@debutch well I actually have seen Zeppelin (1980 Mannheim, Germany -- the next night they played the Zeppelinfelde in Nurnburg but that's another story) . I know some people who are of an age to have seen the VU at Max's but the only one I believe is a guy who actually could have passed for Andy Warhol.
iMatthew_
I had to settle for seeing New Order in Boston and NYC once Ian decided there was not going to be a U.S. tour by Joy Division, or any more Joy Division for that matter (or any more Ian). :(
iMatthew_
p.s. YOU LUCKY S.O.B. ! ;)
metallicagirl
Damn. I really need to start listening to more Joy Division. I know almost nothing by them, but do love what I've heard so far... Cool jam!
Bukowski
@debutch Of course not; snuck out.
lawrence35523
you never saw Zep davy boy?
lawrence35523
were you with us when Can played the roundhouse? a mindblast..
pauseliveaction
@debutch My credibility has only been rescued by having seen Magazine do a gig on a boat on the Mersey :)
debutch
@paulgdaly Really appreciate yor comments Paul. Fabulous & interesting indeed. We'll have to compare our top20 gigs list one day ( in a friendly non-competitive way, of course! :-). )
debutch
@lawrence35523 Of course I saw Can at the Roundhouse! I was standing next to you!! We saw Can about 3 or 4 times, didn't we?
debutch
@lawrence35523 You didn't know that I never saw Zep? Aw, I could've said I had & got away with it! ;-)
debutch
@metallicagirl You really should check out the album, "Unknown pleasures" A dark masterpiece. Some people say that their 2nd ( and final) album, "Closer" is even better. Neither of these LPs include their singles like their most famous song, "Love will tear us apart" You have to get a compilation for those tracks....
debutch
@iMatthew_ I've had bad luck with gigs too! I was all ready & packed ( at the age of 15) to go & see JIMI HENDRIX + The Who, The Doors etc at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 when my mum found out & grounded me. Two months later, Jimi was dead......
debutch
@pauseliveaction I love Magazine! That sounds great! My 'weirdest' venues were...Pere Ubu ( In a cave!) and The Pop Group ( in a gothic church!)
lesakramer5
@debutch I love Magazine!!! OMG you and me and what 5 other people! I thought I'd check in and see what you were up to..as usual, lostsa good...who doesn't luv old school Joy Division...but ur a Brit LOL - I lived in Florida in the '80's so the rave scene, but as punker I never attended, was HUGE - Thx to your island:) FYI - remind me to tell the story of seeing Led Zep and getting kicked out - not my fault - evil biker chicks attacked me-had to fight back! Sigh We should write book together!
lesakramer5
@debutch I've got the title for our book: Essays and Observations Across the Atlantic: Two Music Lovers Share History
debutch
@lesakramer5 ... A great idea Lesa! It could be sub-titled, "Antics across the Antlantic"! :-D
lesakramer5
@debutch and I rarely send out negatives but tonight I had a few - my last was someone claiming to be presenting surf songs...instead it was a basic shoe gazer yawn boring song with a cool vid of bif wave surfers so I hunted for a cool Dick Dale (yes I've seen him live - lucky me as he rarely shows on early vids what he does) but I found this to post on the poor tart's page as she obviously likes the surfers more than surf music - I can say this as I grew up in a hard core local only surf ..
lesakramer5
@debutch...village where in the '70's you'd get beat up in the water...today, your car only gets waxed....anywho - I couldn't find the site so I can explain what real surf music is - oh well...not my problem - (I owe this to Ms. Jess's b'day when out of the blue ton's of people were following me for just a sweet Fleetwood Mac song - so -for your viewing pleasure Dick Dale from 1963 - the TRUE father of Surf music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwx2pephwKU
lesakramer5
@debutch he and his Strat~! hope you watch that vid I posted - you have to get through a few seconds of BS - most Dick dale won't show his playing - he was realling finicky about getting ripped off - He's an inspiration for every guitar player I know 'cuz he plays like no one can - and he made the Strat famous:) Yes, oh so self involved -Antics Across the Ocean is a much better subtitle:) So our book is: Antics Across the Ocean: Musings from Two Music Lovers?
lawrence35523
how about Throbbing Gristle in the crypt of a ruined church or in spooky school on a cold winter sunday afternoon..
lesakramer5
@debutch Those title just rolls off the tongue, yes..OMG Right in the middle of this fun talk, my computer did an auto update so hence the fun was stopped...how about Evil Thoughts,Punishing Nightmares: We Shall Teach You LOL
lesakramer5
@debutch catch ya later alligator:)
tom2
saw the a couple of times at London Students' Union on Malet St (also no megadome). In retrospect you can see that Curtis wasn't doing an act like his hero Bowie but was a deeply troubled individual.
redheadx
This has been my ringtone since I got my very first mobile phone, never changed it (the ringtone that is...I would look silly now if I'd never changed that first mobile phone haha).
redheadx
Oh and that obviously means it's one of the most brilliant songs ever imo...and I'm at a loss for words to describe Unknown Pleasures (that goes for Closer as well really).
sbrennan0161
Have to say, I'm jealous about this one David. I had homework to do that night. :-)
debutch
@lesakramer5 Oh! Thanks for that link Lesa! Dick Dale had just about the coolest guitar sound around in those days...these days too, I think! ...Makes that Fender "radiate", doesn't he? :-) sees'ya Lesa...keep in touch! :-)
debutch
@lawrence35523 Yes! There's probably so many I've forgotten. I remember TG in that school ( a junior school, I think . I remember having to virtually kneel to use those tiny urinals! )
debutch
@tom2 He was. I saw the film "Control" and in the end, he was pretty pitiful with his problems. My heart went out to him.
debutch
@redheadx ....and when you think that only about THREE notes are sung by Ian in a monotone voice all the way through, it just doesn't make sense that the song could be so good...but it IS!! A haunting, mesmerising mood-piece that I have NEVER tired of. ...and as for Joy Divisions' albums / records...well, they never , ever made a bad one, did they?
debutch
@sbrennan0161 I don't get pleasure from the several people here saying they were jealous. tbh, I'm jealous of THEM going to so many gigs these days!
debutch
@sbrennan0161 ....Actually, I'm doing pretty good so far this year. By August, I will have gone to 9 ( maybe even 10 if I see the Antlers! ;-) )
timeisnow
pinch me! I can't stop watching the video performance -SPLENDID Jam and story David!
sbrennan0161
@debutch That's still pretty good going. One a month is usually my average, but we've set off at a rate of knots this year. :-) Although after tonight the diary gets a bit empty until August.
redheadx
@debutch True, it is such an emotional-laden song and it never tires me either, nor do the albums. And I think Control is a very good representation of what Ian's struggle in life was like, awesome movie!
debutch
@timeisnow Really pleased you liked it! btw, was it you who asked if I saw the Smiths? I'm afraid ( AND ashamed ) to say I didn't. I really don't know why because they were my favourite 80s band. ......probably because of "busy" time of my life...settling down, children, new job etc
debutch
@sbrennan0161 Yes, I've only gone to about 2 or 3 gigs a year for the last 10 years due to ....stamina, I suppose!! The 70s were ridiculously prolific for gig-going with me. One a week on average but the LATE 70s...wow! Quite often, 2 or 3 a week and on a few occasions 2 gigs in one night! Now I think about it, it's probably nearer to 1,000 than 500....
debutch
@sbrennan0161 .....and probably absolutely unsurprising to you, nowadays I have permanent tinnitus! :-)
debutch
@redheadx Agree Agree Agree!! THanks for your comments, Marilyn! :-)