Category Archives: Industrial Music

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/Bands ~ Bobbi Style

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If we meet even one extraordinary person in our lifetime, we can consider ourselves fortunate. With the advent of the Internet and an ever-widening circle of international acquaintances, I have had the good fortune to meet several such people. The latest person to enrich my life is a gifted and outstanding musician named Bobbi Style.

I’ve only “known” Bobbi for a short time, recently making his acquaintance on FaceBook. But everything I have read about him and listened to by him since then points to an immensely interesting person whose story I feel compelled to share.

Along with New Wave and synthpop, my favorite 80′s music genre is Goth. Peter Murphy, Love & Rockets, and The Damned are a few 80′s Goth artists that rapidly come to mind. Imagine my delight when I was directed to a Bobbi Style 80′s-era music video on YouTube and discovered that his favored performance genre is….Goth! After sitting with my mouth hanging open in shock wondering where the heck I was when this dynamo was out conquering the world, I fell in love.

Bobbi Style was born with cerebral palsy, leaving him wheelchair-bound. He never let this disability get the better of him. Instead, he overcame the obvious obstacles – not only the physical, but the inherently prejudicial public reactions to a disabled Goth-band frontman. He achieved this with grace and dignity, and in his native UK, Bobbi became quite the cult figure with a large, hard-core group of fans.

In an interview with NX Live Magazine, Bobbi recalls that he first got into music around age 5 as a drummer, then guitarist and bassist. In his early teens, and when his disability would not allow him to maneuver around a drum kit any longer, he found himself as a singer for the school band, calling upon such influences as Gary Numan, Japan, Generation X, and Siouxsie & The Banshees for inspiration. Sounds like an absolutely winning combination to me.

In addition to the above-mentioned, Bobbi also cites the following as influential presences: Sisters of Mercy, The Cult, and The Mission. The very best of each can be seen in Style’s 80′s clips on YouTube (see below) that tease us with just a sampling of what this incredible man can do.

Speaking of a “can do” attitude, Bobbi Style has never taken his disability and limitations for what they are, and just cut his losses. This is a man who decided at an early age that he was going to rise above what others felt was a disadvantage, and make the most of his life. Content in his own skin, and with a history of successes and triumphs behind him, Bobbi Style now focuses that endless supply of energy on helping other musicians with disabilities.

Style, a native of the UK, now lives in British Columbia, Canada, and is very active within a group known as VAMS (Vancouver Adapted Musician Society) founded in the late 1980s to support and promote musicians with physical disabilities in the Metro Vancouver area. Style donates his time, talent, and proceeds from recording, promotions, and sales to help his fellow musicians. He is also launching a charity called “Bob Friendly” that will raise money to construct disabled-friendly studios around the world.

If you think you’re having a bad day, check out some of the following links and get to know a man that has not let what life has thrown at him get him down. Bobbi Style is more than just a gifted 80′s Goth artist – he is an inspiration to many, a militant advocate for disabled people of all stripes, and a wickedly funny man. My life has been greatly enriched by our chance meeting (thanks to Eighties Everafter) on FaceBook.

Bobbi has re-released “Lady Feline” on iTunes. Check it out here.

Note: Be on the look-out for a re-release of “Embrace Me” – that’s a personal favorite of mine.

Links to Bobbi Style:
http://www.bobbistyle.com/
http://bobbistyle.ning.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bobbistyle
http://www.YouTube.com/BobbiStyle
http://twitter.com/BobbiStyle
http://www.BobFriendly.com
http://asylumproduction.ning.com/profile/BobbiStyle
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/bobbi-style/id332898927
http://c.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZConnections.woa/wa/viewProfile?id=9149033
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bobbi-Style/9607619582?ref=ts

 

Watch Bobbi Style on YouTube:

“Embrace Me (Official Video)” via YouTube user Bobbi Style:

“Embrace Me (Live)” via YouTube user Bobbi Style:

“Like A Bullet” via YouTube user Bobbi Style:

“Lady Feline” via YouTube user Bobbi Style:

“Just Like Valentino” via YouTube user Bobbi Style:

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/Bands ~ Gary Numan’s North American Tour Continues

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Copyright 2010 missparker
Copyright 2010 missparker

It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly two weeks since I met Gary Numan in Orlando, the first stop on his North American Pleasure Principle tour. I am still so jazzed about meeting my music idol and experiencing a show that was nothing short of brilliant excellence, that I have been filling my days plugged into my iPod and methodically going through every Numan MP3 that I have.

I have also been reading other fan reports as they have rolled in. I have not found a disappointed comment in the lot, not counting the show that Numan was forced to cancel at the beginning of the tour. After rocking the house at Firestone LIVE! (Club Firestone) in Orlando, Gary promptly lost his voice. He postponed and then finally ended up canceling the second stop on the North American Tour in Atlanta. I can only imagine how crushed those fans must have felt, and Gary felt even worse. He sent out an email apologizing profusely and remarking that this is the first time he’d had to cancel an appearance due to health issues in over 31years of touring.

Since then, rave reviews abound as Gary Numan and his accompanying band gain momentum throughout North America.

From Review online, reporting about the show from the Trocadero in Philadelphia:

Make no mistake; Gary Numan can still bring to life an era that captured his true signature sound. Adding the live performance recently at the Trocadero in Philadelphia during his mini Tour of America proves that Gary Numan is still an amazing entertainer after all these years. Any one who attended the show would agree…hands down.

They trekked up the east coast playing Washington DC, Philly, Boston, New York, then wound their way over the border into Canada. Their one date in Toronto was sold-out sublime, with all fans raising their voices in unison to sing Numan’s praises. An exciting twist to the Toronto show was an assist by home-grown artist Nash the Slash who originally played electric violin on several of Numan’s early creations, including “The Joy Circuit.” This time, they collaborated on “Complex” which had the crowd absolutely transfixed. The talent on that one stage must have been truly overwhelming.

 

Here is Gary Numan’s tour schedule, past, present, and beyond:

10/17 – Orlando, FL @ The Firestone LIVE!
10/18 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
10/20 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
10/22 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
10/23 – New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
10/24 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
10/25 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theater
10/26 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/28 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
10/31 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
11/01 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
11/02 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
11/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
11/04 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre

Watch out West Coast – Gary Numan (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Ade Fenton (keyboards), David Brooks (keyboards), Richard Beasley (drums), Steve Harris (guitar) and Tim Muddiman (bass) are on their way to knock you out and take you prisoner with the best concert you can possibly imagine attending. I can confidently guarantee that the West Coast in particular, and the whole of North America in general, will never be the same once this unparalleled British invasion sweeps through. Already, I simply cannot wait for Gary Numan to return to these shores to capture our hearts and souls once again.

Gary Numan’s official website.

Gary Numan’s official MySpace page.

Purchase Gary Numan merchandise here.

“M.E.” in Orlando via YouTube user xXamnesiac81Xx:

“Airlane” in Orlando via YouTube user xXamnesiac81Xx:

“Complex” with Nash The Slash in Toronto via YouTube user mdent23:

“Haunted” in Toronto via YouTube user MsMadbutler:

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Gary Numan Live 10-17-2010

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Graphic styled by Kristin Harris

One of the biggest events in my life took place on Sunday, October 17, 2010. I wanted to write about it immediately after, but decided to wait a few days for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to let the warm, joyous feelings from that day wash over me, and be replayed over and over in my mind, savoring every moment, nuance, note, gesture, sight, touch, taste, sound… And second, I wanted to try to separate the rabid fan in me from the music critic, in hopes of writing a purely objective review. It’ll be close.

The Arrival
My husband and I arrived in Orlando around 2:30 pm following a long drive. Gary Numan was playing the Club Firestone that evening, but we had been informed to queue up for the meet and greet no later than 4:15. After figuring out the parking situation, and having a picnic in the vehicle, we walked to the back of the venue and asked the people setting up the show if we were in the right place. Everyone we spoke to related to the venue and the show could not have been more helpful throughout the entire event. Hubby has a rare medical condition, and necessities for his comfort were cheerfully attended to.

The Sound Check
Around 4 pm, one of Gary’s staff came around to check ID for the meet and greet, and to provide us with further instructions. A short time later, all of the VIP ticket holders were ushered into the building and directed to sit on the two stairs that separated the levels of the half-moon shaped venue. Up on the stage, amidst equipment that was being set up and tested, was Gary Numan and his band: Ade Fenton (keyboards), David Brooks (keyboards), Richard Beasley (drums), Steve Harris (guitar) and Tim Muddiman (bass).

For the next two and a half hours, we were treated to the awe-inspiring spectacle of a master form his craft in front of our eyes. In a word, it was mesmerizing. We even heard snippets of songs that were about to be played in their entirety in the near future. Talk about an adrenaline rush! Gary and Co. were absorbed by what they were doing, but at one point when I led a cheer following a partial song, Gary looked up and flashed us one of his polar icecap-melting grins. It was as if to say, “You finally woke up!”

The Meet and Greet
We were called up by name to talk to Gary Numan and have a picture (or two) taken. The man is incredibly gracious, friendly, and has the priceless ability to make whomever he is talking to feel like they’ve known him forever. I really worried that I would be so gobsmacked that I would be speechless. But, I felt so at ease, we actually had a brief conversation about immigration, Florida, and what his music has meant to me. Looking back at the photos my husband dutifully shot during our exchange, Gary looked so animated and connected, giving the impression of a meeting between old friends.

The Show
Gary Numan doesn’t just use synthesizers as an accompaniment – the synthesizers are used to orchestrate the very core of the music. It takes a huge amount of skill to use synthesizers as the foundation of song after song without sounding cheesy. Numan is an absolute master in drawing out the very heart and soul of a song by giving a heartbeat and breath to electronics. He also ensures that his light show is up to par with the music. It was breathtaking to behold, especially considering he packs the whole kit ‘n kaboodle along with him as he travels.

Numan was true to the sound of the original Pleasure Principal selections. The reason behind his reach for absolute perfection during the sound check was apparent throughout the performance. During the past week, I have listened to live recordings of The Pleasure Principal tracks performed in the early 80′s. Aside from Numan’s voice being slightly throatier, Sunday night’s music was nearly identical, giving it an authentic, rich feel.

The love and energy flowing between the crowd and Gary Numan was actually palpable. As the show wore on, Gary became more animated and energized. It was like watching batteries recharge. Numan interacted with the audience, becoming one with his fans, drawing them up into his magical sphere.

As he skillfully moved through the set, the instruments changed along with the music. Midway through the set, Numan’s keyboard was removed and replaced by his guitar. The wired mic was replaced with wireless when Numan sang sans instrument. He was poetry in motion, bringing us up to date in time with his later genre of Gothic/Industrial, mining for the deepest emotions, pouring his heart out and laying it bare for the audience to envelope.

The Encore
When Numan and co. exited the stage following an exhausting, satisfying set, the crowd refused to let up their applause and adulation. Gary and the band returned for another three songs, including “Are ‘Friends’ Electric.” The show defies adequate description. Those that paid the ridiculously reasonable general admission rate of $25.00, certainly got so much more than their money’s worth. Those of us that paid the VIP rate also received well over our tickets’ face value.

I had high expectations for this, in my case, once in a lifetime event. I could not have been happier with the results. The music critic in me was satisfied with a professional and energetically performed show. The rabid fan in me is eternally grateful for my best concert experience ever, hosted by a most gracious and unassuming artist. Thank you Gary Numan for October 17, 2010. It is a day I’ll happily relive in detail for the rest of my days.

Purchase Gary Numan music and merchandise here.  

Visit Gary Numan’s official website.  

“Films” via YouTube user GaryNumanOfficial:

“Haunted” via YouTube user GaryNumanOfficial:

“Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” via YouTube user GaryNumanOfficial:

“Replicas” montage via YouTube user knightvision1228:

“Pure” via YouTube user deadliner:

The Pleasure Principle Live Tour play list:

Random
Airlane
Metal
Films
M.E.
Tracks
Observer
Conversation
Complex
Cars
Engineers
Asylum
The Fall
Pure
Down In The Park
Haunted
Halo
Jagged
Are ‘Friends’ Electric?
We Are So Fragile
A Prayer For The Unborn

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 07-27-10

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Something for everyone tonight. The songs ran the gamut of New Wave to post-punk to pure punk. And even if you’d heard it before, perhaps Ed dished up a mix that was a bit on the obscure side. It’s always a treat to hear a favorite in a whole new arrangement.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “a good DJ is like a master chef” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/Post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

CFRC-FM Playlist July 27, 2010

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario
ED-FM ~ Retrospect
80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck
If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/
Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.
To listen to any shows that you may have missed, go to the CFRC website and look up the archives under the “Programming” drop-down menu. You can enjoy Ed’s previous shows in one-hour increments.

Payola$ – Rose
Alarm – Rain In The Summertime (12 inch thunder mix)
Yello – Vicious Games (extended)
Play Dead – Conspiracy (Saigon mix)
Vis-à-Vis – I Am The Night (Colour Me Black)
Moev – Wanting (12 inch)
Sex Gang Children – Beasts
New Order – Everything’s Gone Green (12 inch)
Boulevard Noir – Images Of Concrete Toys
Spoons – Nova Heart (7 inch single)
Peter Murphy – Blue Heart (12 inch)
Hawaiian Pups – Ode To Young Boys
Thought – Rapture
Rough Trade – What’s The Furor About The Fuhrer?
Ministry – Nature of Love
Transition Vamp – Tell That Girl To Shut Up
Indochine – Trois Nuits Par Semaine
Extras – Fever Fire
Martha & The Muffins – Swimming

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 06-15-10

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Tonight’s show was just the shot in the arm this world-weary body needed. Any playlist that includes both David Sylvian and Peter Murphy is a winner in my book. Ed shaped his show’s theme around the upcoming August 6-8 concert in Hamilton, ON, called Festival of Friends. It will feature, among others, A Flock Of Seagulls, Peter Murphy, and Squeeze. That’s an 80’s dream line-up. Wish I could be there to see it. Check out the line-up for yourself at http://www.creativearts.on.ca/performers.html.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “obscurity rules, top 40 drools” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/Post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

CFRC-FM Playlist June 15, 2010

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario
ED-FM ~ Retrospect
80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck
If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/
Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.
To listen to any shows that you may have missed, go to the CFRC website and look up the archives under the “Programming” drop-down menu. You can enjoy Ed’s previous shows in one-hour increments.

U2 – Gloria
Diodes – That Was The Way It Was
BB Gabor – Soviet Jewellry (Nyet Nyet Soviet)
Ultravox – I Can’t Stay Long
Martha & The Muffins – Come Out & Dance
Japan – Adolescent Sex
Squeeze – Cool For Cats
A Flock Of Seagulls – Committed
Peter Murphy – The Line Between The Devil’s Teeth (12 inch)
Simple Minds – Promised You A Miracle
Spoons – Smiling In Winter
Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart (Peel Sessions)
Box – Dancing On The Grave (12 inch)
David Byrne – Big Business (12 inch)
Romeo Void – A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)
Boys Brigade – Africa
Danielle Dax – The Shamenen
Chameleons UK – Tomorrow Never Knows
Chalk Circle – Superman (Meets The Man Of Steel)
The The – Sweet Bird Of Truth (12 inch)

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Cassandra Complex

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Cassandra Complex began as an avant-garde act when Rodney Orpheus met Paul Dillon in Leeds. Andy Booth, who was a journalist that interviewed the band, later joined their ranks.

Cassandra Complex music can be described as being 80′s Goth with a smattering of industrial thrown in for fun. I have a huge soft spot for Goth/industrial, my ears perking up whenever David Marsden or Ed-FM feature the genre. Moody, heavy, and extremely expressive, Cassandra Complex definitely has what it takes to do justice to the style.

The band released their first single, the appropriately titled “March”, in March 1985. When Dillon subsequently left, the band recruited John Marchini, with Jez Willis and Keith Langley providing back-up. The newly reformed Cassandra Complex released a live cassette and was signed to the local label Rouska.

In 1988, Marchini and Booth left, leaving Orpheus to recruit a new line-up for 1989′s Satan, Bugs Bunny, and Me album. Hamburg guitarist Volker Zacharias joined a year later, and remains to this day. Over the years, more personnel changes ensued, but the band currently continues to tour, with another album due to be released this year.

Cassandra Complex music can be found here.

Official Cassandra Complex website.

Rodney Orpheus website.

One Millionth Happy Customer via YouTube user Shams79:

“March” via YouTube user rodneyorpheus:

“Defcon 1” via Youtube user Waver80:

“Power” via YouTube user Dexbam:

Discography

Grenade (1986)
Theomania (1988)
Satan, Bugs Bunny, and me … (1989)
Cyberpunx (1990)
The War Against Sleep (1991)
Sex & Death (1993)
Wetware (2000)

80’s Music Rules ~ More from Retrospect CFRC-FM ~ 06-01-10

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Once again, Ed provided us with the perfect music for a hot, sultry night. Not only were the tunes high-temp, there was a bit of island salsa thrown in for fun. Then, if you weren’t already revved up, Ed threw in Yello’s “The Race.” I don’t care how cranky or out-of-sorts you might be. By the end of two hours of Retrospect, you will be refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated.

Be sure to tune in to Ed and his “the music is always freshly obscure around here” 80’s Retrospect show on CFRC-FM from 8 pm until 10 pm on Tuesday nights. Ed takes requests by phone: (613) 533-CFRC (2372) or email: retrospectcfrc at yahoo dot ca. Indulge yourself in some “80’s Music that doesn’t suck.” I guarantee die-hard 80’s New Wave/Post-punk fans will not be disappointed.

CFRC-FM Playlist June 1, 2010

Basement of Carruthers Hall in Queens University, Kingston, Ontario
ED-FM ~ Retrospect
80’s Music That Doesn’t Suck
If the “Listen Live” link on the CFRC Website doesn’t work, copy and paste this URL into your Windows Media Player: http://sunsite.queensu.ca:8000/
Join us in the Chat Room during the show – either click the link on the right menu under the Rave and Roll graphic, or here.
To listen to any shows that you may have missed, go to the CFRC website and look up the archives under the “Programming” drop-down menu. You can enjoy Ed’s previous shows in one-hour increments. 

1.      The The – Uncertain Smile  
2.      Passions – I’m In Love With A German Film Star
3.      Rough Trade – Deca-Dance
4.      Cannon Heath Down – Bone Of Contention
5.      Kid Creole & The Coconuts – Annie, I’m Not Your Daddy
6.      Cassandra Complex – One Millionth Happy Customer
7.      Yello – The Race (12 inch)
8.      Camper Van Beethoven – Abundance
9.      Vital Sines – Rhythm Dark
10. Glove – Mouth To Mouth
11. Yeah Yeah Noh – Superimposed Man
12. Taxi Girl – Cherchez Le Garcon
13. Robbie Rox – Let’s Get Dirty
14. Damned – Edward the Bear
15. Captain Sensible – Brenda Part I
16. Captain Sensible – Brenda  Part II
17. BB Gabor – Metropolitan Life
18. Rational Youth – Cite Phosphore (extended)
19. Ministry – Work For Love (extended)
20. Waterboys – Whole Of The Moon
21. Fad Gadget – Collapsing New People

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ (Much More Than) One-Hit Wonders

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It’s time to go on a rant about extraordinarily gifted artists and bands who were unfairly labeled “one-hit wonders.” Oftentimes, these artists were not properly promoted after charting; although they continued producing incredible music, the powers that be at the record companies and radio stations turned a deaf ear in order to promote the next flavor of the month. We, the listeners, were the big losers.

So much fantastic music from the 80′s has since been unearthed, that it’s not even necessary to listen to the contemporary repetitive swill out there. My iPod has 10 days’ worth of obscure 80′s listening gems. Each week, when I listen to the champions of the little guys, David Marsden and Ed-FM, I am treated to even more music that wasn’t promoted, that should have been, and that absolutely rocks.

This week will showcase three wrongly identified “one-hit wonders.” I urge you, if you haven’t already done so, to explore and enjoy their music. You will discover music your ears have been longing for, that will soothe your soul, and make you fall in love with your speakers all over again.

Gary Numan

Numan’s first group, Tubeway Army, scored big hits with “Cars” and “Are Friends Electric” back in the late 70′s/early 80′s. Since then, Gary Numan has been a very busy man, working hard to reinvent himself and finally finding success with a move to a decidedly Goth/Industrial/Dark Wave genre. Starting in the mid-90′s, Numan hit his stride with the albums Sacrifice, Exile, Pure, Hybrid, Jagged, and the latest, Dead Son Rising (sheduled to be released later in 2010). Never heard of them? If you enjoy Dark Wave, do yourself a huge favor and check them out. Both Trent Reznor and Marilyn Manson have cited Numan as an influence. Exile and Hybrid are personal favorites of mine. Gary Numan has transcended Tubeway Army in a huge way and deserves much more than the limited success of the past 15 years.

 

“Absolution” via YouTube user Patrickingham21:

“Exile” via YouTube user MollyClark4430:

“Haunted” via YouTube user Industrial82:

Modern English

Modern English scored a big hit in the 80′s with “I Melt With You.” If you haven’t taken the time to listen to any other of their eclectic 80′s tunes, you are cheating your ears out of pure pleasure in a big way. Their four 80′s LPs were Mesh and Lace (1981), After the Snow (1982), Ricochet Days (1984), and Stop Start (1986). My personal favorite is “Someone’s Calling” from the After The Snow LP. Definitely take the time to go back and check out any Modern English music you may not have heard the first time around. This band deserved to be more than a “don’t blink or you’ll miss them” phenomenon.

“Someone’s Calling” via YouTube user ealdrett:

“Ink and Paper” via YouTube user delahuerta:

Blue Peter

Virtually unknown outside of Canada, Blue Peter enjoyed a couple of hits with “Don’t Walk Past” and “Radio Silence.” The band, led by Paul Humphrey, continues to play in and around Toronto to this day. If you like the style of David Byrne, front man of Talking Heads, you’ll love Blue Peter. Humphrey embodies all that is great about Byrne, with a little David Bowie and Bryan Ferry thrown in for fun. Criminally underrated doesn’t even begin to describe Blue Peter’s talent. Even if you were lucky enough to have heard either of their hits back in the 80′s, chances are you missed out on gems such as “Falling,” “Take Me to War.” “All Your Time,” “Unchained Heart,” and “Video Verite.”

 

“Don’t Walk Past” via YouTube user johnmcboston:

“I Walk Alone” via YouTube user orbitalpopdog:

“Video Verite” via YouTube user orbitalpopdog:

80′s Music Rules ~ Legendary DJ David Marsden and His New Broadcast Schedule

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(Click the link for previous posts about David Marsden.)

Canadian DJ David Marsden has been an icon of free-form broadcasting for the past four decades. Imagine radio as you would personally program it, and look no further. David has given life to the word “eclectic” by successfully combining music that is multi-genre, spans different musical periods, and is usually found way under the radar.

Marsden’s most well-known accomplishment, besides being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was launching CFNY back in the late 70′s from a small yellow house in Brampton, ON. It was here that he gave life to little-known bands, and coined a name for his type of off-the-cuff broadcasting – “free-form.” CFNY became such a vital presence to radio broadcasting that it was the subject of Rush’s 1980 hit “Spirit of Radio.”

Recently, David has been a well-received and popular fixture at 94.9 FM The Rock out of Oshawa, Ontario Canada. Broadcasting live and streaming over the Internet, his show has had a solid seven-year run on Thursday and Friday nights from 7 p.m. to midnight (EST). Four years ago, “Sistahmar,” roving Ambassador for the Marsbar Theatre, opened a chat room located on a portalx server. While the show is in progress, fans from all over the world gather in the chat room to discuss life, the universe, and above all, music amongst themselves and with David himself. It’s a cheerful, warm gathering place for like-minded folks to kick back, relax, and form lasting bonds. The members of the “Marsbar Family” celebrate each other’s victories and hold one another up through life’s challenges. Newcomers are warmly welcomed and encouraged to visit.

So, you can imagine the international uproar as a result of last week’s announcement with David stating on the air he had something very important to share with all of us. He thought he would be able to make the full announcement this past Thursday night, but was foiled by a legal snafu. Instead, all he would share, before closing the show, was that it would be the last Thursday he would be broadcasting from The Rock.

This news stunned everyone, and spread like wildfire via email and social networking sites. Speculation abounded, not all of it positive. Was David going to retire? Was he only going to broadcast Friday nights? Was he leaving The Rock and moving on to another venue? Friday dragged by and stomach butterflies multiplied for many of us as we waited for 7 p.m. and the start of the show. Status statements on FaceBook were not encouraging as a number of fans came to grips with worst-case scenarios. Bottom line, no matter what David had decided, we all only wanted the best for him. After giving his entire life to making others happy, he more than deserves the same happiness for himself.

At approximately 9:20 p.m. last night, David finally shared his plan with us. In addition to the untold thousands tuned in worldwide, a record-breaking fifty-five fans gathered in the chat room to hear the news. It was awkward for those of us on time-delay (43 seconds for the broadcast to reach my speakers here in south Florida) as the comments in the chat room flew by. They started out being full of fear and consternation, and ended up as cheering and verbal high-fiving. As David’s words finally reached my ears, I was already overjoyed by the reactions I was reading as they scrolled by in super-fast motion. The announcement: David was staying on with The Rock and moving his two-night show to Saturday and Sunday nights from 7 p.m. until midnight, starting March 6th. What a win-win situation – for David, his fans, and The Rock.

Here’s to the start of a new Marsbar Theatre era; one that is sure to be filled with laughs, fantastic music, warmth, good cheer, great friends, and above all, David Marsdens’s own unique brand of fan-centric free-form broadcasting. It doesn’t get any better than this.

To view David’s music lists, visit RalphD’s website.

Some music you might hear on David Marsden’s show from 94.9 The Rock:

“Japan – Quiet Life” via YouTube user ecallender:

“Slave to the SQUAREwave – Healing Hands” via YouTube user slavetothesquarewave:

 “Brendan Canning – Love Is New” via YouTube user artscrafts:

“Sisters Of Mercy – Lucretia, My Reflection” via YouTube user rhubarbcream:

“Timber Timbre – Lay Down In The Tall Grass” via YouTube user fluffywalrus:

 “Lou Reed – Dirty Boulevard” via YouTube user jasonjarvis1988:

80′s Music Rules ~ Criminally Underrated Artists/ Bands ~ Killing Joke

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Today’s entry is a walk on the Post-punk wild side. You may know Killing Joke for their quasi-hit “Love Like Blood” released in 1985. Truthfully, they are another 80′s band I wasn’t aware of until many years after their debut, thanks to the tasteless wasteland of South Florida radio.

Killing Joke formed in Notting Hill, London, England in 1978, right in the midst of a punk scene taking the world by storm. Founding members were Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Paul Ferguson (drums). Geordie Walker (guitar) and Martin Glover (bass) joined after responding to an ad.

Starting out as purely punk, the group’s style was eventually coined as “industrial.” Several well-known bands that formed later on cited Killing Joke as an influence: Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, Jane’s Addiction, to name a few. Legendary DJ John Peel became enamored of the band’s early sound and promoted them with heavy airplay. Coleman’s caustic vocals, along with instrumentation that evolved more towards heavy metal, earned them a large and enthusiastic following in the UK. The band took its show to the road and gained some well-deserved fame.

As with most bands that never really broke through in a big way worldwide, Killing Joke was plagued with controversy. They were accused of promoting fascism with their appearance and the design of their album covers. The band denied any link to fascism, claiming instead they were apolitical and merely making an ironic statement against the state of the world. At one point, the members moved to Iceland to avoid what they perceived as the upcoming global apocalypse. Once they realized the world wasn’t really coming to an end, they returned to the UK to pick up recording and touring.

After releasing a couple more moderately successful LPs and several singles, Killing Joke changed their sound and veered towrds the use of more electronica. By 1987, Coleman was recording on his own and trying to make a go as a solo act. The record company resisted for budgetary reasons, insisted the material be released as Killing Joke, and the album Outside The Gate was met with mixed reviews. Killing Joke went through another in a long, persistent series of personnel changes, hit the road to tour, and began to once again experience insurmountable personality conflicts. The 80′s were over at this point, and effectively, so was the 80′s iteration of the band.

Coleman and Walker have persevered off and on thoughout the years, and Killing Joke continues to record and tour today. Even though the band was continually plagued with internal squabbles, music critic run-ins, and negative appearance issues, that fact remains that it was strong enough to influence other fledgling-to stardom groups, as well as its own genre of music. If you’re not familiar with Killing Joke, and like your music with a healthy dose of raw edginess, this is a band definitely worth listening to.

Purchase Killing Joke music here.

“Love Like Blood” via YouTube user jim90290:
 

“Requiem (Demo)” via YouTube user spineyExtra:

“Requiem (Live)” via YouTube user wattage:

“Eighties” via YouTube user dentoxic:

80′s Discography

Killing Joke (1980)
What’s THIS For….! (1981)
Revelations (1982)
Fire Dances (1983)
Night Time (1985)
Brighter Than A Thousand Suns (1986)
Outside The Gate (1988)
The Coutauld Talks (1989)
Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions (1990)