This coming Wednesday, I’m off to see New Order at the Carling Academy.
Quite simply, Barney, Hooky, Stephen & Gillian made records that were huge and important to me – from my late teens and onwards through university and into the big adult world of life and work. This was the band that taught me how to dance…whether that’s a good thing or not, I need to leave to the judgement of anyone who knows me.
It’s now the best part of 25 years since I first saw them live. That was Coasters in Edinburgh, and just a few days later it was Tiffany’s Ballroom in Glasgow. Since then, I’ve caught them on every tour in this part of the world, and it has to be admitted sometimes they have been rotten. Last time out however at the Barrowland (I think it was three years ago), they were magnificent, covering all aspects of the back catalogue as well as a couple of Joy Division numbers. I’m hoping for much the same this coming Wednesday.
So for the next few days, all I’m going to be posting are New Order songs along with some cover versions from various acts all around the world. Oh, and there will also at some point be a posting of the best ever New Order rip-off by an established band. Any one want to offer a guess who it might be?
First up is something that takes me back to Level 8 of Strathclyde Students Union circa 1983/4. Especially on Thursday nights when it was a lot quieter – the DJs would take requests and you had loads of space to do whatever silly dance you came up with. Life was pretty idyllic. Oh, to be that thin and have that much hair and energy once again.
Age of Consent – New Order (mp3)
Available on Power, Corruption & Lies which if you don’t own, you must buy it.
Today’s cover version is from an album released in 1989 – ‘The Prince of Wales’ by Devine & Statton.
Ian Devine was the guitarist in Ludus in the 8os – a band more famous for being the brainchild of Linder Sterling (a lifetime friend of Morrissey – an achievement in itself). Alison Statten was the lead singer in another 80s band – Young Marble Giants. Google the names for some fascinating stuff.
Bizarre Love Triangle – Devine & Statten (mp3)
It’s one of those times when a great record is changed into something totally different and remains a great record.
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