I was viewing the latest Simple Minds news the other day at Dream Giver, the best SM information site out there, when I saw that temporary Simple Minds drummer Michael Ogletree is hitting the Rewind Festival this summer with his old companions in – great googly moogly – Fiction Factory! I love those guys, and would certainly like to see them live but the whole 80s fest scene alternately attracts and repels me. I would be lying if I didn’t say there are significant acts I’d love a chance to see live, but for every Fiction Factory, ABC, Heaven 17, or China Crisis, there’s a Go West, Rick Astley, or Cutting Crew. Yech. And that whole “wax museum of pop” vibe is depressing to me. Roll ’em out, Get ’em off. Set up the next act; just like tenpins. [ninepins in the UK, though]
That got me to considering just how many of my favorite post-punk acts have been reforming of late. I cynically noted that when the market tanked big time after the housing/banking crisis collapsed under the weight of the fairy dust that had propped it up for so long, that left a lot of musicians nearing retirement age who must have seen their portfolios – if they had enough sense to take any steps to secure their retirement years to begin with – crashing and burning with an extreme vengeance just a few years shy of cash-in time. I’m 47. Most of the acts I like are older than my peer age; OMD are the young end at 51 but Ferry and Bowie are 65 and 64, respectively. Considering that Messrs. Ferry and Bowie influenced an entire generation of my favorite acts, it’s safe to say that any acts I like who are still alive [R.I.P. Mr. MacKenzie] must be considering that it’s now or never to shore up their IRAs and retirement portfolios in time to reap the benefits just a handful of years down the line. Fortunately, the amount of money available to those who capitulate to this trend should be much more than they ever saw in their heydays, when selling records was the way musicians got paid. Good luck with that, by the way. Yeah, the field of acts trying for one more grab at the brass ring is so crowded you’d need a scorecard to keep up … [cue harp run]
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Post-Punk Monk 
Nicely done Jim. If I may indulge myself to add one of my faves – Wang Chung.
Consistently overlooked rockers who never comfortably fit into a convenient category. Saddled with a punchline worthy novelty hit which overshadowed their considerable accomplishments throughout the 80s.
X SPLIT X REFORMED
Completed a very successful U.S. tour in 2010 showcasing fine new material along with the hits. Taking their time with their release schedule featuring a series of EPs, but obviously plan to build momentum at a pace of their choosing.
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Well that was wonderful!
If I may, and I know this is going to be taking advantage as a reply, but here goes —
Heaven 17 – their return in 96/97 with Bigger Than America was stunning. The last two albums may have been a bit patchy, but I think there is a lot left in Messrs. Ware and Gregory!
Numan – an all time favorite for me, I have been to London 4 times in the past 25 yrs to see him!
Human League – Have to agree, while I find Credo listenable, it isn’t a memorable as I hoped it would be. Some of the songs seem force – as if they are searching for the Dare magic.
Devo – Liked the single last year, the album was a bit flat. I lost interest after Freedom of Choice probably because they turned a bit novelty as they ascended in popularity.
Shriekback – As I revisit them every once and a while, I really only love the first two albums.
OMD – After they “americanized” their sound and got the John Hughes treatment, I really shied away from OMD. I was really fond of the OneTwo album Instead. It made me want to hear those tracks as proper OMD songs. It was the great surprise of last years releases how excellent History of Modern is. I have listened to it every week since it was released. It’ is great iPod in the convertible music!!
Japan – from out of sync Dolls/Glam to groundbreaking, made me really sad when it ended – I did get three for one for a while though as Sylvian, Karn (RIP) and Jansen/Barbieri put out some amazing stuff leading up to the Rain Tree Crow album. That album is gorgeous but obviously re-sheened by Sylvian and Steve Nye after all was recorded.
Fiction Factory – I need to investigate more. I only know Feels Like Heaven.
Simple Minds – I’ve been here before. I agree completely with your assessment. I am currently getting more into the mid 90’s releases and beginning to see what you were talking about when you steered me back to listening to them again. When it comes right down to it, the fact that the same band put out Empires and Dance, New Gold Dream, Sparkle In The Rain and Street Fighting Years is at the same time pretty amazing and somewhat diappointing – yeah I still don’t get Street Fighting Years.
Magazine – First among so so many, followers of their own muse. 4 seminal albums (yeah I know most say 3) and it burns me that I didn’t get to England to see the reunion. I know I have really high expectations for the new one, but I think I will be rewarded.
Duran Duran – 3 albums to climb on top of the Pop World. Personalities see them tumble down. Lots of restarts and misfires, but the new album, really the guidance of mega-fan Mark Ronson, has found them back on form. This is really Nick Rhodes album. All the knobs and dials are twiddled, and computer keys are set to perfection.
John Foxx – diehard fan here! His recent album with Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie is magical!
Was Not Was – Loved them when they were part of the No Wave/New Wave/Funk scene in NYC back at the beginning of the 80’s, but the Was Bros. Foray into producing everything from Bob Dylan to working with American Idol has turned me off for the better part of 25 yrs.
Ultravox – I SO want the new album to remind me of Rage In Eden and Quartet. If it finds the magic of Vienna then I will know they signed a pact with the devil (if the devil is Conny Plank). I really fear the possibility of it being U-Vox II. By the way, Ultravox performing Quartet, with a full stage straight off the cover of the album, at Avery Fisher Hall back in 82/83 is one of my greatest concert memories. The ushers were so caught off guard they kept trying to get us to sit back down in our seats.
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Echorich – Well.
H17 – I agree completely that “Bigger Than America” was a stunner. “Before After” sounded good but was completely lacking in socio-political content. And that at a time when our society was begging for another “Fascist Groove Thang” from them was disappointing. I don’t have “Naked As Advertised” and in fact, forgot about it until now! [memo to self…]
Numan – I have a nice, compact collection [all Asylum JPN boxes + Numa Years Box, New Anger, Sharpe + Numan’s “Automatic” plus “Exile] and it ended with “Exile” for me. The followup to “Exile” seemed like more of the same, so I didn’t take the bait. I thought “Sacrifice” was world class from him. A real return to form which didn’t lead anywhere else for me. I saw him in a tiny club on the US “Exile” tour. Not a good night for him through no fault of his own. The promoter bumped him on the night of the show from a large, expansive club to a tiny box they owned and he was livid. The first half of the set, he looked like he wanted to rip someone’s head off.
DEVO – I haven’t heard the new album yet. As they faded after FOC, they became less of a priority for me, though I am fond of “Total Devo,” strangely enough. I never heard “Smooth Noodle Maps!” That single [“Post-Post Modern Man”] was toxic enough to scare me off that for life. I still find the debut boldly crucial. I’ve never seen them, but would now, given the chance. They were supposed to play Moogfest in town last year, but one of the Bobs tore a ligament in his hand two days before the show. A relief to me since I HATE festivals and didn’t want to spend $100 to see them do a 1 hour set in a packed venue… maybe. Of course, there’s no guarantee that you’ll see a band in a festival unless you have plenty of time to kill! None of the other acts, with the remote exception of Hot Chip were worth a damn for me – most were rappers. For Moogfest…?! WTF??
Fiction Factory – “Throw The Warped Wheel Out” has a couple of tracks produced by Alan Rankine and definitely features his synth you’ll recognize from the “Affectionate Punch” remix. It’s smooth but good stuff that was not overplayed, apart from the hit [which I thought sounded like ABC’s similarly lush “All Of My Heart”]. The second album, “Another Story,” is a big leap forward! It was recorded and mixed at Castlesound by Callum Malcolm. They don’t end up sounding like The Blue Nile, but they sound almost as arresting. Malcolm really knows how to use space, even in the busier arrangements FicFac offered.
Simple Minds – Yeah, “Street Fighting Years” is possibly the worst album by a favorite artist in my long, and storied list. I still need the Jim Kerr solo album. I think I’ll love it since I’m enjoying where his head is at now a lot. It seems like he’s “going electro” with his solo material rather than trying to drag Charlie there in the band. That’s smarter than I would have given him credit for years ago. I haven’t gotten the Kerr album yet because there’s so damned many formats of it, there’s no tidy way to “get it all” with a single purchase, and I’m still bristling at that! It helps that the band material is also rather good again! I appreciated echoes of the trance style of “Sons + Fascination” on “Graffiti Soul.” It was exciting to hear Mel Gaynor drumming in the Brian McGee krautrock style for the first time ever.
Magazine – Did you get the CD/DVD/T-shirt pack from Wire-Sound? I missed the UK tour too [it hurt], but the nice package is the next best thing to being there. http://www.wire-sound.com/shop/magazine/magazine–real-life–thereafter-dvd/
I still need to convert the PAL DVD for viewing on my NTSC, old-fashioned television. Memo to self…
Duran Duran – I’m looking forward to eventually hearing the new album [once I pick the “right” version to get – these multiple formats are hell]. Amazingly, I think Vinny and I are the only fans who loved “Red Carpet Massacre!” And I daresay, I rate it more highly than Sir Vero.
John Foxx – All of John’s recent iconic shows in the UK are killing me. My wife says that for my 50th birthday [2 years from now] we are going wherever he’s playing close to the day itself. Incidentally, my wife told me that I share a birthday with Mr. Foxx! As a loooooongtime fan, I was embarrassed to not have already known this! So, what do John Foxx, Bryan Ferry and I have in common? Now you know.
Was Not Was – I think all of the albums are great. Maybe “Are You Okay” is weaker, but still nothing to be too ashamed about. As for Don Was production, his best will always be the brain-boggling “Sleep It Off” by Cristina. If you’ve not heard that, get thee to a nunnery!
Ultravox – If the new album hits “Quartet” territory, I’ll be pleasantly surprised. If it’s as good as “Rage” I’ll duly genuflect. There’s no way in hell they can be as good as “Vienna” again, and even that was only a clumsy echo of “Systems Of Romance.” Lyrically, at least. The music functions as a great next step forward. I don’t think it will be UVOX II, since Ure’s solo career takes full care of that possibility! You saw Ultravox performing Quartet, with a full stage straight off the cover of the album, at Avery Fisher Hall back in 82/83?! Did you have an idea at the time how they were going to end “The Voice?” I had to scrape my jaw off of the floor when MTV aired that “Monument” concert! I thought the US Quartet tour was cancelled at the last minute!! I’ve never had the pleasure [grind/gnash] but will severely browbeat the band if OMD can successfully tour the US and not them. Sure, at least OMD had 5 hit singles, but they were at least willing to tour cheaply to make it work here.
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I am well impressed (as my Geordie friend Jocelyn would say) that you can even name check Cristina. I am a Ze Records completist!! All those Material, Christian, James Chance, Was Not Was, et al tracks are near and dear to me!! Hearing Cristina sing Drive My Car made give away the Beatles albums I had inherited from an older cousin and really never listened to.
You are right the Monument tour ended up being I believe only 3 US shows. There was a lot of controversy about them playing Avery Fisher Hall because the Philharmonic Society thought a rock and roll audience would tear up the Hall – a Rock and Roll audience!!! Very insulting…lol. I have two words to describe that show – Awe Inspiring! I remember feeling as if I was in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis the stage was that omnipresent.
H 17 just announced the Luxury Gap tour for October…my new goal for the year.
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Echorich – ¡Ay dios mio! I just saw the posting on Martyn Ware’s blog. Events like this at the Roundhouse are damaging me! If you make it there, let me know. I’ll front you $$$ for a T-shirt. At least I’ll have that to get me through life. That Music of Quality + Distinction show is the one I’d sell a kidney for, even without MacKenzie attending. Were he there, I might be missing a left arm if you saw me afterward.
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Nice entry. I’d add ABC to that list. Not sure “they” ever split, as Martin Fry has continually performed (and sporadically recorded) under the ABC moniker. Their last album, 2008’s unexpectedly strong “traffic,” even made my top ten list of that year. I’ve seen them several times now in 80’s touring packages, and they really do deliver onstage too.
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Taffy – I just finally got “Traffic” and am enjoying it this week. I guess I should have included them since when Martin and Mark broke up I [along with everyone else] thought we didn’t have ABC to kick around anymore. Of course, the “Skyscraping” album is immense to me; it’s my favorite ABC album and technically, it was a reformation in a sense. “Traffic” is not as far reaching, though I appreciate its songs quite a bit. A solid “B” to “Skyscraping’s” “A+.” That whole Roxy-Pistols vibe rules for me! I’d love to see ABC but when they came to my State a few years back it was a mid-week “80s package” that would have required time off from work plus considerable traveling expenses. If it was a headlining event, I might have justified the expense, but no – they were together with the likes of Culture Club and Mister Mister [or something like that].
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Ooh, i think i have to revisit Skyscraping – haven’t played that one in years. Meanwhile, better late than never regarding your purchase of Traffic!
My ABC concert experiences include both Regeneration tours; the second one with ABC headlining (over Cutting Crew and Wang Chung, bands I have never cared for) with a full set drawn from their excellent catalog. Big props to Martin Fry for maintaining the supple, emotional quality of his vocals 30 years on from Lexicon of Love.
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Taffy – Better late than never for “Traffic!” I only waited three years to hear it!! Do you know how rare it is for me to hear anything the year of its release???!! I’m always trying to catch up with the past. And I’m a
cheap-assed bastard…thrifty guy, who learned with the advent of used record stores, that you could get most anything for a lot less if you were willing to wait.LikeLike
I’ve seen ABC 3 times since the late 90’s. Once on a bill with Human League and Culture Club at Wembley Arena for my birthday in the late 90’s, once here in Tampa Bay, after the VH-1 reunion with David Palmer and the last time was upon the release of Traffic at the Canal Room, possibly the smallest club/stage in Mahattan in 2008. In all cases Martin and company were totally on point. The show with HL and CC was interesting as ABC was on in the middle. HL were kinda sad, the girls vocals were lost in the mix and Culture Club rushed through the whole show…actually we left half way through to go to a pub. Martin in silver, then gold lame was the star!
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Echorich – Not too much love for Culture Club here. I don’t blame you for bolting. The first two times I saw OMD in the 80s [opening for Thompson Twins] my friends and I blew off The Twins, who we were seeing two years late by then. And I like Thompson Twins a lot more than Culture Club!
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Human League, but I have my eyes wide open. After “Dare” only “Octopus” and “Secrets” were consistently good. The US only “Fascination” EP was way better than “Hysteria.” The less said about “Romantic?” the better. “Crash” does not even exist in my world. “Night People” appealed enough, but the second track that surfaced with Autotune® sounded already past its sell-by date in exactly the same way that all of the 8-bit-orchestra-hit-samples® on the Oakey-Moroder album most assuredly did!
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It’s funny you bring up the Oakey-Moroder project – one which I have no love for – as I was just listening to the Moroder remixes of Designing Heaven from H17’s Bigger Than America. His production brings nothing really to the table. I wouldn’t be surprised actually if it is a case of him putting his name to one of his engineer’s work…similar to Pete Waterman in the 80’s. Another case of good idea done possibly 15 yrs too late. Now if he had remixed say, Crushed by the Wheels of Industry…
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Echorich – How I love “Bigger Than America!” But the Moroder mix of “Designing Heaven” is probably just as you surmise. I thought the best H17/Moroder mix was the Mainline mix of “Train Of Love In Motion!” (irony) What a fantastic tune that was! That rekindled my love for H17 after the disappointing “How Men Are” and the supremely disappointing “Pleasure One.”
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