It’s hard to know exactly what that means. It doesn’t necessarily mean this five song EP, “1981-1982 New Order”, by New Order is the eighth release by Factory Records. Read more about Factory’s curious numbering system.
This collection of singles is not as synth-heavy as their later stuff. I like it a lot more than I remembered. There are more details here.
This Madness collection of “16 hit tracks”, titled “Complete Madness”, is, of course, excellent. It’s hard to believe they had so many popular singles so early on, but they sure enough did. I noticed that some of the songs are slightly different from the original album versions. I like every song here, but my faves are “Bed And Breakfast Man” and “Grey Day.”
It’s a two-fer Thursday! That’s because we have two versions of the exact same Falco 12 inch, “Der Kommissar.” One has the standard plain black DJ sleeve, and the other a vibrant color jacket with a picture of Falco, a.k.a. Johann (Hans) Hölzel. Both pieces of vinyl have the exact same songs, serial numbers, and the year, 1982. But the color sleeve is dated 1983. (?) In the US, people are more likely to be familiar with After The Fire’s cover version of “Der Kommissar”, which came out in 1983. This one is better. You can’t beat early ’80s rapping, in German!
Falco died in a vehicle accident in 1998. He was barely 40. I wish we had more of his stuff, at least “Rock Me Amadeus.” The video for that one is a must-see, and I’ve included it below. Lucky you!
Songs on these 12 inches:
“Der Kommissar (The Commissioner)”
“Auf Der Flucht (On The Run)”
“Helden Von Heute (Alles Wartet Auf) (Today’s Heroes)”
Acquired: I really don’t know when or where, but it was a long time ago.
Keeper: Yes
Yes, the name of this live Killing Joke EP is “HA”, in quotes. It’s in an oddball format, 10 inch vinyl. I have only a handful of 10 inch records, and I have no idea why they ever bothered making them this size. This was recorded at what sounds like a small to medium sized club, Larry’s Hideaway, Toronto. Somehow Killing Joke manage to produce their usual heavy and dense sound, even out of the studio, and I think the excellent drumming is a big part of that. Overall, it’s OK, but it is Killing Joke.
The six songs are:
“Pssyche” (not a typo!)
“Sun Goes Down”
“The Pandys Are Coming”
“Take Take Take”
“Unspeakable”
“Wardance”
Punk rock, heavy metal, and separately reggae, with heaping helpings of spirituality and weirdness from four black guys from D.C.? Sign me up for some of that! Bad Brains, despite not being that prolific, or maybe because of it, is probably my favorite band, ever, for all-time, into the future even. I can’t imagine a new band creating music this special to me. Their music has a sophistication, and their playing a musicianship pretty much unheard of in the world of “punk” or “hardcore.” From the moment I heard their music I thought it was as exciting as it was unlikely.
This four song EP must be pretty rare. All of the songs, “I And I Survive”, “Destroy Babylon”, “Coptic Times”, and “Joshua’s Song”, were also released on “Rock For Light” a year later. I’m not sure if they are the same versions. I was unable to quickly find another picture of this awesome cover art on the web. So, enjoy it while you’re here. I liked the art on the label on one side of this record so much that it was basis for the tattoo on my massive right bicep. See the pic.
Another interesting tidbit is that this record was produced by Ric Ocasek, of The Cars. Didn’t know Ric was that cool, did ya? To learn more read this article about Bad Brains at Wikipedia.
Acquired: 1986 ? – She probably got it when she was working at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
Keeper: Maybe
This is just between us. I went to see Billy Idol in a concert during what was probably his first big US tour. That’s embarrassing enough, but since we’ve known each other for so long, I’ll keep going. I’m pretty sure what follows, or something similar, is what I was wearing:
Camouflage BDU pants (probably from the local surplus store).
Black tee shirt with the name of a local new-wave band, “The Nerve”, printed on it in neon pink, with the sleeves cut out, because I’m cool and all.
Not sure about the footwear, probably army surplus boots or maybe Vans.
Hair? I wish I could remember because I know it would be funny.
And the best part… a wide black leather wristband with chrome spikes, not sissy studs, spikes!
While we were waiting in line outside, forever, a police officer apparently inspecting the line for trouble-makers saw my wristband and said it had to go. They knew. I was dangerous!
This 12 inch single has a remix of “Hot in The City” on one side and a remix “White Wedding” on the other. It was a promo, but it looks like it’s been sold a few times. Everybody knows these songs; they were huge hits. I even think they’re decent pop songs. But there is one hilarious detail to this version of “White Wedding” that isn’t on the original.
After one of the verses Billy yells “Rock… Music” and then later “Dynamite… (plus something else I couldn’t make out). ” What?!?… What?!? Did he just yell “Rock Music”? And there is a mega “delay” or echo so it’s really more like “ROCK ROCk ROck Rock rock rock… MUSIC MUSIc MUSic MUsic Music music…” What?!? Was this record intended for a non-english-speaking country? In the studio did someone say “Billy just scream the silliest thing you can think of and we’ll make it sound cool with effects”?
Acquired: 1985 ? – Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA?
Keeper: Maybe
Stan Ridgway, the singer of Wall of Voodoo, sounds like he is talking more than singing. And I guess I didn’t listen carefully enough because I don’t know what he’s talking about. Maybe it’s interesting. “Mexican Radio” sounds interesting, whatever it’s about. The flipside “Call of The West” just sounds quirky, which is not interesting, to me, today.
Ah, Van Halen, one of the few mega rock bands with enough guts to record covers and actually put them on their proper albums. Most bands tend relegate covers to b-sides or other oddball releases. Van Halen on the other hand celebrated the covers, with complete respect for the songs and the original artists, and put them out front so folks could hear these tunes again. When their version of Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” came out I remember my friend Bennie, hardcore VH fan, thinking it was goofy, but I thought they rocked it solid. OK, the flipside cover of “Happy Trails” is a little goofy.
There must be a story behind the name “Haircut One Hundred.” All I remember is that these fellows were clean-cut, preppy even, and they seemed very happy to be playing music. At least that’s how it appeared in the video for this single, “Love Plus One.” This is very solid, sophisticated pop. It sounds like they used one of almost every possible instrument on this song and the flipside, “Marine Boy.” Maybe I’m being stingy with my rating of “6.” Mary wouldn’t give me a number.
This is an early-80s 12 inch single. And it is so “80s” sounding that even people born after it was released, and there really are people like that, would know when it was made. Lotsa synths and somewhat mopey vocals. Mary gives it a 5.
Want to know what it's like to have brain surgery? Well here's the long version of my experience. Complete with pictures and videos! Read all about the Brain Surgery Experience.
![Killing Joke -- \"HA\"](http://imheavyduty.heavydutyincorporated.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/killingjokeha.jpg "Killing Joke -- \\"HA\\"")
