Neon Musical Insight

Beginning April 11, former New Order bassist Peter Hook will be embarking on a three-week spoken word tour throughout the U.K., reports Slicing Up Eyeballs. The tour, entitled “An Evening of Unknown Pleasures: Tales from Joy Division, New Order and The Hacienda,” will find Hook delving deeply into his rather large back catalogue of music, while also introducing never-before-seen footage from his past with bands Joy Division, New Order and the Hacienda.

In discussing what will be revealed, Hook said: “We’ve got some interesting stuff that was left out of the Joy Division documentary and I’ve also decided to play a few instrumentals I like the bass on — ‘The Happy One’ and ‘Elegia,’ for example. That gets me out of talking for a few minutes. I’m renowned for my music, not for my talking, so I’ll let some of my music do the talking for me.”

In addition, Hook also is planning a special celebration for the 30th anniversary of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis’ death, in which Hook will perform a Joy Division only set at the Factory on May 18. While little is known at the moment on the event, special guests are expected to appear as well.

Full dates for Hook’s spoken word tour can be found below.

(continue reading ⇒)

Back in November, the Bernard Sumner-fronted Bad Lieutenant had to cancel their scheduled U.S. gigs due to issues with International Customs. In the same statement, Mr. Sumner stated that they still  plan to perform in New York, Chicago and a few other places come 2010.

Staying true to his word, Bad Lieutenant announced today just when those shows will go down, along with a San Francisco show and a quick stop at this year’s Coachella on April 17 (night 1 of 3), which will mark the bands first American performance to date.

On their upcoming American tour, Mr. Sumner had said:

“We are really looking forward to playing our songs live for our fans in the U.S. It’s been some quite time since I have played in America, and we are all very excited about the prospect.” In terms of expectations that fans should have, Sumner added: “The bulk of the set will be Bad Lieutenant songs, but we’ll also play some songs from my past, some New Order songs, some Joy Division, and a few other surprises.”

(continue reading ⇒)

Dayve Hawk — better known as Memory Tapes — made his proper introduction into the music world this past September, with his debut full-length Seek Magic. Widely celebrated, and finishing on many music publications “best albums of 2009″ lists, Seek Magic manages to incorporate a large portion of the diverse influences of Hawk’s past, leaving something for any, and everyone to enjoy. the acclaim may be noticeable, and Memory Tapes may be one of the bigger newcomers in “indie music”, but Hawk still prefers the simple life, avoiding the reliance of auto transportation, or even a landline for that matter. A recluse, thats much more admirable than your average rock star. In the interview below, Hawk discusses everything from his future plans and touring to Janet Jackson.

Neon: How were the holidays?

MT: Stressful (laughs).

Neon: So you’re not the biggest fan of phones or cars, are you?

MT: (Laughs), the phone thing… I’m actually trying to get my hands on one. With driving, I never learned, but now it’s gotten to the point where… I don’t even know (laughs). People ask me and I have no answer. It’s just one of those things that you don’t do for so long that you just get used to it.

Neon: It kind of fits in with your environment with where you’re living in rural Jersey and all…

MT: Yeah, I’ve never been one to go out and do stuff. I’ve always been about if I wanna go out, I’d just go out walking or do something like that. If I had money I’d just buy a guitar pedal or something (chuckles).

Neon: Can you explain the background on the two projects Memory Cassette / Weird Tapes and how they merged into one?

(continue reading ⇒)

I’ve decided to run a top 10 list of 80’s albums based on my opinion (which can be argued as being factual) solely. The 80’s unfortunately catches a bad general rap from mainstream society that typically only remembers the fond times for it’s blonde feathered bangs, and drunken metal/acoustic ballads (I’m pointing my finger at you Bret Michaels.) But I know you, the reader can recall a more innovative, and intellectual time, where bands held pretentious outlooks because they damn right deserved to. I may be talking like I lived through this colorful decade, but truth has it that I was actually only born in the middle of it. Still, these albums have changed my life, and the natural views that I have to surviving in this crazy world.

I could only imagine what it must’ve been like living and experiencing some of these bands live, and first getting your hands on a 7″ like “Unsatisfied” or ” Ceremony.” The reason why I chose to run only the top 10 (as opposed to 25 and so forth) of the decade is because I like the notion of the ten greatest albums over a ten year span. Keeps things interesting…

So without further ado, I present my Top 10 Finest Albums of the 1980’s.

(continue reading ⇒)