WAIST HIGH: June 2011

6/25/2011

Found! Talk Talk Art On Merchandise!

While I continue to await the one reunion that will never happen I was pleased this week to discover the Talk Talk merchandise collection by James Marsh Art & Design at CafePress.

Award winning author and artist James Marsh's abstract work hangs in private and public collections throughout the world and he is celebrated as the designer of all of Talk Talk's iconic album covers including Waist High's all-time favorite album; 1988's Spirit of Eden.

The James Marsh Design Collection includes The Colour of Spring and It's My Life t-shirts and mugs, The Party's Over mouth mug, Spirit of Eden greetings cards, and "My Foolish Friend" wall clocks.

James Marsh can be found at jamesmarsh.com.

Photo: CafePress.com

6/20/2011

Erasure Announces U.S. Tour.

Along with revealing the title of their forthcoming album Tomorrow's World, which is set to be released in the fall, Erasure announced today that they will be touring the U.S. and Canada for the first time in five years.

With a stop in Waist High's own Portland, Oregon, the 25-date U.S. tour begins on Aug. 31 in Tampa, continues through September, and finishes in Seattle on Oct. 6. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 24. See the Erasure website for details.

From Erasure: Tomorrow's World was written in New York, London, and at Vince Clarke's cabin studio in Maine following a short break, which found Andy Bell recording and releasing his second solo album Non Stop, and Vince Clarke reuniting with former Yazoo partner Alison Moyet for a recent tour. It was recorded in Maine, London and Los Angeles between January and June 2011, with Vince using his vintage collection of analog synths for the final touch. The end result is a collection of electronic songs that sound totally contemporary and classic at the same time.

Photo: Erasure

6/14/2011

Happy 50th Birthday To George O'Dowd!

Photo: CBS Baltimore

6/09/2011

Ping Trace Cover "A Forest."

Denver-based electronic trio Ping Trace have released a cover of The Cure's "A Forest" and the results are in: we love it!

"A Forest," aptly referred to as "an exercise in minimalist entrancement" by Richard Buskin, was released in March 1980 and was the first Cure single to chart in the UK and was the only single released from Seventeen Seconds.

Have a listen.

Photo: Cover Me

Quote: Richard Buskin via SOUND ON SOUND

6/05/2011

Legendary Producer Martin Rushent Has Died.

Best known for his work as the producer of The Human League's Dare and Love and Dancing, along with the Buzzcocks and Pete Shelley, Generation X, The Stranglers, The Go-Go's, and Altered Images; Martin Rushent was 63.

A memories page has been set up on Facebook by the family for fans and friends to share stories, videos and photos.

RIP.

Photo: league-online.com

CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE KERN COUNTY DRUNKARD
Everything at Waist High is a long story, and the story of The KCD is no exception. After this individual told Waist High in December of 2003 that she was going to kill her, "Waist High" the blog was born. Please do not tell Waist High the person that you are going to kill her or she will create "Waist High" the blog and write nasty things about you! Including the time you stunk up the bathroom at The Alley Cat. The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" detailed the drunken comings and goings of the live-in love interest of one of Waist High's most cherished male friends. Never has Waist High met anyone who drank as much as or as often as The KCD. The KCD, because she was an insecure drunk, hated Waist High for most of her decade long relationship with Waist High's most cherished male friend. She hated Waist High for the obvious reason: Waist High is hot. A one time source of much of the material for Waist High the blog, The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" was permanently retired in March 2005 when Waist High's most cherished male friend finally came to his senses and kicked her ass to the curb.

RAMPART
Rampart is the first ex-husband of Waist High. She refers to him as her first ex-husband because she knows there will eventually be a second. Rampart grew up on the mean streets of Bakersfield and claims to have been the co-discoverer of the well known 1980s dirt field party spot known as "The Place." Rampart's 1987 directive to Waist High, "Drink this six pack before I get back!" made both Waist High and Rampart parents at age 20. Rampart currently resides 4.5 miles from Waist High in the wilds of Oregon and is an enduring fixture at their local Cigs For Less shop. Once a Bakersfield Del Taco associate, Sail Thru Hamburgers drive up dude, and Wible Road AM/PM graveyard worker, Rampart claims to now net $49,000 per month. But only to impress people, not when required.

(THE FORMER) LOVELY TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Not your average 37 year old. Born to Waist High as a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street, LTD is on the board of MAC cosmetics. Not really, but she swears allegiance only to them. When LTD's mother once purchased LTD some eye shadow from Target, LTD threatened to call the police. Sweeter than Tupelo Honey, with the attitude of a feral cat, LTD is disgusted with most things. Including being forced to live with Waist High from 1988-2005. The child at one time even had her own blog, "Living With Waist High," which detailed her misery. A graduate of the oldest institution in the Oregon University System, LTD kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did.

THE STRANGER
Oh God bless The Stranger. The Stranger was one of Waist High's most loyal confidants during some of the darker periods of the blog. Although his fierce allegiance to really bad music was a great source of aggravation for Waist High, The Stranger gave her a much needed look at life. Through the eyes of someone not yet bitter. The Stranger was almost pushed out of a moving vehicle when he revealed to Waist High that not only did he not know who Barry Manilow, Captain & Tenille, or Spandau Ballet were, but that he literally had no clue what Trail Mix was.

"TRI-TIP"
Special Correspondent to Waist High, and one of Waist High's most cherished friends. Used to live with The Kern County Drunkard. Was a Special Correspondent to Waist High for 9 months before knowing it. Long story. This individual coined the ultimate mid '80s Bakersfield drinking phrase, "Lock hubs. Party!"

DESI
Waist High's former work spouse. Cares about Waist High so much that he once took Waist High with him on a smoke break the very next day after she spent $250 for hypnotherapy TO QUIT SMOKING. Was the first person in conversation to introduce Waist High to concepts like "The Dirty Sanchez," "Dog In A Bathtub," "Tea Bagging," and "The Shocker." Reminds Waist High as often as possible that if women "neglect the balls," their men will leave them.