WAIST HIGH

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 18.

2012-02-18T02:25:00.000-08:00

Depeche Mode song you can’t help but sing along

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 18 - DM song u can't help but sing - "Photographic" - and for this I say: Thank you Vince!

Liv Tyler Covers "Need You Tonight."

2012-02-17T03:23:00.000-08:00

Givenchy, in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment, has released the music video for Liv Tyler's cover of INXS's "Need You Tonight" as part of the Very Irrésistible Givenchy Electric Rose campaign. The video was shot by Swedish director Johan Renck.

Givenchy said collaborating with Sony is "an electrifying meeting between the world of rock and the universe of perfume."

Very Irrésistible Givenchy Electric Rose will be available in stores in April.

Photo: Official Givenchy YouTube Channel

Quote: Times LIVE

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 17.

2012-02-17T02:09:00.000-08:00

Your favorite song to hear live

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 17 - Fav. song 2 hear live - "Pimpf" at the beginning of 101 still brings the chills + Pasadena is my hometown, so there's that

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 16.

2012-02-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

Your favorite song from the Music for the Masses era

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 16 - Favorite song from Music for the Masses is "The Things You Said" >>>I get so carried away...

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 15.

2012-02-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

One of your favorite concert memories

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 15 Fav. concert memory - Portland, Oregon 12/6/98 is my only DM concert - The Singles Tour 86>98 - opening act: Stabbing Westward

Photo: The Waist High Collection

Nile Rodgers Talks About "Original Sin's" Original Lyrics.

2012-02-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

Nile Rodgers, hired by INXS in 1983 to produce "Original Sin," says the original lyrics for the song were a little different...

"The original lyrics were 'Dream on white boy, dream on white girl,' Rodgers says. 'I said 'Why not make it 'black boy white girl?' I come from an inter-racial couple. Psychologically that makes it a bigger statement.

"Even when I rang up Daryl Hall from Hall and Oates to sing on it his manager thought it was too controversial. But I think the record would have been bigger (in the US - it peaked at No.58) had I not talked them into changing the lyrics."

Daryl Hall, who sang on the choruses on "Original Sin," said that Nile asked him to "come down to the studio because they wanted me to sing on it for some reason. I don't know why because they're good singers, they didn't need me but I did it anyway."

Photo and quote: Weekender Playground via AdelaideNow

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 14.

2012-02-14T01:19:00.000-08:00

Your favorite song from the Black Celebration era

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 14 - Fav. song from Black Celebration (the only DM album that has a title track) is "Black Celebration"

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 13.

2012-02-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

Your favorite Depeche Mode B-Side

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 13 - Favorite b-side: "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me"

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 12.

2012-02-12T00:22:00.000-08:00

Your favorite Depeche Mode instrumental

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 12 Your fav. DM instrumental: A Broken Frame strikes again, "Nothing to Fear"

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 11.

2012-02-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

Your favorite Depeche Mode lyric

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 11 Fav lyric: Let go of complicated feelings, Then there's no price to pay (FREELOVE)

Followed very closely by:

Some people have to be

Permanently together

Lovers devoted

To each other forever

(Shake the Disease)

Be responsible

Respectable

Stable but gullible

Concerned and caring

Help the helpless

But always remain

Ultimately selfish

(Get the Balance Right)

You can't change the world

But you can change the facts

And when you change the facts

You change points of view

If you change points of view

You may change a vote

And when you change a vote

You may change the world

(New Dress)

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 10.

2012-02-10T01:40:00.000-08:00

A song from the album you think is the most underrated

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 10 - song from album most underrated "The Sun & The Rainfall" from A Broken Frame - a perfect album

I have never hidden my love for my favorite Depeche Mode album A Broken Frame and just assumed that everyone else loved it just as much. HOW WRONG I WAS. 10 days into the 30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge, (which is being tended to by the world's most serious DM devotees by the way), and I now know that not only is A Broken Frame one of DM's most underrated albums but one of their most unloved as well.

The album was the band's second studio release and their first following the departure of Vince Clarke. Clarke's departure thrust Martin Gore into the position of chief songwriter (the duty previously held by Clarke) for A Broken Frame which one reviewer said was the birth of the real Depeche, "but it's an ugly birth..." I believe this new position produced some of Depeche Mode's all-time greatest songs, BUT even Martin Gore disagrees with me; in 2006 he called A Broken Frame "our worst album."

Might I add that the videos for A Broken Frame ("See You," "Leave In Silence," "The Meaning of Love") were promotional only and never commercially available, possibly hindering exposure for this breathtaking synth-driven album.

Great art, said Roy Adzak, is "what it does to us" and for me one of the most important features of great music is its profound ability to imprint a precise set of emotions in our memories; we remember the places we were, the people we were with, and the feelings we were experiencing when we first listened to the perfect album or the perfect song. A Broken Frame, for me, is perfect. A Broken Frame is perfect because of the emotional charge I get when I hear it. A Broken Frame takes me to the places that I was and to the beloved people that I was with when I was 14 years old. What A Broken Frame does to me is make me feel really good.

Photo: The Waist High Collection

Seal, On Working With Trevor Horn.

2012-02-09T19:18:00.000-08:00

For his eighth studio album, Soul 2, Seal joined forces with long-time collaborator Trevor Horn who he says is, "all about the vibe..."

Photo: WMG via The Official Seal YouTube Channel

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 9.

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Your guilty pleasure Depeche Mode song

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 9 Guilty pleasure DM song - if only for the title - "Big Muff" - gets me every time

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 8.

2012-02-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

Your favorite song featuring Martin on vocals

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Day 8 - Favorite song feat. Martin on vocals "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)" - followed very closely by "The Things You Said"

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 7.

2012-02-07T00:46:00.000-08:00

Your favorite cover of a Depeche Mode song

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Favorite cover of a DM song - Johnny Cash "Personal Jesus"

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 6.

2012-02-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Your favorite song from the Some Great Reward era

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM - Favorite song from SGR is now (2012) "Lie to Me," in (1984) it was "Blasphemous Rumours"

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 5.

2012-02-05T00:10:00.000-08:00

A Depeche Mode song you don’t really like

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM - DM song(s) u don't really like: WORK HARD+TOLD YOU SO only b/c they got in the way of songs I really wanted 2 hear on PPL R PPL

Track #4 on People are People "Work Hard" never moved me and was always the song that came on right after I was coming down from "Love, In Itself," so I would skip it and track #5 "Told You So" came on right before "Get the Balance Right" so I would always skip that as well. Get outta my way "Work Hard" and "Told You So"!!!

(((Hangs head in shame)))

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 4.

2012-02-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

Your favorite song from the Speak & Spell era

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Favorite song from Speak & Spell era is "Puppets" --- 3:57 of electronic perfection! >I'll be your operator baby, I'm in control...

Speak & Spell was DM's debut album, the year was 1981, I was 13, and although there was no official video for "Puppets" this video from the BBC's Swap Shop finds Vince Clarke looking smooth as fuck laying low in the background just as one should when you've written a song like this. Enough said.

Photo: James_Seattle

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 3.

2012-02-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

Your favorite Depeche Mode video:

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Favorite DM video is "Behind the Wheel" (from The Videos 86>98 - Remix) directed by Anton Corbijn from 1987

Best paired with "Route 66," "Behind the Wheel" was Depeche Mode's 20th UK single (released in December 1987 in the UK and April 1988 in the U.S.)

There are two videos for "Behind the Wheel," the 5:20 album version of the song and the 4:13 remix version of the song, both pure unadulterated Corbijn.

Photo: Virgin Media via imcdb.org

30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 2.

2012-02-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

The first Depeche Mode song you remember hearing:

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM 1st DM song I remember hearing had 2B "JCGE" on Pasadena's KROQ 106.7 in 1981 - thx to their growing import collection at the time

To say I remember the very first time I heard a DM song would be an untruth. But all facts point to "Just Can't Get Enough" being the first DM song to be played on my hometown radio station. "JCGE" was the first DM single to be released in the U.S. (February 1982) and was the first song to show up in KROQ's year-end COUNTDOWN of the best 106.7 songs - appearing at #97 in 1981.

When you're young, lyrics are like horoscopes and although I don't remember the first time I heard it, I do remember that 10 words from "Just Can't Get Enough" grabbed a hold of me and haven't let go since: "You're like an angel and you give me your love..."

The video for "JCGE" was the band's first.

Quote, "When you're young..." courtesy of Wyndham Wallace

The 30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge.

2012-02-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

Care to join Waist High in the latest 30-day Depeche Mode Challenge (#30dayDM) which begins today and will continue into Mar. 1 for the 30th day. See what you think and pass amongst your friends, the more the merrier.

Seemingly inspired by And Then...A Depeche Mode Blog, the self confessed Depeche Mode/Martin Gore obsessed @adelemitch looks forward to seeing all your tweets, and will try and keep track of all the answers and compile an analysis at the end of the challenge.

Here goes, Day 1 - Your all-time favorite Depeche Mode song:

@thewaisthigh "The Sun & The Rainfall" 30 years on & I still don't really know what this song is about

The last track on 1982's A Broken Frame, "The Sun & The Rainfall" was haunting to the 14-year-old that I was at the time and the cover of said album frightened me. I wanted to know who this woman was in this painting, what was she doing, and what was a "broken frame"?

My 43-year-old-self now knows this was a photograph which was shot in Hertfordshire, just off the Motorway M11, somewhere around here, and it was shot by Brian Griffin who said that all the effects were achieved in camera.

Inspired by Kazimir Malevich's Reaper, Brian Griffin said "She's supposed to look like a Russian peasant reaping corn with her scythe. It's life and death really, and I think that is what touches people about this image - the impending death, which is inevitable, coming towards you."

No wonder I was frightened.

You can read all about The Reapers, Brian Griffin and Kate Bush at The KT Bush Fan, and for $900 you can buy a Limited Edition A Broken Frame print here.

Let the 30-day Depeche Mode Challenge begin! (#30dayDM)

Photo: Brian Griffin via Depeche Mode

Everything Does Indeed Count.

2012-01-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

"Without Depeche Mode, electronic dance music as we know it would be a very different beast indeed," say the writers at beatportal. So they asked some top producers and DJs to share their favorite Depeche Mode songs and here is what they had to say.

BUT WHO WANTS TO READ BORING OLD CHARTS OR LISTEN TO LONG PLAYLISTS WHEN YOU CAN WATCH Dicken Schrader and his kids Korben and Milah do their own cover of "Everything Counts."

Photo: wired.com

Midge Ure Is Now On Facebook.

2012-01-25T21:59:00.000-08:00

Saying that he has slowly dragged himself into the 21st century - serial multi-tasker Midge Ure has joined Facebook. You can also find Midge at midgeure.com and on his official Twitter page.

Photo: Midge Ure

But When You're Young, Lyrics Are Like Horoscopes...

2012-01-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

Bored and lonely, struggling to fit in amongst a group of boarding school pupils whose main ambition seemed to be to become worthy estate agents, powerful lawyers and wealthy city brokers, Wyndham Wallace reflects on how John Lydon's arrival in his life with PiL's fifth studio release Album was immaculately timed.

Do you remember the first time you heard "Rise"?

Paul Weller Welcomes Twins Bowie And John Paul.

2012-01-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

Paul Weller and his wife Hannah announced the birth of their twins John Paul and Bowie on Saturday:

Both boys are healthy and doing well following the birth and Paul and Hannah are thrilled and over the moon. Paul would like to thank his fans for all their well wishes over the last few months.

Weller, who has said that The Beatles changed his life, told MOJO in 2008 that he is also, "a born-again Bowie freak."

53-year-old Paul Weller, whose new album Sonik Kicks is set to be released in March, now has seven children.

Photo: David Levene via guardian.co.uk

Original MTV VJs Sign Book Deal.

2012-01-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, announced today that it has signed a deal with the four remaining original MTV VJs Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, and Mark Goodman for an uncensored oral history of MTV. The book currently has no title and no release date has been set.

The fifth original VJ, the great J.J. Jackson, died in 2004.

According to Atria, the VJs will, "talk about everything from partying with Van Halen to a disastrous 'Paint the Mutha Pink' contest with 'Pink Houses' singer John Cougar Mellencamp. The VJs also participated in an MTV oral history published last fall, but Atria spokesman Paul Olsewski said today that they have saved their 'best stories' for their own book."

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage.com via grammy.com

Have You Gone Back To "1983" Yet?

2012-01-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was release day for Limahl's new single "1983" and it is generating a lot of buzz - and as of this writing is at #6 in the Amazon (UK) Hot New Releases in Dance & Electronic chart. The lyrics for "1983" talk of the rise of new wave music and celebrate what we celebrate every day here at this fine website!

"1983" is one of the best singles I've heard in a while - and it's on repeat right now. Go see what "1983" is all about on itunes, Amazon, 7digital and play.com.

Photo: 1983 by Limahl

Limahl To Release "1983."

2012-01-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

Limahl wants to go back in time; to the heyday of the new romantic style and when electro pop was all the rage. With synthesizers, 12-inch vinyl, and cassettes. Join us on Jan. 10th (2012) when we go back to 1983!

29 years to the day after the release of Kajagoogoo’s "Too Shy" comes Limahl’s brand new song "1983," set to be available in all digital formats via Dig Music.

On the day of the release Limahl is confirmed to appear on Larry Flick's The Morning Jolt on SIRIUS XM at 1 p.m. London time and 8 a.m. E.S.T.

Let Limahl January 2012 begin!

Material & photo: 1983 by Limahl

The Weekend 91X Screwed Up.

2011-12-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

In an excerpt from his memoir The One You Get: Portrait of a Family Organism Jason Tougaw describes the time 91X, a hard rock radio station, screwed up and played Berlin's "Sex (I'm A...)."

And so was born San Diego’s first New Wave station.

Go have a read, it's a beautiful thing: "I’m swirling in the intro to Peter Godwin’s 'Images of Heaven,' an extended sound sculpture, its precise, mechanical beat garnished with flourishes of robot strings, synthetic bells, and drum fills calculated to sound as inhuman as possible, like they come from something bigger than a flesh and blood drummer sweating his guts out. There is no need for sweat or guts when you’re part of a new revolution, isolating and making audible the hidden sonic framework of the universe."

Words Are Very Unnecessary.

2011-12-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

Rockabye Baby, which has given Depeche Mode the instrumental lullaby treatment, is set to release Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of Depeche Mode on Feb. 7 - their first release of 2012.

Guitars and drums are traded for soothing mellotrons, vibraphones and bells, and the volume is turned down from an eleven to a two. Rockabye Baby is the perfect way to share the music you love with the littlest rocker in your life. Just can't get enough sleep? Babies are babies but why should it be that you get no peace. Rockabye Baby answers your prayer for a night of joyous silence. The next time your little one plans on being up all night, try spinning our lullaby renditions of these Depeche Mode favorites. It's all the baby ever wanted and all they've ever needed.

Photo and material: Amazon

George Michael Thanks Doctors For Saving His Life.

2011-12-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

TelegraphTV has the video of George speaking to reporters outside his London home on Friday.

Photo: telegraph.co.uk

JoBoxers' Like Gangbusters To Be Reissued.

2011-12-22T15:28:00.000-08:00

An expanded edition of JoBoxers 1983 debut album Like Gangbusters is set to be released by Cherry Red Records in January. The reissue features a 12" mix of "Jealous Love," "Boxerbeat," and the 12" mix of "Just Got Lucky," which was the second single from Like Gangbusters and the song that I just could not get enough of that year.

"Just Got Lucky" went to #7 in the U.K. and #36 in the U.S.

The full JoBoxers history can be found here, and to order JoBoxers' Like Gangbusters - Expanded Edition go here.

For The Phantasmagoria Lover In You.

2011-12-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

Rat Scabies is selling an original autographed Rat Scabies Phantasmagoria Bass Drum skin which is part of the Rat Scabies "Under the Bed Collection."

A perfect Christmas gift for the Damned fan in your life. Bogoff Special Offer - up for grabs is the original Phantasmagoria logo bass drum skin which used to adorn the front of my kit throughout the 1980's.

There was only ever one of these made for me and the head itself is a 22' Remo Weatherking and is in good condition except for a bit of a dent and some missing paint where I kicked it one night during a fit of pique. I'm also including an Anything tour set list that was written on to one of my floor tom skins. The set list is elegantly drawn on to an 18" Premier TS head by none other than top pop chimp Slouch, which he signed and dated (BSA 1986). There is a fun play on words as he wrote out the song titles in a somewhat pithy manner expecting me to enjoy the decoding process while performing.

The front skin features in most of the MCA video's ("Shadow of Love," "Is It a Dream," etc.) as well as many of the TV performances that the band gave during the period (Top of the Pops, Rock Around the Dock etc. etc. etc). I will of course provide a letter of provenance to the lucky winner.

Bids are now at £201.99.

Photo and material: Rat Scabies via ebay.co.uk

The Continuing Saga Of Kung Pao Kitchen.

2011-12-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

From Nu Shooz Music: We want to take a moment to apprise you of our most recent project Kung Pao Kitchen! The upcoming full-length record, set to be released in early 2012, features a compilation of 9 un-vaulted, re-mastered tracks written between 1988 and 1992. For those who want to know what happened to The Shooz after "Should I Say Yes," we are proud to present this collection of songs that have never seen the light of day.

Check out our blog over the next few months for updates, which we will keep fully stocked with news, video snippets, musical appetizers and tidbits on the making of KPK.

Photo: Nu Shooz Music

"God Save The Queen" - Original A&M Issue - On Sale For $15,500.

2011-12-14T14:59:00.000-08:00

"Withdrawn after the label released the band from their contract due to their bad behaviour and subsequent negative publicity surrounding all things 'punk' at the time," a rare unplayed copy of the Sex Pistols classic "God Save the Queen" is for sale online and is said to be in mint condition; obtained from an "ex-industry source with impeccable credentials."

The high price of this 34 year-old record results from all the other copies being destroyed when A&M Records terminated the band's contract before its release.

"God Save the Queen," released May 27, 1977, was the band's second single from their only album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols and when it was first released it went to #2 on the official UK Singles Chart (used by the BBC) and #1 on the unofficial NME singles chart.

Suspicion continues to exist that authorities manipulated the charts to keep the song out of the #1 spot as 1977 was the Queen's Silver Jubilee and the song clearly "desecrated the Sovereign." John Lydon says however that the song had never been anti-monarchy.

Photo: 991.com

The Spirit Of Talk Talk.

2011-12-09T00:05:00.000-08:00

A website has been set up to gauge interest in a book that will celebrate the art and music of Talk Talk.

The Spirit of Talk Talk will feature all of the iconic artwork by award winning author and illustrator James Marsh who has chronicled all of pieces that he produced for the band during their time together from 1981-1991.

The main essay of The Spirit of Talk Talk, which is set to be published in the spring of 2012, will be written by rock writer and huge Talk Talk fan Chris Roberts and will include 80 more contributions all from those who have been influenced by the art and music of the band including Alan Wilder, Guy Garvey, and Richard Wright.

Soon to be the "definitive visual companion to the Talk Talk legend," The Spirit of Talk Talk

will contain:

A cloth cover featuring one of James Marsh’s artworks

High quality heavyweight art paper

Hand written lyrics from Mark Hollis

Full color throughout

Roll of Honour listing the names of readers who pre-order the book

Original cover concept sketches

Unseen photos of the band from 3 sessions with photographer Richard Haughton.

The projected price of The Spirit of Talk Talk is £40 ($62). To register your interest go here.

Photo: spiritoftalktalk.com

The Lyrics Of Gary Kemp – Exclusive Book Offer.

2011-12-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

A limited edition run of signed books presented bound in a cloth cover of Gary Kemp’s song lyrics are being published this week and are available exclusively through garykemp.com.

The collection, entitled The Lyrics of Gary Kemp features all of the works that Gary has published in an illustrious songwriting career that has spanned 4 decades.

All of the lyrics from all of his songs for Spandau Ballet and his solo album Little Bruises make up this anthology of 60 tales of love loss and, of course London!

From early lyrics about growing up in Soho in the 1970s "Chant No.1" to the global smash hit about unrequited love "True" through to the bittersweet "An Inexperienced Man," Gary is widely acknowledged as one of Britain’s finest songwriters, and definitely the voice of his generation.

Fans and critics alike will find this collection of lyrics a touching read as they relive their memories of hearing the songs on the radio and seeing Spandau on TV and in concert for the first time.

Photo: mirror.co.uk

Material quoted directly from: Gary Kemp

Happy Mondays To Reform With Original Lineup?

2011-12-05T02:56:00.000-08:00

The Sun is reporting that Paul and Shaun Ryder have buried the hatchet and are planning a tour, but a spokesperson for the band has said that they have no immediate plans to reform.

From NME: The band have reunited twice before, most recently in 2004, but without founding members Mark Day, Paul Davis, Rowetta Satchell and Paul Ryder, the latter of whom had sworn he wanted nothing to do with the band again when they split for a second time in 2000.

However, according a report in The Sun, a reunion of the band's original line-up and a full tour is being planned, with a documentary also set to be filmed about the band’s reunion.

A source told the paper: "After the success of The Stone Roses reunion, there's a real clamour to get the group back on the road and document it properly. Shaun and his brother Paul have a notoriously patchy relationship but they're willing to sort things out for the sake of the band."

They continued: "Happy Mondays have had offers from film companies, including Film4 and Sky, who want to follow them for the reunion. There will be gigs next summer and a re-release of their classic album Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches. A DVD will also be released of the comeback shows and the documentary."

In case you forgot, here's what happened that time Tony Wilson met God.

Photo: Elektra Records via starpulse.com

Jimmy Somerville's Brand New Website Is Up And Running!

2011-12-03T01:10:00.000-08:00

So says the Webmaster: We thought it was time it had a slightly new structure and layout and here it is...We hope you find it easy to use. You can also keep up with what Jimmy is up to on an even more regular basis by LIKING Jimmy's Facebook page. Jimmy is just finishing a new EP which will be released at the start of 2012 - we hope to bring you a sneak preview of some of the tracks soon!!

Photo: Jimmy Somerville International Fanpage

For Services To Music.

2011-11-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

A beautiful sight: Bryan Ferry was awarded his Commander of the Most Excellent Order today at Buckingham Palace.

Said Ferry:

Getting something like this is actually very humbling and I was very pleased to be recognised for a long career and doing something I love.

To get an official award like this is incredibly nice and quite a surprise – a very good surprise. I always knew I was going to be an artist – and spent four years studying painting, I thought that's what I want to do.

I got to a point where I thought I'd put a band together and make a record and if it doesn't work I'll go back to painting, but the band worked incredibly well.

Photo and material: Bryan Ferry

Spandau Ballet's "Gold" Remix Out Today.

2011-11-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

Paul Oakenfold has remixed Spandau Ballet's classic song "Gold," and it is now available through iTunes.

1983's "Gold" was chosen by Cadbury’s Wispa Gold to be the soundtrack to their advertising campaign to support Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

From Spandau Ballet: With 2012 seeing London play host to the Olympic Games, Cadbury’s Wispa Gold launched an online campaign to find Spandau Ballet fans to lend their voices to Oakenfold’s new version of the song.

The video for "Wispa Gold - Gold (Paul Oakenfold BMX remix)" features British BMX rider and Olympic hopeful Shanaze Reade.

Says Oakenfold, "From one of our best loved all time bands, comes the reworking of their classic hit GOLD. I've played this out a few times. Give it a play you won't be disappointed!"

Click here to download "Gold" now!

Photo: Spandau Ballet

NME.COM Readers Vote "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" As Their Favorite Smiths Song.

2011-11-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

NME.COM readers have chosen their favorite Smiths tracks and 1986's "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" is at the top.

Written by Johnny Marr and Morrissey, "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" was featured on the Smiths' third album The Queen Is Dead and was released as a single in 1992, five years after the band broke up.

Top 10 Smiths songs as voted by NME.COM readers:

1. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out"

2. "This Charming Man"

3. "How Soon Is Now?"

4. "Bigmouth Strikes Again"

5. "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"

6. "Panic"

7. "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side"

8. "What Difference Does It Make?"

9. "The Queen Is Dead"

10. "Hand In Glove"

Material: NME

Heaven 17 Release Three Free Downloads.

2011-11-20T00:55:00.000-08:00

Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware announced on Friday that they are changing the Heaven 17 website to make it better for fans to interact with them and added a link for some free tunes while we wait - which includes an Exclusive Acoustic Version of "Let Me Go."

Go get them now!

Photo: Heaven 17

Put The Needle On The Record.

2011-11-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

Follow this link to watch the promo video for the book Put the Needle on the Record, Matthew Chojnacki’s guide to more than 250 1980s vinyl single covers taken from the sleeves of his own collection.

20% of the royalties from Put the Needle on the Record: The 1980s at 45 Revolutions Per Minute will be donated to the keepachildalive.org.

"1980s single cover art was cheeky, sexy, punchy, and glam. Matthew Chojnacki vividly chronicles the best of the bunch, illuminating the way music looked via comments from rock stars and art directors with a strong eye for the visual." – Michael Musto, The Village Voice

Put the Needle on the Record can be purchased here.

Photo & quote: matthewchojnacki.com

It's Official - Culture Club Are Back!

2011-11-15T16:46:00.000-08:00

Culture Club have reformed after 10 years and are set to play the Sydney Resolution Concert Series on New Year's Eve on Glebe Island in Australia. "Last time we got together was 10 years ago so it takes that long to recover from the last time we worked with each other," Roy Hay told Seven's Sunrise today.

Watch the video announcement here.

The band has promised to play all their classic hits plus some of their new songs. "That's the thing that makes us want to come back and do it, is to write new songs and put some new material out as well as play the old ones," Hay said.

Boy George added: "The nostalgia thing is ok but it's a bit limited so for us to come and do this and enjoy it we need to kind of do something new and incorporate the two things, the past and now."

Photo: YAHOO!7 TV

Quote: The Sydney Morning Herald

Get Your Devo Blue Dome Slip-On Shoe!

2011-11-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

From DEVO Official Store: Finally! A Devo shoe design manufactured by Macbeth Footwear that reflects these devolutionary times we live in!

Literally reflective, these silver, super-synthetic slip-ons get you through airport security and straight to the V.I.P. lounges around the world in comfort and style.

Emblazoned with the Devo, Energy Dome logo, this is the battle-tested shoe style Devo wears in concert!

100% vegan materials with rubber out-sole, only 250 made worldwide! $79.99, get them while you can!

Photo: DEVO Official Store

Shaun Ryder To Hunt UFOs For New TV Show.

2011-11-12T01:54:00.000-08:00

According to NME Shaun Ryder has a new gig as a UFO-hunter for The History Channel.

The eight-part show Shaun Ryder On UFOs begins in Ryder's hometown of Salford, Manchester, where at 15 years old he claims he saw a UFO. The Black Grape and Happy Mondays frontman believes that the northern city, "has a wormhole which acts as a 'shortcut through space and time.'"

Ryder told The Sun, "Once they see you they keep an eye on you."

Says Ryder, "A lot of people would say, 'Why would extraterrestrials from an advanced civilisation come to Salford?' Well, there's quite a lot you can learn about humanity in Salford."

Shaun Ryder On UFOs is currently in production and will premiere on The History Channel in 2012.

Photo: Andy Willsher via NME

Quotes: NME & Female First

Paul Weller Says He Hopes To Never Be "Skint" Enough To Re-Form The Jam.

2011-11-10T17:49:00.000-08:00

Speaking with ShortList, Paul Weller said that some recently reformed bands have been motivated only by the mighty dollar, something he said he would never be tempted by, "Money talks, doesn't it? Simple as that."

Responding to the news that the recently reformed Stone Roses would make upwards of £10 million from their reunion shows next summer, and an additional £1 million for each of their festival appearances, Weller said, "Hopefully I'll never be that skint, mate. I mean, I don't know the Roses that well, apart from Mani who's a good mate. There'll be a financial consideration, obviously, but I know from [Mani's] point of view that he's been mad to do it for years. He's actually really wanted to get back with his mates and he loved that band. But for Ian [Brown] and John [Squire], I don't know...I really don't think there's too much love lost there. We live in that age, though, don't we? It's either bands reforming, bands playing their classic album or tribute bands."

When asked if he would do a "classic album" gig, Weller's response was, "Nah. I'm going to go out and play a classic album next year, but it'll be my f*cking new one. Not one from 20 years ago."

53-year-old Paul Weller and wife Hannah Andrews are expecting twins next year, he has five other children from previous relationships.

Photo: NME

Johnny Marr To Appear On Season 2 Of Portlandia.

2011-11-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

Johnny Marr, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, Eddie Vedder, Tim Robbins, Penny Marshall, and Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock will all be featured guests on season two of IFC's Portlandia, set to premiere Jan. 6.

Co-created by Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag) and SNL's Fred Armisen, Portlandia is set and filmed on location in Portland, Oregon, and lovingly captures the absurdities of life in the city which I have called home for 18 years.

A sneak peek of Portlandia Season 2 can be found here.

Photo: via Creative Commons user man alive, via IFC

And The Quote Of The Year Goes To...

2011-11-05T01:56:00.000-07:00

Richard Blade, with this, posted 5 hours ago on his Facebook page: "DJing a school fundraiser in Santa Monica and right as I play 'Pretty in Pink' Molly Ringwald walks in - she's a mom at the school!!!"

Photo: Richard Blade

SCIENCE!!

2011-11-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Head over to KINK RADIO to hear Thomas Dolby tell a great story about Dr. Magnus Pyke and his sound bites for "She Blinded Me With Science" in KINK's Bing Lounge in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 12.

Photo: kinkradio

Spandau Ballet To Release A Remix Version Of "Gold."

2011-10-29T00:35:00.000-07:00

Although only open to U.K. residents, Spandau Ballet is offering fans the opportunity to sing along on a special remix version of their 1983 classic "Gold."

In conjunction with Cadbury Chocolate's relaunch of the Wispa Gold bar, and their campaign to "Keep Team GB Pumped" for the 2012 Olympics, Spandau Ballet will be releasing a very special remix version of their hit single "Gold." And the best bit is that your voice could feature in the chorus!

From spandauballet.com: "Gold" has often been used as an inspirational peoples anthem at sporting events around the world. With the focus very heavily on London 2012, this is your chance to get your voice heard alongside your countrymen and enthuse our athletes to bring home the Gold medals. "Gold 2012" is undoubtedly going to become the unofficial anthem for the London 2012 Olympics and you can be part of it!

There will also be a brand new music video for the "Gold 2012" featuring Team GB athlete and Olympic hopeful, BMX champion Shanaze Read.

All you need to do is belt out your very best version of the song by visiting the website www.keepourteampumped.com to add your voice. We’ll be choosing a selection of the most motivational singers to come to a recording studio to be part of the final version; our DJ and producer will then use elements of these recordings in the chorus of the dance remix behind Spandau’s original vocals.

The track and music video will be released on the 27th November so just think, your voice could be on Spandau’s future chart-topping hit! So don’t miss this amazing opportunity, visit the website NOW.

Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images via guardian.co.uk

John Taylor To Publish His Autobiography.

2011-10-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

From duranduran.com: An icon to millions, John Taylor co-founded Duran Duran in 1978 when he was just eighteen years old. Almost immediately, the band became an international pop phenomenon, defining a new genre of music and the start of an extraordinary three decade career that continues to this day, with sales of more than 80 million records, chart-topping hits around the world, and a global presence that guarantees the band huge live audiences across five continents.

In his autobiography, Taylor will give a candid and captivating account of his life, from a reserved young man in the suburbs of provincial England, to the heights of global fame and adulation. He will unflinchingly explore how the glories of excess led to drug addiction and a descent into despair and loneliness, as well as the difficult process of recovery, and the joy of rediscovering the love of family and friends. For the global army of "Duranie" fans, his book will also contain fascinating behind-the-scenes insights and stories about the band's inner workings and life in the spotlight.

John Taylor: "This book recounts the million tiny seductions that are required to make the journey from English suburbia to selling out Madison Square Garden—seductions that go by a hundred different names; family, friendship, romances, collaborations and strategic alliances. Here is my journey and where it took me; into fantastic success, more than a little decadence, darkness, and finally, I like to think, a little enlightenment."

(In the U.K.): Little, Brown and Sphere are delighted to announce the acquisition of a major new project – the autobiography of Duran Duran co-founder and bassist John Taylor. Little, Brown's Editor-in-Chief Antonia Hodgson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) at auction from Jonathan Conway of Mulcahy Conway Associates. John Taylor will write the book himself with support from co-writer, Tom Sykes. Sphere plans to publish in hardback in autumn 2012, alongside Penguin US. Antonia Hodgson says: "We're so excited about this project. John Taylor is a warm, witty and engaging writer with an incredible story to tell. His book will be an honest and frank account of his life – good times and bad. It will also capture all the joy and glamour and craziness of being in Duran Duran – surely one of the greatest and best-loved bands of all time."

(In the U.S.): Brian Tart, president and publisher of Dutton, announced today the acquisition of Duran Duran bassist and founding member John Taylor's autobiography, to be released in the fall of 2012. Executive Editor Carrie Thornton bought North American and Canadian rights at auction in a major deal from Jonathan Conway of Mulcahy Conway Associates Ltd. Carrie Thornton says: "I'm incredibly excited to publish John Taylor's memoir. I've been a Duran Duran fan since I was first riveted by the video for 'Rio' on MTV. As someone who came of age in the 1980s, I can think of no better person to tell the story of the biggest band of that era, and to describe the excesses of that decade—the fashion, the drugs, the money, and of course, the music. John has a great tale to tell, and he tells it with honesty and intelligence, and with an absolutely great voice on the page."

Photo: VH1

Cy Curnin Encourages Fans To Pre-Order His New Solo Album.

2011-10-21T01:37:00.001-07:00

Art flourishes through patronage. This is as true today as it was during the Renaissance. Only now, there is no king to fill coffers. There is you. A discerning listener for whom stirring vocals and meaningful words matter. A treasure hunter who reads the liner notes. A friend of independent music.

Cy's new album The Horse's Mouth can be found at cycurnin.com.

Photo: cycurnindotcom

Quote: Cy Curnin

5 Days To Go To Get Debora Iyall's Singing Until Sunrise Fully Funded.

2011-10-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

With just 5 days left Debora's Kickstarter project Singing Until Sunrise is 84% funded with only $1,284 to go. The 12" vinyl EP Singing Until Sunrise, which will include a new take on Romeo Void's "A Girl in Trouble (is a Temporary Thing)," will be fully funded at $8,000 - so if you have not already done so - head over to the project page and let's make this happen!

Pledges begin at $5.00.

Debora recently added more of her artwork as reward for support including a marker and oil original from a Romeo Void & Translator show at San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens for a $350 pledge which sold almost immediately, but still available at this hour are several relief prints including "Winter Spirit" for a $59 pledge, and "Horse Girl" for a $65 pledge.

Photos: Debora Iyall

INXS: The Very Best To Be Released On October 21.

2011-10-14T01:23:00.000-07:00

Universal Music are releasing a career-spanning INXS compilation album on Oct. 21 which will be available in a 1CD collection and a 2CD + DVD package. The 1CD edition includes 20 songs and the 3-disc package includes a 45 minute documentary featuring never-before-seen interviews with Michael Hutchence, various remixes and promotions, and performances on Top of the Pops and Jools Holland.

All tracklistings and pre-order links can be found at michaelhutchence.com.

Photo: michaelhutchence.com

Happy 65th Birthday To Daryl Hall!

2011-10-11T21:53:00.000-07:00

Photo: Getty Images via billboard.com

Peter Gabriel's New Blood Out Today.

2011-10-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Recorded with a 46-piece orchestra (conducted by Ben Foster) Peter Gabriel (along with arranger John Metcalfe) have re-imagined some of Gabriel's most storied songs in the 14-track New Blood, out today on EMI.

Gabriel says that he "didn’t want it to be just a succession of hits done with orchestra, so I specifically left out things like 'Games without Frontiers,' 'Sledgehammer,' 'Big Time,' and went more for this moody, atmospheric kind of compositions," which include "Mercy Street," "San Jacinto," "In Your Eyes," and "Don’t Give Up."

New Blood is available in digital download format and as a standard single-disc and can be found at petergabriel.com, itunes, and amazon.com.

A full length conversation about New Blood between Guy Garvey and Peter Gabriel can be found here.

Photo: Peter Gabriel

Quote: masslive.com

Peter Hook Vows To "Fuck New Order Over In Any Possible Way I Can."

2011-10-08T01:24:00.000-07:00

Calling them "dickheads," Peter Hook has promised that he will "fuck over" his former New Order bandmates in "any possible way" he can.

Hook has reacted to Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner announcing that they will play two benefit shows in October (with Gillian Gilbert returning) to help to pay medical expenses for friend and filmmaker Michael Shamberg.

Hook, who is currently on tour with his band The Light, says that he believes the band's statement that the gigs are one-offs for charity are false, "Yeah. It's all bollocks. They're already hawking for an American tour; me mate told me yesterday. They're hiding behind the charity gig."

Commenting about playing Joy Division songs with The Light, "and thus, in the eyes of his former bandmates and some fans, dishonoring Ian Curtis' legacy," Hook said, "You do it to gauge reaction, and it's like picking a sore, isn't it? You always want to do it. I have a different attitude towards it now, because it actually scared off a lot of the people I wanted to work with, which made me all the more determined. It's the same thing with New Order deciding to tour without me -- [it] makes me all the more determined to fuck New Order over in any possible way I can. If they think I'm just going to scuttle off to a cabin in the woods, they've got another thing coming. They're dickheads. People go and hide, but I don't. I'm a fighter. I'm going to come out fighting."

Photo: Stereoboard.com

Quotes: Spinner.com

Singing Until Sunrise - A Project By Debora Iyall.

2011-10-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Debora Iyall has started a Kickstarter project to release a 12" vinyl EP Singing Until Sunrise which will include live versions of "Wait Out the Storm" and "99" from Stay Strong, a surprise track, and a newly recorded version of the great "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)," a song we have never hidden our love for.

Debora says the new "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)" begins with "a different feel and lands on a new third verse I’ve added to expand my message of encouragement from across my added years of life experience."

The decision to make a colored vinyl release comes from the wishes and hopes of a lot of fans I've heard from these past years, and the desire I have to put out a truly quality recording that can also be collected and prized for my original artwork.

The first 500 pressings of Singing Until Sunrise will be numbered and autographed and pledges of $5 or more will receive Debora's eternal gratitude, $25 or more will receive a glossy autographed Singing Until Sunrise poster and a free download, $75 or more will receive a first pressing of Singing Until Sunrise, a newly designed "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)" t-shirt, a vinyl 12" EP with a download card and a personal phone call from Debora, and pledges of $500 or more will receive dinner for two with Debora at one of her favorite cafes (within 120 miles of Sacramento, California) and much, much more.

Please support a great artist and back Debora Iyall's 12" Vinyl EP project Singing Until Sunrise and help to bring this extraordinary music to more people!

Photo: Debora Iyall

Happy 60th Birthday Sting!

2011-10-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

"Music to me is an ever receding mystery. And the more I find out about it the more I realise I simply don't know. And I imagine I will always be a student forever."

Photo: Todd Plitt via USA Today

Rolling Stone Readers Poll Reveals 10 Best R.E.M. Songs.

2011-10-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

After announcing their breakup last week, Rolling Stone thought it was the perfect time to ask their readers to vote for their favorite R.E.M. songs.

The list was the usual suspects which all came from the band's first ten years and unsurprisingly did not include my favorite. Do you know what your favorite R.E.M. song is?

Photo: Ed Colver/EMI via last.fm

Susan Boyle Covers Depeche Mode.

2011-09-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

If you have not already heard it, Rolling Stone is now streaming Susan Boyle's cover of DM's "Enjoy the Silence" from her forthcoming album Someone to Watch Over Me.

Released in 1990 as the second single from Violator, "Enjoy the Silence" went to #6 in the U.K. and #8 in the U.S.

"The melody of the song is just beautiful," Boyle tells Rolling Stone, "but really that lyric sounds like it will touch so many people in the way it touched me."

INXS Announce New Lead Singer.

2011-09-26T12:07:00.001-07:00

35-year-old INXS fan Ciaran Gribbin is now their frontman: "INXS definitely played a huge part in my musical education as a songwriter and something I aspired to, so to be in the band now is pretty amazing."

All the details are now up at INXS.com.

Photo: Ramsey Cardy via Billboard

Live From Daryl's House Coming To TV.

2011-09-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

After four years as a much-loved monthly webcast, Live From Daryl's House is coming to broadcast TV.

The award-winning music, cooking and conversation program will make its premiere in 95 markets tonight with two back-to-back half-hour episodes featuring Fitz and The Tantrums and Train.

Live From Daryl's House is being syndicated by Good Cop Bad Cop Productions and will mark "the first full-length music Web show to successfully cross over into the television syndication marketplace."

Aside from switching from flip cam filming to High-Def Hall has promised not to change anything about the show and says that it will continue to be an internet show being shown on TV and that he will not be adapting the show in any way to make it more like a "TV" show.

Live From Daryl's House began airing in November 2007 from Hall's home studio in upstate New York and guests so far have have included John Rzeznik, Todd Rundgren, Dave Stewart, Nick Lowe, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, Smokey Robinson, and Jose Feliciano. Daryl and his band play his guests' songs, his guests play Hall's songs, they cook, they drink, and they tell stories. I am hooked.

Live from Daryl’s House has been cleared in nearly 80% of U.S. homes in the nation’s top 200 media markets, as well as all of the top 10, including New York (WPIX), L.A. (KTLA), Chicago (WGN), Dallas (KDAF) and Houston (KIAH). The show has also cleared in such key markets as Philadelphia (CBS-owned KYW), Boston (KBIN) and Atlanta (WATL), and is set to premiere on a number of NBC, Fox and CBS-owned affiliates across the country. Most stations will air a full hour with two original shows back to back on Saturday nights.

You can check your local dates and times here.

Photo: Live From Daryl's House

Quotes: TVNewsCheck & Live From Daryl's House

Goodbye R.E.M.

2011-09-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

You have meant alot to me.

Photo: The Waist High Collection

Two Things You Should Be Doing Right Now.

2011-09-19T01:05:00.000-07:00

First is making sure that you are listening to Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware's monthly radio show Music For... at RADIO DITTO. Episode 5, "B.E.F. Special," is now up and spotlights the musical journey and structure of the British Electric Foundation through fascinating stories and songs. (Stay until the end of the show and you will be treated to Billie Godfrey's never-heard-before cover of Bronski Beat's "Smalltown Boy.")

Second, you should be watching the award winning Live From Daryl's House, Daryl Hall's monthly web program in which he invites performers to his upstate New York home to jam, described simply by Hall as, "playing with my friends and putting it up on the Internet."

For the newcomer to Live From Daryl's House a good place to start would be Episode 35 with L.A. soul revivalists Fitz and The Tantrums, our new obsession here at the Waist High program. The Smokey Robinson episode ain't a bad place to start either.

Photo: Live From Daryl's House

First Pictures Of The New Eric's.

2011-09-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

The Liverpool Echo has just posted the first pictures of the new Eric’s club which is re-opening tonight after 31 years.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, who played their very first-ever gig at Eric's in 1978, will be the first band to play in an invitation only show.

"If Eric’s had not existed, then neither would OMD," said Andy McCluskey. "Even though you cannot recreate what Eric's meant to our generation more than 30 years ago, it will be fun to play on the same stage again remembering the past while hopefully celebrating a new and different future."

Opened in 1976 opposite The Cavern Club on Mathew Street Eric's was instrumental in launching the careers of Dead or Alive, Echo and the Bunnymen, Big in Japan, and The Teardrop Explodes.

"The stage is still in the original place, with the now iconic beams that are in all the original photographs, the ones which Elvis Costello famously banged his head on and walked off stage mid-set."

Photo & quote: The Liverpool Echo

Material: Waist High

Happy 30th Birthday "Just Can't Get Enough."

2011-09-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

The first Depeche Mode single to be released in the U.S., "Just Can't Get Enough" was released in the U.K. on Sept. 7, 1981 and was the final song Vince Clarke wrote before he left the band. The video for the song was DM's first.

Some Depeche Mode Fans A Little Poorer This Week.

2011-09-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

By all accounts COLLECTED - The Alan Wilder/Depeche Mode Collection auction was a complete success! More than 400 historic items went up for sale in Manchester over the weekend as Alan Wilder sold a large selection of his music equipment and memorabilia at an auction at the Zion Arts Centre.

From Recoil: Many items were very collectable and held special value having been used extensively in the recording sessions for classic Depeche Mode & Recoil albums, as well as live performances on the Black Celebration, Music For The Masses, World Violation and Devotional tours. Focusing mainly on the years between 1982 & 1995, this was one of the most exciting career sales ever to hit the public domain.

There were around 150 people in the room in Manchester, and 600 registered online from countries across the globe, all bidding for the 422 lots of which 98% were sold. 87% of the items were won by internet bidders.

For a detailed report of the two days in Manchester, read Sideline’s report here and for the complete list of final prices paid for items go here.

Photo: Recoil

Happy 23rd Birthday To My Lovely Daughter.

2011-09-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

A one-time Cast of Characters favorite, the former "Lovely Teenaged Daughter" was born a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street. Reading Kafka by the age of 5, wise in the ways of the world by 14, and a struggling New Wave music lover since 16, My Lovely Daughter has kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did!

Photo: The My Lovely Daughter Collection

The World Of Music According To Heaven 17.

2011-08-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory have been hard at work, "coming up with a playlist of conversation starters. The tunes that get them shooting the breeze, chewing the fat, and occasionally even running off at the mouth. With specially grown beards for the obligatory chin scratching..." with their new internet radio show called "Music For…"

Episode 2, "Music For...Getting Ready To Go Out To," and Episode 3, "Music For...Talking About," are now available for listen and can be found at Ditto TV.

This writer is on her fourth listen to "Music For…" Episode 1, entitled "Music For...Growing Up To," which kicked off with Roxy Music's "Pyjamarama" (1973) - of which Glenn said was the one song that made him want to sing, and travels through many of Heaven 17's other influences including Iggy's "Raw Power," Chic's "Le Freak," Donna Summer's "I Feel Love," and David Bowie's "Fame."

With eclectic record collections they think too good to keep to themselves Glenn and Martyn have invited "listeners on a tour of musical intrigue, combining classics you know and love with hidden gems from established artists and breaking acts," and encourage submissions via e-mail at musicfor@ditto.tv.

Photo: Heaven 17

Quotes: Radio Ditto

Nasher - Live From My Living Room Part 2 - Today At Noon.

2011-08-28T00:20:00.000-07:00

Brian Nash, former Frankie Goes To Hollywood guitarist and solo performer since 2000 who is now "the only surviving King Of Pop," is set to play PART 2 of LIVE FROM MY LIVING ROOM today at noon (PDT) on Stageit.

Stageit is an online concert venue where artists broadcast LIVE and interactive performances directly to the fans and it works something like this: the artist sets the date, time, and ticket price of their show and fans can then buy tickets using "Notes" (10 Notes = $1). Fans then watch the show at the scheduled time where they can also interact with the performer through a chat feature and then show their support through a virtual Tip Jar.

Nasher also added that there is "No parking, no last train, no getting your glad rags on. Get involved people. Pop genius live into your living room and you don't even have to take your slippers off."

NASHER - LIVE FROM MY LIVING ROOM PART 1, which broadcast on Aug 1., lasted about two hours and featured some of "his solo stuff, a few interesting covers and a handful of his Frankie classics, including a lovely version of 'The Power Of Love.'"

Nasher asked, "What else ya gonna do, watch the fucking telly?"

Go join him!

Photo: Brian Nash

Quote: Starstruck via foreverdelayed.org.uk

All Four Parts of Alan Wilder – Collected Now Live.

2011-08-27T01:02:00.000-07:00

The fourth and final installment of Alan Wilder - Collected is now up at the Recoil Blog where you can get a sneak peek at some of the 400+ items soon to be up for sale from The Alan Wilder/Depeche Mode Collection - a historic memorabilia, equipment and vinyl auction which is set to be held Sept. 2 & 3 at the Zion Arts Centre in Manchester.

Alan Wilder - Collected was filmed at Wilder's Sussex home where director Martin Vladar discovered Wilder had kept "memorabilia spanning 35 years of a career spent in music, most notably during the 80s and 90s covering the musician’s stint with one of the most famous & successful bands of all time, Depeche Mode."

A must see for any DM fan, and the highlight of Collected for us here at Waist High, comes in part four when Alan gets out his old EMAX Sampler after 24 years and begins getting re-aquainted with it and plays, among other things, the riff from "Black Celebration," and the beginning of "Pipeline." In a word - fuckingawesome.

The full Collected auction details and catalogue can be found here.

Collected part one

Collected part two

Collected part three

Collected part four

Photo & quote: auction.recoil.co.uk

Deliberate, Fascinate, Deviate, Re-instate.

2011-08-21T00:21:00.000-07:00

Start the second half of your summer off right and have a listen to the 2011 reinvention of INXS's "Mediate" featuring Tricky which got a remix treatment by DJ Ralphi Rosario. Rosario and producer Craig J were behind the remix of the reinterpretation of "Original Sin" with Rob Thomas on vocals.

The 2:36 "Mediate," from 1987's Kick, was never released as a single and is a segue from "Need You Tonight," the only INXS single to reach #1 in the U.S. On some of the band's greatest hits albums "Mediate" and "Need You Tonight" appear together and on others (Shine Like It Does, The Best of INXS, Definitive INXS) only "Need You Tonight" appears. "Mediate" almost never appears alone.

The video for "Need You Tonight/Mediate," directed by Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein, won 5 MTV Video Music Awards in 1988 and paid tribute to Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues."

The VJ Circle Is Complete + A Contest.

2011-08-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

All four of the Original MTV VJ's are now on Facebook and Twitter when on Saturday Mark Goodman joined Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood and Martha Quinn by creating an official Facebook page.

Goodman, who currently hosts '80s on 8 on Sirius XM Radio, was supposed to be the first of the original five VJs to go on the air for MTV's launch on August 1, 1981 but "due to errors sequencing the clips, he was the last of the VJs to introduce themselves after 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by The Buggles and 'You Better Run' by Pat Benatar."

In honor of the 30th Anniversary of MTV this month Alan Hunter and Martha Quinn are running a contest by asking you to help spread the Original MTV VJs social media word to all your 80s loving friends. Martha's information can be found here and Alan Hunter's can be found here.

Photo: The Original MTV VJs

Quote: 80svjs.com

2010 Richard Blade Los Carneros Chardonnay Anyone?

2011-08-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Along with a RATT N ROLL "Slip of the Lip" Cabernet Sauvignon and a Warrant Red Napa Valley, part of St. Helena, California winemaker Kristian Story's Artist Series of wines includes a Richard Blade Los Carneros Chardonnay.

When you DJ you look to capture your audience with layers of music and sound. That’s exactly what this wine does for me. It flows over the palate with a hint of sweetness and the subtlety of fresh fruit, then lingers with a delicious aftertaste that begs for another sip. It’s the perfect wine for a warm afternoon or to enjoy with friends and family as you sit down for a meal of fish, chicken or pasta. The essence of a great DJ set is the mix and that’s exactly what this wine delivers, a mix that sweeps you up and has your tastebuds dancing.

Says the great DJ, one of Waist High's all-time favorite people: "Really excited - last year I was contacted by a great winery in Napa - KSW Winery - who asked if they could put out a 'Richard Blade' wine as part of their artist series. After several tastings (yummy) and two harvests we've finally come up with an amazing Chardonnay that is being released (August 8). It's perfect for lunch or dinner or just enjoying while listening to DMode or The Cure LOL! I didn't want to talk about it before until it was 'real' but it's now available and you'll love it. For more details check out Kristian Story Wines."

Photo: Richard Blade via Kristian Story Wines

Quotes: Artist Wine & Richard Blade

Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day!

2011-08-10T08:12:00.001-07:00

To celebrate, the band has released a 7 1/2 minute Night Version of "Other People's Lives" from their latest album All You Need Is Now.

Duran Duran has long titled extended dance remixes of their songs "Night Versions" simply because they were intended to be played in "Nightclubs." Night Versions are longer with more "instrumental breaks."

On behalf of the Firm, in honour of DD Appreciation Day, I am excited to offer our friends this free download of the Night Version of "Other Peoples Lives." "OPL" is one of the songs I enjoy most off the latest album, and one I have been looking forward to making an extended dance version of since it was first recorded. This version was cut, edited and extended at our London studio in June '11 with engineer Josh at the controls. Mark Ronson thought it was about time we had a Night Version again so here it is. We hope you’ll get a kick out of it. With love + thanks for your continued support. Enjoy!

- John Taylor

Quote: Duran Duran

Go-Go’s To Get Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

2011-08-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

The Go-Go's are set to receive the 2,444th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the Bettie Page Shop, formerly The Masque Nightclub where the band performed their very first show in 1978.

The ceremony will take place Thursday, Aug. 11 at 11:30 a.m.

The honor of the star coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Go-Go’s debut album Beauty and the Beat which went to #2 in the U.S. and was the first album to top the chart by an all-female band that wrote and performed its own songs.

Beauty and the Beat was re-mastered and released in May by Capitol/I.R.S. and is available in a 2CD package and in two digital collections featuring the remastered original album plus previously unreleased concert recordings from 1981.

From The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce: From their halcyon days as America's sweethearts to their current status as superstars who pioneered a genre, The Go-Go’s preside over an amazing three-decade reign as high pop priestesses. The internationally-loved pop hit makers helped cement the foundation of the early ‘80s pop-rock sound without the aid of outside composers, session players or, most importantly, creative compromise. From their very first show, the Go-Go's sang and played their own songs, offering five feisty role models for a generation of ready-to-rock girls and good, hooky fun for pop-loving guys.

Photo: The Go-Go's via Ana Martinez

Legendary Club Eric's To Re-Open.

2011-08-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

31 years after it closed the Liverpool music venue Eric's is re-opening its doors and the first shows have been announced.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, who played their very first-ever gig at Eric's in 1978, will be the first band to play on September 10 in an invitation only show.

Opened in 1976 opposite The Cavern Club on Mathew Street Eric's was instrumental in launching the careers of Dead or Alive, Echo and the Bunnymen, Big in Japan, and The Teardrop Explodes.

Not everyone is happy about the re-launch however and Jayne Casey (Big in Japan) said that she imagined founder Roger Eagle would be "turning in his grave" at the news.

The full list of Eric's shows can be found here.

Photo: Liverpool Daily Post

Quote: OMD

Happy 30th Birthday MTV!

2011-08-01T06:41:00.001-07:00

MTV 30th Anniversary Celebrations Begin This Weekend.

2011-07-29T00:08:00.000-07:00

August 1 will be the 30th anniversary of the launch of MTV - which began at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 1, 1981, with the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll!" - those words followed by the video for the Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star." History made. Here are some of the celebrations:

Starting Saturday at 6 a.m., VH1 Classic will be airing “MTV30 On VH1 Classic,” a three day tribute to MTV’s 30th anniversary.

"VH1 Classic viewers grew up with MTV, turning the 'I Want My MTV' slogan into a battle cry for a generation," said Tom Calderone, President of VH1 and VH1 Classic. "That generation has grown up to become viewers of VH1 Classic, which is the perfect place to relive many of MTV's iconic moments that helped shaped music and pop culture around the world."

The "MTV30 On VH1 Classic" marathon will feature best-of moments from Live Aid, MTV News, the VMAs, The MTV Movie Awards, and many enduring segments from the early years with the original MTV VJ’s. Classic clips from YO! MTV Raps, Remote Control, and Headbangers Ball will be combined with original MTV contests and promos and Sunday night at midnight, the original first hour of MTV’s debut will air.

"If you’re eager for more content, VH1 Classic will continue the party with archive playlists, interviews, and much, much more."

Monday at 7 a.m. (ET) SiriusXm's '80s on 8 will start airing the five hour VJ 30th Anniversary Special. "Rediscover the launch of MTV with interviews from original VJs Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn." The show will be re-broadcast at 1 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Also on Monday you can hear original VJ Nina Blackwood's exclusive interviews about the anniversary on radio stations that air her "Absolutely80s" and "New Wave Nation" shows.

Photo and quotes: VH1 Blog

Happy 50th Birthday Martin Gore.

2011-07-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

Our favorite composer.

Photo: Beatportal

Valerie Day To Teach A Class For Vocalists At Portland State University.

2011-07-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

Singer, percussionist and songwriter (most notably with Nu Shooz) Valerie Day will teach Becoming A Contemporary Vocalist this fall at Portland State University.

From valeriedaysings.com: Are you interested in pursuing a career as a jazz or contemporary vocalist?

Would you like to know what it takes to navigate life as a professional singer? In this class you’ll get an overview of the wide range of skills that will help you achieve your goals. We'll cover everything from the fundamentals of vocal technique, style, and interpretation of songs, to how to rehearse a band, get your charts and gig book together, record, write a gig contract, how to market yourself effectively – and more.

Whether you're just starting to think about music as a career, have already been performing for live audiences, or want to discover more about who you are as an artist, this class will give you a look at the tools you’ll need to help you on your journey. Non Vocal Jazz Majors welcome.

To register, go to the Portland State website class schedule and search for Contemporary Vocalist under “Course Name Contains,” or Day under “Instructor Name Contains.”

Photo: Phil Harris via Oregon Music News

Dexys Back In The Studio After 26 Years.

2011-07-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

Dexys Midnight Runners, who now go by the name Dexys, have announced via their

newly-created Twitter account that they are working on a new album, their first since 1985's Don't Stand Me Down.

According to Dexys Official the current lineup of the band is singer Kevin Rowland, original Dexys Midnight Runners bassist Pete Williams, guitarist Neil Hubbard, and ex-Style Council keyboardist Mick Talbot (who left Dexys Midnight Runners in 1980).

Of the new album, which is expected to be released in 2012, the band tweeted yesterday: "Taking nothing for granted and not getting carried away, there's a fair way to go."

Talking about the inclusion of the great Mick Talbot in the band, Rowland said: "Mick Talbot is a huge part of this, not just his playing, he's influential in the whole of this process. Commitment beyond the call of duty."

Dexys Midnight Runners formed in 1978.

Photo: Clash Music

Quote: The Quietus

The Four Surviving Original MTV VJ's Record A Special For MTV's 30th Anniversary.

2011-07-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Martha Quinn, and Alan Hunter came together on June 29 at the Sirius XM studios in New York to record a special for the 30th anniversary of MTV for SiriusXM's '80s on 8 channel.

Original MTV VJ J.J. Jackson, "Triple J," died in 2004 at the age of 62.

Not much has been released about the special but Alan Hunter has said that information is coming soon.

MTV was launched Aug. 1, 1981 at 12:01 a.m with the words, "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll," spoken by MTV co-creator John Lack, and played over footage of the launch of Apollo 11. Those words were followed by the original MTV theme song playing over pictures of the moon landing and the introduction of the MTV flag.

Of The Original MTV VJs, Steve Spears of tampabay.com had this to say, "I hope these four understand and are honored by the legacy they gave us."

Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images North America via tampabay.com

Happy 60th Birthday Fred Schneider!

2011-07-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

Photo: John Davisson via Pollstar

Found! Talk Talk Art On Merchandise!

2011-06-25T10:41:00.001-07:00

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

Erasure Announces U.S. Tour.

2011-06-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

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

Happy 50th Birthday To George O'Dowd!

2011-06-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

Photo: CBS Baltimore

Ping Trace Cover "A Forest."

2011-06-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

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

Legendary Producer Martin Rushent Has Died.

2011-06-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

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

Alan Wilder To Auction Historic Depeche Mode Equipment And Memorabilia.

2011-05-31T11:25:00.001-07:00

From auction.recoil.co.uk: Many items are very collectable and hold special value having been used extensively in the recording sessions for classic Depeche Mode and Recoil albums, as well as live performances on the Black Celebration, Music For The Masses, World Violation and Devotional tours.

The additional memorabilia such as Gold & Platinum award discs, leather clothing, rare acetates & test pressings, artwork, posters, tour merchandise and much more, covers Alan's entire musical career, focusing mainly on the years between 1982 & 1995 and making this one of the most exciting career sales to hit the public domain ever. It is also the first time ever that a Depeche Mode memorabilia sale on this scale has appeared.

The sale and live event will be conducted through Omega, with the official catalogue available online throughout August, prior to the event on the first weekend of September. Soon we will provide direct links to Omega with clear information about how to bid, either on-line, by telephone or at the event itself. For the time being, you can preview everything at this site and discover the history and condition of the items plus read Alan's comments on each piece. We have done our utmost to present you with all the information available, having spent weeks scouring the web, Alan's own archives, photographs and diary entries, plus anything else we could find to make the descriptions as detailed as possible.

All sale items will include a signed letter of authentication from Alan Wilder with details of use and each winning bidder will also receive a free DVD of Alan Wilder - Collected.

Photo: Shunt Ltd

INXS Goes To #1 In The U.S.

2011-05-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

"Original Sin" featuring Rob Thomas and DJ Yaleidys, the first single from INXS's Original Sin, has officially topped the Billboard Dance Club Play chart and is the #3 Most Added track at college radio. "Original Sin" is the band’s first ever number one Billboard dance single, with the original version of "Original Sin" peaking at #17 on the Billboard dance chart in 1984.

Hailed by critics as a "rewarding collision of nostalgia and modernism" and a "cleverly and lovingly assembled collection," Original Sin, an ambitious album project two years in the making, teams the band with musicians from around the globe, from superstars like Ben Harper, Pat Monahan, Rob Thomas, Tricky, and Nikka Costa to up and comer DJ Yaleidys of Cuba, to reinterpret and revitalize their own classics for a whole new generation.

Photo: INXS

Material quoted directly from: INXS

The Circus And Wonderland To Be Reissued.

2011-05-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Erasure have announced that on June 4 EMI will be reissuing their first two albums - Wonderland (1986) and The Circus (1987) - in special expanded 3-disc editions.

Both releases will feature remastered versions of the original albums, each supplemented by single remixes, b-sides and radio session tracks across the two CD discs, plus a DVD containing the promotional videos for the singles from each album, plus a live concert. For Wonderland the previously unreleased concert footage was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1986 while the DVD for the The Circus release will feature Top of The Pops performances plus the 1987 Live At The Seaside concert recorded in Brighton, originally released on VHS, now available on DVD for the first time.

Photo & material: erasureinfo.com

Michael Fencl (January 20, 1968 - May 13, 1986)

2011-05-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

25 years ago today I lost a great friend and today I remember.

I met Mike Fencl towards the end of 1983 and over the course of 3 years we became great friends. He was a very fascinating person and great joy existed when I was in his presence. Upon reflection, he seemed to not have alot of free time and seemed to be forever grounded. I can still hear his voice, saying the same thing every Friday afternoon, "I'm grounded this weekend."

The time we spent together seems like it was not too frequent. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. It was a lifetime ago. We would often spend hours riding around town on a Flying Dutchman bicycle on loan from Henry Rodriguez; Mike pedaling and me on the handlebars screaming with glee. I spent many an evening hanging out at Swensen's Ice Cream Parlor while he worked. He made you just want to be around him all the time.

Mike loved music and was crazy about this man called Paul Weller, this man called Dave Wakeling, and this man called Bob Dylan. One day he gave me what I thought was a poem and it was called "I'll Remember You." I remember feeling so special because Mike had written me a poem. He never once told me it was a Bob Dylan song and I never asked.

For a couple of years I carried this poem around that Mike had written for me and I even framed it at one point. Grief stricken at his funeral I asked the minister to read it, the poem Mike had written just for me, and he did.

I could have happily spent the rest of my days thinking that Mike had written this beautiful poem just for me but such is life; someone asked me at the end of the funeral if I knew that that was a Bob Dylan song. No. I actually did not.

25 years have gone by and I am still gutted that you died Mike. No one that was privileged enough to know you has ever forgotten how you died, when you died, or where you died. Someone told me not too long ago that they have never once passed through the intersection of New Stine Road and Wilson Avenue in Bakersfield California without thinking of you. I have never once passed through the intersection of New Stine Road and Wilson Avenue in Bakersfield California without thinking of you or how I accidentally drove upon the scene of your crash after the ambulance had taken you away and saw your shoe lying in the road.

The day after you died, on May 14, 1986, 38 year-old Doug Hoxworth received your heart and lungs and lived an extraordinary existence as the 34th heart and lung transplant recipient at Stanford Medical Center. He lived 22 full years with gifts that were generously donated by your mother Marion.

Doug passed away Nov. 13, 2008, in Wasilla, Alaska.

Doug Hoxworth said about you in 2006, "I think about him all the time. I talk to him. I say, 'Thank you, Michael.'"

I'll remember you.

Photo: The Waist High Collection

Kajagoogoo Are Back!

2011-05-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Kajagoogoo community needs our help getting one of the world’s most beloved new wave bands back into the UK charts!

From kajagoogoo.com: The track "Death Defying Headlines" comes from the band’s Death Defying Headlines EP and is a beautiful example of the modern Kajagoogoo sound. With some gentle persuasion from KajaFax, the band have agreed to release the track as a single.

This is the first single to be released from the complete five piece band in 28 years!

The promo video and all of the information about how to support the band and download the track can be found here.

Photo: kajagoogoo.com

Beauty And The Beat 30th Anniversary Edition To Be Released May 17.

2011-05-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

From gogos.com: The Go-Go’s double platinum debut album, Beauty and the Beat, has been digitally remastered and expanded for a 30th Anniversary Edition to be released May 17 by Capitol/I.R.S. The commemorative edition will be available in a 2CD package and in two digital collections featuring the remastered original album plus exclusive, previously unreleased concert audio recordings from 1981. On the same date, the remastered original album will be reissued on pink vinyl with replicated original artwork.

Beauty and the Beat was the Go-Go’s debut album, released in 1981 by I.R.S. Records. The album hit #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, and was the first album to top the chart by an all-female band that wrote and performed its own songs. The album’s singles, “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “We Got The Beat,” also charted in several countries, fueling album sales of more than two million in the U.S. alone. Beauty and the Beat is considered one of the decade’s defining albums and it is on Rolling Stone’s list of the ‘500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.’

Further Proof That "Without Music, Life Would Be A Mistake."

2011-04-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

Taken from the 41st webisode of Live From Daryl’s House, which aired Apr. 15, Dave Stewart and Daryl Hall perform "Here Comes the Rain Again" here.

Photo: Live From Daryl's House

Documentary In The Works For Adam Ant's Comeback Tour.

2011-04-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

From NME: Klaxons' bassist Jamie Reynolds is set to produce and help film a new documentary about Adam Ant's May comeback tour.

The band, who recently cancelled their US tour, are set for a few scattered festival slots this summer, but Reynolds will apparently be filling his time behind the camera, documenting Ant's first tour in 25 years.

Reynolds told The Daily Star: "The Adam Ant project is my first step into the film business. I've got no experience of making films but I really wanted to get involved in it and I may do more."

He added: "I'm helping produce it and will get more involved as it nears completion. Adam is sounding great. I hadn't seen him perform until last week when he announced his first tour and he's back on form."

Ant told the tabloid that Reynolds has also invested in the documentary.

Photo: Birmingham Post