WAIST HIGH: Spirit of 86

11/16/2007

The Spirit Of '86.

After more than twenty years the long awaited release date for The Alarm - Spirit Of '86 DVD has finally arrived!

The Alarm - Spirit Of '86 concert, the legendary live worldwide broadcast, was first recorded in front of 25,000 Alarm fans at UCLA in Los Angeles on Apr. 12, 1986. The concert, with yours truly in attendance, was transmitted via a historic first-ever satellite transmission to millions of homes around the globe on MTV.

Previously only ever available in the immediate aftermath of the concert, the original video was subsequently withdrawn at the request of the band (who were unhappy with the original unmixed sound quality), and has been out of print for over twenty years.

The Alarm - Spirit Of '86 concert is now available as a special Collectors DVD/CD Digipak featuring a massive amount of content that took Mike Peters the best part of a decade to assemble after relentlessly searching for and eventually finding the original master tapes through the Capitol Records/MTV/Alarm archives.

The Alarm - Spirit Of '86 concert features a complete digital restoration of the original footage re-edited and enhanced into a modern 16:9 widescreen format plus a complete remix of the concert audio into both stereo and 5:1 formats.

The Special Edition Collectors Digipak also includes a full colour 12 page 85/86 Tour Program booklet and also includes a separate audio CD of the complete concert featuring for the first time ever the previously unreleased and legendary lost encore, "We Are The Light."

Special features include a previously unseen 1986 interview with Mike Peters and guitarist Dave Sharp plus the original MTV concert trailer and backstage feature, the Strength album TV advert and all Strength album UK/USA videos together with previously unseen footage of The Alarm in concert at Rutgers University in New Jersey on Mar. 11, 1986. The DVD also includes a restoration feature including a brand new interview with Mike Peters.

Included on the DVD is a special alternative acoustic concert soundtrack recorded by Mike Peters that has been synched to the original footage, providing a unique perspective on this historic Alarm performance.

Individual audio commentaries from all the original group members plus Alarm manager Ian Wilson provide a fascinating insight into the inner workings and dynamic of the band during this period in time.

The complete concert features the following songs:

Declaration/Marching On/Howling Wind/Knife Edge/Blaze Of Glory/Absolute Reality/Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke?/Walk Forever By My Side/Spirit Of '76/Sixty Eight Guns/Strength/Knocking On Heaven's Door/We Are The Light

Click here to order.

Material: myspace.com/thealarm

5/07/2007

The Spirit Of '86.

The Alarm to reissue Spirit Of '86 on DVD

The concert, held at UCLA in 1986, with Waist High and good friend Amy Langfield in attendance, has been held back to accommodate audio commentary from all of the original members. An official release date will be set in the coming weeks once production has been completed.

The Alarm's 1985 Strength tour and it's 1986 counterpart the Spirit Of '86 tour were a triumph. Massive radio airplay in the UK and USA created steady sales, pushing the album into the Top-40 in the UK and all the way to #31 in the USA. The band treated the new in-flux of fans just like they had treated the die-hard ones that had been with them since the beginning in 1981. No one waiting for an autograph or to talk to the band after a show was turned away. The band seemed to thrive on their fan-base, and more than mere showmanship, they really wanted to bridge the gap between artists and fan. In the middle of their tour, The Alarm decided to give something back.

On April 12, 1986 The Alarm made their most striking mark on the world of rock music. In front of 20,000+ fans at UCLA and millions more around the world watching on MTV, they played a free, 75 minute live concert called The Spirit Of '86, which holds a place in history as being "the very first global satellite concert in front of a live audience."

They put on the show as a "thank-you" to all the fans who had stuck with them and all the new ones they had gained along the way. The show highlighted most of The Alarm's "hits," and was considered a triumph by most people who witnessed the spectacle, even though there were a few problems. Mid-way through "Marching On," a football thrown by a drunk frat-boy decimated Twists' bass drum, rendering it useless.

To the live crowd it made no difference, but it severely crippled the low-end of the audio broadcast, making later songs like "Spirit Of '76" sound hallow and lifeless. Furthermore, IRS waited a full six months to release the show on video, missing nearly any chance of capturing the momentum created by the show. Even so, the band was ecstatic after the show. A two-night stand opening for Queen and Status Quo at Wembly Stadium sealed the deal for them.

Photo: Kevin J.R. via thealarm.com
Material: the alarm.com, & hmmagazine.com via chrissyfessler.blogspot.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.