new Bauhaus album, March 4th 2008, "Going Away White" + the end

This should not happen.

I thought you didn't care about goths?

When did I ever say that? I love several Goth bands. I was simply taking exception to certain bands being mistakenly pigeon-holed as Goths when they're nothing of the fucking sort. In the same way I bristled when Anthony Miccio called Redd Kross a "hair metal band", I take elephantine exception to bands like Killing Joke and SWANS being called Goths.

Bauhaus are irrefutably Goths and were fucking brilliant, but I get the feeling that this album is going to go the way of the Clash's Cut the Crap.

I'm curious. I wouldn't have minded seeing them live again though.

Bauhaus are irrefutably Goths

Pete's denying everything:

You developed Gothic Rock with bands like Siouxsie & The Banshees, Sisters Of Mercy or Cure, representing the British scene of the Eighties. The same style was performed in the USA by acts like Christian Death: I think the two scenes had different connotations. Do you agree with me? If so, which are the differences, in your opinion?

Bauhaus did not develop anything other than Bauhaus. (remember Siouxsie developed in and from Punk, the Sisters of Mercy much later than the so called Post Punk stage. All very different bands. It’s not accurate to associate any bands of that time since also essentially, bands in general, have their own creative worlds . I would have thought that the ‘gothic’ music scene developed of its own accord much later in the nineties. This is also a comment on the nature of British bands and culture being fiercely individualistic.

Only as much depth and ability as The Mish, obviously.

live show I saw last year (er, two years ago) was excellent. don't know about a new album but would have to be better than peter murphy's last album.

I think Alex's Mish thing on the SY/Swans thread was actually saying they don't have the depth but he still likes them even with the trappings of goth and that certain other bands (KJ) do have that depth but shouldn't be labelled goth just because they succumb to some of the trappings of goth imagery.

Then again he called Strawberry Switchblade a goth band and put them in the same sentence as Sex Gang Children and London After Midnight so maybe he's just on crack.

xpost

That's what I mean, so Bauhaus by default don't have enough depth and/or ability for him to say they shouldn't be labelled goth. They then fall into the same nebulous area as The Mish.

Rule 1 of goth bands: deny you are a goth band

I don't think Strawberry Switchblade ever had to deny that one.

I would have thought that the ‘gothic’ music scene developed of its own accord much later in the nineties

You'd be laughably mistaken to the point where people should feel strongly obliged to point at you and openly guffaw, if not pelt you with rancid fruit.

Then again he called Strawberry Switchblade a goth band and put them in the same sentence as Sex Gang Children and London After Midnight so maybe he's just on crack.

Are you seriously suggesting that these bands are not bona fide goth bands?

That's what I mean, so Bauhaus by default don't have enough depth and/or ability for him to say they shouldn't be labelled goth. They then fall into the same nebulous area as The Mish.

Not quite. I'm not suggesting that Bauhaus were as shallow as the Mission (again, who I love), but rather that they were so crucial to the establishment of the Goth sensibility -- to say nothing of the sartorial/tonsorial trappings -- that would be ridiculously hard pressed to make the argument that they were <i>not</i>, in face, fully representative of "Goth." That said, I do think they had a great deal more depth than the Mish (not entirely a difficult feat, admittedly).

I'm suggesting that Strawberry Switchblade were not even remotely goth and do not belong in that company.

xpost

soundwise perhaps, but Rose McDowall is like Ms. July of the Universal Goth Pinup Calendar.

Are you seriously suggesting that these bands are not bona fide goth bands?

Maybe you should listen to a Strawberry Switchblade record instead of just looking at pictures.

they were so crucial to the establishment of the Goth sensibility -- to say nothing of the sartorial/tonsorial trappings -- that would be ridiculously hard pressed to make the argument that they were <i>not</i>, in face, fully representative of "Goth."

See also Joy Division, Killing Joke.

Yes a couple of members evolved from being punky to wearing heavy eyeliner and black and white polkadots. They also had some Cure assistance on their album iirc. That's as 'goth' as they got, i.e. not at all.

If Strawberry Switchblade are a goth band then Killing Joke are the Lords of Fucking Goth Darkness.

xpost again

Should we sensibly consider Boris a goth pre-Cure?

Also, let's not forget Strawberry Switchblade at one point included that ARCH GOTH FIEND Roddy Frame.

I would also like to put Alex and Pete Murphy in a room together, just to watch Alex guffaw and point and pelt him with rancid fruit.

I'm got a nagging feeling there was another Cure member involved somewhere, maybe Porl?

If I remember I'll check the sleeve notes.

xpost re Boris

I've, not I'm

Anyway, I suspect Alex may be right in his first post here. It was great to see them tour but the thought of new material doesn't excite me in the least. I hope to be proved wrong.

Like being right ever counted for anything on ILX.

I would also like to put Alex and Pete Murphy in a room together, just to watch Alex guffaw and point and pelt him with rancid fruit.

it probably wouldn't be a first for Peter.

Should we sensibly consider Boris a goth pre-Cure?

He was also in the Thompson Twins prior to the Cure, no?

Okay. Here was go then:

Who here consider The Cure to be a goth band? A show of hands, please

I went to see Bauhaus a couple of years ago and it was great, they still seemed really into it and played great.

maybe this could be GOOD! woah.

Okay. Here was go then:

Who here consider The Cure to be a goth band? A show of hands, please

-- Alex in NYC, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 4:17 PM (2 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

*raises hand*

no goth bands wanna be goth bands! like colonel poo said, that's classic you have to deny it.

i agree that joy division isn't goth but the cure and bauhaus are totes goth.

Okay, then. Who would consider the song "The Lovecats" to be a goth tune, then?

or, for that matter, The Mission's cover of "Mr.Pleasant" by the Kinks...

I consider the Cure to have been a Goth band right up until about 25 years ago, excluding the first album(s).

I guess the question I'm rather laboriously trying to raise is how does one pinpoint a band's ties to a genre when they clearly dare to stray from the parameters of said genre?

Are the Damned a punk band?

He was also in the Thompson Twins prior to the Cure, no?

And any Thompson Twins connection to goth is?

Goth bands don't have to always have goth songs, but they always maintain a core of gothness that they can't hide. it's black sabbath is a metal band, even though they have quiet pretty songs and stuff like that.

the essence of goth cannot be scrubbed clean!

Dudez whatever I only kind of like the Cure anyway, every kid that thought he/she was a goth loved the Cure and did their hair just like the Cure and wore Cure t-shirts.

Plus the fact that they deny it almost proves they were goth! It's not like people go around accusing everyone of being goth!

http://www.overtimecomedy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/up-they_might_be_giants_01.jpg

"While we have the utmost respect for our fans in the goth community, we've never really considered ourselves a goth band"

Hmm, for me the main elements of goth are the flamboyant theatrics. The Cure never really had that aspect, whereas the Banshees and Bauhaus hsure as hell did.

It's not like people go around accusing everyone of being goth!

I think if people are going to point the finger at Strawberry Switchblade then no-one is safe.

goth is like porn i know it when i see it

http://www.rshb.org.uk/dust/rosemcdowall.jpg

Hmm, for me the main elements of goth are the flamboyant theatrics. The Cure never really had that aspect

Ummmm. Maybe take a look at some of their videos, notably "The Hanging Garden."

If Jill Bryson and Alannah Currie had a competition to see who was the most goth, it would be won by Angela Lansbury.

...which, suffice to say, is as Goth as Fuck.

x-x-post

i just listened to strawberry switchblade (2 songs on their myspace)...it reminded me of like camera obscura or something like that.

VERDICT: Not Goth

on the subject of the new bauhaus record - the billboard article indicates it's more or less going to be a posthumous release, as the band have split over something contentious and are no longer touring, nor will they tour at all to support the new record. so at least it's not an overtly commercial move; it sounds more like they wanted to make a record cause they were enjoying touring and playing music in each other's company, in the first place, and then split regardless of not being able to tour behind the new record. which makes it not exactly a "comeback" album, but a "bowing out" album.

(or website not myspace actually)

Rose McDowall != Strawberry Switchblade

Catchy bubblegum pop by girls with eyeliner != goth

Next you'll be googling monochrome pictures of Shampoo.

Uh-oh. We're in trouble.

well, "really ended" until the late 90s.

I quite like it so far.

i don't think 'burning from the inside' was a high note to end on

Worth it if only for "Antonin Artaud".

Scratch pictures on asylum walls
Broken nails and matchsticks
hypodermic hypodermic hypodermic
RED FIX

Somehow I never got around to saying so on this thread, though I first heard it a week ago, but I quite liked it overall. "Mirror Remains" is positively blood curdling! My only complaint was that on two songs towards the beginning they were using really common stereotypical rock riffs that rather dimished their uniqueness. But from what I recall, the lyrics helped. Other than that, yeah, I quite liked it overall. I'll have to give it a second listen soon.

"positively blood curdling" is good.

Endless Summer of the Damned is kicking my head in.

There's a great moment -- and I think it's in "Mirror Remains," wherein Murphy is improvising a middle-eight of sorts, while Ash scrapes little staccato figures on his guitar. "Here's where a solo should go," says Pete. "This is the solo," asserts Daniel.

Oh you're right! They really do say that! I thought you meant they just seemed to say that but they really do speak it! Oh my god, that is just such a classic moment I don't know where to begin. And when someone coughs later. Jesus. I wish the whole album was as good as "Mirror Remains", though they come close at times. Who the hell thought they could still do something that cool after all these years? I'm not sure things really get off the ground with this album until "Endless Summer Of The Damned". "Saved" is pretty damn bewitching as well.

God, listen to the drums come in on The Dog's a Vapour. I feel like Peter Murphy is about to turn into a wolf. Good old fashioned scary goth shit! I LOVE IT.

Just bought the CD. Talk about minimalistic design. Bastards

This is really good! A pleasant surprise.

Pint glass!

Hello loyal readers,

The new, long-awaited Bauhaus album, 'Go Away White' is now out!

If you haven't ordered it yet, here's where you can go to purchase it (or
just visit the news page at http://www.bauhausmusik.com/news )

US: Amazon and Newbury Comics (with every Bauhaus cd purchase at Newbury
Comics, you can get a free Bauhaus pint glass until supplies run out)

Europe and UK: Cooking Vinyl and Amazon UK

You can also purchase it on iTunes. If you download the full album, you
also get two bonus video downloads from the Coachella 2005 appearance.
Please note that the videos are only available in countries where iTunes
sell music downloads.

Telegram Sam
Official Bauhaus website
http://www.bauhausmusik.com/

Fuck, I want one of those pint glasses. Only gonna look right with Guinness, though.

http://www.newburycomics.com/stores/newburycomics/user-images/preorder_bauhaus_glasses.jpg

O_o

ebay millions have been made for far less.

Pint Glasses seem more like the type of swag Iron Maiden would sell (nothing wrong with that, mind you). It just seems like Bauhaus would sooner produce a line of wine glasses or decanters from which to sup Absynthe, no?

I'm surprised La Fee absinthe weren't on the case. Then again, Murphy won't be filling his glass with anything stronger than milk. (Which would fit with the CD design.)

Pint glasses are sold out; I want one :(

This is really good! A pleasant surprise.

Yeah, I was really blindsided by just how good this turned out to be.

Alex OTM re: puzzlement of beer glasses vs. more appropriate wine & absinthe.

Finally got my copy yesterday (No beer glass!) Sounding great. They really have pulled this off with style. It's like picking up with an old friend.

Yeah, what's amazing about this album is that it sounds like it could have been recorded 25 years ago. But it doesn't sound dated, it sounds completely fresh and new and different and interesting.

I like it. Smells heavily of Iggy and Bowie moreso than ever before but not as nervous as the older albums. Then again, 25 years later, I'm not expecting a completely reanimated In The Flat Field era Bauhaus, anyway.

Meantime, David J's best of LA

"Good clean Guinness to wash down the footy on the telly." - so that's what the promo beerglasses were for!

"Wash down the footy"?!!?!??!

Oh, David, you have just betrayed years and years of adoration. ::sniff::

That said, I suppose it was Daniel who had the best quote on the rubbishness of football.

What does everyone think of this album approx. 3 months later?

listened to it twice, haven't revisted it. kind of forgot it existed actually

Yeah I forgot about it, but...man that one song...

Which?

listening to this album at all would have been like saying "I give up" for me & I ain't goin out like that

x-post -- "Endless Summer of the Damned," maybe? (It's my highlight at least.)

J0hn - you just gotta think of it like a P.Murphy solo record with a buncha guest appearances. don't compare it to the old stuff, obviously it's no Flat Field but it's not half bad.

I don't want an album that's "not half bad" from the band that made In the Flat Field

Yeah I forgot about it, but...man that one song...

-- Bimble, Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2:22 AM (46 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

Which?

-- stephen, Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2:27 AM (41 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

"Mirror Remains" man, that fucking wipes the floor with the rest of the album. It's not their fault, you know, but it really does wipe the floor. Listen to the fucking guitar solo for god's sake.

It's a good album IMHO, and stands with the rest of their studio output. It always was about the individual members pushing in different directions, with unpredictable results. But still, that sound - so good to hear it again.

I don't want an album that's "not half bad" from the band that made ________________

there ya go J0hn, i modified yr complaint so you can fill in the blank with yr favorite album by any band & never enjoy new music again if it doesn't reach the absolute peak of that band's achievements.

oh snap

ps I never listen to this album mostly because I never listen to anything obsessively anymore if it isn't The Cure, Radiohead, MIA or Portishead.

cool thanks Stephen I don't know though I been thinking, maybe I should lower my standards a little and then when a once-great band makes something that's "not half bad" I should just say "hey, at least it's not garbage" and be real happy, the more so if it's a band from my youth 'cause what could be better than having once been young rite?

just so sick of bands that don't really have any reason to reunite except "weren't those great times!" - kill all nostalgia plz, it's useless

haha post w/my Cure-lovin' friend

Isn't it an even more extreme form of nostalgia to dismiss new material by old favorites because it can never be quite the same?

Yeah I suppose, and that's a fair question - doesn't it encourage nostalgia to "preserve the legacy," etc? I mean - the Mission of Burma reunion strikes me as a great way to do things. But I was never as into Burma as much as I was Bauhaus, so their reformation doesn't feel like The Things Of Youth Which Ought To Stay Dead rising from the grave. You know?

I don't know, to my mind Burning From the Inside was a great way to go out on a high note - I loved that. Likelihood of the eventual actual-final-Bauhaus-album providing a similarly satisfying narrative seems low. I mean - if word was "Bauhaus have made a new album and holy fuck who could imagine they'd be this innovative and amazing for a bunch of old dudes," you wouldn't hear a peep outta me. When I hear "it's got one really good song," that's just a little depressing, is all.

It sounds like you're setting yourself up for a disappointment, so perhaps you'd better let it alone. "One good song" is way off the mark, though.

By coincidence, I was listening to "Burning From the Inside" this afternoon, and, knowing where the band were at that point, I could hear how it barely hangs together. It does though, and so does the new one.

Isn't it an even more extreme form of nostalgia to dismiss new material by old favorites because it can never be quite the same?

the Burma reunion is indeed great, live show kills. Bauhaus less so, the album does have 3 or 4 pretty great songs though. J0hn, what's yr take on the MBV reunion?

The Throbbing Gristle reunion is another one that has produced an unexpected reaction - I haven't heard any real criticism at all. You could argue that, even more so than the Sex Pistols, they were of their time, and couldn't ever mean as much today as they did then.

J0hn, what's yr take on the MBV reunion?

if they're not playing new material I couldn't care any less about it, is my take. I don't want to see bands revisit the goddamn glory days, or offer new takes on same, etc etc., I don't say nobody should throw an old jam or two into their set but I sure as hell don't have any interest in seeing a band play a bunch of 20-year-old songs

and yeah, TG was on fucking point as to how to do it: "hi, we have a few new ideas, here they are" - didn't they play zero old songs in their ICA show? solid.