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September
1, 1998
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....Spotted at the Rochester show; ex-Pogue, now Pope Mr. Shane Macgowan, the presence of whom, inspired Mr. Murphy to indulge in a spirited post gig rendition of the old Irish Ballad, 'Maids, When You're Young, Don't Wed an Old Man". Now, where did we put that crock of gold?
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September
10, 1998
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The term coined with reference to the L.A. Times review of one of the already legendary Hollywood shows, in which Mr. Murphy was described as, "dressed in Byronic splendour". This legend is now embossed on the front of the mobile wardrobe which conveys the collective sartorial accouterments of Bauhaus from Theatre to Theatre across the globe. This black crushed velvet lined box contains such elegant items as Mr. Ash's blue/black ostrich feather boa, Lestatesque regency frock coats and a menagerie of faux leopard, snake, and tigerskin ensembles; Mr. Haskins' Nosferatu style mid-calf length opera coat and fishnet apparel; Mr. J's custom made mandarin style, nine-buttoned ebony suit and vintage Brooks Brothers midnight blue velvet smoking jacket; and the aforementioned Mr. Murphy's "eternal fall" collection featuring multifarious finery in velvet, silk and brocade. As evidenced by the above, there has been a certain rediscovery of the opulent dandyism present at the group's inception (although, back in the day, this predilection was catered for via thrift stores and the occasional raid of girlfriends' closets). Bauhaus was always much enamored of the glorious style of Mr. Oscar Wilde and the spirit of this perennial hero still presides over today's reincarnation. One of the highlights of the current set occurs during the opening of "Boys" during which Mr. Murphy executes an on-stage costume change, assisted by his two personal valets. Suits you Sir!
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September
16, 1998
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Picture, if you will, the sepulchral interior of a Bedouin tent. Decorative silken drapes forming a canopy above a central seating area, in the middle of which, atop a large Moorish coffee table, is displayed a veritable cornucopia of fresh fruit, a smorgasbord of delicacies and an elaborate Egyptian hookah. The evocative aroma of frankincense and myrrh permeates the air, whilst a scattering of mirrored velvet cushions, peacock feathers and orchids complete the heady atmosphere of exotica. The fact that this opulent environment exists inside a mobile nissen hut is a minor miracle to the credit of one Brian Lowe, provider of environs conducive to the appropriate collective mindset. A little illusion goes a long way! Tonight, this daily recreated decor provides the setting for yet another audience with the mysterious popes of G***. The visitors to the court of the undead on this occasion being the respected personages of Mr. William Corgan esquire and his charming consort, Miss Yelena Yemchuk, "dark angel," photographer and muse. The result of this summit meeting, an impromptu cameo appearance by the aforementioned Mr. C. on a spirited rendition of "the bopping elfs," "Telegram Sam," and (at Mr. Corgan's request) a poignant reading of "All We Ever Wanted." "Chicago is a SMASHING town, you've been a SMASHING audience and now we have a SMASHING pumpkin for you!" thus spake Mr. Murphy, to the delight of the ecstatic crowd, and despite Mr. J's bass guitar taking an unfortunate knock on his approach to the stage, resulting in an interestingly dissonant rendition of the Bolan hit, a smashing time was indeed had by all. Helping matters along most splendidly was the highly talented Steven Perkins, providing a more than fair imitation of Mickey Finn, albeit considerably less hairsuit. Prior to these two sellout shows at the Riviera Theatre, Mr. David Bowie had requested usage of two live numbers to feature on his new Internet service. Pipping the divine Mr. B. to the post however, was "Rollingstone.com," who provided the world with a live cybercast of the whole event. You too can be there!
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September
1998
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David met The Hand ....which then inspired the Undertaker to write: Resurrection
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September
17, 1998
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A casual perusal of the collective C.D. library compiled by the Byronic Ones will reveal a distinctly eclectic selection, ranging from: Philip Glass, Mozart, Gundjiett/Dettartmann, Julie Andrews, Michael Brook, David Bowie - Mr. Murphy Propellerheads, Iggy Pop, Jimi Hendrix, Pet Shop Boys, T. Rex, Hard House, Roxy Music - Mr. Ash Air, Massive Attack, Jimi Tenor, Lo Fi Allstars, Primal Scream, Elliot Smith , John Coltrane- Mr. J Mr. Haskins relying on the excellent taste of his cohorts to provide the requisite audio inspiration prior to laying down the primal voodoo beat of the undead. Twenty minutes before treading the boards, the drummer habitually lays into a small rubber practice pad, picking up on any rhythm emanating from the Aiwa "Brixton suitcase". One disc now missing, presumed dead is the Jack Nitzche soundtrack to "Performance". After a repeated playing of "Memo to Turner" the Aiwa decided that it relished the highly spiced flavour of Mick Jagger so much that it would have to ingest the digitally encoded cookie, which promptly disappeared into the guts of the machine. His Satanic Majesty now resides within and on occasion a distinctive, thick lipped rasping backing vocal is discernible on the most unlikely of tracks!
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September
19 1998
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September 19th found the Byronic four at home in the haunted avenues of the New Orleans Garden District, perusing the sumptuous environs of the estate of Mrs. Anne Rice for a private tour of the domain of dolls. The night belonged to voodoo as three of the four cleaved through the steaming miasmic air of the French Quarter on an expedition to the "Dream Palace" for an impassioned preview of forthcoming songs from the diminutive but mighty James Hall. Mr. Hall, the Beau Brummel of thrift store chic, would join the "Haus of Bau" the following night for some soulful trumpet styling during an extended version of "She's in Parties". In attendance that evening, Mr. Trent Reznor, "Pop Will Eat Itself", White Zombie, and the remainder of the "James Hall Band". The set was distinguished by a second helping of "Ziggy Stardust" as the band succeeded in deconstructing the concept of the encore. Confusion and delight reigned in equal measure. Waiting for the celebrants in their dressing room, afterwards, was a bottle of a limited edition cuvé Lestat wine, courtesy of Mrs. Rice, along with a signed photograph with the inscription, "All Blessings, Sing On" ..Indeed!
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October
1, 1998
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In attendance for the [Dallas] performance a troupe of renegades from the notorious "Jim Rose Circus." Hammers, nails and flaming chainsaws were confiscated at the door.
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October
12, 1998
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With a resounding metallic shudder, the enormous steel gate, once the impenetrable port cullis of the Cine Opera, came crashing to the ground. Five hundred wildly impassioned renegade fans had entered the arena. These impoverished anarchists, denizens of Mexico City's dirt poor southern district, had accomplished their aim and were now fully and imperceptibly entrenched amongst the paying legal entrants absorbed in a deliriously swaying throng of black, Afficianados of "the dark scene", Mexico City's thriving underground cult, the rebel crowd pushed the attendance figure beyond the six thousand mark, the official capacity for "El Opera". It was at this point of forced entry that the police department decided to throw in the towel, it being the second of two full on riots that evening. Inside the antiquated venue, a rain of gilded plaster anointed the faithful as the continual pounding of many feet upon concrete threatened to reduce the building to a pile of rubble, and all this before the band had taken the stage! The spontaneous roar when they eventually did, could have put Mexico's national soccer stadium to shame. The performance which followed was one of the best, culminating in an astonishing "Bela Lugosi's Dead", the Catholic style candelabra set atop Mr. J's speaker cabinet, adding a suitably gothic touch to the proceedings. Post show, a decoy maneuver was employed as four security guards disguised as "El hombre de Bauhaus", their visages concealed beneath black towels resembling monks' cauls, made an intentionally conspicuous exit to mislead the be-fanged followers thronging the stage door.
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October
18, 1998
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During a post gig wander through Tokyo's Shinjuku district, Mr. J chanced upon Japanese bootleg heaven. Whilst perusing the rows of illicit pirated goodies, he was approached by the nervous but congenial shop keeper who proposed the irresistible proposition of ten free tapes in exchange for one photo opportunity. The square-eyed bassist left smiling with much royalty robbing contraband featuring the likes of Kraftwerk, Patti Smith, Ian Dury, Mott the Hoople, The Clash, Tom Waits, Rolling Stones, and "Rove and Lockets" (live in San Diego & London) and various Bauhaus rarities. "Press the eject and give me the tape!" and we'll leave it at that!
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October
22, 1998
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(overheard on a flight to Japan) Mr J. discussing his intention to visit Ireland in order to trace the origin of his family name (mother's side). Mr. Murphy, "If you go on your own, let me know and I'll come with you."
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October
23, 1998
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Following a grueling thirty-four hour journey from Japan which preceded a strange, delirious concert at Prague's charmingly crumbling Lucerna Hall, the jet-lagged undead repaired to the elegant setting of Slavia, historical seat of Bohemian Café society and former den of insurrection. They say that the cloth from which the Velvet Revolution was spun originated within its marbled walls. Here two of the Bauhausers, namely Mr. J and Mr. Ash, took recourse to the apéritif of the poets and found themselves enveloped in the soothing arms of the green spirit, Absinthe. What visions may come!
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October
24, 1998
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The mode of conveyance intended to transport their Byronic majesties to the fabled environs of Vienna was dramatically downscaled when the black Mercedes luxury tour bus (formerly used by one Mr. M. Jackson and Bubbles) was inexplicably turned back at the Czech border. In its place, a decidedly pre-revolution box on wheels, resembling the type of vehicle usually reserved for the conveyance of prisoners or the physically impaired. To add insult to injury, the driver of this sad can (in pale blue) was victim to the unfortunate condition of "B.O." Bottles of Givenchy and phials of essential oils were passed amongst the wilting flowers of the back seat in order to negate the effects of this severe olfactory affront. With four hours to go, it was definitely a case of hammer down my good man and pass the fragrant nosegay! The gig at 'Rockhaus' was distinguished by a pile driving set which was abruptly curtailed when the power broke down completely during the introduction to 'She's in Parties'. (coitus interruptous!) the band held fast however, striking a freeze frame stance for several minutes until the electricity was fully restored, where upon they resumed without missing so much as a beat. The whole effect could be viewed as extreme dub! A blistering couplet of "Passion of Lovers" and "Dark Entries" concluded matters most satisfactorily. The band then returned for a triple helping of encores to put the lid on a highly memorable Austrian debut. The hollow hills are alive with the sound of Murphy!
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October
27, 1998
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During the last few days, certain strange shifts in geological location have apparently occurred, as the denizens of Vienna suddenly found themselves enjoying their newfound citizenship of Australia, the good burghers of Deinze became German residents, and due to the outcome of what appears to have been a bloodless coup, the former isolationists of Oporto surprisingly embraced their newfound citizenship of Spain! All of the above being confirmed in black and white on the back of the official European tour T-shirt. Then again, these phenomenal relocations could be traced to an individual possessed of a startling ignorance of geography and currently employed by a certain merchandising company, though probably and hopefully not for long.
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October
29, 1998
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As the spirit of October bowed out from the stage of seasons and old haunted November prepared to enter, so the "Tanz von Bauhaus" returned to it's early stomping ground of Berlin and specifically, the wind wracked aircraft hanger that is "Arena". A mercurial fire burned this night as a legendary performance was unraveled upon it's stage. Afterwards, the men of Bau were received into the gracious society of the Turkish Modern Dance Company, a troupe of international esteem, directed by Mrs. Beyhan Murphy, charming wife of The Singer. Kismet decreed a crossing of touring paths and the night was made for dancing. Toasts were proposed as an informal soiree ensued. "Lang lebe der tanz!"
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November
1, 1998
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La Mutualite
(home to Les Hommes de Byron for the night of November 1st) was
graced with the starry presence of Mr. George O'Dowd. Better known
as Boy George, to whom "All We Ever Wanted" was appropriately dedicated.
M. George responded in kind by sending the following thoughts by
fax via tour manager Mary Jo: "Thanks 4 the tickets They (Bauhaus) were flawless. Tell Pete & Co. that I was mesmerised. What a fucking genius evening." - Love, Boy George In Paris, the passion of lovers is for life.
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"Fifteen Years and Still Weird" (Manchester) |
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"Fifteen
years and they're still weird!" came the the anonymous cry from
in front of the curtain on this the imminent eve of the return
of the Caligari crew to the inner city of Manchester, crimetown
central, previously the scene of duets with a velvet chanteuse
and blatant daylight robbery. |
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November
15, 1998
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The penultimate date and, at 9000+ capacity, Lisbon's Pavilhao Multioso provided the largest venue on the Resurrection tour. The national radio station passed over the entire day's broadcasting to Bauhaus and Bauhaus- related recordings on the eve of what would prove to be one of the best shows of the tour. An opinion which was graphically and stunningly expressed by the nine thousand Portugese fans who almost to a man, held aloft burning cigarette lighters following the encore which proceeded 'Bela Lugosi'. Whereupon Mr. J took the stage, candelabra in hand, his three flickering candles resonating in accord with the firmament of flames in the audience. Such was the response following this 'last' piece that a ramshackle-revival of 'Third Uncle' was deemed appropriate. Spirited!
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November
16, 1998
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Six lights went out in Oporto as Mr. J ceremoniously extinguished the candles, upon completion of 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' the final encore of the final date in Oporto, Portugal. This last number was distinguished by a prolonged silence prior to its start, as Mr. Haskins' forehead had unfortunately come into close contact with the business end of a speeding cigarette lighter. The projectile having been hurled with force by an over zealous member of the front row. Blood was drawn. The valiant drummer made a speedy recovery however and the performance resumed. Much celebratory revelry ensued post show as both band and crew reminisced, laughed and held back a tear. Long will live the memories. Long live the resurrection!
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Spied during a special hush hush private show featuring David Bowie at the Kit Kat Klub in New York last Friday November 19, was David J, sitting with legendary Bowie producer Tony Visconti and famous rock photographer Mick Rock. Bowie was in superb form in the small cabaret theatre, opening his spirited set with a sublime version of 'Life on Mars' with only Mike Garson backing him on electric keyboard, the singer hit the high notes and pulled the stars to earth.
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