why, boy, they're playing our song
outside where no one can hear
why, boy, they're playing our song
at the start of my new career

it's a different walk of life
that I've come to know
because at every port of call
comes a time to go...

A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, best known as the bassist for the band Japan and as half of the duo Dalis Car, and a solo artist in his own right (his debut, Titles, is a favorite, and fantastic!) Mick Karn blew my mind in high school with the sounds that came out of his fretless bass.

Gone way too young. RIP.

Russian Circles, 11.15.2009, Bottom Of the Hill, San Francisco















They are promoting their new album (Geneva, which we bought at the show), and because of that I thought it strange that it didn't seem like they played much new stuff. A friend said afterward that is because the new songs make use of a string section (!). Very excited to take a listen.

Anyway, as per usual, they ROCKED. Their sets are unbelievably tight and full of intensity, and they play their songs like they haven't played them a million times before.

Okay, and I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- this guy is a complete badass on the bass:



















Excellent night!

Pixies, 11.08.2009, Fox Theater, Oakland.



















They were AWESOME.












Kim Deal's bass skills, up close and personal: AWESOME.















Black Francis' voice: AWESOME















Joey Santiago and David Lovering were also AWESOME, but we were on Kim's side, and drums obscure David's face, so the pics we have of them are quite limited. But if you're interested, see more of Trevor's excellent photos here.

Anyway, the awesomeness was in large part because I think they are getting along, and happy.



















Even Joey Santiago smiled a couple of times. Really!

Terrific show. Well worth the $30 t-shirts (!) I know, I felt kind of like a sucker buying one, but it had a crab on it! And the band's gotta get paid, yo.

They were also offering "USB sticks" (or flashdrives) that you could buy after the show with video and recordings of the performance. I've never seen that before, but what a cool idea. I didn't get one, but then lo and behold, your friendly Bad Librarian posted how you can get an official and totally Pixies sanctioned live recording of Doolittle.

P.S. -- I wore my David J shirt because Black Francis is playing with David 12.08.2009 at the Echoplex in LA. I thought he might say something, but my big surprise instead was Kim Deal cheering at my shirt when they did their farewells after the last encore. Badass (Fender) bass players unite!

Check out this very recent talk with Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook at the current Urbis exhibition on The Hacienda.

(First of four parts -- the rest are available in the menu on the linked page at the lower right.)

Peter Hook is fucking hilarious, and so salt of the earth. Frank talk about JD and NO, the Factory scene, his bass playing (love it!), his past drug use, even "Berr-nerrd." I want to buy this man a drink. Dinner even! Okay, I suppose I'll settle for seeing him DJ next time he comes through San Francisco.

I love Joy Division...I know it seems uncool to revel in it, it's like me me me...but the music is fantastic. I'll sit there at home and play them now, play '24 Hours.' Fucking hell, I'm proud of myself, I suppose.

-- Peter Hook, Part Three

Fookin' cunt!

-- ibid, Part Three

Class!

Joy Division is legendary, and continue to be so timeless and influential because the music is just that -- fantastic (thank you Martin Hannett!). Also playing into this: people are really blessed that Hooky still loves Joy Division, as there are some members of influential bands who publicly deride old material while continuing to ride the fame it brings *cough*Bauhaus*cough* and that's not only a joykiller and totally lame, but a real disservice to fans.

Lucky too that Hooky is so mellow about peeps picking his brain about as it is when it was; for this reason he, too, will be legendary long after he's gone.

Just awesome.

I highly recommend that you check out the official MySpace of one of my favorite bass players of all time, Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook.

The late Ian Curtis seems to be the most cited reason people love Joy Division, but Peter Hook is mine. His basslines for Joy Divison are one of the two reasons I picked up the bass. But the thing I love most about Peter Hook is his honest and matter-of-fact take on his life, his work, and those surrounding him, as well as his willingness to share this with his fans. For this reason, I particularly recommend his blog.

I'm all about the no-bullshit, scrappy straight-shooters, and Hooky's blog is not only candid, but a completely disarming Mancunian stream of consciousness from a man who seems to be enjoying life to the fullest. He also seems to be doing something every damn minute of the day -- djing in Tokyo one day, Istanbul the next, then jetting off to record some commentary for a New Order DVD, then home to see his "girls," and then off to do some bits for a film on The Hacienda -- while still working on his own musical projects, like Freebass (with Andy Rourke -- yeah!).

I also recommend checking out the 2005 Bass Player magazine article and interview from the above photo too. Good stuff that showcases Hooky's down to earth personality and bass-playing style. It is nice to hear I'm not the only one who cannot sing and play at the same time!

Anyway, I'm hooked! (heehee, right?.........alright, nevermind, I'll get my hat)