Good morning from Huntington Beach everyone! I’m preparing for my Guest Writer; Ashley & her fiance’ David’s wedding up in Monterey this weekend I’ve been thinking about my road trip music and a few of my favourite artists kept coming up.
So in the true form & fashion of doing my best to over-deliver, I’m sharing with you not one, not two, but three artists with you today. They’re all equally amazing and remind me of when I used to perform in clubs in Chicago, Kansas City, MO, Portland & a few other cities. Not to mention just the overall amazing times that were had with my friends and colleagues at the time.
What’s really cool about the three groups that I’m going to share with you is that they were part of a collection of the founding musicians that created the music scene today.
First, there’s New Order – an English (Imagine that!) musical group formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner (vocals, guitars, synthesizers), Peter Hook (bass, backing vocals, electronic drums) and Stephen Morris (drums, synthesizers). New Order were formed in the wake of the demise of their previous group Joy Division, following the suicide of vocalist Ian Curtis. They were soon joined by additional keyboardist Gillian Gilbert.
Second, there’s Nitzer Ebb (pronounced NIGHT-zer or NIH-tzer—the band pronounces it both ways) is a British (Again… Imagine that!) EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan “Bon” Harris (programming, synthesizers, drums, vocals), Douglas McCarthy (vocals), and David Gooday (drums).
Finally, there’s Front 242 – a pioneering Belgian electronic music group that came into prominence during the 1980s. During their most active period (effectively ending in 1993 with the albums 06:21:03:11 Up Evil and 05:22:09:12 Off) they influenced many electro-industrial and electronic artists. Front 242 was created in 1981 in Aarschot, near Brussels, Belgium, by Daniel Bressanutti and Dirk Bergen, who wanted to create music and graphic design using emerging electronic tools. The first single, “Principles”, was released in 1981. The band’s name came from a variety of sources. UN Security Council Resolution 242 was the first to call on Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian Territories, and 242 was a motor used in some Fiat cars. The front part of the name comes from the idea of an organized popular uprising. Perhaps more to the point, after the Second World War, 242 Belgian citizens were condemned to death for collaboration with the German occupiers.
I could probably go on & on pulling more information about all three groups, but I think that their music speaks quite nicely for them.
But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that loves the 80′s music, fashion, photography and art, feel free to contact me anytime.
I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.
So without further ado, I give you New Order with “Perfect Kiss”, Nitzer Ebb with “Join In The Chant” and Front 242 in “Headhunter.” So feel free to sit back with your favourite morning beverage, enjoy the videos, enjoy a few minutes of incredible music, vocals and live performances.
Have an awesome West Coast Wednesday and also remember to make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!
BTW, the Super Secret Project for Brides and Grooms is really coming together! I’m definitely counting the days until I’m able to share it with you after Thanksgiving next month. If you’re curious about what it is leave a comment and I might share a hint with you.