The following is a speach I gave to Toastmasters some time ago. Please excuse the generlisations and simplifications. Remember I spoke to people who know nothing about the Order
During my time at Toastmasters I have learned that anything goes, so tonight I want to talk to you about my favourite band, some of their history and my relationship with them.
I will make my presentation without actually demonstrating any of their music. That may be for another time. I think you will find the story interesting enough by itself.
The group is New Order.
I will now cover a bit of background history. New Order came into being in 1980. Before then the 3 founding members were previously in a group that grew out of the Punk movement in England. Like so many others they said to themselves after seeing a Sex Pistols concert; “if they can do it so can we.” This band was known as Joy Division, and they soon developed a very distinctive sound. A sound that is a bit like the Grunge of today. The band was becoming successful and on the verge of major popularity, when the lead singer committed suicide because of depression.
The 3 remaining members decided to carry on. The drummer’s girlfriend joined the band as keyboard player/guitarist, and the former guitarist took on the vocal duties. Hence the name New Order.
Through the 1980’s New Order developed a new kind of fusion sound using electronic instruments such as synthesisers, sequencers and drum machines which they combined with the traditional instruments of guitar, bass and drums.
Through the mid 80’s the group had a number of dance hits such as Blue Monday, Bizarre Love Triangle and True Faith, which was about the time that I got to know them.
I came to New Order in 1985 through a girl I liked who happened to be a fan. I long since lost touch with that girl, but my relationship with New Order remains. At first I didn’t know who they were, but I soon came to love their infectious rhythms.
In 1987 a friend and went to see them in Sydney. It was my first real rock concert and what an experience that was. We were in the front row in the old Coogee Bay Hotel (Selinas). We were so close that that we were almost hit in the head by the bass guitar. I was blown away by that experience. I never could have imagined the power of their music live.
Anyway they continued releasing records and I continued to buy them, up until 1990 when they took a break and concentrated on their solo projects.
In 1993 after almost 4 years they reappeared. This coincided with a dramatic period in my life, which as some of you may remember I covered in my icebreaker (first speech in Toastmasters). I became seriously ill with blood poisoning and almost died.
When I came out of Intensive Care my mother brought in my Radio Cassette Recorder. Inside was a copy of New Order’s latest album (republic), which I had only just bought and copied. The songs resonated with me, and I am convinced New Order helped me recovered more quickly. New Order on the other hand soon fell on hard times. Their record label and nightclub went bankrupt. Their drug consumption had gotten out of hand, and after spending so many years together, they simply could not stand the sight of each other. They again devoted time to their side projects. They never officially broke up, so there was still hope.
What can I say about this long long 8 year period without any new New Order songs. I learned to live with it, I guess. None of their side projects had the sparkle of New Order. They truly were greater than the sum of their components, and nothing could possibly replace New Order.
However, in late 2001 I heard a glorious noise on the radio as I drove home from work. Yes it was a new New Order song (Crystal) and life seemed good again.
In February 2002 I twice went to Sydney to see them live again. It always amazes me that I can my favourite band from the front row. I did this on both occasions, even at the Big Day out when there were 50000 other people there. Whereas you could spend hundreds of dollars on a Kylie concert, and still be in row 200.
Anyway both concerts were great. The band really seemed to enjoy themselves and in comparisons to most the other acts on that day, they had good clean powerful sound. In the last 15 or so years, the singer has learned to sing (almost), and now that they are off the drugs their performances have become professional. I truly enjoyed myself, and for those who don’t believe me I have the photos to prove it (I’ll see if I can get them scanned sometime).
I hope that they are true to the promise of the title of their latest song and truly are
“Here to Stay”.
Ron....oops, every time I come across your name, I have to keep reminding myself to dig up that Selinas Coogee tape
.....sorry about that.:D
, so I could probably use Toastmaster's help 
