"I think i was more endearing when i was little",he murmurs."Because life toughens you up.It teaches you that sometimes to sort people out you have to be a twat.You know,business-wise,if you're nice all the time,people view that as a weakness.I think you have to be a bit of a twat to be a lead singer really.To be a fully fledged,all-the-medals lead singer.It's difficult.You need a certain swell-headedness.I've grown to fit the job,but unfortunately the job's grown as well". Thus spoke the man himself in an interview that you have probably read but interesting with the BERNARD BASHING i have read on certain threads recently.This was from an article done 11 years ago.What do you think.BTW is it ok to actually quote bits of an article here? Cheers ROCKET MICK
The BERNARD FILE
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I like the Barnster, he had gutz to take the job on.
The 87 period was good when he used tothrow his arms about
I just wish people would call him Bernard; he does too. That's his name. My dog is called Barney. Bernard didn't quite sound right.
Originally posted by The Paradise Man I just wish people would call him Bernard; he does too. That's his name.My dog is called Barney. Bernard didn't quite sound right.
OK but don't be cruel to your dog.Call him ROGER! :D
It may have been quoted then. But I'm sure it's older than that. I have a Technique era magazine, I think it came with Record Mirror, where that quote is also printed.
Originally posted by Ronald Kirsch It may have been quoted then. But I'm sure it's older than that. I have a Technique era magazine, I think it came with Record Mirror, where that quote is also printed.
Not sure if i have this one then.As THE MAN says i took this from the SELECT 1993(SEPTEMBER) magazine whilst doing some research on PETER SAVILLE. Cheers ROCKET MICK
Shall we wait for Chris Brogan's comment on this one ? He's the only one off here who knew Barney when he was younger, and can tell you if he ever needed to stop being a twat (or didn't !!)
I read that article once, cant remember the mag though it was probably select or q
People that slag "Bernard" off should really just fuck off and start supporting a band that they truly like.
I think the majority of us who take the piss over Barney's various stages are simply showing our love for the man through tongue firmly placed in cheek. 
Well, Bernard Sumner's not really a lead singer, is he? I mean, he took on the job alright, but he's never been a lead singer the way Ian Curtis wanted to be one, right? Or Morrissey, because both him and Ian used to think they were undiscovered geniouses before they became famous. Or Paul Hewson, who had the cheek of dubbing himself 'Good Voice'. I mean, these guys were just dying to be stars, to be the frontmen, to be the ones everybody were going to look at, whereas our Barney has always been a quiet chap, neither used to nor seduced by the traps of such egotrip.
And I don't think it's fair to compare Barney and Ian, especially because whereas Barney's always reminded me of Ralph Hutter or Lou Reed, Ian's always made me think of either Jim Morrisson or Mick Jagger, someone really overbearing onstage.
Originally posted by FAC442 Well, Bernard Sumner's not really a lead singer, is he? I mean, he took on the job alright, but he's never been a lead singer the way Ian Curtis wanted to be one, right? Or Morrissey, because both him and Ian used to think they were undiscovered geniouses before they became famous. Or Paul Hewson, who had the cheek of dubbing himself 'Good Voice'. I mean, these guys were just dying to be stars, to be the frontmen, to be the ones everybody were going to look at, whereas our Barney has always been a quiet chap, neither used to nor seduced by the traps of such egotrip.And I don't think it's fair to compare Barney and Ian, especially because whereas Barney's always reminded me of Ralph Hutter or Lou Reed, Ian's always made me think of either Jim Morrisson or Mick Jagger, someone really overbearing onstage.
You forget one critical factor. NewOrder aren't JoyDivision they "rose from the ashes of Joy Division" to forge their own path/their own way... Who's to say if fate had taken a different path that Barney wouldnt have co-written and shared vocal duties with Ian and STILL collaborated with Marr to form his "baby" Electronic ???
The man is undeniably a talented songwriter and although we (quite rightly) say the world would have been a poorer place if it had not been for Ians contribution to the music scene, i think equally the same can be said for Mr Sumner.
...... imo ;)
Agree with you totally, DoN... Was just trying to say that it makes sense to me that Barney would say that whereas Ian, for instance, or Moz, or Bono, Morrisson or Jagger were natural-born twats (though, well, I don't really think Ian was twat), he had to become one - and I think he's failed miserably at that!
Originally posted by KnownPleasures Shall we wait for Chris Brogan's comment on this one ? He's the only one off here who knew Barney when he was younger, and can tell you if he ever needed to stop being a twat (or didn't !!)
Indeed Barney always has been a little bit of a twat. At least since he was 11. A lot of kids did get picked on by Barney and his mates but these were usually the swots and unable to defend themselves. I never had any problems with Barney. You've only got to look at the school photograph though to see the skinhead scowling back at the camera to see the type of image he liked to cultivate then. He also possessed a fairly wicked sense of humour but as he has admitted himself he wasted his years at school and wasnt motivated by the educational system. It came as a monumental surprise to me in later years that Barney and Hooky were part of New Order because not having seen them since they left school I eventually got into NO in the mid 80's without realising who was in the band. I heard Tony Wilson speak at a book signing event when he described Barney as a genius. I chatted to Wilson afterwards and told him that Barney had certainly kept his genius well hidden for many years!
Add this to the BERNARD FILE...taken from Saturday Live in Aug 84.
http://www.new-order.net/no/facs/satlive/
Left is during Age Of Consent, right is during Temptation. I've circled the "substance" in question. Is this a case of "snow in August" or am I doctoring stills just to get attention?
The Saturday Live performance has to go down as one of the more colorful ones. Like with Barney telling Steve to speed up during the intro of In A Lonely Place, his multiple uses of "f***" during the broadcast (doesn't look like these were edited out), and him tossing away his headphones midway through Temptation...
-THO
Originally posted by FREE JEFF THE CHEF! maybe he just has white boogers?!?!?!
We could be both right. Snowt, anyone?
--Sam
Barney is THE man. Said it before, no doubt I will say it again.
He's given us many magical moments over the years. Finally got ma hands on the Electronic gigs, and one REGRET he should have, is not touring more with Electronic!
Originally posted by ShugZV© Barney is THE man. Said it before, no doubt I will say it again.He's given us many magical moments over the years. Finally got ma hands on the Electronic gigs, and one REGRET he should have, is not touring more with Electronic!
How'd he do live with Electronic? I've heard they were a bit shakey live and that his vocals were kind of haphazzard.
