Steve's participation on WFTSC

I'm one of those that is missing Gillian's participation in the band but there is one thing I would like to know: has Steve's participated on this album as much as he did on the older ones? Maybe I'm wrong but sometimes it seems that he has assumed his drummer role in the band and maybe left the rest to Barney and Hooky. I say that because this album sometimes sound for me like a collection of "Electronic feat. Hooky" or "Monaco feat. Barney" tracks, although the tracks are very good. Steve's drumming is very good and classic but sometimes I feel that it's the only evident contribution in the whole thing in this album. From recent interviews and such, what can you say about that?

Stop thinking so much. Relax and enjoy it.

I have the same impression...

You can't look at it like that. They are a band. For this album, they jammed up at Stephens farm. I heard part of an interview where Bernard states that Steve points out good riffs that Barney/Hooky are playing and suggests changes/edits. They are all part of the sound. Stop trying to divide up the work. If Steve wasnt there, it would be just Hook and Barney - not New Order. Steve may not be as front and center as the other two guys, but he is just as important.

i agree. and even steve sounds a bit cliched this time... how many tracks feature the trademark tom being hit on the offbeat a la regret?

Wondered how much Steve had done.....right up until "I told you so"....c'mon guys....dontcha know when u hear a track written by a drummer?

Originally posted by Steve Campbell Wondered how much Steve had done.....right up until "I told you so"....c'mon guys....dontcha know when u hear a track written by a drummer?

Wasn't it supposed to be a Barney's track?

Steve lost the willingness to dedicate all os his time to the band (Grace´s disease is the main reason), so Bernard and Peter have taken control of the whole thing.

Expe wrote: Steve lost the willingness to dedicate all os his time to the band (Grace´s disease is the main reason), so Bernard and Peter have taken control of the whole thing.

I've heard about this...but I was always wondering what is wrong with the little girl? Not trying to be morbid and please don't tell me it's none of my business.. I was just wondering.

From a 2001 interview: http://www.worldinmotion.net/neworder/interviews/2001/northernrock12-08-01.htm

"...Gilbert discovered that Grace, only 18 months old, had a rare virus that affected her spine and meant she could no longer move - though there's hope that she should recover." I don't know how is her current health status tough.

Grace is the subject of 'Run Wild' as Steve wrote the lyrics for it.

I can't blame either Steve or Gillian for sitting back a bit and scaling down their involvement due to family concerns. Maybe Gillian found it hard to concentrate on being a creative person when she obviously had her daughter's well-being on her mind. Total respect as she did a fine job in both New Order and (The) Other Two.

Steve has been the bedrock of what they've done musically since 1977...and that's a bloody long time! Without a doubt, his drumming and programming has been a vital element in both Joy Division and New Order's songwriting and he's a greatly creative bloke all-round, not just in what he plays but the sounds he gets etc.

We're not lucky enough to sit in whilst they write, rehearse and record their material so we've not a great idea of just how the band's internal dynamic works these days. There could be a time when Steve feels that he should step back from (maybe) live work first and then writing and recording too but I think that would mean the end of New Order really.

Expe wrote: Steve lost the willingness to dedicate all os his time to the band (Grace´s disease is the main reason), so Bernard and Peter have taken control of the whole thing.

What absolute crap. Steven is an intergral part of the part, the fact that tracks are written in his house say all you need to know. Also, anyone heard the Saville soundtrack album?

I'll bet my wife that was written by Morris. I know for a fact Bernard had rock all to do with it. Dont cound Morris out. He's a very talented player and musician.

Elliot Eastwick wrote: Steven is an intergral part of the part, the fact that tracks are written in his house say all you need to know.

No, I don't agree. If it is a fact that "the tracks were written in his house" it just mean that the tracks were written in his house. It's Gillian's house too and we all know she did not participate of this album.

Elliot Eastwick wrote: Also, anyone heard the Saville soundtrack album?

I'll bet my wife that was written by Morris. I know for a fact Bernard had rock all to do with it. Dont cound Morris out. He's a very talented player and musician.

Well, noboby here has any doubt of Steve's talent. Maybe Soundtrack was really written by Steve, someone could ask them. But my problem is that I feel like his participation in this album WFTSC is not like it was on older albums. And none track of the album sound like Soundtrack IMHO.

This album is far more meticulously programmed than Get Ready, I can just imagine Barney and Stephen sitting at a Mac and creating "Guilt is a Useless Emotion", and Mr. Morris lighting a spliff for his work on "I Told You So"

I have to state, the weakest part of WFTSC in my opinion, is the drums. The drumming is too often, the same boring rock n roll backbeat. Probably 6 songs have the same non-distinct drumming. A minor complaint, but something that holds this album back a bit.

Biznotic Love Trapezoid wrote: I have to state, the weakest part of WFTSC in my opinion, is the drums. The drumming is too often, the same boring rock n roll backbeat. Probably 6 songs have the same non-distinct drumming. A minor complaint, but something that holds this album back a bit.

I agree that the drums are not so brilliant, but I consider the synths are the weakest part of WFTSC - maybe due to Gillian's absence and Steve assuming his role as the drummer only.

to be honest, none of us have a clue what goes down while they're recording. elliot probably has the best idea so i tend to respect his thoughts on this. steve is classic. his recent interviews have been very fun to read and he really is the heart of New Order.

but things ARE different form the 80s version of New Order...

the 80s analog equipment that Steve excelled at are pretty much history... how New Order makes music now is different with computer programs and using producers... maybe Steve's role has changed along with that

there does seem to be less "in-yer-face" percussion noises... maybe on Krafty or I Told You So, but little else jumps at you... maybe Steve is more laid back in middle age

This Time Of Night wrote: Grace is the subject of 'Run Wild' as Steve wrote the lyrics for it.

Really? Never heard that...

Spotnick wrote: Hum... didn't I see Steven play some keyboards in the Perfect Kiss video?

Who said he's only involved in the DRUMMING?

Anyways... I believe it's no longer the case these days, but you can't have 2 parents on Pernod and whatever else all the time, one had to take care of them ;)

The problem is that he used to do a lot of programming/synthesizers/arrangements and in this album (and maybe also in Get Ready) he seems to have been involved mostly as drummer only. But in a optimistic view: if a member had to leave, it would be worst if it was other than Gillian. And if Steve has to be "less involved" in the process, at least being the drummer we can say the thing is New Order.