New Order v's PSB/Depeche Mode/Various Other Shite

In all my time visiting this and other similar sites I've always been astounded by persistent references to the Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Erasure and various other piss poor outfits of a similar musical persuasion.

I've also noticed that those people who tend to dig the afformentioned bands all tend to be part of the non-Brit fanbase. I'm keen to get a bit of feedback on why this is so.

As I see it New Order have very little in common with the likes of Depeche Mode or the PSBs and as for Erasure....give us a fucking break!! I've never liked any of this mob and really can't see why the mighty Order are consistently mentioned in the same breath.

They're not an 80's band, or a "synthpop" band or a big cock rocking bland as fuck US stadium band (thank fuck). What they always have and always will be is a cult band. Just like The Fall, Cabaret Voltaire, The Delgados, Mercury Rev, Mogwai etc etc. Far better bedfellowes don't ya think?

So what's it all about? Why is the coolest band in the world constantly compared to some of the uncoolest? And why is this comparison so popular with our continental friends and those from accross the pond?

Even though back in the 80’s both PSB and DM had some good songs, I hardly ever listen to it anymore; they sound very dated now. I have never thought New Order were in the same category as these bands. Bands I listened to in the 80’s and stood the test of time for me are for example the Cure, Smiths, Talking Heads, even Jesus & Mary Chain. I remember being quite unpleasantly surprised with Patience Of A Saint on the first Electronic CD. More than a regional thing it may be more age related. Older fans who started out listening to Joy Division are more interested in indie /alternative music I think. Cheers, One of the ‘Continentals’

All those synth bands have fuck all to do with New Order/Joy Division. The only connection is the occasional use of similar instruments.

You can link Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Cure, The Fall, Sisters of Mercy (maybe) to New Order, not wank like Erasure and Depeche Mode.

I have to say, getting into JD first, I've been more inclined to the more rock-influenced acts of the past 20 or so years than the electronic ones. My list of bands that have stood the test of time runs a little like this: New Order, The Smiths, J and M Chain, the Psy. Furs, Cure, and REM. I think it all depends on what gets you moving, and for me guitar, bass, and drums will always prevail over synthesizers, though thanks to the Order I'm far more inclined to be open to synth acts. New Order bridge the troubling gap between dance and rock, and that's all that matters :)

Grahame-

To answer your question as to why we colonists may lump NO, DM and Erasure together has to do with one simple thing: timing.

I was at the Univeristy of Texas (in Austin) from '87-'92. These were the end of the salad days for real "dance" clubs that played music other than rap/ R&B drivel. These places (like The Arena, City Lights, The World) are where I learned about NO, DM, Erasure, The Cult, E and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, Caberet Voltaire, Alphaville, Lords of Acid et al. Most of these bands were releasing great 12" singles at the same time.

So, I think that because many people only new of these bands from the clubs and MAY have bought a single but not the album, they are not familiar with the complete bodies of work.

As for NO in particular, it's been stated here before that JD was virtually unknown here in the colonies at this time. Therefore, there was no JD/Ian Curtiss mythology to surround the phoenix that was/is NO. And to extend that premise further, most colonists only knew NO from Blue Monday and BLT. These being the most "radio friendly" cuts at the time.

And remember this: pop radio here in the States is aimed at the 12-25 yr old chick. That's why "Sometimes", "People Are People" and "BLT" got their respective bands lumped together.

I hope that sheds some light.

The preceding were my humble opinions :)

Originally posted by Michael McDermott Grahame-To answer your question as to why we colonists may lump NO, DM and Erasure together has to do with one simple thing: timing.I was at the Univeristy of Texas (in Austin) from '87-'92. These were the end of the salad days for real "dance" clubs that played music other than rap/ R&B drivel. These places (like The Arena, City Lights, The World) are where I learned about NO, DM, Erasure, The Cult, E and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, Caberet Voltaire, Alphaville, Lords of Acid et al. Most of these bands were releasing great 12" singles at the same time. So, I think that because many people only new of these bands from the clubs and MAY have bought a single but not the album, they are not familiar with the complete bodies of work.As for NO in particular, it's been stated here before that JD was virtually unknown here in the colonies at this time. Therefore, there was no JD/Ian Curtiss mythologyto surround the phoenix that was/is NO. And to extend that premise further, most colonists only knew NO from Blue Monday and BLT. These being the most "radio friendly" cuts at the time.And remember this: pop radio here in the States is aimed at the 12-25 yr old chick. That's why "Sometimes", "People Are People" and "BLT" got their respective bands lumped together.I hope that sheds some light.The preceding were my humble opinions :)

I'd have to agree with Mike for the most part. A lot is what is played, and who is being played (and pushed). This past year for me was musical heaven cause many of the band i liked way back have had discs this past year (U2, DM, Simple Minds, Joy D, Cure, REM) but to be topped off by New Order was the icing on the cake

LOOK...you all so called HEAVY/INDIE rockers/wankers...

I think the link between NO and all those british electronic synth bands/groups/duo is all a FUCKING MATTER OF TASTE/PERCEPTION/ETC...( kindly fill in the blanks ). ..and it's inevitable ( prominence in 80's/predominantly synth-based sound/british & very british/etc... )

I was a big DM fan but I felt they've kinda lost their way a bit, especially lately ( very disappointing EXCITER )...but look at DM's glorious B.CELEBRATION/VIOLATOR era and also their debut was excellent though a tart-bit poppy,.....

and PSB...they may be wuzzy/softie or whatever...but music-wise look at PSB's first 3 LP especially BEHAVIOUR...brilliant songs/composition/lyrics even packaging to satisfy the ardent fan....but pity about their last few LPs though....still I'll buy or follow their music closely.....

err....Erasure was fresh in the early 90's but all their stuff now has been pretty lame...wish Vince stayed with Alison...

Lamented the end of Jesus Mary Chain - top band, great sound...So is the Cure...last year's Sydney gigs were fucking uplifting...REM deserves to be up there as the most respected band....

Anyone into the Specials, Beat, Selecter, Bad Manners and anything in Two-Tones?

Ta for the feedback. Michael's comments shed a bit of light on things. To See-Ya : I ain't a mad indie freak by any stretch of the imagination! My two favouritwe albums of 2001 have been by an American R&B act (Nelly) and a pair of French nutters (Daft Punk).

I stand by my view though that Depeche Mode, PSBs and Erasure are rank rotten and should never be compared to New Order.

Merrry New Year!