Back in the Summer of '79, when I was a young lad of 13, I managed to get meself grounded for staying out far too late playing footy with me mates, having already agreed to be back at a certain time. Pissed off, I took meself up to me room and put the radio on. At about ten past ten, John Peel played a track by a band called Joy Division. I was spellbound by the power, haunted by the vocal delivery. Hooked. Needless to say, I went out and bought Unknown Pleasures, and so the journey began.
Back in the Summer of 87, I had established a sizeable empire of bootleg tape suppliers, contacts and outlets, and had an ever-expanding collection that was not only my pride and joy but somehow took over my life for a while. Something Must Break, we learned a few years before, and the cost of the empire was striking back, beginning to interfere with other aspects of my life. It wasn't quite Ruined In A Day, but it was time to call it a day.
For many years after that I wandered the world like the vampire Louis, ill at ease with the world of New Order, no longer part of it besides the occasional gig that I could drag myself to. I bought the records with the same fanaticism, even read occasional music press verbage. To all intents and purposes though, the world of mine that New Order had provided the soundtrack for was a dead and buried one.
When I got online sometime in 1998, I didn't at first surf the information superhighways in search of New Order stuff. Other bands and their MP3s got the nod instead. Eventually I chanced upon the Ceremony site, though didn't bother enlisting. I was still effectively in the Wilderness.
Get Ready arrived in the Summer of 2001, and with it a New Dawn that hopefully won't fade just yet. Google sent me here. At last, a community of like-minded souls.
Of course, New Order alone wouldn't make me come back day after day for more. No, it's you fellow travellers that do that. I've met a few, had text with others. To all of you, sincere thanks for joining our world and playing our game. To single out individuals who have at times brightened my days more than most, I would have to thank Liv, ShugZV, Jarvo, Johnny G, Old Blue, Marty and Cheeky Monkey for putting up with me. That list is by no means exclusive, simply those I have had more off-list contact with. Anyone not listed there, it's nothing personal, simply me being crap as usual.
Above all though, the Hacienda had to be built, this particular cyber-Hacienda. To Nic and Seb, my thanks for not only providing the place but for investing the time and making it worthwhile.
There is an irony that I reach post 2000 on the day that Here To Stay comes out, the latest twist in a love affair that has already spanned 22 years. Here To Stay ? How appropriate.
- sorry - an emotional moment... Congrats ZZ! 
Z.Z. and congradulations 
