Benny's Giveaway Contest

Oh, and Chris and Julia used to have their own band, the excellent What? Noise - I've still got their CD knocking around somewhere : brilliant noisy, electronic stuff

I've also got them live at the Hacienda on Granada's New Sessions programme from 1990 (other featured acts in the series were 808 State at the GMEX, Charlatans venue unknown, Toss the Feathers at Granada TV studios, New FADs at the Hacienda, Dr Phibes & The House of Wax Equations at Liverpool Temptation 2, The Farm at Liverpool Temptation, and The High at unknown venue, Manchester.

A totally classic series all on one tape :)

Originally posted by clayts Julia was actually in The Fall as a keyboard player too :)

That was where we started - my question was what Fall member was linked to the production of a New Order album. The live sound engineer in the late 80s was talking about Dian Barton. Please try to keep up ;)

Originally posted by clayts > Originally posted by Conway Paton> Cheers Al for the DB link, very interesting. She did live sound for the Fall for a couple of years, I think, in the late 80s.

Julia was actually in The Fall as a keyboard player too :)

Until Mark E Smith got the arse (again) and kicked her Hanley, Wolstencroft and Brix out.

I despaired. Anyone know how Ark (those members)is doing?

Scanlon and Hanley were the true engine room of The Fall - when those two left (or were sacked, which is more likely) The Fall died on its arse, in my opinion. MES always maintains that he is The Fall, but with whatever bunch of wannabees he has now backing his vocal drudgery around the back room bars like the Dog and Duck, Grimsby, I'm afraid I disagree. Do you have no dignity, man ?

No, I s'pose not Good on yer mate

Originally posted by clayts Scanlon and Hanley were the true engine room of The Fall - when those two left (or were sacked, which is more likely) The Fall died on its arse, in my opinion. MES always maintains that he is The Fall, but with whatever bunch of wannabees he has now backing his vocal drudgery around the back room bars like the Dog and Duck, Grimsby, I'm afraid I disagree. Do you have no dignity, man ?

No, I s'pose not Good on yer mate

Personally I reckon you are right. Watching The Fall now is like a penance that must be done for sins in a previous incarnation, it's a Fall tribute band with MES occasionally on vocals. It is a pity they didn't pack it in in 1996, but there you go.

Originally posted by Johnny Giles Julia Nagle was at the first Manc Apollo gig on the Get Ready tour with one of Als' friends, Colin Kerr.

Julia's a big NO fan and knows Colin (as do I) from fallnet.

Originally posted by Jim Reilly Until Mark E Smith got the arse (again) and kicked her Hanley, Wolstencroft and Brix out.I despaired.Anyone know how Ark (those members)is doing?

Your facts are a bit cocked up here. Brix walked out in 1996 mid-tour, Wolstencroft left about a year later and was replaced by Karl Burns. Then the 1998 US tour Hanley, Burns & Tommy Crooks walked out (to form Ark) after Smith "allegedly" assaulted Julia. Julia stayed on though until mid 2001, at which time Mark neglected to invite her to the recording sessions for Are You Are Missing Winner.

Ark released an album last year that was pretty crap really. Not even the majesty of Doc SHanley's bass could save it.

Originally posted by Benny's Cobweb EyesPersonally I reckon you are right. Watching The Fall now is like a penance that must be done for sins in a previous incarnation, it's a Fall tribute band with MES occasionally on vocals. It is a pity they didn't pack it in in 1996, but there you go.

You probably mean 1998, after the US tour fiasco. But just wait until you hear the new album before you judge. ;)

Originally posted by Conway Paton > Originally posted by Benny's Cobweb Eyes Personally I reckon you are right. Watching The Fall now is like a penance that must be done for sins in a previous incarnation, it's a Fall tribute band with MES occasionally on vocals. It is a pity they didn't pack it in in 1996, but there you go.

You probably mean 1998, after the US tour fiasco. But just wait until you hear the new album before you judge. ;)

I was thinking of immediately before they went into the studio to record The Shite Boozer Syndrome !!!

Benny, I keep trying to tell you that Fab User Syndrome & indeed Levitate which followed were the highpoints of the 90s Fall. And you like CC, I know.

It's interesting how Fall fans have such widely different views on Fall albums, compared to NO fans with NO albums, don'tcha think?

Of course, we get a new Fall studio album and 5 or 6 live albums & comps every year.

Originally posted by Conway Paton Benny, I keep trying to tell you that Fab User Syndrome & indeed Levitate which followed were the highpoints of the 90s Fall. And you like CC, I know.It's interesting how Fall fans have such widely different views on Fall albums, compared to NO fans with NO albums, don'tcha think?

We do have quite a few more to choose from ! For me, the only highlight of Levitate was the bonus disk cut of Pilsner Trail !!!

There's quite a range of opinions on New Order albums as well to be fair, despite the lack of choice. Most people seem to only have a favourite track from a select band of three or four though.

Originally posted by Conway Paton Benny, I keep trying to tell you that Fab User Syndrome & indeed Levitate which followed were the highpoints of the 90s Fall. And you like CC, I know.It's interesting how Fall fans have such widely different views on Fall albums, compared to NO fans with NO albums, don'tcha think?

I'm with you on the Light User Syndrome too - probably the last recognisable (if there is such a thing) Fall-sounding album. Conway, I've heard that the Fall are dabbling more and more with electronic sounds and eschewing their traditional sound - is this true ? If so, do you think that MES' tie-up with DOSE (and probably Coldcut before that) has led to a change in direction ?

And as for the best Fall album - always, undoubtedly, This Nation's Saving Grace - cannot be topped in my opinion :)

Originally posted by clayts > Originally posted by Conway Paton> Benny, I keep trying to tell you that Fab User Syndrome & indeed Levitate which followed were the highpoints of the 90s Fall. And you like CC, I know.> > It's interesting how Fall fans have such widely different views on Fall albums, compared to NO fans with NO albums, don'tcha think?

I'm with you on the Light User Syndrome too - probably the last recognisable (if there is such a thing) Fall-sounding album. Conway, I've heard that the Fall are dabbling more and more with electronic sounds and eschewing their traditional sound - is this true ? If so, do you think that MES' tie-up with DOSE (and probably Coldcut before that) has led to a change in direction ?

And as for the best Fall album - always, undoubtedly, This Nation's Saving Grace - cannot be topped in my opinion :)

Having just listened to the COTC Peel session tracks and having been to recent gigs, I can safely say that The Fall are eschewing their traditional sound in favour of heavy metal guitars, not electronica !

Jim Watts was the one who was keen on all the electronics, so now that he's gone who knows... Mrs E Smith is just there for the goth glamour chic I think - although she does play keys, of course.

Anyway, the Fall has always flirted with dancey stuff, even before doing Telephone Thing with Coldcut. Check out Gut Of The Quantifier on This Nation's Saving Grace - supposedly inspired by James Brown (can't quite see it myself, but it has a funky bassline).

Clayts - have you heard The Unutterable (released Nov 2000)? Up there with Light User and very definitely sounds like the Fall. In fact, Unutterable may be the Fall album that would most appeal to New Order fans. Possibly.

Originally posted by Conway Paton Clayts - have you heard The Unutterable (released Nov 2000)? Up there with Light User and very definitely sounds like the Fall. In fact, Unutterable may be the Fall album that would most appeal to New Order fans. Possibly.

By far the best of the recent offerings without a shadow of doubt.

Originally posted by Conway Paton Clayts - have you heard The Unutterable (released Nov 2000)? Up there with Light User and very definitely sounds like the Fall. In fact, Unutterable may be the Fall album that would most appeal to New Order fans. Possibly.

It's on my stack of unlistened-to CDs, I must admit :)

Week off work coming up, so hopefully I can catch up with some stuff I bought 2-3 years ago (no, really...)