Tag Archives: New Order

Peter Hook Interview on SoundDiego (I'm on the Telly!)

Check out this awesome little interview that aired this weekend! SoundDiego is a popular local music blog in San Diego, and their show follows NBC’s Saturday Night Live. My hubby and I just happened to be watching SNL and saw the commercial for the upcoming episode that featured a segment on the Peter Hook book signing which included an interview with SoundDiego’s Scott McDonald. We are usually early sleepers, so I decided to DVR the show in case we fell asleep. Click on the picture above to take you to the video for the segment that aired that night (or click here to bring up the interview on a different page). My friend Rob and I can be seen in line inside M-Theory, our new friends Tony and Ian talking with Peter Hook, and finally you can also see my very own interaction with Hooky!

(Picture and video courtesy of NBC San Diego and SoundDiego)

Unknown Pleasures: Meeting Peter Hook of Joy Division & New Order

This past Saturday, I attended a book signing at M-Theory Music and had the very great pleasure of meeting Peter Hook (nickname, Hooky), the bassist and co-founder of Joy Division, who reformed as New Order following the death of then lead singer, Ian Curtis. Hooky officially left New Order back in 2007, but they have since reformed without him. He currently performs with his band, Peter Hook & The Light, performing the New Order albums “Movement” and “Power Corruption and Lies” live. He recently wrote a book called Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division, chronicling his time with the legendary band.

I saw New Order back in 1989, which was definitely during Peter Hook’s time in the group (my ticket is pictured above). Although I was very familiar with their history, I only really became a fan of Joy Division when I was on maternity leave during one of many late nights, after watching Anton Corbijn’s movie “Control” (original post here). When I read about Peter Hook’s book signing on M-Theory’s Facebook page, I invited as many of my friends as I could who are 80’s music enthusiasts, and ended up meeting my friend Rob there. Back in 2010, Rob and his friend Todd met up with me and my sister at Alan Wilder’s signing (original post here). In fact, a couple of people who were at Alan’s signing were also there at the Peter Hook signing and remembered me as the girl who won the dance contest. To quote the great George Takei, “Oh Myyyyy!”

It’s always fun to meet people who are in line because we all have the obvious common interest, but it’s also great to hear stories of their musical and life experiences. The two gentleman in front of us were father and son, Tony and Ian (respectively). Tony had wonderful stories of bands he’s seen, people he’s met and tales of when he worked at Licorice Pizza (record store chain that no longer exists), as did Rob! The three of them together gave me a bit of the history of Peter Hook’s other musical endeavors. Rob had vinyl 12 inch records and 45’s of not just Joy Division and New Order, but also of Revenge and Monaco, bands that Hooky recorded with previously. Later via Facebook, Tony explained that Ian’s middle name is Curtis. Finding out about that after the event and thinking of the experience makes Tony one of the coolest dad’s in my book. Not only did he name his son after the lead singer of one of his favorite bands, but then took his son to meet one of the co-founders of that same band. Best story of the day, hands down.

Rob chatting with Steve West

I officially was able introduce myself to Steve West, DJ extraordinaire of 91X, because Rob knows him personally. I spoke to him in passing once at a OMD concert, so it was fun to meet and chat with him a bit. I listened to him for years on 91X, and many of the bands that I still listen to today are due to Steve West.

Side note: Check out the new bag I won on Mimi Boutique’s Facebook page!

Ian and Tony with Hooky. Knowing the back story now puts me at awe when I see this picture.

This event was very well-organized, and the line flowed much better through the store than the Alan Wilder signing (I think the dance contest set up may have made it a bit chaotic). Hooky was incredibly friendly and sweet, chatting up each person or group of people and even cracked jokes. The folks at M-Theory asked that we write our names on small sheets of paper so that Hooky could make sure to correctly personalize our books. I said my name is Cy, like Cy Curnin (of The Fixx). For whatever reason – maybe out of nervousness – I slid over the piece of paper with my name on it, he said, “Really?!” and playfully threw away the piece of paper behind him laughing. We used my camera for Rob’s picture as well, and Hooky asked “Is he with you? By the look on your face, you seem reluctant to say!” I explained that Rob is my friend and it was ok to take the picture. Rob then asked him “City or United?” and I am happy to report that Hooky is a Manchester United supporter. GO YOU REDS!

We were allowed to have three items signed in total, so I had my book signed along with my Joy Division CD and a Joy Division collectors’ edition of NME that Rob picked up for the both of us. Another wonderful signing and great day meeting Peter Hook at M-Theory Music!

The Ideal Copy

I am a very avid listener of music, especially of the era I grew up in as a teenager: The Eighties. From the title of my blog, to what’s playing in my car and on my iPod, it’s almost all eighties all the time. I was such a die hard fan of music as a teen and was lucky to have many outlets to make my purchases. I frequented Tower Records, Liquorice Pizza, Sam Goody, The Warehouse and a couple of local places in San Diego (Lou’s Records and Blue Meannie).

Although I physically live in San Diego, England was the direction to which I genuflected and prayed to my musical gods: Depeche Mode, Duran Duran and New Order, just to name a few. The amount of time and money spent at Blue Meannie searching through their imports section for all things relating to the 80’s British Invasion would have easily paid for a trip to London, which I so longed for as a teen (and have lived out that dream with two trips there since then). Not only did I buy 45’s and 12″ vinyl records (remember those?), but shirts, buttons, badges, patches and imported magazines. As you can see, the desire to be British came to me at a very young age. One of my classmates went on a trip to London with his parents and I nearly died of jealousy. He bought me a couple of Depeche Mode items (a shirt and record), but that just made me all the more forlorn.

Most of the time, it’s so difficult for me to locate the groups that I love to listen to. A friend of mine had a 12″ single of “Have in Mind” by a group called Cetu Javu. I found the group on My Space, but couldn’t find them anywhere else to make a purchase. I tried Amazon, iTunes, Tower Records (online site) and even tried to physically go to Lou’s Records to find anything, but my search yielded nothing.

One last place I tried was a place where I had made several purchases in the past. I was only reminded of the website because I’m on their email list. The Ideal Copy (named after Wire’s 1987 album) is my site of choice when it comes to my favorite era. I’ve bought CD’s by the Red Rockers, Joy Division and Aztec Camera from this site. When I can’t find it on iTunes, I go to The Ideal Copy.

Now, the reason for this post is because I have found a CD that I have been dying to locate as badly as “Southern Lands” by Cetu Javu. It’s an album called “Rites of Passage” by Vitamin Z. I received an email alert of updates from The Ideal Copy and lo and behold, who do I see in their “Recent Additions” section but Vitamin Z! I quickly clicked on the link and one of my musical white whales has been found. If you are looking for the ultimate versions of your favorite artists (past and present), The Ideal Copy is the place to go. Their service is surprisingly quick and their selection is nearly unmatched.

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