Well, I can understand (and respect) how a theist would dislike some of the lyrics. That's a 'problem' with a lot of the music now adays. Very little of it is even remotely compatible with faith. Some see it a good developement, some don't... it's impossible to please everyone (though I'm only saying what I'm sure is obvious anyway). Part of why I like Devoto -is- the lyrics, because it resonates with me, because I find myself agreeing with a lot... but if I wasn't, I'd probably not like the music as a whole, in difference to yourself. So in that, I tip my hat to you. --- @S-G: I've actually caught a cold, but that's not to bother. It's whittled away my concentration, though, so I expect tomorrow's exam will be horrid. Thank you for asking, though. Also, I have to agree with the rap comment. Though I don't find it offensive... just a dumb waste of my time. ;)

Neike..best of luck with the exam. Hope the cold goes away soon.

@S-G: Thank you! n_n; However, at the moment, I'm hoping for a fail, so I can retake it at a later date, rather than 'just managing'. I have more important things to do than exams ATM. (A set of priorities I probably will regret later.) BTW, does anyone know if Devoto had a connection to Raymonde that went beyond 'via Morrissey'/'via the Smiths'? 'Ve been searching this site, but found nothing especially useful... maybe I'm just overlooking the obvious. Anyone?

it's been fun visiting this site - it lured me into rebuying the 1st 3 albums (my vinyl has been unplayed for years)... i was a big fan - they had a big influence on my growing up (being in a band - i even managed to coax Howard to one of our gigs!) - it may have been mentioned already but i seem to remember the encore of Howard's july 83 gig was Light Pours Out Of Me (Barry Adamson came on to play bass, Morrissey read some poetry & Dave Formula was in the audience)

@Si: You lucky fish (in regards to the coaxing). :) I'm rather envious of all these people who were actually alive back when Magazine played live... I'm only 20, myself (since the 12th). T'is so frustrating to hear about all these must-have-been fantastic gigs.

hi Neike... congrats on your birthday... i wouldn't worry about the so called great gigs... they are, after all, fleeting moments... there's plenty of good bands around these days

@Si: Easy for you to say, no doubt. ;) The 'pretty good bands' today count 2: ShelleyDevoto and Apollo Four Forty. *slight eyeroll* Okay, that's a bit exaggerated, I admit (even I like more bands than just those), but I am a rabid Luxuria fan, and that was simply before my time. *head hangs, mope* So I do sulk much. Though of course it gets me nowhere. :)) And thank you for the congrats! =)

forgive my memories... further to yesterday's post, i think the encore i referred to was at Luxuria's (sorry Neike - i'm not carping) 1st London gig at Town & County/Forum to promote Unanswerable Lust - at the Howard solo gig, the Smiths were supporting and i think Hand In Glove had just been released.... Incidentally, i have a few Magazine/Devoto rarities (Back To Nature & Dominoe LP's, Howard solo Peel session and possibly a tape of his gig) when i've located them & transferred them to CD, i'm happy to make copies for anyone interested f.o.c will report back in a month or two

Si, I'm completely lost :( Which Devoto solo gig do you mean? Hand in Glove came out in 1984 didn't it? The solo Devoto gig I went to in July 1983 at Birmingham Tin Can happened before the release of This Charming Man.

i think Hand In Glove was released before This Charming Man... i may be in error but the gig was 1983

Yeah just checked & you're right about Hand in Glove (sorry I only remember the Sandy Shaw one). I'm still confused about which Devoto solo gig you mean. He did a tour..altho' the support was probably the same throughout?? I was told the gig I went to had the Smiths as suport (I arrived late)but there's no mention of it on this sites gigography or anywhere else I've looked.

S-G, it was the London Lyceum gig which according to the On Tour page was 7th Aug 1983

What was the name of your band? Sorry..am too curious for my own good :)

can't remember which incarnation Howard saw (Every Second Counts/Ecstatic Orange/The Cinder Biters) but i remember he had cotton wool in his ears - we were never signed (or that good) but, fortunately, i make a living these days composing music for tv & film

Cotton wool...I thought my husband was the only one who'd ever worn earplugs to a gig.

This is a fantastic day. I got Unanswerable Lust on vinyl now. Too bad that when I became a born-again christian I destroyed my vinyl version of Jerky Versions Of The Dream in a fit of rage when I read the lyrics to Taking Over Heaven. I'm not that uptight about religion anymore and just guess how much I regret destroying my vinyl now. Anyway, it makes me feel better that I've got the first Luxuria LP now.

Can anyone recommend any Momus releases for someone who doesn't know anything about the artist? Is there any Devoto influence to be heard?

Can anyone tell me how to get The Rockpalast and Bittersweet CD-Roms from Magazine? I recall the site owner once kindly sent me the Rockpalast CD. I lost it somewhere while moving. I tried to e-mail the site owner but my e-mail just refuses to work (damn viruses or whatever it is). If anyone can give me that Cd-Rom stuff, I'll send him/her some Finnish post-punk in return. Please let me know.

@Hannu: Oh, but Unanswerable Lust is that much 'worse'. Though I assume by now you've long since noticed that. I find it amazingly addictive music, mind. It makes me sing along against my will. *G* And the poor vinyl disc - it can't help what's on it! ;)