Here is another "where have I been" episode. The band's name is Ultravox!

Wayner · « **on:** 24 Aug 2010, 10:40 pm »

I bought 2 minty LPs the other day for a $1 each, and what a surprise. The band is Ultravox from the 70's and 80's. I really am enjoying the 2 LPs, Rage in Eden and Quartet. Today I was looking at the credits and low and behold a name I'm very familiar with, George Martin and another name, Geoff Emerick.

Pulling out the Beatles LP, Abbey Road, low and behold, the same 2 fellows. Wow, I thought. I have 2 more of these LPs coming tomorrow (from eBay) and I just can't wait.

Now, again I ask this question. Why haven't I ever even heard of this band. Like so many others, I think we were never marketed to these folks, don't know why, but am at a loss for understanding.

If you like Depesche Mode, you will love Ultravox.

Wayner

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Aug 2010, 10:47 pm »

I have "Vienna"....I grew up on this stuff.....yes, synth pop from the 80s, nevertheless, enjoyable. None of the stuff produce today, or very few of the things made today have what these bands used to have in the 80s....BTW, strangely enough, most of contemporary bands that I am attracted today are British. So, there must be something in the tea/water.

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Aug 2010, 11:06 pm »

Wayner,

I know what you mean. When you mentioned them to me, the name struck a memory bank in my brain and I pulled out my copy of the Live Aid DVD from 1985. There they were, playing two songs and one of them was Vienna. They played at the beginning of the concertI don't remember them from the 80's, but I am picking up some of their albums tonight from my local record store. First it was Camel and now Ultravox, keep them coming

BTW, the Live Aid DVD contains another band I missed--Status Quo. Kick ass rock n roll!

Laura

pumpkinman · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Aug 2010, 11:20 pm »

Your not the only one Wayner I could fill volumes with what groups I don't remember
a fellow ACer mentioned Flock and I'm going to find some LP's. I certainly don't
remember them............Bill

eclein · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Aug 2010, 11:22 pm »

OK...I'm jumpin on the Ultravox tunes...Wayner- out of the four you will soon have post which one is a must have first for us new fans!!
Thanks Wayner!!!
OH....and nice axe!!!!

low.pfile · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Aug 2010, 11:57 pm »

maybe you were just born in the wrong decade Wayner? or in the wrong town?

A lot of new wave, modern music bands never reached mainstream distribution because of the radio/music industry. That's just the way it was for most of the US. A very limited rotation of bad Pop and Classic Rock flowed from garages and radio stations from were I grew up (rural NYS). But going to college in 84 a whole new variety of music was made accessible to me.

Maybe you would have heard if you watched 120 minutes on MTV in the mid 80's as they highlighted New Wave, Alternative, post punk bands, etc. like Depeche Mode, UltraVox, Bauhaus, Echo BM I know, had it not been for my college exposure to new "different music" , I would have been stuck only listening to AC/DC, 38 Special, Dire Straits, or Alabama in the bars, parties, and radio.

You'll want to check out Visage and Midge Ure's solo stuff if you like UV.

starkiller · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 12:16 am »

Love Ultravox!! have all their cd's and most of the albums also...their videos were pretty cool too...lots of groups fell into that synth pop category...thompson twins/spoons/visage/flock of seagulls/new order/erasure/gary numan/ OMD/kraftwerk and so on. People may wave away alot of the 80's music as fluffery but I say bring back those fun, bouncy tunes and get rid of the "the world is awfull,its my parents fault, woe is me" stuff

SlushPuppy · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 12:16 am »

Quote from: eclein on 24 Aug 2010, 11:22 pm

OK...I'm jumpin on the Ultravox tunes...Wayner- out of the four you will soon have post which one is a must have first for us new fans!!
Thanks Wayner!!!
OH....and nice axe!!!!

I've been listening to Ultravox for about 25 years. If you're looking for a starter album, get "Quartet". It has some of their biggest "hits" and has my favorite Ultravox song "Hymn".

eclein · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 12:32 am »

Quote from: SlushPuppy on 25 Aug 2010, 12:16 am

I've been listening to Ultravox for about 25 years. If you're looking for a starter album, get "Quartet". It has some of their biggest "hits" and has my favorite Ultravox song "Hymn".

Thank you kind sir!!!

etcarroll · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 01:19 am »

Ed -

I have 2 lps, Vienna and Systems of Romance.

From 1st I like the song "All Stood Still", from 2nd "Slow Motion".

True Story - So I'm a 20-something on my motorcycle on way intown (Boston) to buy tix to the upcoming Ultravox concert at The Paradise. Some scruffy young kids from Belfast opening for them, (Ultravox is an Irish band as well). Get flagged down by a red-haired lass with a peg tooth, one thing leads to another, never make it to the box office to buy the tix.

Well, the scruffy kids from Belfast who opened the show turned out to be U2, yes, that U2.

Just imagine, if not for the redhead today I'd be able to bore my son with stories of how I "SAW U2 BEFORE ANYONE KNEW WHO THEY WERE". Dammit!!!!!!

Well, I still manage to make him roll his eyes up in his head at a regular clip.

As for Ultravox, as U2's star ascended, theirs descended. For good reason. Still, I think I'll throw Vienna on the tt if my wife would just go upstairs already.

Edit: Well I remembered them as Irish, but it seems they're British, and the best work they did was when Midge Ure was their frontman, and he's a Scot. Go figure.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 07:09 am »

Quote

Now, again I ask this question. Why haven't I ever even heard of this band.

Wayner....you gotta stop "droppin' acid" man....

Just having a little fun....but there are tons of artists that some have never hear of....try this...check out All Music...type in Ultravox....click on "Similar Artists" or "Followers", and go where it leads you....maybe to others you have not heard.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=30:

And this.....visit the book store...or your local library...take a look at this...

Tracks over 2,000 artists....and there are other books as well....

http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Rock-n-Roll/dp/0879305347

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Rock-Discography-Complete-Discographies/dp/1841958603/ref=pd_sim_b_4

http://www.amazon.com/Mojo-Collection-Greatest-Time-Happened/dp/1841954381/ref=pd_sim_b_5

http://www.amazon.com/All-Music-Guide-Blues-Definitive/dp/0879307366/ref=sip_rech_dp_9

http://www.amazon.com/000-Recordings-Hear-Before-You/dp/B0026IBY0Y/ref=pd_sim_b_9

.....just do some research.

Have fun....

One more tip....
When you go to Amazon...checking out the artist or listening to samples.....page down and find "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought"....this can lead you a new discovery....

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 07:34 am »

Wayner....For a start check out Yazoo and Alphaville....

Ever hear of Fuzzy Duck...

Another site...a blog....with many different music samples of many groups - some I've never even heard of...there's even one of me....

http://proudfootsound.blogspot.com/

Wayner · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 12:01 pm »

Thanks for the links, Chris, I will check them out.

I have Rage in Eden and Quartet. I'm getting (today, hopefully) Vienna and Lament.

Wayner

eclein · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Aug 2010, 12:26 pm »

Wayner- Check out -Gary Numan "Hybrid", very cool electronic and rock, he uses the pitch and timbre of different sounds as rythmic devices..its like sound sculpture with a groove..my favorite Gary Numan album.

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Aug 2010, 03:28 am »

Spinin" Rage In Eden and it is a great album. Thanks Wayner

Can't believe I missed it 29 years ago

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Aug 2010, 04:19 am »

Plus.....some research....

Check out John Foxx... original lead singer of the band Ultravox!, before embarking on a solo career in 1979.

Check out Visage.... , a connection to Ultravox.

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Aug 2010, 04:38 am »

Thanks Chris

Wayner · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Aug 2010, 11:47 am »

Get Quartet, too.

Wayner

Scott F. · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Aug 2010, 01:05 pm »

Wayner,

Here's one that may have passed under your radar;

Icehouse - Primitive Man

They're a great little band from down under. This is my favorite release from them though I listen to Iva Davies' (their lead man) Berlin Tapes fairly often too.

Laura,

Since you mentioned Status Quo, you need to pick up On The Level if you don't have it yet;

You're right, these guys kick bootie, big time.

You know, I've almost convinced myself that Green Day grew up on a steady diet of Status Quo. My kids brought Green Day to me back in the 90's. I gave it a quick listen and said, Here, let me play something for you. They listened and said Who's that?. I proceeded to tell them that album was from 1974. They couldn't believe it.

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Aug 2010, 02:37 pm »

Thanks Wayner & Scott.

I think I like Rage in Eden a little better than Vienna. I keep watching the Live Aid DVD to see Status Quo play Rockin All Over the World. Reminds me of the first time I listened to Humble Pie's I Don't Need No Doctor. About wore the record out.

I'm off to Denver over Labor Day and will spend some time looking at Twist & Shout for the suggested albums.