NO: 31 JUL 2001 Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View CA

thehappyone

Setlist

Atmosphere, Regret, Crystal, Love Will Tear Us Apart, Your Silent Face, Turn My Way, Bizarre Love Triangle, Touched By The Hand Of God, True Faith, Temptation, 60 Miles An Hour, Blue Monday

I attended this performance. What I most vividly remember was this girl who was doing a very intimate lap dance for her partner, who unfortunately couldn't be persuaded to stay beyond New Order's set (she wanted to stay, he wanted to get busy). The last I saw of this couple was him walking out, with the girl flipping him the bird as she chased after him.

No, I'm not making this up.

Another highlight was the punk with a Low-life shirt, who had scrawled on the back, "Fuck Moby". Ace.

Some reviews...

Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001 15:34:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Marc Joseph
Subject: (Fac33) Mountain View Show
Sound

Have to agree with Fernando. The sound was very poor. The levels were definitely set for the bands on after New Order (Outkast and Moby). The difference was so great that on some songs it was almost like comparing AM radio to CD sound quality.

The vocals were set too low until three and a half songs in. With the exception of Hooky's bass, all of the sounds ran together. Couldn't hear Bernard's guitar on many songs (e.g., TF). I was at the bottom/middle of the lawn section. Perhaps the sound was better up close? Kind of doubt that.

The band knew that sounds levels were screwed up, and were constantly (Bernard, especially) pointing to the side stage to make changes (or even requesting changes on the mike during songs). Bernard made a comment after the fourth song -- in the middle of which they adjusted the vocals sound level -- something like "...well, at least half of it didn't sound like shit..."

[Editor's Note: this comment seems to be missing from the CD I have of this gig...nor do I recall him making this comment.]

I've not heard the complete album. I did listen to the sound clips and the downloaded Fuji concert. The sound at the Mountain View concert, especially of the new songs, was, not surprisingly, much poorer than the album clips. But, it was also much worse than the Fuji concert (which was actually pretty good).

[Compared to Reading '98, which I also was fortunate to attend, the sound was on a completely different scale -- not a fair comparison.]

I realize that at a festival with little or no soundcheck time, that it's difficult/impossible to get the sound levels correct. At the same time, though, I wonder. Did the New Order sound at the show help or hurt their chances for being successful again in the U.S.?

Without decent sound levels for the new songs (and even most of the older ones), does it just reinforce the "80's band" label in the U.S.? In my mind, it doesn't, but I'm not the majority.

Song selection:

New Order is known in the U.S. by the masses (i.e., most everyone not in the orchestra section) by five songs: BLT, TF, TBTHOG, Temptation, & BM.

They had to play those songs. The difference in broad audience participation was significantly higher during those songs than all the others. I would've loved to have taken a poll of the audience to see how many people first realized it was "that" New Order when BLT was played.

(LWTUA also got the audience's attention. Along with In a Lonely Place, they were two songs that had good sound balance. Best two songs of the day, IMO.)

Song order:

I was hoping they'd change the order from Liverpool and Fuji. Starting with Atmosphere in a half-filled outdoor amphitheatre with the sun setting just didn't seem right. Whoops didn't help.

Energy level:

Hooky was very enthusiastic. Even hopped off the stage during Blue Monday. Steve and Phil were into it. Bernard was hopping around and seemed very enthusiastic. He also, though, seemed a little peeved about the sound.

The orchestra level audience was very enthusiastic. To the balding guy in the French blue long-sleeve shirt, I hope you drank lots of water afterward. You must of sweated about a gallon of liquid.

Billy Corgan's involvement:

Although it's true he didn't necessarily do a lot on stage, his presence meant a lot. He received very loud/positive recognition when Bernard introduced him and when he lingered on the stage at the end. Even looked like he signed an autograph from the side/front of the stage during a lull in a song.

It's been said before, but his presence will mean a lot in the US market. Turn My Way will get significant airplay, because of, in large part, him. He has a very distinctive voice (whether you like it or not) and the masses will instantly be drawn into at least that song (and perhaps like it and try the whole album).

Atmosphere (not the song):

New Order is not a day-time outdoor band. The difference in atmosphere (along with the sound) of Moby's show was startling. I realize that Moby's been doing his show for a while now -- very rehearsed, highly produced, etc. -- but it had impact (whether you like his music or not).

A light show, a full venue, and darkness to help people focus on the stage (as opposed to talking on their cell-phones & walkie-talkies, commenting on the people walking by, screaming to the ushers for glow-in-the-dark thingys to hang around their neck, etc.) make a world of difference. Even playing one hour later (in the Outkast slot) would have made a BIG difference. But, with a full tour commitment, it was right to have Outkast slotted there.

(Funny side note: They turned on the smoke machine -- IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Bernard disappeared several times while singing. Not the cool floating haze like Reading '98. Looked like a dust cloud had descended upon him. After a few songs, Bernard said something like, "Turn off the fucking smoke machine. You're killing me.")

All that said, I'm still very glad to have been there and grateful that New Order came back to the U.S. I wish that I could go to the LA event to see if they're able to improve the sound by then. I very much hope they can come back again and tour in some mid-size venues (e.g., Fillmore in SF).

Information from the (at least) two known versions of this gig:

> From: GaoBest
> To: ceremonyATmonkey.org
> Subject: (Fac33) shorelines
>
> In a message dated 10/1/01 1:04:38 PM, theATnew-order.net writes:

<< The source you have has Bernard more shifted over to the right than
> Mike's. They're both comparibly clear, I would guess the neworderonline
> version was recorded a bit further away, it has a bit more audience clatter
> in it. >>

> I think this is Jason's version - he is a SP fan so that's why he
> went/taped/etc. He bought his ticket from a Schoeps taper who decided to
> take a holiday from taping. So I had a better seat/row, but I was on Hooky's
> side, whereas I think Jason was on Corgan's side, so he was having his own
> little field day. Jason uses (I think) Sonic Studios and a D7, but I can't
> really remember that well. Schoeps mics have a $4500 retail or so, but alas
> I don't think there is a Schoeps for this gig (Schoeps mics at Shoreline can
> sometimes sound utterly amazing, almost as good as Schoeps mics taped from
> the spot at the Warfield - eg, Underworld '99 and Kraftwerk '98).
>
> x
> mike

Info about sources and "Sarge" (Hooky's bodyguard):

> From: Super User
> To: GaoBest
> Subject: Re: (Fac33) shorelines
>
> Jason Roth? Nah, I think he uses DPA4061s omni's into an M1.
>
> From: GaoBest
> To: Alastair J. Murray, ceremonyATmonkey.org >
Subject: Re: (Fac33) Glasgow/Last Orders...
>
> In a message dated 10/9/01 3:09:27 PM, Ally wrote:
>
> << PS. For anyone who'll ever met up with New Order's personal bodyguard
> "Sarge": be afraid, be VERY afraid ... (no joke!) >>
>
> Is that the "older"-looking guy with tattoos who hangs around with
> Hooky? At the Shoreline show he was glued to Hooky whenever PH went
> off the stage during the performance... tough looking guy! Um, so is
> that him???

Al Jarvis later adds:

From: "Al Jarvis"
To: Nick King, "Ceremony" <ceremonyATmonkey.org> Subject: Re: (Fac33) New Order in this month's Q Magazine... Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 13:05:33

Sarge isn't a 'big bloke' at all. He's about 5'6? But he's mean as f---, suppsedly. Head of security at the Apollo, I believe, and has only ever acted as security for one act before - Barry Manilow! And he's defo not Hooky's brother, just a mate.

4 of my mates managed to get their mugs into the Frisco audience photo in Q magazine but me and the Mrs were to the right of the stage so don't feature. If the cameraman had panned more to the left there was a big X of St George in the audience held aloft by some lads from Slough and Sunderland.

Transcription

Sound is clear (being sourced from a DAT). Despite my initial report, there are no dropouts in my copy (sorry gaobest!)

BS: "Hello everyone, we're New Order, it's great to be back in the States! [bass chords] Please welcome our guest guitarist tonight, Billy Corgan. Please welcome Phil...Phil Cunningham. Well, you like Joy [Division]?"

(my copy of the gig cuts out after the word 'Joy')

Atmosphere

BS: "This is a song called Atmosphere."

PH: "One Two Three Four"

BC: "Yo...yo...(echo)"

Barney gets "whooping cough" during this song. Most people find this affliction annoying during what are supposed to be downtempo numbers.

PH: (to roadie offstage) "Jerry...my foldbacks are still not working... Can I have more guitar in the side fills, please."

BS: "Thank you...whoo! Thanks a lot, thanks a..."

Regret

BS: "Ok, this is a song called Regret."

Opening guitars are mixed way too low and Hooky's bass comes in out of time. The sequenced hi-hat is high up in the mix. A fairly rare botch-up.

BS: "Yo! Jerry, a bit less on my guitar, please, a bit more of the sequenced drums, sequenced shit."

(he's being sarcastic, of course)

Crystal

PH: "You're all right, matey[?]. _____ _____ the fucking amp is coming out[?]

BS: "Okay, this is our new single. It's called Crystal"

(audience member yells out 'Who's playing that?')

Kick drum is very loud here...and the vocals kinda low.

BS: "Oh...thank you...whoo..."

Love Will Tear Us Apart

PH: (plays note) "This is for you all old-timers. And you young timers. Every living fucker in between."

BS: "Okay, this is Love Will Tear Us Apart."

Ends up being somewhat of a singalong.

About 3:12, Hooky exclaims "Here we go, Steve!"

BS: "Thank you! It's one of those old songs, but we can do even better than that! Just bear with us. You're in for one hell of a...eh, a trip."

Your Silent Face

BS: "Okay, this is an old song called "Your Silent Face."

And indeed they do much better. Again, the melodica makes its appearance, and there's some improv...melodica jazz, anyone? My copy has a pop/crack at 3:58.

BS: "Yo! 'ak you. Whoa..oa..oa...

(audience member yells 'Ceremony')

Turn My Way

BS: "This is a new song...off our new album Get Ready, features Billy on vocals, and also...he plays a lovely solo in the middle of it."

BC: "Take my hand...and don't let go"
(last part he chuckles through)

BS: "And don't let go".

About 3:08 in, Barney cries "Yo! Phil".

I guess being around all those hip-hop acts is rubbing off on Barney, yo!

Nice "thought that I was right" refrain in this version.

BS: "'k you! Yo!"

(audience member yells 'Ceremony' again)

Bizarre Love Tirangle

BS: "Okay, after that, of course we're gonna play some of the _____ you already know. This is called Bizarre Love Triangle."

BS: "Jerry....[whistles]"

They play the song.

BS: "'ank you...[groans]"

PH: "Fuck. Can't see me tuner, and sounds like there's something wrong. [plays bass] Nah, it's just me, being a lazy...Salford bastard. Like jazzy here, man."

Touched By The Hand Of God

BS: "This is Touched By The Hand Of God."

BS: [3:33] "One Two Three Four!"

Another dropout at 4:41.

BS: "Thank you. Andy, will you turn that fucking smoke off, it's driving me mad! I'm a confirmed anti-smoker, cigarettes are bad for you!"

(more calls for Ceremony from the audience)

PH: "Haha...you got told off, Andy. Hehe."

BS: "Apologize for that one, a very slip of temper on my part..."

(recording cuts out briefly)

True Faith

BS: "Okay, this is true faith...new version."

BS: [0:50] "More bassline"

PH: [0:54] "Here we go"

BS: [1:13] "More bassline"

Hooky makes weird noises at about 5:15.

BS: "Thank you."

Arthur Baker intro...

BS: "Please welcome...our producer Mr. Arthur Baker, stood right there in the audience. Hello Arthur! Guy with the beard and the long hair. Looks a bit like Rasputin. He's got a big dick just like me."

Temptation

BS: "well, you're laughing at (him?) anyway. Okay this is another song, it's called Temptation."

BS: [5:37] "Oh, it's the last fucking time..."

BS: [5:52] "One Two Three Four!"

BS: "Ohah! Thank you"

(yet more calls for Ceremony from the audience)

BS: "'nk you. Fucking 'ell...a bit tiring up here."

60 Miles An Hour

BS: "Okay this is eh, eh, called 60 Miles An Hour, it's off our new album.  Hope you like it.  Hey whazzap Billy, c'm...an old friend back here."

They play the song, and finish.

PH: "Not bad, was it?"

BS: "'k you."

Blue Monday

BS: "Hey, this is Blue Monday"

PH: "Yo, get that bass a bit louder, for there's a man in Manchester who can't hear it!"

BS: "No one can set _____ _____" [whistles]

BS: [1:42] Weird noise.

BS: "Thanks a lot, you've been a great audience, it's great to be back in the States. This time we're here to stay, Keep on Truckin'!"

Outro...clapping...people wanting more, the usual.

Versions

AUD #1.  JR, Sony D7 DAT + Sonic Studios DSM-6L.  

AUD #2.  unknown, fki (DIME).  Sony PCM-M1 + DPA-4061.  The version that's online.

AUD #3.  GaoBest.  Sony PCM-M1 + Sonic Studios DSM-6's.

AUD #4.  starblood (DIME).  Sony D8 DAT, CSB mics.