alt.music.peter-murphy FAQ (v1.2)
Andy Warwick
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Peter Murphy - Frequently Asked Questions
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Version 1.2
Maintained by Andy Warwick
This FAQ is posted on or around the 1st of the month to provide answers
to the most common questions that show up on the 'alt.music.peter-murphy"
newsgroup.
Please read this information before posting so you don't repeat often-heard
questions. (But can instead post new and unheard questions...)
Please note that this FAQ is best viewed in a mono-spaced font set to 80
characters a line or more.
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Canvas Beauties:
Eric Oehler wo...@itis.com
Heather O'Brien jes...@itis.com
Kelly McCarthy mcca...@scf.usc.edu
Julie Collins indi...@mindspring.com
Dan Horro...@aol.com
Samantha Wallace s...@interport.net
Deborah A. Oosterhouse x94oos...@wmich.edu
Quotes scattered around the FAQ from:
Ward Music Monthly - Apr 1992, Vol. 2.9 - Peter Murphy by Robert Barone
To all those other people who have contributed information or ideas to this
FAQ - either directly or indirectly - and who I have omitted to mention due
to oversight, many thanks.
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Please send any new material, comments, corrections, and suggestions you
may
have to me, Andy Warwick, at:
Peace
Andy Warwick
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GETTING THIS FAQ
Besides being posted to 'alt.music.peter-murphy', this FAQ can also be
obtained through the following channels:
World Wide Web
For those with World Wide Web browsers, an HTML version of this FAQ is
available via the Peter Murphy page at URL:
http://www.itis.com/murphy/
Email
Send mail to:
cascade...@helix.promega.com
with the body of the message reading "info."
The latest version of the FAQ and subscription information will be
automatically returned to you.
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QUESTIONS COVERED IN THIS FAQ.
* = New Changes in the text from the previous issue are marked
+ = Updated with plus symbols in the left hand margin.
1. BACKGROUND
-------------
1. Who is Peter Murphy?
2. Who were 'Bauhaus'?
3. Who were 'Dali's Car'?
4. Did Peter audition for 'The Damned'?
2. THE MUSIC
------------
1. What albums/singles have been released?
2. And videos?
3. What about bootlegs?
4. What's the next single?
5. I've got a copy of 'Deep' with a pop-up Peter and an extra track.
Is this rare?
6. I saw something called 'Peter Murphy:A Retrospective.' What is
this?
7. I recognized all the songs on the last tour as being album
tracks,
except for one. What was that song?
8. What is 'Composition?'
3. OTHER INFORMATION
--------------------
1. What's Peter's connection with Maxell Tapes
2. Who are The Hundred Men?
3. Is Peter on the Net?
4. Have I heard Peter at the movies?
5. What other artists make music similar to Peter's?
6. I didn't see Paul Statham on the last tour. Who was the
keyboardist?
7. Will there be another US tour?
8. Why doesn't Peter ever tour the UK?
4. LYRICS
---------
1. What does 'Huuvola' mean (from the album 'Cascade')?
+ 2. What's the translation of the French passage in 'All Night Long'
from the 'Love Hysteria' album?
3. What are the back-masked lyrics at the start of 'Should The World
Fail to Fall Apart' from the album of the same name?
4. Where can I get his lyrics?
5. FINDING OUT MORE
-------------------
1. Which Usenet newsgroups discuss Peter?
2. Is there a Peter Murphy mailing list?
3. What about WWW pages?
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1. BACKGROUND
-------------
1.1 Who is Peter Murphy?
Born just outside Northampton, England (60 miles north of London)
on July 11, 1957, Peter is the youngest of nine. His parents were
strong Catholics and working-class - his father a furnace worker
and chef, his mum a mum.
In the late '70s Peter became vocalist in the archetypal goth
band 'Bauhaus' (see Q1.2), recording 4 albums with them until their
split in 1983. He then formed a short-lived band with ex-Japan
bassist Mick Karn entitled 'Dali's Car' (see Q1.3). Shortly after,
they too split up, and Peter started to record solo.
In 1992 Peter moved to Ankara (near Istanbul), Turkey, where he
now lives with his wife Beyhan - the artistic director of the
National Contemporary Dance Company in Turkey - his son,
Adem (b.1991), and daughter, Hurihan (b.1988).
(As a side-note, Beyhan has been involved in Peter's career,
choreographing the 'Final Solution' video and directing the video
for 'Strange Kind of Love.')
1.2 Who were 'Bauhaus'?
'I think that sound, for me personally, was majestic and very
powerful.'
'Bauhaus' was a band formed in the late '70s by school chums Peter
Murphy (vocals) and Daniel Ash (guitar), with drummer Kevin
Haskins and bassist David J.
Their style of music was theatrical and grandiose, evolving out of
the late-70's punk movement and to some degree the then-nascent
goth style. If anything, though, 'Bauhaus' served to define goth
style and goth music rather than just emulate it. Their break-
through single, 1979's 'Bela Lugosi's Dead', has become a
dance-club classic and a sort of gothic anthem.
In 1983, after 4 albums and numerous singles, 'Bauhaus' decided
"They were just not working as a unit anymore" and dissolved.
(Peter was actually absent from the recording of most of the
last album, only singing over a few of the finished tracks.)
After the split, Peter was at a loose end until - after one solo
televised dance performance - he formed 'Dalis Car' (see Q1.3).
The remaining members of 'Bauhaus' became 'Love and Rockets' and
went on to some US success. Both Daniel Ash and David J. have
also released solo albums, and Ash and Haskins collaborated
with Glen Campling to form 'Tones on Tail'.
1.3 Who were 'Dali's Car'?
'Dali's Car' was a short-lived project that Peter did post-Bauhaus
and pre-solo work. They lasted for 1 album until they split, citing
'musical incompatability'.
The album was called 'The Waking Hour' - the CD is catalogue
BBL52CD on Beggars Banquet (1988, UK); the LP is DOX LP 1 on
Paradox/Beggars Banquet (1984, UK).
The music/instruments were by Mick Karn (ex-Japan) with
lyrics/vocals by Peter. Paul Vincent Lawford is also credited with
'rhythm construction'.
1.4 Did Peter audition for 'The Damned'?
In 1978 'The Doomed' (actually 'The Damned', but they couldn't call
themselves The Damned at the time because of legal action taken by
Brian James upon his leaving the band) did a UK tour. Dave Vanian
didn't show up when the rest of the band was supposed to leave
for some shows in Scotland. The rest of the band decided that
they should do the shows any way they could because they needed
the money. So they auditioned every singer they could find, and Peter
was among them. They offered him the 3 Scottish dates and he almost
joined the band.
A comment about 'Bauhaus' made by Rat Scabies ('The Damned' drummer)
around 1985: "We never ever felt part of the Batcave thing, never
felt related to that at all. We just had Vanian. He was the first.
For years, Bauhaus went round in absolute terror that The Damned
would show up in their dressing room and demand to know why they'd
stolen their image."
2. THE MUSIC
------------
2.1 What albums have been released?
SHOULD THE WORLD FAIL TO FALL APART
LP 1986 Beggars Banquet BEGA ???? UK
CD 1986 Beggars Banquet BBL 69 CD UK
Canas Beauty (romance version) / The Light Pours Out Of Me /
Should The World Fail To Fall Apart / Never Man / God Sends /
Blue Heart / The Answer is Clear (album version) / Final
Solution / Jemal
LP 1986 Vertigo/PolyGram 830 673-1 CA
Should The World Fail To Fall Apart / Never Man / Tale of The
Tongue / God Sends / Blue Heart / The Answer Is Clear /
Confessions / Final Solution / Jemal
LOVE HYSTERIA
LP 1988 Beggars Banquet BEGA ??? UK
LP 1988 Vertigo/PolyGram 834 336-1 CA
CD 1988 Beggars Banquet BEGA 92 CD UK
CD 1988 Vertigo/PolyGram 834 336-2 CA
All Night Long / His Circle and Hers Meet / Dragnet Drag /
Socrates The Python / Indigo Eyes / Time Has Got Nothing To Do
With It / Blind Sublime / My Last Two Weeks / Fun Time
DEEP
LP 1990 Beggars Banquet BEGA ??? UK
LP 1990 Beggars Banquet/BMG/RCA 9877-1-R US
LP 1990 Vertigo/PolyGram 838 997-1 CA
CD 1990 Beggars Banquet BEGA 107 CD UK
CD 1990 Vertigo/PolyGram 838 997-2 CA
CD 1990 Beggars Banquet/RCA/BMG 9877-2-H US
CD 1990 Beggars Banquet/RCA/BMG 2174-2-H US
Deep Ocean Vast Sea / Shy / Crystal Wrists / Marlene Detrich's
Favourite Poem / Seven Veils / The Line Between The Devil's
Teeth (And That Which Cannot Be Repeat) / Cuts You Up /
A Strange Kind Of Love (version one) / Roll Call /
Roll Call (reprise) * / A Strange Kind of Love (version two)**
* appears only on CD.
** appears only on 2174-2-H
2174-2-H contains limited edition pop-up Peter Murphy.
HOLY SMOKE
LP 1992 Beggars Banquet BEGA 123 UK
CD 1992 Beggars Banquet BEGA 123 CD UK
CD 1992 Vertigo/PolyGram 512 219-2 CA
Keep Me From Harm / Kill The Hate / You're So Close / The
Sweetest Drop / Low Room / Let Me Love You / Our Secret
Garden / Dream Gone By / Hit Song
CASCADE
CD 1995 Beggars Banquet BBQCD 175 UK
CD 1995 Beggars Banquet/Atlantic 95241-2 US
CD 1995 Alfa? ? JP
Mirror to my Woman's Mind / Subway / Gliding Like a Whale /
Disappearing / Mercy Rain / I'll Fall With Your Knife / The
Scarlet Thing in You / Sails Wave Goodbye / Wild Birds Flock to
Me / Huuvola / Cascade
This album-only version of the discography is taken from the full
discography available at
http://www.itis.com/murphy/
which is itself an edited version of the Bauhaus/Peter Murphy/
Love & Rockets/etc. discography maintained by Andrew B at
http://www.interlog.com/~andrewb/bauhaus/bauhaus.html.
For details of singles, please refer to either URL.
2.2 And videos?
Peter Murphy has released videos for many of his single releases:
Judgement is the Mirror (Dali's Car)
Final Solution
All Night Long
Strange Kind of Love
Cuts You Up
The Sweetest Drop
Hit Song
Scarlet Thing in You
2.3 What about bootlegs?
The only bootleg we are currently aware of is:
EXOTIC
LP 1988 El Topo El Topo 002 ??
Camera / Dragnet Drag / Final Solution / Socrates The Python /
Time Has Nothing To Do With It / Funtime / Purple Rain /
Spirit / Blind Sublime
notes: Recorded May 13th 1988.
2.4 What's the next single?
This is a hotly debated and as yet completely unanswered question.
The current rumours are these:
'I'll Fall With Your Knife' was planned as the next single, and
Atlantic even went so far as to stamp that on several promotional
releases. However, it supposedly did not test well in some of the
large markets, and plans to release it were scrapped.
The next option was 'Subway' which tested well in some markets.
Peter, however, has wanted to release 'Disappearing' since the
beginning and is at odds with Beggar's Banquet over this.
'Subway' seems to be the most likely option, and there are even
somewhat substantiated rumours that larger dance-oriented acts are
being considered for remixes.
2.5 I've got a copy of 'Deep' with a popup Peter and an extra track.
Is this rare?
It's not particulaly rare; it was an additional issue of Deep
with a different sleeve, probably more for collectors than
anything else. The version of 'Strange Kind of Love' included as
an extra track is interesting: it's available there and on the
B-sides of the 'Cuts You up' and 'Line Between the Devil's Teeth'
singles (but not on the 'Strange Kind of Love' single) and contains
an extra verse.
2.6 I saw something called 'Peter Murphy:A Retrospective.' What is this?
This is a CD that shows up occasionally in used bins. It was a
promotional release by Atlantic to radio stations to plug 'Cascade'
as well as the re-release of the backcatalogue. It is a sort of
"greatest hits" collection, interspersed with quotes from Peter
(apparently so radio stations could pretend to interview Peter).
All the tracks (except the quotes) are album tracks.
2.7 I recognized all the songs on the last tour as being album tracks,
except for one. What was that song?
The non-album track Peter played on the last tour, usually as an
encore, was 'Wish.' It was a B-side to 'Scarlet Thing in You' and
appeared on the Japanese version of 'Cascade'.
2.8 What is 'Composition?'
Composition was a Japanese Box set that contained a CD with all
the Pre-'Deep' singles, a book (in Japanese), a videotape with 3
videos, and several promotional photographs.
Being an out-of-print Japanese import box set, it is quite
difficult to find.
3. OTHER INFORMATION
--------------------
3.1 What's Peter's connection with Maxell Tapes
Peter appeared in a UK print/TV ad for Maxell tapes that was
remade in America by the director Tony Scott (who later did Top
Gun). It featured Peter sitting in a large armchair being 'blown
away' by the sound quality of a hi-fi playing Maxell tapes.
3.2 Who are The Hundred Men?
The Hundred Men were Peter's band for the 1988 album 'Love
Hysteria', the 1989 album 'Deep' and the 1992 album 'Holy Smoke',
though they were not introduced as 'The Hundred Men' until the
sleeve notes of 'Deep'.
Their line-up was:
Peter Bonas: Guitars
Eddie Branch: Bass
Terl Bryant: Drums, Percussion
Paul Statham: Keyboards, Guitars
They were dissolved in 1992 after the Holy Smoke tour, when Peter
moved to Turkey with his family, though Paul Statham continued to
work with Peter and co-wrote the 1995 album 'Cascade'.
3.3 Is Peter on the Net?
Currently no,though he has been reported to have a keen interest
in doing so soon.
He has, however, done two interviews on AOL, transcripts of which
are available at
http://www.mordor.com/bauhaus/
and
http://www.itis.com/murphy/talk.html
3.4 Have I heard Peter at the movies?
Yes.
Peter - along with the rest of his former band Bauhaus - appeared
in the Tony Scott film 'The Hunger', as the band in the night
club. The film, starring David Bowie, Catherine Deneuve and Susan
Sarandon was directed by Tony Scott; Peter got involved through
his association with Tony after their work on the US version of
the Maxell tape ad (see Q3.1).
As a solo artist, the track 'I've Got A Miniature Secret Camera'
from the album 'Love Hysteria' appeared on the soundtrack to the
film 'Pump Up The Volume' starring Christian Slater.
Peter also auditioned for 'Greystoke: King of the Jungle?',
though he didn't get a part!
3.5 What other artists make music like Peter's ?
This is, of course, entirely a matter of personal opinion.
His earlier material is somewhat similar to The The and The Smiths
in musical structure. Peter cites Peter Gabriel and David Bowie as
influences, and his current favorite band is Portishead. There's
no artist who is extrememly similar in style, either lyrically or
musically to Peter, but elements of his music are found in many
places.
Certain people (who shall remain nameless, but who aren't a
million miles away from the author of this FAQ) have compared his
voice to Neil Diamond's, but that's just a vicious rumor.
3.6 I didn't see Paul Statham on the last tour. Who was the guy with
the big hair playing keyboard?
Paul Statham was offered a solo record contract after the
production of 'Cascade' by producer Pascal Gabriel. He left the
tour to pursue his solo career. He was replaced by L. Howard
Hughes, who had co-written 'Should the World Fail to Fall Apart.'
Howard has since expressed his interest in continuing to work with
Peter, and has grown his hair to a length that makes it impossible
to fit under a cheesehead hat.
3.7 Will there be another US tour?
Peter certainly enjoys touring, particularly the United States,
and reportedly is very enthusiastic about touring again. However,
Beggar's will not finance another tour unless he has something new
to promote.
3.8 Why doesn't Peter ever tour the UK?
Peter dislikes touring the UK for several reasons. He's been
essentially villified by the British press (one of the more
positive interviews still referred to him as having "his head
stuck up his own exhaust pipe.") and he also feels more in the
shadow of Bauhaus in the UK.
4. LYRICS
---------
'They're not always objective; they're quite subjective reactions to
things.
My lyrics tend to be journeys into impossiblities and the discovery of
ideas
to do with a human and his dealings with himself. Each lyric has it's own
story. Some of them are nonsense.'
4.1 What does 'Huuvola' mean (from the album 'Cascade')?
Peter himself has said that it's a made-up word. The song is
about/to his children, and Huuvola is simply a nonsense word he
uses in that context.
4.2 What's the translation of the French passage in 'All Night Long' from
the 'Love Hysteria' album?
'Beauty,
A rose that played its role
My mirror, my key of gold, my horse, and my glove
Are the five secrets of my power
If you put this glove on your right hand
It will take you where you want to be'
+ The passage is sampled from the movie 'La Belle et la Bete,' a 1946
+ film by Jean Cocteau.
(Thanks to Kelly McCarthy and Deborah A. Oosterhouse)
4.3 What are the back-masked lyrics at the start of 'Should The World Fail
to Fall Apart' from the album of the same name?
The current best guess (mine) for this is:
'The lowest plane, in and all lies low'.
4.4 Where can I get his lyrics?
Other lyrics are available from the Peter Murphy home page at:
http://www.itis.com/murphy/lyrics.html
5. FINDING OUT MORE
-------------------
5.1 Which Usenet newsgroups discuss Peter?
Obviously, the dedicated group "alt.music.peter-murphy' talks about
him quite a bit, but snippets of info can also be found
occasionally on 'alt.gothic' and 'alt.gothic.announce'.
5.2 Is there a Peter Murphy mailing list?
There is. It's called Cascade and is maintained by Eric Oehler
(wo...@itis.com).
To submit to the mailing list, mail cas...@helix.promega.com.
To request subs/unsubs info, mail
cascade...@helix.promega.com
If you need to contact a human: cascad...@helix.promega.com
5.3 Where about WWW pages?
There is an excellent unofficial (but Peter-approved) Peter Murphy
page available at URL:
http://www.itis.com/murphy/
maintained by Eric Oehler (wo...@itis.com) and Heather O'Brien
(jes...@itis.com).
The Atlantic Records Peter Murphy page is also available at
http://www.atlantic-records.com/festival/murphy/trivia.html
More information regarding Peter and Bauhaus can also be obtained
at
http://utkvx1.utk.edu/~jejohnso/BAUHAUS.html
http://www.mordor.com/bauhaus/
--- END
Delanie Dietzel
Andy Warwick wrote:
> As a solo artist, the track 'I've Got A Miniature Secret Camera'
> from the album 'Love Hysteria' appeared on the soundtrack to the
> film 'Pump Up The Volume' starring Christian Slater.
Hmmm...I have Love Hysteria on cd, and this song does not appear on this. As a matter
of fact, I have been searching for quite a while for this song, for I do not want the
entire soundtrack to the movie. Maybe I have just been looking to hard for it, does
Love Hysteria appear on vinyl??? And if so, is that song really on it? Any help or
answers would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance....Delanie
Delanie Dietzel
Sanity Assassin (Eric Oehler) wrote:
> "...Camera" is on the Atlantic re-release of "Love Hysteria", but not on the
> original. It's also a b-side to the Blind Sublime 12" and I think the All
> Night Long 12".
>
> It's also, to the best of my knowledge, the only Peter song co-written by Eddie
> Branch.
Hey, thanks a lot for that information there!!!! I guess I have just
been looking to hard for it. I haven't been able to pay much attention
to vinyl recently. And speaking of Eddie Branch, I think its to bad
that he and Peter Murphy went there separate ways, I thought he was
pretty incredible. Does anybody have any info on why this happened. I
havn't had to much time to look into it, for I was in the process of
moving when the newer PM album came out. thanks again.... Delanie
Sanity Assassin (Eric Oehler)
Delanie Dietzel wrote:
>
>
> Hmmm...I have Love Hysteria on cd, and this song does not appear on this. As a matter
> of fact, I have been searching for quite a while for this song, for I do not want the
> entire soundtrack to the movie. Maybe I have just been looking to hard for it, does
> Love Hysteria appear on vinyl??? And if so, is that song really on it? Any help or
> answers would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance....Delani
---->
"...Camera" is on the Atlantic re-release of "Love Hysteria", but not on the
original. It's also a b-side to the Blind Sublime 12" and I think the All
Night Long 12".
It's also, to the best of my knowledge, the only Peter song co-written by Eddie
Branch.
--
=----------------------------Eric Oehler-------------------------------=
| wo...@itis.com http://www.itis.com/~wonko |
=----------------------------------------------------------------------=
You don't leave your fly open in a pressure suit.
-- Larry Niven
Sanity Assassin (Eric Oehler)
Delanie Dietzel wrote:
>
>
> Hey, thanks a lot for that information there!!!! I guess I have just
> been looking to hard for it. I haven't been able to pay much attention
> to vinyl recently. And speaking of Eddie Branch, I think its to bad
> that he and Peter Murphy went there separate ways, I thought he was
> pretty incredible. Does anybody have any info on why this happened. I
> havn't had to much time to look into it, for I was in the process of
> moving when the newer PM album came out. thanks again.... Delanie
Well, Eddie was on the last tour, and all seemed amicable between them.
Paul Statham left because he and Pascal Gabriel put together a band called
Neuronic (a synthpop/Dance band which is supposed to be pretty good). The Mexico
shows had to be delayed and such because the guitarist and drummer had other
obligations (I think).
Everybody's coming and going.
Eddie and Pete have worked together for so long I find it hard to believe they've
split permanently.
I'm still hoping Peter will either start writing himself or work with Howard
Hughes again. While "Should the World" wasn't the best album, it had some really
good tracks for 1986 ("God Sends", "Confessions", "Blue Heart").
--
=----------------------------Eric Oehler-------------------------------=
| wo...@itis.com http://www.itis.com/~wonko |
=----------------------------------------------------------------------=
I am not an animal! I am a human being!