WAIST HIGH: Living In The Eighties News.

1/05/2006

Living In The Eighties News.

This post is dedicated to ALARM frontman MIKE PETERS who revealed just before Christmas that he is receiving treatment for cancer.

A-HA will play a special in store set and do a signing session at London's Oxford Street HMV on January 30th to mark the UK release of their new album Analogue, which is released on the same day.

NEW ORDER website neworderonline.com is looking for bands interested in covering a NEW ORDER track for a forthcoming tribute album they're working on. The site released their first NEW ORDER tribute, Community, in 2004 and are working on compiling Community 2 for this year.

PSYCHEDELIC FURS frontman RICHARD BUTLER has announced a series of solo shows in the US during March and April to promote his forthcoming solo album Richard Butler, which is scheduled for a March release.

ADAM AND THE ANTS will release their long-overdue DVD, Digital Tenderness in March.

PET SHOP BOYS have remixed the new MADONNA single "Sorry," featuring additional vocals from NEIL TENNANT, which will be released in February. It is currently undecided whether the mix will be used promotionally in the clubs or will feature on one of the single's commercial formats.

THE STRANGLERS have released a live album, Coast to Coast, exclusively via their website. The album will feature 18 tracks recorded live on the band's "Norfolk Coast" tour last year and is limited to just 2000 copies.

Former SPANDAU BALLET frontman TONY HADLEY has started to confirm shows for what is shaping-up to be an extensive UK tour. The By Request Tour will support his upcoming swing album.

IAN MCNABB will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his former band THE ICICLE WORKS with a tour dedicated to the band's catalogue and a new ICICLE WORKS album, however none of the other members of the original band will be involved.

OMD are to reform this year to tour and to record a new album. The reunion will feature ANDY MCCLUSKY, PAUL HUMPHREYS, MAL HOLMES, and MARTIN COOPER, and is expected to kick off with a UK tour in September which may expand internationally in the lead up to the release of a new album in Spring 2007. The band are also expected to announce special showcase performances which will see them perform their Architecture & Morality album in its entirety.

SCRITTI POLITTI will release their much-anticipated new album in March, with one (excellent!) track "Boom Boom Rap" having already been played on the radio.

MISSING PERSONS have reissued their 1982 debut album Spring Session M, which is now available with two bonus tracks "Mental Hopscotch," and "Hello, I Love You."

Material courtesy: remembertheeighties.com

CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE KERN COUNTY DRUNKARD
Everything at Waist High is a long story, and the story of The KCD is no exception. After this individual told Waist High in December of 2003 that she was going to kill her, "Waist High" the blog was born. Please do not tell Waist High the person that you are going to kill her or she will create "Waist High" the blog and write nasty things about you! Including the time you stunk up the bathroom at The Alley Cat. The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" detailed the drunken comings and goings of the live-in love interest of one of Waist High's most cherished male friends. Never has Waist High met anyone who drank as much as or as often as The KCD. The KCD, because she was an insecure drunk, hated Waist High for most of her decade long relationship with Waist High's most cherished male friend. She hated Waist High for the obvious reason: Waist High is hot. A one time source of much of the material for Waist High the blog, The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" was permanently retired in March 2005 when Waist High's most cherished male friend finally came to his senses and kicked her ass to the curb.

RAMPART
Rampart is the first ex-husband of Waist High. She refers to him as her first ex-husband because she knows there will eventually be a second. Rampart grew up on the mean streets of Bakersfield and claims to have been the co-discoverer of the well known 1980s dirt field party spot known as "The Place." Rampart's 1987 directive to Waist High, "Drink this six pack before I get back!" made both Waist High and Rampart parents at age 20. Rampart currently resides 4.5 miles from Waist High in the wilds of Oregon and is an enduring fixture at their local Cigs For Less shop. Once a Bakersfield Del Taco associate, Sail Thru Hamburgers drive up dude, and Wible Road AM/PM graveyard worker, Rampart claims to now net $49,000 per month. But only to impress people, not when required.

(THE FORMER) LOVELY TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Not your average 35 year old. Born to Waist High as a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street, LTD is on the board of MAC cosmetics. Not really, but she swears allegiance only to them. When LTD's mother once purchased LTD some eye shadow from Target, LTD threatened to call the police. Sweeter than Tupelo Honey, with the attitude of a feral cat, LTD is disgusted with most things. Including being forced to live with Waist High from 1988-2005. The child at one time even had her own blog, "Living With Waist High," which detailed her misery. A graduate of the oldest institution in the Oregon University System, LTD kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did.

THE STRANGER
Oh God bless The Stranger. The Stranger was one of Waist High's most loyal confidants during some of the darker periods of the blog. Although his fierce allegiance to really bad music was a great source of aggravation for Waist High, The Stranger gave her a much needed look at life. Through the eyes of someone not yet bitter. The Stranger was almost pushed out of a moving vehicle when he revealed to Waist High that not only did he not know who Barry Manilow, Captain & Tenille, or Spandau Ballet were, but that he literally had no clue what Trail Mix was.

"TRI-TIP"
Special Correspondent to Waist High, and one of Waist High's most cherished friends. Used to live with The Kern County Drunkard. Was a Special Correspondent to Waist High for 9 months before knowing it. Long story. This individual coined the ultimate mid '80s Bakersfield drinking phrase, "Lock hubs. Party!"

DESI
Waist High's former work spouse. Cares about Waist High so much that he once took Waist High with him on a smoke break the very next day after she spent $250 for hypnotherapy TO QUIT SMOKING. Was the first person in conversation to introduce Waist High to concepts like "The Dirty Sanchez," "Dog In A Bathtub," "Tea Bagging," and "The Shocker." Reminds Waist High as often as possible that if women "neglect the balls," their men will leave them.