U2

“11 O’CLOCK TICK TOCK”

b/w “Touch”

Released 5/23/80

(U2)

A lot of people reading this entry probably aren’t big U2 fans. Actually, some of you might actively hate them. But there was a time before all the grand gestures and posturing when U2 was just a band of Dublin high school-age Joy Division obsessives. That’s the time that this single, “11 O’Clock Tick Tock” hails from.

“11 O’ Clock” is certainly the U2 song most indebted to that Mancunian post-punk foursome. The single was produced by Joy Division and Factory Records house producer Martin Hannett, and even the sleeve was made by Factory Records house designer Peter Saville . The band first met Hannett during the recording sessions for Joy Division’s most famous song “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, which, for U2, must have been like if Ryan Meier could have watched Weezer record “Buddy Holly”, or if I could have watched Oasis record “Wonderwall”, etc.

Hannett was actually tapped not just to helm this non-album single but the entirety of the band’s debut Boy, an arrangement that fell apart upon the suicide of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis (an event that inspired the song “A Day Without Me”, found on the aforementioned album). Curtis’ death happened soon before U2 was due to record their album and the tragedy left Martin Hannett emotionally unable to begin the album at the neccessary time. Thus, producer Steve Lillywhite stepped behind the console and a long and fruitful relationship between he and the band began, one that continues to this day.

As for the song itself, it’s not a Joy Division xerox or anything…it definitely sounds like U2. Bono still sounds unmistakeably like Bono, albeit in his early, fake British accent phase. The Edge’s guitar part is certainly reminiscent of Bernard Sumner’s, but it also recalls the ringing tones of Keith Levene of Public Image Ltd. And the schoolboy choir vocal break is a technique that their heroes would be unlikely to utilize themselves. Its post-punk influence and muscular performance have made it one of my favorite U2 songs. Curiously, even though it ranks among the band’s top 20 most-performed songs (largely because it was including in almost all of the band’s sets from 1980-1984) and was included on their popular Under A Blood Red Sky live album, “11 O’Clock” remains relatively obscure. It’s never been included as part of a U2 best-of or singles collections, and until last year’s reissue of Boy (on which it was included as part of the supplements), it had never been widely available on compact disc.

While it’s unfortunate that “11 O’Clock Tick Tock” has become obscured by the likes of  “Beautiful Day”, ultimately its quality remains remarkably undiminished. If one is inclined enough to seek it out it provides a vision of U2 before the pomp and stadium circumstance, when the band were still an up-and-coming concern and willing acolytes to a more idiosyncratic sound.

Video:

Live at Red Rocks:

And a live version of b-side “Touch”, San Francisco circa ‘81:

G.

 Under a Blood Red Sky

by Kate Furnivall

Davinsky Labour Camp, Siberia, 1933: Sofia Morozova knows she has to escape. Only two things have sustained her through the bitter cold, aching hunger and hard labour: the prospect of one day walking free; and the stories told by her friend Anna, beguiling tales of a charmed upbringing in Petrograd ? and of Anna’s fervent love for a passionate revolutionary, Vasily. So when Anna falls gravely ill, Sofia makes a promise to escape the camp and find Vasily: to chase the memory that has for so long spun hope in both their hearts. But Sofia knows that times have changed. Russia, gripped by the iron fist of Communism, is no longer the country of her friend’s childhood. Her perilous search takes her from industrial factories to remote villages, where she discovers a web of secrecy and lies, but also bonds of courage and loyalty ? and an overwhelming love that threatens her promise to Anna

Please support the Pivotal network by using this link if you buy the book

I just got this loop pedal.

Endless sounds.  I love, love, love  it.

I’ve been writing a new song based off of a progession that I made with it.

I told someone today it was kind of  like Neil Young, playing My Blood Valentine,  after listening to Under A Blood Red Sky.   Sort of .

Listen to these and you’ll get the picture.

Oh how the memories come flooding back. I was checking out my Facebook page and I saw that Mark Radcliffe had become a grandad!! not that he has a facebook page of course but his then wife Lizzie does. There she was with a lovely, beaming proud grandma smile complete with brand new picture of baby Molly, via daughter Holly of course. It made me remember how Mark and Lizzie were living with me and my then wife Marie when Lizzie was pregnant and how we watched her blossom and grow in our then home in Cheshire…….. everything’s ‘all then.’ Well this is now and that was then !

Who would have thought way back then (again!) that they would be grandparents before me…..I’ve got a good few five years on Sparky and more I expect on Lizzie. I would loved to have been there to have a drink and wet the babies head, but distance interferes as it always does when friends and family are involved……not that I honestly miss anything other than that. My memories of England are just that, memories. Ten years ago I never would never have dreamed of moving, least of all emigrating but everything changed and it no longer felt like the place I grew up in……as well as it being so damn expensive, I don’t know how anyone can afford to live there nowadays. Life is made that much easier by my kids coming out to see me though, I have to admit.

Not only were Mark and Lizzie living with us when Lizzie was pregnant but previous to that Mark was living with us first time around when Marie was pregnant with Jessica, our firstborn….. and there too the moment she went in to labor! What a chaotic time that was. I was all over the place trying to cover the acts I was working and all the media activity that was going on. I had started my own promotion company and everything had got very hectic.

The week Jess was due I had to go to Gateshead in the north east of England to see U2 supporting The Police as it was being filmed…… History in the making, the result of that filming meant that the same Tyne Tees crew were commissioned by U2 to film them in Denver, Colorado and what went on to become Under a Blood Red Sky. Malcolm Gerrie the producer of The Tube had built up a good relationship with the band through his support for them in the very early days and they entrusted him with the job. Jess was late so she didn’t make history….that day , at least! Poor old Marie was sick as the proverbial parrot because she wanted to be there and see the band, she was a huge U2 fan. We’d spend every available moment going to see them play on any date that was geographically possible. She never forgave Jess for arriving in the middle of the War tour in 1983!

I shall return to conclude this little epic.

If you’re even a fringe fan of rock and roll, you’ve probably seen these photos.

Over the 25 years since U2’s starmaking show at Red Rocks Ampitheater in Denver, photographer Greg Wigler’s iconic shots of that performance have become legendary. For their 25th anniversary, U2 has re-released their live album Under a Blood Red Sky along with the concert DVD, and the band selected many of Wigler’s photos to be in the enclosed hardcover book.

Wigler calls this one “The Shot Seen ‘Round the World”, since it’s been in a ton of magazines like Rolling Stone, Uncut, and CMJ:

Greg Wigler’s photographs from U2 at Red Rocks Ampitheater are being shown at Division 9 Gallery (South Location), and the artist will be at the gallery for a special artist talk and Q&A from 7-8pm on Thursday, October 16. You’ll be able to pick up the total package signed by the artist, too.

For more of the Greg Wigler’s work and to buy prints, go to gwigler.com

All photographs used with artist’s permission.

PS. I double dog DARE somebody to stand outside the gallery waving a big white flag. I will buy you a baby-sized burrito if you do this. Doing your hair like Bono in 1983 is not necessary, but you would obviously rule if you did that. -alaska

Q: How do I wear a cardigan without looking like my grandpa?

A: Grandpas are cool, but some grandpa fashion is not (Polyester slacks, anyone?) .  However, cardigans are fun fun fun.  Even the ones that you might have seen grandpa wear to the dinner table.

Keep the fit snug and wear it over a bright graphic tee.  A polo could work to, but avoid a collared dress shirt and that ”reading the newpaper on Sunday circa 1953″ look.

I personally want to surprise my man with the fleece cardigan below, with the selfish intention of stealing it for myself.  You must feel how soft the inside of it is: it’s C-O-Z-Y.

Race your Grandpa to Crossroads to get one for yourself (odds are, you’ll probably win, so be nice and give him a head start).

They arrive in stores next week.*

Cardigan by Under A Blood Red Sky, $20.  T-shirt by Malchick& Devotchka, $13.50.

*Excluding our outlet store in Stockton.

There have been rumours lately that there will be an anniversary release of the great Under a Blood Red Sky live album. Like the other scheduled U2 remasters, it will probably feature a second disc with rarities. As the final track list is not released, I can only speculate what is on that disc. What would be interesting is to add songs from both the Denver gig, recorded at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the Loreley Rockpalast festival.

The whole Red Rocks set list was 19 songs long. However, of those 19 only two appear on the Under a Blood Red Sky album. Even the accompanying video doesn´t include all the songs! So, they can right this wrong by putting the concert including the six missing songs on the second disk.

As I wrote earlier, Germany is like the US a big music market. So, this successful festival appearance did in Germany what the Red Rocks gig and it subsequent broadcasts did in the US. Especially, as the whole festival was aired live throughout Germany. As a spin-off, their was a Germany-only single of “40″.

By including both shows, it would give us a chance to compare the various performances. As, there must have been reasons why they chose the Loreley performances over the Red Rocks show. Speculating even further, I would opt to include the Loreley show on a remastered UABRS video. Ideally this remastered video, would include all the 19 songs from the Denver show as well. Well lets wait what the future has in store for us U2 fans.

The U2 tribute band Under a Blood Red Sky played a special concert June 5, 2008 at the Gothic Theatre. For those of us who couldn’t attend, here is a summary of the performance from manager Brent Cranmer:

The show at the Gothic Theatre was amazing. We had a fantastic production with
several hundred U2 fans. Under A Blood Red Sky was introduced to the crowd
by replaying Barry Fay’s original introduction from the original Live At Red
Rocks video. With the concert under way, Under A Blood Red Sky recreated the
original Red Rocks show (complete with the original torches) to commemorate
the 1983 Red Rocks event.

As the crowd chanted to 40, original scenes from the 1983 video played on
the giant screen along with clips from Under A Blood Red Sky’s performance
of the same from our August 21, 2007 sell out at Red Rocks.

As UABRS retook the stage, the fans were treated to all of U2’s greatest
hits, including a special performance of Red Hill Mining Town with Xiren
accompanying the band on guitar and then as Bono for All I Want Is You.

Fans, young and old, were treated to a U2 concert experience of a life
time!!!

Full set list:
1. Out Of Control
2. Ah Cat Dubh
3. Surrender
4. Two Hearts Beat As
5. Sunday Bloody
6. Electric CO.
7. New Year’s Day
8. Gloria
9. Party Girl
10. 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
11. I Will Follow
12. 40
13. Elevation
14. Beautiful Day
15. Vertigo
16. Zoo Station
17. The Fly
18. Mysterious Ways
19. Red Hill Mining Town
20. All I want Is You
21. Where the Streets Have No Name
22. Pride
23. Bad
24. Bullet the Blue Sky
25. With or Without

I just have to say this is a wonderful program to have on today, the 25th anniversary of the U2 Red Rocks Show. See posts below for a link to listen live. I’m sitting in my public library in a small town in Canada enjoying this immensely. I can hardly wait for the DVD in August.

Now Playing…

Previous Songs Played

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of U2’s “Under A Blood Red Sky,” 102.3 KCUV (click www.kcuvradio.com to listen live) will replay the soundtrack from the video in the 2 p.m. hour (Denver time) on Thursday, June 5, interspersed with stories from KCUV listeners who attended the show.

From the Denver Examiner

Since I can’t make it to Denver today for the U2 tribute band UABRS’s re-enactment of the Red Rocks concert, I’ll watch it at home. In fact I’ll open up my NEW VHS copy of Live at Red Rocks – Under a Blood Red Sky and throw it in the VCR. I’ve been trying to decide if I should leave it sealed, but what’s the point with the DVD coming out shortly. Anyone else have plans tonight to celebrate this anniversary?

“New Year’s Day” is my all time favorite U2 song. I purchased the “War” LP in the summer of 1983, too late to catch any nearby concerts on that tour. This live version is one of the high points from Red Rocks. Edge’s piano and guitar work are fantastic (starting at 3:00). You can hear the crowd cheer in the background as he switches from the piano back to the guitar. Great performance by all the band members.

I’m unable to embed this clip but here’s the link to it:

U2- New Year’s Day – Live at Red Rocks

Tomorrow, “I Threw a Brick Through a Window”

U2 almost canceled this concert, but then went ahead with it. I’m glad they did. The 25th anniversary of this concert described by many as one of the best concerts of all time is coming up in a few weeks.

This blog is a tribute to U2 and the concert that evening 25 years ago. I plan to post video clips of most songs played that night in order, one per day up until the concert anniversary. Some of these songs were never released on the VHS video but can be found online. I’d really appreciate your comments on the concert itself, and more specifically any particular songs that are your favorites. I’ll start with mine, ‘New Year’s Day’. I didn’t appreciate the song as much until recently when I watched the video again. I’m really impressed by Edge and his piano-guitar work. Great stuff!

This is the best thing I have ever downloaded. I check out a dude’s blog almost every day. His name is Nagro and his blog can be found here. Please check out his blog. I DO NOT  take credit for this download.

It’s the FULL concert recorded 06-05-1983 at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado by U2. Not to be confused with the official release “Under A Blood Red Sky” in November 1983, this is the WHOLE CONCERT! The album cuts were taken from this recording and are ALL soundboard recordings, re-encoded at 320 kbps. The album has 8 songs. This has 19!

Here’s all the songs.

d1t01 – Out Of Control
d1t02 – Twilight
d1t03 – An Cat Dubh
d1t04 – Into The Heart
d1t05 – Surrender
d1t06 – Two Hearts Beat As One
d1t07 – Seconds
d1t08 – Sunday Bloody Sunday
d1t09 – The Cry – Electric Co.
d2t01 – I Fall Down
d2t02 – October
d2t03 – New Year’s Day
d2t04 – I Threw A Brick Through A Wi
d2t05 – A Day Without Me
d2t06 – Gloria
d2t07 – Party Girl
d2t08 – 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
d2t09 – I Will Follow
d2t10 – 40

Click links to download. It’s simple to do. Once at rapidshare, follow the instructions. If you don’t have an account, you have to wait a while before you can download part two. Follow the “free” instructions. You don’t have to sign-up for anything.

http://rapidshare.com/files/87427239/U206_05_83p1.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/87429925/U206_05_83p2.rar

** Picture taken from show.