Metamatic Forums Links and Connections Robin Simon Robin in Magazine

Can anyone tell me why Robin didn't stood in Magazine after John McGeoch left the band. He did touring with Magazine - and you can hear him playing on the live recording "Play". But why did he left them ? He did a great job. He was THE! best replacement for John McGeoch. I know this was happen for many years ago, but I wondered about this.
I was very glad Robin was in Magazine after Ultravox 's split. They were my fav. No. 2 (after Ultravox).
Would be nice to know the reason...

In the late 70's 'Magazine' were my favourite band, even managed to see them when they came to Hull (Second hand daylight' period).

I've had a look at shotbybothsides.com. There's an interesting 'Rock Family Tree' that gives some idea as to what happened with Robin Simon, unfortuately it's a bit vague;

"July 1980 to December 1980. A new guitarist arrives - Robin Simon formerly of Neo and Ultravox. Devoto: "As I understand it he stayed in America when Ultravox folded (temporarily in March 79 - see family tree) and was living in New York -. but he'd just arrived back in England when. we contacted him. It seemed fortuitous'. We did a couple of weeks rehearsal then a month long tour of America and a month in Australia where we cut a live. album." PLAY (V 2184 Dec 80 #69). On their return Simon leaves- Something to do with inaccessibility and the absence of what Virgin describe as "a genuine and practical basis for collaboration." Devoto; "Around the time of 'Secondhand daylight' - that was an album which took itself seriously--for which I make no apologies because I Still think 'it's great - we really went for it. We did a major tour playing Major venues - but then went off on a different tack. with 'Soap'. If we'd stayed in the Same direction-.who knows?" Next album.
Magazine #5"

Many Thanks, Johnny. Like you, Magazine was one of my favourite bands. A shame I never saw them live!
So, it was only a short collaboration - I assumed there were some problems between them. For my opinion , Robin was the best replacement after John McGeoch had left the band.
I have one concert with Robin playing guitar on DVD. It's recorded in Berlin 1980.
Do you know if Howard Devoto is active in music today?

I own his CD "Jerky versions of the dream" from 1983 and his collaboration with Pete Shelley " Buzzkunst". Both are good too...

Andreas

If you can, get hold of both 'Luxuria' albums 'Unanswerable Lust' and 'Beast Box' Devoto's project late 80's. Both Albums are excellent and in my opinion much better than the earlier solo album and Buzzkunst. I understand Devoto is working as a photo archivist now.

i would even go as far & say that devoto's work with or as luxuria was his best so far ... if not ever !

"redneck" by luxuria is in my all-time favorite tunes list - FOREVER ! ;-)

Seems I have to go to the record shop next...
Sounds VERY interesting.
A photo archivist... shame he makes no music today. But who knows? Perhaps one day...?


Andreas

Shadowman, wish you luck tracking copies of the Luxuria albums down. Just did a search of Amazon.co.uk, there are second hand copies available, well one of each

oh, by the way here's what the wikipedia has to say about Devoto. There are gaping holes i'm sure;

[URL=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Devoto][/URL]

I notice on eBay that there seem to be some recently released Magazine CDs - are these remasters?

Yes, Harold. All four of Magazine's studio albums have been remastered and all include bonus tracks. And I bought all four in their pre-polished state last year.

Me too. But the older ones includes the Lyrics!! - the remasters includes some text about the recording period of each album + the bonus tracks.

I bought the 3 CD box set "Maybe it's right to be nervous now" in the past, which includes all of these bonus tracks + some other rare stuff (Peel sessions, alternate versions, live tracks and a very nice booklet...)

BTW: There is one copy of it on E bay - found it today as I was searching for other stuff...!!!!

Thanks a lot for the link Johnny!!!!!
Great site. I enjoyed it a lot!!!! Very informative and great photos of Luxuria.
I'm sure I get their CD's one day....


Andreas

As an interesting coda, one of the tracks Robin has added guitar to for the forthcoming Dave Formula solo album will feature Howard Devoto on vocals. Dave is also adding keyboards to tracks on our next album. Robin will appear live with AjantaMusic at Namaste at Las Dalias on Ibiza on Wed 27th June 2007. We invite you to Ibiza!

Och thats a pity, I arrive opn the 7th of July... Oh well.

Davy

Great info Paul!!!
Thanks a lot - looking forward to it!!

Do you have any plans to play in Germany one day?

Now I have both albums and have to say: GREAT!!!
I love them a lot, both - playing them up and down every day the last time.
I'm a bit more into the BEAST BOX at the moment. These albums are the perfect follow-up sound after Magazine's split. Sad they only did two albums.
GREAT STUFF!!! Thanks for letting me know about it!


, Andreas

Jerky Versions was a disappointing remaster. Take a look at what should have been the remaster... Oh! I don´t know :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOWARD-DEVOTO-JERK...1QQcmdZViewItem

My copy on an another listing is on its way. Thanks to ebay. A real treasure trove!

Chris C

A really interesting item!

Would be keen to listen to the Peel Session. I own a Cd with the complete Peel Sessions of Magazine and that CD is Great!!!
I like to listen to the Peel Session recordings.The ones from Ultravox and OMD are great too - like this live studio sound.

Hope this CD comes into the shops soon...

Cheers, Andreas

i read in shotbybothsides Robin and Howard were writing song during the tour (while Simon was a member). What happened to these songs. I think they were ignored, because the last album "Magic Murder And The Weather" included songs John McGeoch and Robin's replacement Ben Mandelson wrote. what happened with those songs? I'd like to know.