Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate This Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#4357978 - 05/18/17 03:13 AM The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Epic 80's flashback! Looks like the original band too. Oh man! band



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHYIGy1dyd8



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCM4_5uB1ww



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAofFHPRZTE



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOiZP8FS5Ww

++++++++++

"Saved By Zero" is part of our past (goofy story, song is actually about the Cold War?). We've enjoyed the Molly Ringwald's fantastic cover of it, as well as "One Thing Leads to Another". Now we'll get to hear the real thing!

3 upcoming Ringwalds shows (JUN 24/SEP 8/DEC 30), 4 if we do the Catfish Festival (JUN 23).

Also, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Rumours coming to the Varsity, need to check that out.

[Linked Image]

Attached Files Fixx_Tickets.jpg


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4358099 - 05/18/17 06:42 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
LB4LB Offline
Still lurking about
LB4LB  Offline
Still lurking about
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
Detroit Burbs
I have seen the Fixx at least a dozen times in my life. I think their really good songs are the ones that never got any radio air play. I think you are going to really enjoy their show. Great ticket prices.

#4358236 - 05/19/17 02:07 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Thanks, LB4LB. Always nice to get a SimHQ endorsement. The videos above are the only Fixx songs I know, and I didn't know "Stand or Fall" until someone posted it on these boards. As you can tell, the songs are butchered to hell to make the videos shorter.

The typical setlist last year looked something like this...

Red Skies
How Much Is Enough?
Driven Out
Chase the Fire
Are We Ourselves?
Beautiful Friction
All Is Fair
Shaman
One Thing Leads to Another
Built for the Future
The Fool
Stand or Fall
Deeper and Deeper
Saved by Zero

Encore:
Do What You Can (Peace on Earth)
Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - (John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band cover)
Secret Separation


I'll check out those other songs as well as one of their 'Hits' compilation, for example...
https://www.amazon.com/Fixx-Thing-Leads-Another-Greatest/dp/B000002PIY

I wouldn't enjoy a concert nearly as much if I didn't know most of the songs, so I'll remedy that now. smile

++++++++++

The advantages to a general admission standing (no seating) concert is usually price and location to stage. We have our favorite spot at the Varsity Theater, front of stage and to the right (always seems to be where the lead guitarist plays). Plus, you can wait out a ticket purchase until the last day without worrying about getting a bad seat. You only risk a sellout (hasn't happened to me yet) or have to pay a couple of bucks extra ($30.00 vs. $25.00) if you wait until the day of the show.

And of course, with standing only, there's constant physical contact that's inevitable in a crowded dimly lit concert setting (we stand in what I call our "concert pose"). Not quite dancing, more like swaying but with subtle grinding (unavoidable), if you know what I mean. wink

The disadvantages are that you have to show up early if you want to claim your spot. We usually get there 45 min. before showtime (in this care there'll probably be a starter band). At Molly Ringwalds they play good 80's before the show (songs the Ringwalds don't play [e.g. "The Kid Is Hot Tonight"]), sometimes even showing a video on the stage curtain while you wait. A good time for relaxing conversation, but the evening ends up being a very long time on your feet (lots of walking just getting to the venue). What's bad, in my case, is that I have my best 3-shot buzz going during pre-show, having already lost a little once the show starts, especially when the band starts late. That's the price I pay for being responsible. smile

The biggest disadvantage is that you're not only making contact with the little woman you're wrapping your arms around, you're also occasionally bumping into the people around you if the crowd is heavy. Fortunately, among our demographics and age group, people almost always behave at these shows (even with the drinking). BTW, that's how I can tell if I'm acting my age, by looking around at all the other old farts in attendance. biggrin

It'll be interesting to see who goes to a Fixx concert these days. I already know what to expect for Rumours (Fleetwood Mac tribute), probably the same as with the Pink Floyd tributes we do.



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4358237 - 05/19/17 02:12 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,383
PanzerMeyer Online centaurian
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer  Online Centaurian
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster

Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,383
Miami, FL USA
Originally Posted by MarkG




It'll be interesting to see who goes to a Fixx concert these days.





My educated guess would be white non-hispanic people over the age of 35. Basically the same demographic that was at the Rush concert I went to a couple years ago. smile

Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 05/19/17 02:13 PM.

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4358241 - 05/19/17 02:32 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
You're probably right. smile

I've noticed that when the Molly Ringwalds play the Varsity (just a few feet from the main gates of LSU), the crowd is typically younger than when they play L'auberge Casino (about 4 miles south of LSU). It makes sense (more college students) but the distances aren't *that* far apart (still in the LSU area) yet the difference in demographics is noticeable.

I've also noticed (unless it's my imagination) that they tend to do more of a Classic Rock show at the Casino, with more New Wave/Pop at the Varsity. Which reminds me, I'm going to forfeit my first Ringwalds show in BR since Dec. 2015 with the Fleetwood Mac thing (back-to-back concerts would be too much, money and energy). To be 20 again, dammit (and with a little spending money this time)! old_simmer



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4358319 - 05/19/17 09:27 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
LB4LB Offline
Still lurking about
LB4LB  Offline
Still lurking about
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
Detroit Burbs
The last time I saw them was a few years back at a local city summer festival setting. Lots of middle aged suburbanites (like me) sitting in lawn chairs. I was a big fan of them my whole life and knew every song. It was funny, once the wine kicked in and they started playing their hits, the crowd started to really have a good time. Check out their albums Reach the Beach, Phantoms, Shuttered Room, Walk About, and Calm Animals. Those were my favorites.

#4364600 - 06/18/17 01:15 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Tonight I'm going to start a new thread for tribute and cover bands, including last night's 'Fleetwood Mac' show (some weirdness with this one), also to clean up this thread a little. Any future shows (e.g. upcoming trio of Van Halen, Guns N' Roses and Aerosmith...July 7th) will be included in the single tribute/cover bands thread.



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4374343 - 08/14/17 08:55 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Getting serious with The Fixx now (this Friday evening - 8/18) and taking a good listen to their songs to find the ones I like, but it's difficult as some of their albums have no digital releases on Amazon (or iTunes, from what I'm reading, but I don't buy from iTunes anyway) and this is a real bummer. I already have the originals of the four songs I posted above, and I'm about to purchase a Greatest Hits which includes a live version of one of them...

20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Fixx (Remastered)

This may have to do as I'm just not *that* big a fan of The Fixx, mainly going to hear "Saved By Zero", which upon listening to the lyrics, doesn't seem to be about the Cold War as I once thought or read...

"Saved by Zero" would become one of The Fixx's most popular songs and a concert staple. It has been described as having "acutely captured the paranoia of the Cold War in fearful lyrics."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saved_by_Zero

I don't get the CW reference but that's ok, I love the song, always have, and it'll be our highlight of the evening.

++++++++++

EDIT: Cross referencing the Greatest Hits with the sample setlist I posted above, I'm satisfied that we'll know at least half of the songs being played, maybe more as I dig a little deeper.

2nd: EDIT: More choices...

One Thing Leads To Another: Greatest Hits


Attached Files The_Fixx.jpg


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4374348 - 08/14/17 09:40 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Bah, the only difference in the two "Best Of..." vs. "Greatest Hits" compilations above is that the first one includes "How Much is Enough" and the second one "A Letter To Both Sides", otherwise they seem to be identical. Going to read reviews and decide.



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4374351 - 08/14/17 09:44 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
LB4LB, help me out. What are *your* personal favorites that I'm missing on that first Hits (maybe list half a dozen songs)?

I could do this with Rush, just start with "Chronicles" and add...



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4374369 - 08/14/17 11:28 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Reading the comments on the "Red Skies" video...

"RED SKIES AT NIGHT is caused by an upper atmospheric detonation of a nuclear charge, which would certainly cause the ionosphere to glow red. Take it from a guy who lived when this came out, I can assure you it was about nuclear war, as many of the 80's tunes were. In the 70's elementary schools we trained frequently for bombing, using the duck and cover under our desks. I remember a bunch of churches were marked as fallout shelters, with supplies in the basement. The 80's got better, but it was still cold war time. We were conditioned the USSR could/would bomb us at any time. We feared them and they probably feared us. I finally realize the people of the USSR just want the same things as us. They have families, lives and jobs too. Maybe things were on the verge back then, but the world is much more connected now. I always wanted to ask a Russian if they we brought up the same way, with fear of nuclear war, but I have never met one. A secondary meaning is an allusion to the "Red Soviets" ( think of flag of USSR).

This song, much like Men at Work's "It's A Mistake" is based on never knowing who will push the launch button or launch missiles by mistake and prompt the two super powers at the time to annihilate each other.

"Normally, 'red skies' at night' a reference to weather predictions. 'Red skies at night, sailors delight, red skies at morning, sailors take warning." However, this is not the context of this song."

++++++++++

Alright, I'm getting excited about this concert now! Also, having just listened through the "Best of..." including an excellent live version of "Stand or Fall" (although I'm keeping the originals on my playlist). These guys really were about the Cold War and nuclear holocaust, I like it! thumbsup

Some time back I made an 80's Cold War thread which was deleted with a server crash or something. I might have to do another one soon. Someone posted a video by The Fixx (I think) on it but I don't remember the song, just that it wasn't one I'd heard before. If anyone remembers another Cold War song by The Fixx, please post it. Thanks.



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4374650 - 08/16/17 02:28 AM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
LB4LB Offline
Still lurking about
LB4LB  Offline
Still lurking about
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
Detroit Burbs
Sorry Mark, didn't see you earlier post. Here are some of my favs. Mostly not their hits.







[video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIhwH41msew[/video





I could go on and on. Have fun.

#4374661 - 08/16/17 04:14 AM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
No problem, LB4LB. I start typing and I get carried away, questions getting lost in the mix. Thanks, and I'll check those out (already know the first one really well now).

After everything I've read about this band, I realize they still have quite a following. I should feel lucky that for only $25.00 I'm going to be standing front and center in a small venue to watch these guys play. So many times (as evident in my pics) I think to myself that if the guitarist drops the neck, he'll plonk my wife on top of her head. biggrin That's how close we are to the musicians (unless we choose to back off).

There's going to be a starter band that night, a local BR trio who sound pretty good IMO, and we'll make sure to arrive early enough to catch their show and grab our usual spot (which is never hard to do anyway). I'll take plenty of pics.



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4374703 - 08/16/17 02:04 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
LB4LB Offline
Still lurking about
LB4LB  Offline
Still lurking about
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
Detroit Burbs
The last couple of times I seen the Fixx, the lead singer comes out with a top hat on with a full bottle of wine and a wine glass. The bottle is gone by about the fourth song, and then they really start to have fun.

#4375186 - 08/18/17 03:27 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375189 - 08/18/17 03:31 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Going to live the 80's tonight while taking pics with a new iPhone (I know the 7 is an older model, but the phone is brand new). smile

Been watching recent live videos, I'm so freaking psyched! woot



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xNyipxG96E



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObArkniQT6k



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375218 - 08/18/17 05:52 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
LB4LB Offline
Still lurking about
LB4LB  Offline
Still lurking about
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
Detroit Burbs
Built for the Future ia one of their greatest songs ! I envy you tonight. I have been jamming the Fixx all day.

#4375243 - 08/18/17 07:58 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Yeah, me too! tuner I'm now playing them over my rinky-dink man cave Onkyo/Bose stereo (old and baseline stuff), the cave needed some dusting and vacuuming. Before that I had the movie "Back to the Future" on as background noise, I'm so full of 80's nostalgia right now that if I smile any wider, my face will crack! biggrin

++++++++++

Dammit, I wasn't going to, but I'm going to tell my goofy "Saved By Zero" story (since it was erased with a server crash the first time I told it, and when I finally get around to redoing my Cold War music thread, I want to leave this silliness out of it)...

First a little background...

"Saved By Zero" came out in 1983 off of "Reach The Beach". I don't remember owning the 8-track (and maybe there wasn't one) but I must have had the album, because when I listened to it recently, I remembered almost all of the songs. Back then, of my small group of friends, I had by far [access to] the best stereo. Not the Pioneer Quadraphonic 8-track in my bedroom (lol) but in the living room, my parent's Akai receiver, Marantz turntable, Sanyo and Technics (the better one) tape decks with JBL speakers. It was my brother's older system that he had passed down, selling it to them really cheap. So my friends would bring LPs and I would make us both a good chrome or metal tape recording (I'd set my record levels to seldom hit 'redline' unlike much pre-recorded music today, loud recording != quality). That's the only thing I could think of, but I know I had the album at one time.

Anyway, I met my wife in HS the following year (of the album's release) and towards the end of our post-11th grade summer vacation, she invited me to go to Godchaux's with her (a local huge department store, sorta like Sears meets Montgomery Ward) to buy new school clothes (back-to-school Lee and Levi's went for $15.00, Chic for a few dollars more [her favorite]). She already had her drivers license and a steady part-time job, and pretty much her own car, a 70's Malibu Classic coupe (older brother had his own car, younger sister not old enough to drive yet and her mom was driving her grandparent's car [also their caretaker]). I noticed the tags on her jeans were size "0" and found it odd, what kind of size is that?! Lol. I knew *nothing* of women clothing sizes, how the 'size' was only a reference to three actual measurements (b/w/h), much like 256-color indexing (color 52 is not a color, it's a reference to the RBG values assigned to position 52 on the palette). Still, it made no sense to me to even *have* a 'nothing' size (which BTW was smaller than it is today), so of course I picked on her a little about it, how could I not? But it was all in good fun, and she took it that way.

And now for the *really* corny part, it gave that song a personal meaning to me, because I felt at the time that I had been saved (I needed her influence and a desire to impress her, otherwise my life would have likely turned out to be pretty crappy). To my sincere surprise, when the Molly Ringwalds played it at that first show Dec. 2015, she turned back and looked at me because she remembered the song meant something to me...holy crap! Built like a gazelle but the memory of an elephant! biggrin And now we're going to hear the real thing live, never thought that would happen!

Ok, I tried to make that story as painless as possible, honest. biggrin



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375250 - 08/18/17 08:29 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
This newer song (2012) has a very nice mellow groove to it...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2iV6AIjjn0



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375263 - 08/18/17 09:53 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
LB4LB Offline
Still lurking about
LB4LB  Offline
Still lurking about
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
Detroit Burbs
I always loved West-Orams guitar work. The guitar solo in "Outside" is short but awesome. Always turned to 11. My Fixx flashback is driving in my 1985 Toyota Celica GT with the sunroof down and Reach the Beach just jamming.

#4375354 - 08/19/17 03:38 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
I'll give a more detailed review later (with a few more pics), just wanted to say that The Fixx puts on such a fantastic show! They played for just under two hours after an excellent starting act (who closed their set covering Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust").

Worst moment...
Wife's new iPhone 7 gave me fits all evening (mainly unintentionally touching screen and buttons, finger in frame, needs protective cover for easier grip and to keep side buttons recessed). Every time the guitarist would walk over and stand directly in front of us (which would be only for a quick moment, his area was other side of stage), I couldn't ready the phone in time to take a pic (also trying to do so discreetly). Agrrrrrh! I could have also gotten a couple a great shots of the singer standing right there, looking directly at us, but I was practically mesmerized. I quickly gave up fighting with the phone and just enjoyed the show, although I did get a couple of good shots (no close-ups of the guitarist playing, though).

Best moment...
Last song of the regular set, the keyboardist starts this little number while the singer starts talking about a space (like the video above). I put my hands up and curled my fingers (thumb touching fingers) in the shape of a zero, and the singer gives me a little smiling nod, probably seeing the big ass grin on my face because I knew what was coming! biggrin

Man, these guys are so good (even the 3 or 4 songs we didn't know were enjoyable), we're fans of The Fixx now and can't wait to see them again. I'll post a little more later.

Woke up this morning and it was 2017. Damn. frown

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Attached Files Fixx_BR.jpgFixx_00.jpgFixx_01.jpgFixx_02.jpg


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375481 - 08/20/17 03:00 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Originally Posted by LB4LB
I always loved West-Orams guitar work. The guitar solo in "Outside" is short but awesome. Always turned to 11. My Fixx flashback is driving in my 1985 Toyota Celica GT with the sunroof down and Reach the Beach just jamming.


Before I complete my "An Evening with The Fixx" (including setlist and a few more pics), I'm going to go off on a little tangent... smile

1987, wife and I were 19 and engaged...

[Linked Image]

My ride was a brand new barebones 1987 Dodge Colt E (purchased fall of '86, "Imported for Dodge", twin to the Mitsubishi Mirage), replacing a highly abused 4-banger 1978 Mustang II hatchback (really a Ford Pinto with horsey badges) I bought from a neighbor after HS in '85. My Colt was a 4-speed manual, no power anything, no radio, not even A/C in hot and humid Louisiana (we added A/C [~$750.00] after we married in Jan. '88). The salesman's name was Rick Arnett at Salsbury's Dodge, and mom gave him hell haggling for me over a ~$6,000 car (the things you remember, I couldn't tell you that for any other car purchases).

My car was stripped but I immediately added sound, mostly Kenwood (decent cassette head unit, amp, and speakers). What I would love is to be able to see my cassette briefcases (remember those?) in my car to see what tapes I had, mostly recorded albums with some mix tapes.

The original plan was to trade in the Mustang II (Pinto) for a Fiero GT in late '88 or early '89, once wife finished college and we both had good jobs. But it was becoming too unreliable and leaving me stranded, so the Colt was to be a temporary solution. In '87 I was working for the Dept. of Public Safety Data Processing, and sometimes my soon-to-be wife would bring me lunch, and then afterward we'd drive half a mile or so to Wolfensmith Pontiac (no longer) and sit in the new Fiero GTs in the showroom. Man, I remember how low you'd sit in that car, loved it (they should have put the tilt wheel down for pics)!...

[Linked Image]


A couple of years or so before that we'd go sit in the first gen. CRXs at the Honda dealership because she really liked them (she wanted a silver one)...meh. When we finally were ready to buy the Fiero in late-'89, they were no more, so we bought an '89 CRX Si instead. The one that got away...stupid GM! cuss

Anyway, I became impressed with imports after driving my wife's brother's '81 Celica GT 5-speed hatchback, wasn't fast but the shift/clutch action was soooo smooth and the car handled well.

Pics showing car, wife's Omni behind it (sold for ~$2,000 to pay for wedding/reception)...

Attached Files First_new_car.jpgDSCF4323.JPG237604.jpg1988_pontiac_fiero_gt.jpg100_8204.jpg


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375586 - 08/21/17 09:09 AM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13,215
NH2112 Offline
Veteran
NH2112  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13,215
Jackman, ME
Is it just me, or does Cy Kernan resemble a younger Roger Waters?


Phil

“The biggest problem people have is they don’t think they’re supposed to have problems.” - Hayes Barnard
#4375591 - 08/21/17 10:25 AM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: NH2112]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Originally Posted by NH2112
Is it just me, or does Cy Kernan resemble a younger Roger Waters?


Yeah, he sure does. smile

Is it just me, or does the live extended version of "Save By Zero" resemble the main chords to the end of "Comfortably Numb", starting at 4:15?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObArkniQT6k

I think David Gilmour's ending solo would fit right in.

Up early this morning to finish going through and cleaning up my pics (reducing to 1024x768) for a final review post. Also, I believe I was wrong about cool bass guy, it's the same person (Dan K. Brown) in the "Red Skies" video which was remade for the React live album...



Attached Files Fixx_Bass.jpg


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375686 - 08/21/17 04:11 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
A review of the evening, but first a few itemized thoughts...

1. As I mentioned on the "Cover/Tribute Band Thread", our regular musical date night restaurant closed down, we'll try it when it reopens as "The Fajita Factory". I wish now that I would have taken at least one pic of our regular shrimp fajitas and favorite waiter at the old place. I hope this one is as good, should be as their name infers that they specialize in fajitas. I was sick last weekend, had a relapse on Tuesday and feeling lucky that it had all but passed by Friday evening. Being sick, we haven't had dinner with my parents for a few days so my wife brought home sushi for four.

2. As I mentioned earlier, I was fighting with my wife's new iPhone7 (from a 4S) all evening. I had to go through hoops just to get my laptop to recognize the phone in Windows Explorer, then I had problems with the transfer. I thought it might be the selfie I took of us outside at the LSU clock tower (background was of a beautiful sunset). It was weird because the picture wasn't a still shot as intended, but had slight movement in it. confused I don't know what the hell I'm doing with this phone yet, but I ended up permanently deleting the selfie (which wasn't the problem). I should have let her figure out the phone part instead of getting careless and impatient. Also, some pics have the correct ratio for a 1024x768 reduction, but some are square and reduced to 768x768. I don't know yet what I did to get square pics, but whatever...I'll figure the phone out later.

3. I've noticed that when the lighting gets bright in the audience for a couple of seconds (it's usually dark with lighted stage), it's possibly someone in the stage area taking a candid pic of the audience. I haven't found an audience pic for this show yet but on that note, I wanted to show on this thread our relative position to the musicians..

[Linked Image]

That was the Aerosmith tribute band last month, the guy behind me, also with his arms up, was hilarious. biggrin

4. I would have thought the 'Prince' show (minus the simulated stage orgy) last Friday would have been the better date night performance (didn't help that I was sick), especially since The Fixx has no 'love songs' (that I know of). Nope, doesn’t always work out that way. Well, sometimes it does but not always (Rush being the same way).

++++++++++

Now for the show...it was awesome! thumbsup

I don't know who chose the pre-show music (usually the headliner) but I couldn't have done better for the moment (relaxing buzz with pleasant chit-chat). Seals & Crofts, Eagles, Ambrosia, Boz Scaggs, lots of good mellow stuff, we enjoyed it, especially since the show started an hour later than we thought. In the past, the starter band came on right at door opening (8PM) and the headliner at showtime (9PM), but this time the starter came on at 9PM and the headliner at 10PM.

I have to give props to the starter band, a local trio named “The Mythicals”, they played well and as noted earlier, closed with an excellent cover of Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust"...

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


The Fixx came on in a cool way, one musician at a time walked up on stage and started playing, beginning with the keyboardist, then bassist, drummer, guitarist and then singer. But damn if I can remember the song (one I've heard but don't know well enough to remember).

They played a similar set-list to the one last year that I posted earlier, except the encore was different (but still ending with “Secret Separation”) and not starting with “Red Skies” (that song was second or third).

My favorites were...

Red Skies
How Much Is Enough?
Are We Ourselves?
Beautiful Friction
One Thing Leads to Another
Built for the Future
Stand or Fall
Deeper and Deeper
Secret Separation
Saved by Zero

...but really, they were all good, the singer's charismatic nature made every song enjoyable, even the couple or so that we didn't know. I plan to go deep into their discography and next time I bet I'll know every song they play!

A few pics of the performance, including the singer playing guitar (he played an acoustic as well) and of course, the Zero hand sign!...

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


You know, it would be difficult forking out money for another arena concert which can never sound as good as a small venue nor be such an intimate performance. This is one night we'll never forget!

BTW, even though the show is history, we still workout to the Fixx (or is it "The Fixx") and will probably continue to do so as I keep building my Fixx collection.

If I think of anything else, I'll post an edit.

Attached Files Mysticals_01.jpgMysticals_02.jpgFixx_03.jpgFixx_04.jpgFixx_05.jpgFixx_06.jpgFixx_07.jpgFixx_08.jpgVarsity_stage.jpg


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4375700 - 08/21/17 05:22 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
LB4LB Offline
Still lurking about
LB4LB  Offline
Still lurking about
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,420
Detroit Burbs
Thanks for the report Mark. That looked like a great night.

This is one my favorites by them. A great song, made out of 3 guitar chords (or less), plus great lyrics.



Built for the Future is a jam to.



They do have one "love song'.



You got me on a big Fixx kick again now. ]

Last edited by LB4LB; 08/21/17 05:30 PM.
#4375708 - 08/21/17 06:17 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Oh yeah, they played "Driven Out", even with the same "tree huggers" quote. smile

And you're right about "Secret Separation". I thought it was a good song to end the concert on, no wonder the rest of my evening went so well. wink

++++++++++

I should have mentioned, other than the drunk middle-aged woman who climbed on stage to kiss the bass player on the cheek (he didn't miss a beat and she was escorted off stage), Baton Rouge represented pretty well, IMO. There was a good crowd (not a packed house, but close) and they (we) threw plenty of energy back at the band. The house was rocking all evening, especially after the well-known songs and for the encore.

It's usually not so crowded at the Varsity Theater that one of you (assuming you're with someone) can't go to the restroom and easily make it back to the stage. In fact, I think people like us who try to get there a little early, are actually wanting to sit at a table in the back, not stand on the floor in front of the stage the entire concert. I've read plenty of Varsity Facebook complaints that there aren't enough chairs/tables, although I think they pick even those up sometimes if it's *really* crowded, usually the Molly Ringwalds (doesn't happen often, though).

The Casino event center added what looked to me like portable bleachers (several rows) which I thought was pretty cool if you want to take a break. At some shows people walk around or dance (I don't drink enough anymore to even fake any type of dancing but the slowest kind) but for the most part just stand and headbang or chill.

As I type this...weird lighting outside, no rain in forecast, lunar eclipse is upon me.

Last edited by MarkG; 08/21/17 06:36 PM.


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4428829 - 07/04/18 05:18 AM 2018 Update! Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
Coming back to Baton Rouge!

[Linked Image]

Manship Theater, Monday August 20th (exactly one week before Journey/Def Leppard).

It's seats for this one, I got us near center, row F in the orchestra (first floor section).

==========
the FIXX Beach Tour

Alternative rock and MTV pioneers The FIXX embark on their summer-long “Beach Tour” which celebrates the 35th Anniversary of the release their multi-platinum “Reach The Beach” album. The FIXX will play the entire “Reach The Beach” album live from front to back in addition to other hits and fan favorites from their long, storied career.

Released in 1983, “Reach The Beach” spawned three Top 40 singles; “One Thing Leads To Another”, “Saved By Zero” and “The Sign Of Fire” and reached the top ten on Billboard’s Album Chart, Top 100 Singles Chart, Mainstream Rock Chart and received heavy airplay on both MTV and radio throughout the world. Even today, songs from “Reach The Beach” continue to receive substantial radio airplay as well as streams and video views numbering in the millions.

Long anticipated by fans, the tour marks the first time The FIXX has endeavored to perform any of their albums in its entirety in a live setting. Lead singer Cy Curnin reflects “So, here we are heading back to the beach that brought us to this brave new world way back when. I wonder how many grains of sand have turned into pearls of wisdom since then. We’re excited to find out.” Drummer Adam Woods thinks the time may be right to revisit the album, “It'll be good to get to play these songs while the beaches are still where you'd expect them to be...”.
==========

Aw man, we won't be standing at front of stage like last time in the Varsity (my favorite way to enjoy a concert), and these seated tickets are a little pricier at $35.00, but we'll still have a good time. Just not *quite* as good a time as last year.

Attached Files Fixx_returns.jpg


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4435202 - 08/21/18 04:02 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
MarkG Offline
Veteran
MarkG  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,488
The Bayou
'The Fixx was outstanding last night. They started the concert with "Outside" and played all of "Reach the Beach" backwards, ending the first set with track 1 "One Thing Leads To Another"...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtuVjGEEOVQ

Nice stage screen this time as well, but sitting a few rows back just isn't the same as standing at front of stage like last time.

The second set after an intermission was the rest of their hits and familiar songs ("Red Skies", "Stand Or Fall", "Built For The Future", "Less Cities, More Moving People", "Are We Ourselves", "Deeper and Deeper", etc.).

I have a couple of pics to post once I get motivated enough to get wife's iPhone connected to Linux Mint. But they really don't compare to the pics on this thread from last year.

I love this band and will see them any time they come to Baton Rouge.

EDIT: The encore was the same as last year, ending the show with "Secret Separation".

Last edited by MarkG; 08/21/18 04:10 PM.


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4435378 - 08/22/18 10:02 PM Re: The Fixx, Fri. Aug. 18 8PM, Varsity Theatre [Re: MarkG]  
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 22,405
letterboy1 Offline
(Heterosexual)Tchaikovsky Ballet Fan
letterboy1  Offline
(Heterosexual)Tchaikovsky Ballet Fan
Lifer

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 22,405
Columbus, GA USA
A highly underrated band. "Red Skies" is still my fave. biggrin


The issue is not p*ssy. The issue is monkey.
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Quick Search
Recent Articles
Support SimHQ

If you shop on Amazon use this Amazon link to support SimHQ
.
Social


Recent Topics
Carnival Cruise Ship Fire....... Again
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:58 PM
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:51 PM
The Oldest WWII Veterans
by F4UDash4. 03/24/24 09:21 PM
They got fired after this.
by Wigean. 03/20/24 08:19 PM
Grown ups joke time
by NoFlyBoy. 03/18/24 10:34 PM
Anyone Heard from Nimits?
by F4UDash4. 03/18/24 10:01 PM
RIP Gemini/Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford
by semmern. 03/18/24 02:14 PM
10 years after 3/8/2014
by NoFlyBoy. 03/17/24 10:25 AM
Copyright 1997-2016, SimHQ Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.0