The original demise of Bauhaus in 1983 was well documented on their obtuse final album, Burning From The Inside, where it was clear that the band were no longer talking to each other. Often misunderstood as just a goth band, Bauhaus were really a very original post-punk act and the very likely the first goths. Bassist David J Haskins was able to peak from behind his RayBan's when half the band were just too busy toning their tails, and whilst frontman Peter Murphy was just slowly losing the plot. His solid contributions to the last Bauhaus album were not great ...they were just ok, but he was (it seems) the only band member making any form of contribution.
His first solo album, released quickly after the break-up, followed in that vein - like a tortured troubadour who wanted to be Dylan with the craft of Cale. It didn't work, but there are one or two tracks worthy of a second listen.
Etiquette of Violence : originally released as a 12" vinyl album on Situation Two Records (SITU 8) in 1983
A1. I Hear Only Silence Now
A2. No One's Sending Roses
A3. The Fugitive
A4. Betrayal
A5. Joe Orton's Wedding
A6. The Promised Land
B1. With The Indians Permanent
B2. Say Uncle
B3. Disease
B4. Roulette
B5. Saint Jacque
The Promised Land from the debut was re-recorded with a full band, featuring his brother Kevin and a number of Jazz Butchers, for who J had just joined as bassist. This was a highly entertaining ditty chronicling the downfall of Bauhaus.
The Promised Land : ripped from a 12" vinyl single released on Glass Records (GLASS 12031) in 1983
A1. The Promised Land
A2. Saint Jackie
B1. A Seducer, A Doctor, A Card You Cannot Trust
The second album, and his first on Glass was a cheerier affair, with J diverging away from experimentation to a much more standard singer/songwriter set-up. Augmented by most of the Jazz Butcher, this album was a much more listenable affair ...yet again it failed to sell. The lovely title track was also released as a single.
Crocodile Tears And The Velvet Cosh : ripped from a 12" vinyl LP released on Glass Records (GLALP 10) in 1985
A1. Crocodile Tears And The Velvet Cosh
A2. Too Clever By Half
A3. The First Incision
A4. Initation Pearls
A5. Light And Shade
A6. Rene
B1. Stop This City
B2. Justine
B3. The Ballad Of Cain
B4. The Vandal And The Saint
B5. Boats
B6. Slip The Rope
B7. Greener
I'll conclude this post with the interesting Blue Moods Turning Tail EP featuring two note for note cover versions, firstly the Clock DVA standard 4 Hours and concluding with John Cale's Ship Of Fools. The two self-penned tracks in between are instantly forgettable. Shortly after release J was to leave both Glass Records and The Jazz Butcher to team up with former Bauhaus buddies Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins to promote the successful Love And Rockets project.
Blue Moods Turning Tail EP : ripped from a 12" vinyl EP released on Glass Records (GLAEP 101) in 1985
A1. 4 Hours
A2. Night Of The Silver Veil
B1. The Conjurer's Hand
B2. Ship Of Fools
Files Removed - Keep Your Eyes Peeled for lossless re-ups
Note: the comments in this post (esp those regarding the demise of Bauhaus) are purely the opinion of the original author, and are in no way intended to upset those delicate little souls who still hang on to hope that Bauhaus were the best band in the world ever and have never really broken up. sob.
