When did you become a fan ?

[~jingles]

Don't know if this has been done before, but what the hell !?

Can you remember when you first became an Alphaville fan ? How old you were, what you were doing at the time and did you stock up on the back catalog bigtime ! (Um ? Wonder who did that ?! LOL !)

I'll jot down my experiences when I have more time, work beckons ! Grrr !

[~MGun]

I was either 5, 6 or 7 and I was playing Nintendo and my older sister would put in the song Big In Japan which at the time was my favorite song in the whole world.

[~robotiko1]

When as a little kid I first saw the premier video for PSB'S West End Girls. That did it for me right there. And then it was all downhill...

[~jingles]

I too remember hearing BIJ when I was little, 10, I think. Thought it was very catchy. Skip forward quite a few years to the mid 90's and I was at a car boot sale ( like a garage sale except people bring all their stuff to one place, and sell it from the backs of their cars ) and I found a mint copy of BIJ 12". I loved the picture of the 3 of them in big jumpers on the front, (very unusual and a little bit creepy), but loved the music even more ! Pretty hooked from then on !
Managed to track down all the albums quite easily including Dreamscapes, but the vinyl is proving a bit harder !
Thank god for the internet !

[Avil]

I was 14 back then. Heard forever young on the radio when I woke up one morning in 1998 and I was hooked. My mum bought their first album for me, and after that...I was as crazy. I got like everything with them, of course there are some releases from other countries I doesn´t have, but I got more than everything :)

They became my gods, I´ve loved them for over 4 years now, not a very long time, but I´ve been a devoted fan even though I´m pretty young.

I´ve seen them live several times, and met them and they´ve made my life perfect.

Christina

[~cliffwalk]

I don't own a ton of Alphaville but I became a fan of theirs in 1990. My freshman year of college. My roomate at the time and I were actually HUGE Depeche Mode/Erasure/etc. fans and he turned me onto them. We actually were both keyboard players and would play our own cover version of Forever Young in our dorm room. I might say we weren't bad, considering, too bad we never took ourselves into a studio... too bad he LEFT after freshman year... We had planned on starting a Synthpop band in 1990... and HE was both a good lead singer AND had enormous style (in the way he dressed).... that was the semester I changed my major to music and discovered Jazz and Opera and forgot about Electronic music for about 10 years :)

Interesting.... I forgot that Alphaville was the band we used to worship for a while.

MEMORIES!

Dave

[~Bornslippy]

I really just became a fan just last week when I received a Cd-R from Avil... I'm going to buy the first record first and hopefully build my collection from there.

[~KissTheStar]

Many moons ago ... I bought Forever Young. One of the best CD's of the 80s. Not a bad song on that disc and it sounds as good in 2002 as it did in 1985.

~Craig

[Avil]

Originally posted by Bornslippy
I really just became a fan just last week when I received a Cd-R from Avil... I'm going to buy the first record first and hopefully build my collection from there.

That´s just GREAT news Mark!! Make me very happy to hear!

And Forever Young came in 1984 Craig, but you maybe bough it in 1985?

Alphaville...gods....

[~ilvisintetic]

I became a fan in 1984. I was listening to a Spanish radio station and they were talking about German music. They present Alphaville like a mix between Kraftwerk and Human League. That was very interesting for me and then they spin 'Big In Japan'. I recorded it and hear about 20 or 30 times. I bought the 12" three months after, in July, when was released in Spain.

[Avil]

I really wish I could have experienced the 80´s, the time when AV was HUGE! Sure, I would had been mainstream back then, but who cares....whatever, I love them as much as I would have done if I´d loved them for 20 years.
They mean everything for me.

[~Gandalfe]

They were never really that big, never the kind of band who would be spoken of in the same tone as Duran Duran or Thomspon Twins. But everybody knew who they were, and I think that every single high school prom in 1986 had Forever Young as the theme.

As for me, I bought Forever Young the week it came out, and have been a fan ever since.

[Avil]

What I meant was the time when they were bigger than they are today, most people knew about them as you said.
And Forever young is classic, it´s an amazing song, and they will never write anything like that again.
But still, they write terrific music, and I want more.

[~KissTheStar]

Originally posted by Avil


And Forever Young came in 1984 Craig, but you maybe bough it in 1985?



Yes it was one of the very first CD's I ever bought. Second actually. The first was Bronski Beat "Hundreds and Thousands". May have been early 1986 actually .... but it is in that time frame.



~Craig

[Avil]

OK I see...
Very good first....second...choise :D

That must be the best start you could have when choosing music! *smiles*
More Alphaville for the people.

[~robotiko1]

::Smacks Head with palm of hand::

Shoulda read the group header before respoding with a PSB song. My bad. That's what you get when you jump in from "Most Recent Messages."

Anyway, what I should have said was:

In 1987 when a friend made a tape for me of "Forever Young". That would have been it. Seeing them live in 2000 just sort of re-confirmed how amazing they actually are.

[Avil]

Originally posted by robotiko1

In 1987 when a friend made a tape for me of "Forever Young". That would have been it. Seeing them live in 2000 just sort of re-confirmed how amazing they actually are.

LOL, I had to read twice and wondered why PSB was mentioned here...lol, no problem!

However, you´ve seen them live...where and when? In the us? Then I guess it was in SLC...
And yes they are fantastic!

Christina

[~hippychick]

How I became fan: I only remember buying the forever young cassette in 1984 & listening to it w/ my next door neighbor on a boombox. Also saw the video for "Jet Set" on TV, so long ago I can't remember. After that my friend Louis always had on the 12 " version of "Big in Japan" in the car. I think they are an underrated band, just like Talk Talk, in the US they seemed to be a one-hit wonder and that was "Forever YOung" which was like everybody's graduation theme song.

[Avil]

I think most people discovered AV thru Forever young back in the 80´s...that´s a hitsong without any limits!
(or they were forced into the Alphaville world by me here.hehehe)

forever young...my hero song!

[~robotiko1]

Originally posted by Avil


However, you´ve seen them live...where and when? In the us?

Christina

Actually it was in Germany, Liepzig (sp?) to be exact. I saw them during the Wave Gotik Treffen in 2000. It was an amazing event in that the whole day was dedicated to Synth related bands. At least in this particular stage area it was. I saw bands like Perfidious Words, Second Decay, Condition One, X-Perience, Wolfshiem, and of course Alphaville who simply blew me away. I took some amazing photos as well and I hope to post them up as soon as I get that ever elusive scanner!

[~trittschall]

it was 1984. the olympic games in los angeles, the first love, big in japan, forever young in radio. i buy singles, no cds.....lol.

yes...there was great hits in germany.

and big in japan are "KULT" in germany. you know what i mean ?

i cant translate it........

[Avil]

Originally posted by robotiko1

Actually it was in Germany, Liepzig (sp?) to be exact. I saw them during the Wave Gotik Treffen in 2000.

Leipzig yes.
That festival is great one, hope to be able to go their one day.

Would love to see some photos from that event!!!

And about the KULT thing...
I don´t know if it needs any explanations...AV is just...best.

Christina

[~KissTheStar]

Originally posted by Avil
I think most people discovered AV thru Forever young back in the 80´s...that´s a hitsong without any limits!
(or they were forced into the Alphaville world by me here.hehehe)

forever young...my hero song!


At least in the Los Angeles area "Big in Japan" was the song that brought them attention first. I don't remember "Forever Young" hitting big here until maybe 1989 when it was re-released on a Soundtrack to a movie. The movie escapes me now ..... Maybe my Memories Fade (but the scars linger) ..... Of course I knew the song because I owned the CD but it didn't get a lot of airplay at the time the CD was released.

hahahaha now a Tears for Fears reference inside this AV thread. Oh well.


~Craig

[~MGun]

I read on their website somewhere that in their next live shows they will be playing Romeos in their playlist. The song the fans always scream for. Maybe Christina knows more about this. I would love to be there wherver they do this

[Avil]

Originally posted by catslastdance

I don't remember "Forever Young" hitting big here until maybe 1989 when it was re-released on a Soundtrack to a movie. The movie escapes me now ..... Maybe my Memories Fade (but the scars linger) .....

hahahaha now a Tears for Fears reference inside this AV thread. Oh well.


Well ok...I don´t know which movie you are referring to either, I can imagine forever young being in many movies (not in the movie forever young though)

and which were the tears for fears thing? memories fade?

[~KissTheStar]

Originally posted by Avil


Well ok...I don´t know which movie you are referring to either, I can imagine forever young being in many movies (not in the movie forever young though)

and which were the tears for fears thing? memories fade?

Actually I think Forever Young was in the Teen Wolf Too movie or something along those lines and there was a remake/remix done. It was not the original version and I remember it getting MTV airplay at the time. Of course I have not bothered to do any research or check my facts.

Yes the Tears for Fears reference was "Memories Fade". It is my favorite song of theirs off their debut CD The Hurting.

~Craig

[Avil]

Originally posted by catslastdance


Actually I think Forever Young was in the Teen Wolf Too movie or something along those lines and there was a remake/remix done. It was not the original version and I remember it getting MTV airplay at the time. Of course I have not bothered to do any research or check my facts.


OK, they re-released forever young back in 1988, so it might be one of the remixes released at the same time.

[~spi]

I never heard Alphaville on the radio. I got into them through the good old EGN and miss Christina. :D

I went and found a few songs online(read use AG to download a few songs) and got hooked. Now I can't get enough.

Right now I can't get enough of Salvation. Flame is such an awsome song, I can't say how tempting it is to put that song on repeat and drive around the block a few times. So far I have resisted the temptation. ;)

-steve

[~Hajas]

Well, in 1985 when I had 10 years old I loved the song "Big in Japan" for the first time that I heard. I got this song in a compilation LP on that time and forget it.

About 1988 I heard that great song that I always loved was also by Alphaville, so I went to a used vinyl store and bought the album "Forever Young" and became an fan.

Freddy

[Avil]

Originally posted by spi
I never heard Alphaville on the radio. I got into them through the good old EGN and miss Christina. :D


Hehe, well it´s nice to see that I´ve gotten some others here with me when it comes to AV :D

[~Mike Gjennestad]

it was when their first album came out 17-18 years ago. got the album and loved it. i was already DM fand and this just seemed to go along with it.

gjennmike

[7red7]

The funny thing with me is that I had no clue who they were in the 80's...I first discovered AV in 8th grade, I must have been like 12 or so, and a friend of mine at school who was an 80's lovin' freak like me brought Forever Young to lunch one day...After giving Big In Japan a listen, I went out and got the by the end of the week...I've since been a huge fan of all of their back catalog...Afternoons In Utopia, Breathtaking Blue...The only newer released cd I own as of now is Salvation, but to me it's a return to their awesome 80's sound all over again :)

[Avil]

Originally posted by 7red7
The only newer released cd I own as of now is Salvation, but to me it's a return to their awesome 80's sound all over again :)

Well, that album is really a back-to-the-roots album, if you like the album Forever young, you will surely enjoy Salvation aswell.

That one got all the unique sounds we love about AV!

Christina

[~marten jallad]

I first became aware of the band while clubbing in '84 and hearing "Big in Japan". I then bourght the album which I must say is definately in the top 10 best synth albums of all time. I'm new to this site but after reading comments on "Salvation" I'm gonna have to run out and buy it-as it sounds right up my alley.

[Avil]

Originally posted by marten jallad
I'm new to this site but after reading comments on "Salvation" I'm gonna have to run out and buy it-as it sounds right up my alley.

That sounds like the best idea you could come up with for the moment!! :D
That album is wonderful, great great suuuuuuuuuuuuupergreat

Christina

[~siv]

I too have become rather fond of alphaville recently. I've been into synthpop for quite some time, and can't right say why I never purchased anything by them before, though I certainly should have! I suppose it's daunting sometimes with bands that have been around so long and have a more extensive backcatalogue. But I recently picked up Forever Young and Salvation and now see what all the excitement is over. Both discs are phenomenal.

I also must say, avil, that I think you must be the most devoted fan of any band anywhere in the world ;) But in my time reading eg, I think it's been you're constant appreciating of all things AV that pushed me into purchasing the discs, so thanks ;)

My brother is even more of a synth freak than I am, as my tastes diverge into harsher stuff as well, and he can't get enough of AV. Fights ensue when I try to remove the discs from the cd changer ;)

[Avil]

Originally posted by siv

I also must say, avil, that I think you must be the most devoted fan of any band anywhere in the world ;) But in my time reading eg, I think it's been you're constant appreciating of all things AV that pushed me into purchasing the discs, so thanks ;)


Well, as I´ve always say. I´m always happy to introduce someone new into AV.
They are worth everything in the world, and I´m so happy that they get a least a little of the respect they deserve.
You´re very welcome siv! :)

[~Bedsitter]

The year was 1986, and I was...(gasp)...17. There was an all-ages club I used to go to, that played all of the new dance music of the time. (New Order, DM, all that stuff.) I used to walk right up to the dj and ask about the songs I liked, and then I'd go to a record store and buy the 12" single.

I was dancing alone when I heard the song that completely changed my life: "Dance with Me." (The 12" remix.) I remember getting chills. When it ended, I asked the dj what it was, and he held out the record cover for me to look at.

So the next day, I went to the local specialty record store (the only place in town that carried 12" dance singles) and bought my own copy. I still have it.

Somewhere in all this, I remember "Forever Young" being a huge hit; and it's a beautiful, amazing song. I was surprised to learn that it's actually older than "Dance with Me," because I'm sure I heard DWM first.

It was about 3 years later that I finally got my first cd player. I bought "Forever Young," "Afternoons in Utopia," "The Singles Collection," and "Breathtaking Blue" when that came out. But that 12" single of Dance with Me will always be special to me.

If I ever get married, I plan to play it at my wedding. Yes, I'm a little weird.

[Avil]

Originally posted by Bedsitter

If I ever get married, I plan to play it at my wedding. Yes, I'm a little weird.

I wouldn´t call you weird!
I´m the same.

I will play a lot of AV songs on my wedding one day. Flame is a must song then. I will let my future children grow up with the Gods, from the day they are born to the day they leave for their own families.

I will eat my records or something when it´s time for the DIAMOND for me.

Christina

[~marten jallad]

Well I just bourght Salvation yesterday and it's excellent. I picked up both Forever Young and Afternoons in Utopia when they originally were released. I then got The Breathtaking Blue, which I didn'y like at all and as far as I was concered the band faded away. I am now considering buying Breathtaking Blue again and giving it another try.

Christina, I guess you are the resident expert on Alphaville, would you say there are many good tracks on BTB album? Also is Prostitute and Marian's solo work any good?

[Avil]

Originally posted by marten jallad

Christina, I guess you are the resident expert on Alphaville, would you say there are many good tracks on BTB album? Also is Prostitute and Marian's solo work any good?

Well there are many solid tracks on these cd´s.

TBB: Here you got one of my favourite songs ever; She fades away. Worth buying the album just for this song!
Other excellent tracks are Romeos, Ariana, for a million and the mysteries of love.

Prostitute: this one got another one of my absolute fave tracks: The impossible dream! this is a blast album that needs time! But then you gotta love it. The paradigm shift, ascension day, ivory tower, faither, iron john, the on thing, apollo etc!

the solostuff.
Buy United rather than so long celeste then. (not that SLC are available anymore but..)

Christina

[~MGun]

If you want all the good stuff from So long Celeste, then get a hold of Dreamscapes. They're not the same versions as the SLC album, however they are a lot better than the original versions, Peace On Earth, Today, Heart Of The Flower, etc. are all must-haves. Prostitute and BTB have awesome production for their times, and Romeos is one of those essential tracks.....ok now I'm just saying what Christina has already said, anyways just listn to Avil, most of the time she knows what she is saying.

[~Tekkrokk]

I became a fan of Alphaville twice. The first time was in 1985 when I first heard the dance version of "Forever Young". It was at that time that I started listening to Depeche Mode, New Order, the Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Heaven 17, etc. From '85 to '89 I bought most Alphaville releases (mostly tape and vinyl). 1989's Breathtaking Blue became my favorite Alphaville release at that time, and Romeos one of the best singles.

After 1989, the local alternative radio station here in NY (WDRE/WLIR) stopped playing new Alphaville music and I thought they broke up. At that time I began listening to Jesus Jones, EMF, Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, and the Orb. It wasn't until 1996 when I found a used copy of Prostitute in a CD shop that I rediscovered them and became a fan once again. Now I am more of a fan than before :-)

[Avil]

That´s the problem today.
That people think that AV has broke up jsut because they aren´t played on the radio 24/7. Well, there are always people that know better, and I´m glad for that.
What would life be without AV?

[~terra ntz]

I like AV since I was a kid.Thanks to my mom of course who always liked great music.Now,I like them even more.

Victory of love- What a great song.... I just can't get enough of it.Do u people agree??

[~Tekkrokk]

Originally posted by Avil
That´s the problem today.
That people think that AV has broke up jsut because they aren´t played on the radio 24/7.

Yes, I solved the problem by not listening to music on the radio anymore. Here in the U.S., radio is one big advertisement for the major labels.

[Avil]

Originally posted by terra ntz
I like AV since I was a kid.Thanks to my mom of course who always liked great music.Now,I like them even more.

Victory of love- What a great song.... I just can't get enough of it.Do u people agree??

Such a wonderful mother you have :D

I like AVOL, but it´s not my favorite song. But it´s a great one, perfect!!

[7red7]

I became a fan the evening I saw Richard Blade's Video One show debuting the video for Big In Japan...I went out with my mom the next morning and bought the 7" single in the small music section at a local department store called Gemco...Man I was so young!!! :)

[Avil]

Hehe, that was back in the good old times...=)

I wouldn´t have become the fan I am today if my mum didn´t buy the Forever Young album for me...
I find it kinda ironic, she really blames herself for my obsession...

:D

[7red7]

Originally posted by Avil
Hehe, that was back in the good old times...=)

I wouldn´t have become the fan I am today if my mum didn´t buy the Forever Young album for me...
I find it kinda ironic, she really blames herself for my obsession...

:D

Hey speaking of your mom and music...Does she still like the electronic music you were trying to get her into??? I remember a long time ago you had a thread where you talked about playing music for her, and that she actually liked it :)

[Avil]

Originally posted by 7red7

Hey speaking of your mom and music...Does she still like the electronic music you were trying to get her into??? I remember a long time ago you had a thread where you talked about playing music for her, and that she actually liked it :)

Actually, I´ve put that cd in her player in the car as number one, so everytime I get into her car, I play that cd.
She really digs DM-a question of time...
but now she tends to skip Apoptygma berzerk..=/
She likes the 80´s tracks I put there more...

[7red7]

Ah she's into the old school-he he he!!! Thats cool though...I wish my mom listened to my music...She says it all sounds the same and it bores her...She's more into the old 1950's rock...She never outgrew her teenage years :)

Wait a second, neither have I...History repeats itself :laugh:

[~MGun]

My mother can't stand any modern music, however she does tolerate almost anything from Alphaville, and a lot of the 80's. Not really a fan of them, but they don't get on her nerves like the TOP40 of today does.

[Avil]

Originally posted by MGun
My mother can't stand any modern music, however she does tolerate almost anything from Alphaville

Alphaville can be loved by anyone...easily! :D

But unfortunately my mother is more into the baby music of todays...
Anything that got a little beat in it and is dancable....she likes it...grr...like bubbles.

[7red7]

Yeppers, thats my mom right there...Give it a catchy beat, and she's all over it...Ah well, she likes what she like I guess...Hey it could be worse...Think about it, our parents could be really big country music fans :laugh:

[Avil]

Originally posted by 7red7
Hey it could be worse...Think about it, our parents could be really big country music fans :laugh:

Oh yeah it could really be worse!
Not that I think country music is too bad...

hm...hope peope understood the joke....

Christina