How This 80s Frontman's Eerie Hit Has Become PROPHETIC | Professor of Rock
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- Coming up a british new wave paragon of the 80s Cy Curnin of the Fixx takes us behind his band’s haunting first album. Released in 1982, the 2 biggest singles form the record Stand or Fall and Red Skies not only became their first charting hits in America, they captured the atmosphere of the cold war 80s in eerie fashion. The song still resonate today and have the ability of hypnotizing you as a listener. Find out what inspired the music and why they are more relevant today then they were back then.
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#80s #Vinyl #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 80s songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community with music history video essay's including today's The Fixx Reaction and stand or fall and red skies Story. If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to become an Honorary Producer.
I’m excited to bring you another episode from our series Revelations- where featured artists reveal rare stories about their biggest songs, along with fascinating insight about their careers.
On today’s episode of Revelations, we hover around two singles from an iconic new wave bands debut album. Whether you know these songs or not, you need to come along for the ride because this man and his music are truly fascinating... CY Curnin of the The Fixx takes us behind the band’s first charting singles from 1982. Stand or Fall and Red Skies.
From their haunting debut album Shuttered Room. Of course later they would dominate the charts with the 80s classics Saved by Zero and One Thing Leads To Another. but these first to chart hits were what set us their 80s run. Eerie and spine tingling the songs were written in the middle of the threat of nuclear desolation as the cold war was heating up. Shuttered Room was released in may different configurations.
Though the front cover artwork had remained consistent across the releases, the tracks, track order, as well as the credits have varied from release to release including differnent songs in the UK and US versions.. the first single released from the album was Lost Planes and it was actually put out with the name of the band spelled with only one X… It failed to chart anywhere.. the second single had the same fate…Some People was a stiff on the charts.. - Zábava
Oh finally someone gives The Fixx some attention. Man alive they were fantastic. My favorite band to come out of the 80s. Amazing vocals combined with unique equally awesome music.
Agreed, it's a shame that this group didn't become as big as they could have been.
They are really so undervalued.
I think they could've been one of the biggest.
Hell yes.
A
I've been listening to Fixx for days now, trying to deal with the feelings I'm having again after so long. Thank you for this interview. I needed this.
I've got a 'fixx' going on now, a lot of emotions where this is helping me!!
I was lead here from a TikTok video of Stand or Fall. Tears instantly flowed thinking of how sad I was when Reach the Beach came out and how much this album was just the comfort I needed then......
"Secret Separation" remains my favorite Fixx song, but it's often overlooked among their discography.
Mine too! Cy Curnin turned what could have been short fiction plot into a song.
I agree. Great song
Fantastic song. My favorite of theirs as well.
It reminds me of Quantum Leap...i dont know why.
The extended version of Secret Separation is epic with the guitar solo and the extended outro. Absolute perfection!
One of best memories of the 80's was being in high school and living in SC. Went to Carowinds and saw them with A Flock of Seagulls for only 3.00 dollars and was 15 feet from the stage. Great times.
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
not too shabby, i saw them from about the same distance in a hotel lobby for about $25 back in 2013.
The Fixx are such an underrated band, and deserve more recognition, in my opinion. "One Thing Leads to Another" is insanely catchy, and I love when it pops up in movies and shows like "Haunting of Bly Manor."
I do too. Thanks for watching Trina.
I also love “Saved By Zero”.
Oh how I was fixed on this band.
One Thing Leads to Another and Saved By Zero were musical companions to my teenage years.
OTLTA ended up on the second tier (what we would now call adult contemporary) music stations in a rare bit of good luck. I count it as the system glitching, because with second tier or A.C., you're supposed to end up with the worst of contemporary music inflicted on you, instead of good stuff
Very underrated. One of the best bands of the 80s. My fav songs are Stand or Fall and The Sign of Fire. They have a great, unique sound that's for sure
Good morning, Professor
My husband and I were listening to The Fixx last night while we were sitting outside. We discussed the relevance of the lyrics in today’s world. Praying for peace.
☮️
Wow. I guess we had good timing. Yes indeed.
@@ProfessorofRock The Fixx is in the music rotation in our home!
You are right. These lyrics are very relevant to today’s world, especially with war in Ukraine.
The Fixx is still going. I’ve seen them in concert about 5 times; last time being 2014 or so. Great show.
I've seen them too. Just recently. They still sound great.
Still going strong!
I saw them in Newport News, VA in 2018. Yes, they still sounded as great as ever! I saw them back in 2010 as well.
Took my daughter to see them in their last two concerts in 2019 & 2021.
Well, since you asked, I saw The FIXX in late '83 at Hollywood Park. They were supporting the Police on their Synchronicity tour and had Berlin and the Thompson Twins before them (what an atypical 80's lineup, eh?). The TT was not that well established yet (I cannot remember if they even played "Hold Me Now"), Berlin was great as they always were. However, I remember The FIXX impressed me greatly as a live act. They had it all figured out and the sound along with the presentation was fantastic and although I liked them, I did not expect them to be as good as they were. I probably remember more from their set than I do from the Police themselves. They were (are?) an outstanding band.
Would loved to have seen that show! I would’ve been like 8 years old then. 😄 No concert for me even if I’d known who any of those bands were, other than The Police.
I went to that show too!!!
@@sergiovizcarra1093 You are as old as me! Remember when Sting took a quick break and his low E on his bass went out of tune? It must have been bumped offstage. His bass tech came out and tuned it as he was playing! He was wearing that horrible sweater!
I recall it was supposed to be assigned seating but the crowd ran over the chain link fence and we rushed close to the stage even before the first act came on.
The Fixx are so much more than "One Thing Leads To Another" as the two songs are talked about here. "Sunshine In The Shade", "Driven Out", "Deeper And Deeper", one of the many amazing 80's bands that we were so lucky to listen to growing up.
Thank you! Some people need to dive into a band’s catalog of great songs before just labeling them as a one hit wonder based on ONE song they know from that band.
I had all the tapes from them, haunting is the best way I can describe the Fixx. My Mom said, that’s a drug term ! I’m like man give it a break.
I think we were so lucky to grow up in the 80s because to me rock hit a high point 🎼 musically, in fashion💃, art 🎨 & 📸 photography. I don't think rock before or since can match what artists that decade produced. 🤔
Secret Separation is one of my favorites.
Love Opinions
Cy Curnin was my hero as a kid, it is so cool to see on film he is a cool, thoughtful humble guy.
Professor you ought to give some time to Silent Running by Mike and the Mechanics - it's a masterpiece that definitely deserves a mention - great episode 🔥
In fact, that is the title to which I thought he was alluding when I first saw the video in my feed...
Great idea !!
Yes Indeed Professor,
I will attend that class.
Can you hear me running?
The Fixx are one of the most underrated bands of all time. Their entire catalog is excellent and they are to this day still actively touring (albeit only within the US 😢).
It’s not easy to write a doom and gloom song with an uplifting melody that doesn’t sound too cynical and Red Skies is that song. The Fixx is a great band!
It's so true. Great song.
It’s a wonderful song by an amazing band.
Not amused! Just kidding lol!
The pulse and build of Red Skies gives a chilling vibe that is so unique! The Fixx got me into alternative music and kept me there... Can't wait for their new album
Same!!! It's going to be good!
It’s haunting and eerie and gave me nightmares when I first heard it, honestly. That is a good thing.
@@ProfessorofRock TEARS FOR FEARS new album is not good. There comes a time when a band loses it.
The Fixx are my favorite 80s band. "Built For the Future" is one amazing tune of theirs that nobody seems to remember.
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
I never get tired of that one, So good
Yes! The Fixx is one of my favorite bands! There's nothing like blasting their music while taking a late night drive on a long highway...
These guys managed to incorporate the sounds of David Bowie, Duran Duran, REM and some of the Cure all in one. Great band
Funny you should say that. I've always thought of Rupert as The Fixx's Nick Rhodes. He's the glue that holds everything together and provides wonderful atmosphere.
I’d add The Police to that too.
@@fslayer1290 defiantly a lot of influence in one thing leads to another. The more you listen to it the more names I can think of like Thomas Dolby, the Romantics. Maybe it was just the synth sounds of the time
Yup on Thomas Dolby and Ultravox.
The Fixx has always been a great band! “Stand or Fall” is such a great song and with war looming over us once again it’s relevant again. Thanks Adam for such a great episode once again! You’re the best! ~Mimi 💜
Thanks Mimi!
Stand or Fall was my introduction to The Fixx. Hearing that song, takes me back to prepping for my jr. high debate meets. I consider myself lucky to have seen them 4 times. Honestly, I will see them every chance I get!
I thought "stand or fall" was "stallion falls".
It’s a great song to describe the war in Ukraine.
@@freddyt55555 misheard lyrics strike again! There’s an English comic who does a whole bit w/a tape player about misheard lyrics. It makes me cry with laughter every time I see it!
“Friendly echo”- nails exactly why this resonates so much with us. It’s where we found the words to express what our pre- and early teen minds wanted to say. Red Skies and Sting’s Russians helped me understand the Cold War better. Saved By Zero got me interested in philosophy as a freshman in high school.
I like "Secret Separation" even more than "Red Skies". It should have been a theme song for a movie about time travel.
I remember I used to see The Fixx all the time on MTV, but never heard them on local radio. Thank God for MTV!
Your vids are always the best Professor!
It depended on the station, I knew about them from LA's amazing KROQ FM. I was hooked from the get go on them.
The best there was in that Era. The Fixx has a haunting and realistic viewpoint of a generation that still lives with me to this day.
Saw them back in November, they put on a great show. Cy is such a magnetic frontman!
the show outside Boston or somewhere else? was supposed to go but, since i refused to get vaccinated, no show for me.
I remember fondly... These songs help me to stay alive & got me through some very hard times. I listen to them to this day... God bless Cy & the band! Make war no more!
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!!❤️
@@amytaylor4407 I am well & doing much, much better than I was then... It's good to be alive! Thanks for asking, & God bless us all, everyone! :)
@@michaellowe9530 nice one. Amen Ty. God is wonderful in many ways. Where are you from?
The Fixx were one of the best 80s bands and very underrated!
Professor -- excellent interview! Cy Curnin is an infinitely interesting man. I've met him a few times and always enjoyed each conversation.
He (and the entire band) are so affable and such a good band. Seen them live 11 times since 1983! Your comments about the nuclear garbage we grew up in the 80's, not a lot of people talked about at that age! Frankie Goes To Hollywood and "Two Tribes", Ultravox and "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes". When MTV started , "Stand or Fall" and "Red Skies" lured me in in 1982. I fell in love with the band and also their producer, Rupert Hine, who in his own right had an incredible collection of solo albums that the band plays on. He led me to discover Howard Jones and SAGA and more. First saw them open for A Flock of Seagulls in 1983. I sat on a block of ice at a Peaches Records and Tapes in order to try and win a Reach The Beach LP (wound up with a ZZ Top LP instead) but go to meet everyone and get autographs! Still have that sheet of notebook paper. Followed the band well into my 50's and love their output. Cy's solo concert on Valentines Day in 2021 was absolutely incredible. They shot their 1984 MTV Concert in my home town and I was on TV for a moment at Christmas in 1984. I'm in the right hand corner looking angry! Ha! Ha!czcams.com/video/Naz7L8pwlmk/video.html
Aces guys and aces interview!
Live in the USA! I still have it on VHS. Cy’s energy and the crowd’s vibe is off the charts in that one!!
Met him at concerts? Wow, he seems like quite an interesting bloke!
@@janebraun4482 Cy and the Fixx are very appreciative of their fans. They always do meet and greets after shows, except in 2021 when they kept distance due to Covid.
I’m a long time fan. “Secret Separation” is a personal favorite. Cy & Jamie are top! 🎤 & 🎸
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!!❤️
I fell in love with this band when I heard these two songs - I remember getting the first album and loving it. The follow-up album was even better. All their stuff is great - "Driven Out" is a personal favorite.
I saw the fix around 95 and seriously there were so amazing live and they deserve all the credit they get
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
I loved "Saved By Zero". It was my first exposure to the band. Recently (hearing them on a re-broadcast of AT40) I discovered "Sign of Fire". It should have charted higher!
Awesome songs. Awesome band!
The first song I heard from them was “One Thing Leads to Another”. That song was very catchy and had a great guitar riff! Same with “Saved by Zero”.
Sometimes a song gets buried by the success of a band's other recent releases, and I think that happened to Sign of Fire. It's a really good song, but not at the same level as One Thing Leads to Another or Saved By Zero. I think I would have liked Running as the third single off that album
As a guitarist I think “One Thing Leads to Another” is one of THE most fun riffs to play. That and The Fixx is one of the greatest bands ever.
I always thought that Jamie West-Oram played some really cool stuff🎸
I saw the Fixx twice and Cy Curnin was wonderful. The Fixx were great live. Love their music and albums.
These guys have enough trust in the Professor that they're willing to open up on the songwriting and production of their biggest records. As a producer I appreciate that
Caught "The Fixx" and "A Flock of Seagulls" at Red Rocks in the summer of 83. I'd seen Journey for "Frontiers" so individual players weren't exactly shredding it up, but it was an awesome sonic experience for sure; I was 8.
Fixx and AFOS had a summer of glory touring with the Police! I knew one guy who went to the Boston show. I didn't try to get a ticket and go with him. I was only fourteen and I knew the guy was going to cruise for dope and p*ssy after the show. I wasn't old enough to party like that!
@@maxshea1829 I saw them outdoors at Foxboro. Flock of Seagulls were not good (except at dodging things thrown at them) but The Fixx and The Police were outstanding. We got there early and were about 10-15 yards from the stage.
@@gil4321 LOL! Poor Flock. They were my FAVORITE band in '82-'83 'cos that was my Blade Runner/Alien phase. But I was left to contend with the fact that they were just not a very good band. Then "Story of a Young Heart" came out in '84 and that was it. Not the band I was "wishing" for!
@@maxshea1829 I was ridiculously safe for this one. I went with my mother lol! Actually she took me to tons of shows in the 80s. Pretty lucky guy I guess
Cy Curnin is one of my all time favorite singers. I’ve seen The Fixx several times over the decades. Saw them a couple years ago and they are still AWESOME!
Man, I could listen to this guy talk for hours! I've known these songs most of my life but never really knew anything about the band. Can't wait to explore more of their stuff now. Better late than never I suppose, haha! Thanks Professor!!!
First time I heard The Fixx, -July 1982: I had just returned home to Seattle after a couple of years living in cold-war Europe, hearing 'Stand Or Fall' on the radio was overwhelming; musically beautiful and lyrically poignant. They've been one of my favorite bands ever since. They are also such great guys and so approachable, spending time after shows just chatting with fans. Gracious, humble and really funny. I'll still drive 3, or 6 hours with my adult kids to see a Fixx show. Thanks Prof. for this episode. Great follow-up to the Nena 99Luftballons ep.
The Fixx are so underrated. Their recent tracks "Beautiful Friction" and "Wake Up" are stronger than anything U2's produced in 20 years.
I would agree with that.
I always felt it was a travesty that U2 ended up outshining The Fixx in popularity. Definitely not in talent and songwriting.
I didn't know The Fixx had any recent tracks! Thank you, I'm checking those out asap.
Still waiting for a video about Nick Lowe, my favorite musician that never got the fame he deserved. His song, "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?" from the late 70s has lost none of it's power for me. Nick is still putting out quality stuff, he's just aged like fine wine.
@@TUSK1157 U2 made it when many in Britain predicted The Alarm would be the ones to be make it big. The Alarm had modest success in Europe and a little bit in America ( the 1986 UCLA televised concert boosted their profile), were far more creative and were authentically rooted in the spirit of punk. The Clash were an huge influence on them.
@80’s Music. The Alarm were freaking awesome! Great band
These two songs were chill-inducing..gorgeous…I was hooked immediately. Such instant classics. I saw The Fixx live shortly thereafter-awesome!
They made so many cool songs in the 80's, I have always liked them.
Great interview! It’s always interesting to hear from someone like Cy that hasn’t let the pain of life turn him sour. Life truly is a blessing!
This is easily one of your best episodes yet. These two songs have always provided an incredibly powerful commentary on the Cold War, and sadly, current events have made their themes so immediate and relevant once again.
It's great to hear Cy Curnin describe how the song writing and production craft came together to make these such powerful compositions; it provides so much insight into the creative process involved.
Finally... so hard to believe that it's really been 40 years. 23 then, 63 now. Where did all the time go?
The Fixx has been one of my favorite bands from the start. I remember when they came out. I was listening to a classic rock station located in Knoxville TN at the time. The fact that a band like this could get played along with classic rock bands was fascinating to me. The first song the station played was Red skies. Then they released Stand or fall. It's my all time favorite by this killer band. I also love Secret separation. They have so many great songs. Thanks for covering this great band professor.
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!❤️
Rediscovered these guys a few years back: been enjoying red skies again. Really appreciating the powerful Atmospherics of many classic 80s tracks like this.
I met Cy. He is a gentleman. I’ve been to three of their shows, and let me just say, THEY NEVER DISAPPOINTED!! Their music transcends time.
Adam, thanks for being you!! I appreciate you very much. Your Channel is my #1 favorite on You Tube and the one I watch the most!
I played the Reach the Beach cassette tape so much when I was a sophomore in highschool. Red Skies is a favorite. The Fixx had some great songs. Love it when you interview the artist.
Thanks Catherine. Have a great wednesday
They are a great band and their songs are gold!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 🥰 Always nice to hear from you. Today I bought The Police Greatest Hits Double record. I have been thinking about buying this and decided to do it. Do you like the Police or Sting's solo albums?
@@catherine6653 Yes, I love all the songs on The Police’s albums Zenyatta Mondatta and Synchronicity. I also love Sting’s solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Cool. Sting and the Police are my favorite. ❤
Absolutely fell in love with Red Skies the first time I heard it. Also doesn't hurt that Mr Steve Perry himself stated that this was one of his favorites as well when he was a guest dj on Sirius XM.
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!!❤️
Cy is our “Shaman!” A poet and a really great guy. The whole band is amazing, still recording and touring. They are the last live band I saw, actually. Fantastic. Looking forward to their new album next month! ❤️
Another Morrison? Lyrics as poetic anyway!
My favorite band of all time. I listened to their music growing up in the 80's. Three thoughts (A) the music was awesome of course, (B) It remains awesome today, decades later and (C) they are still together today, creating new music. I love how The Fixx always stayed cool. They never put themselves above their music. They totally get what music is all about. For this reason they have my deepest respect. I saw them once in concert, it was absolutely sensational, very enjoyable from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see another show when they come around next
I saw The Fixx and A Flock of Seagulls together at Worlds of Fun and to this day that was one of the funnest, most awesome days of my life and one of the best concerts ever.
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!❤️
I was In my late teens when The Fixx was playing on the radio and MTV. They helped open my eyes to the activities going on worldwide. It wasn't just US and them, it was everybody! They vocalized fearful thoughts without getting too dark. Gave us something to look forward to and the music to get through the day.
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
Always loved this band. Saw them in concert open for The Moody Blues in 86 and in NYC 3 years ago. Great shows. One of the few bands that still have their classic lineup today.
I saw the Fixx on the 35th anniversary of "Reach the Beach"--they sound just as good today as they ever did. A fantastic band to see live and they do not disappoint.
I have always loved The FIXX but I must say
This interview with Cy makes me appreciate him and the band even more
Class Act for the 80s decade and beyond!!
One of the all-time most underrated bands.
I was such a fan of this band. Still am. Loved their song “Deeper and Deeper” from the Streets of Fire movie.
I saw "Streets of Fire" and immediately I remembered the tours I escorted from their hotels by Disneyland up to Universal Studios and the homes of the Stars. Streets of Fire had their outdoor set on the same "street" where Back to the Future and The Sting was filmed. We always seemed to go under that fake elevated train track. That was a memory rush!
The British were also involved in the Falklands at the time. A war that was far more devastating than most Americans were aware of. I only recently learned about how brutal it was for both the British and Argentines. I was 24 at the time and my friends and I would discuss this when we saw the video for "Stand or Fall" and "Red Sky at Night". That's why I will always relate them to the Falklands. We learned the term Exocet Missiles from there. Btw I still find myself driving in my car, wondering "How Much is Enough". Klaus Shwab, how much is enough, when your soul is empty. When you have all you want and still feel nothing at all. How much is enough? Hey Klaus, No One has to Cry! Love The Fixx.
It’s a footnote now, but there were so many British protest songs against the Falklands War. Stand or Fall, The War Song, etc.
They have a song on Reach the Beach called Liner, it’s also a protest song about the Falklands War.
thanks for getting me my Fixx, Professor!
great band with great music; a staple of my youth and are still on my playlists today
Enjoy!
One of the best bands of the 80s.
I still LOVE Red Skies. In the summer of 1983 when I was 16, Red Skies, One Thing Leads to Another and Saved By Zero were played constantly on the local rock station.
Fun fact: as I live in Florida on the beach, Red Skies is the perfect song to play on your phone while watching a sunset where the entire sky is many shades of red!
Couldn't get enough of this amazing group with the most identifying & unique sound. Darn near wore out the cassette! Fantastic choice in band and their unforgetable classic Professor!!👌 Thank you!!! Professor...thank you!!!
You’re hitting it out of the park lately, POR. I like how you’re focusing on some lesser-known AOR hits that were meaningful to me during the best decade! Donnie Iris and The Fixx back-to-back YEAHHHH. Now you just have to profile Scotland’s Big Country….🙏
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!!❤️
This is beyond just my favorite Fixx song, it is one of mybtop five 80s tunes. The rhythm of his song is nothing short of amazing. I played this over over and over in my apartment.
Met the whole band back in 2017 in Virginia for my dad’s 47th birthday on their Reach The Beach anniversary tour. They are the nicest guys and were very accommodating for my family (with three young children). Was easily a top 10 moment in my life so far and was also for my dad as Dan let him play Red Skies on his Steinberger. What a great time! I still can’t believe it happened. Shuttered Room has many other classic gems like Cameras In Paris (my favourite) or The Fool. All the Fixx’s other albums are filled with great music. It will never die.
The first time I heard that song, I think I was 17. I saw it on MTV and I just thought this guy can sing, plus the song was really cool. Then came red skies at night, I was hooked. I loved the songs and had that same feeling of the world is on the edge, everyone needs to back off. I was living with a friend and his family as I was abused and kicked out at 16. Music was an escape and my memories through my life. I can tell you what I was doing and were by any song I liked. I was homeless but still lucky to have a job, lived out of my backpack and showered in apartment swimming pools in southern California. Reach the beach came out, I loved saved by zero. This song coincided with my life, I was saved by no one and the world turned against me. So the fixx had a place in my life's history. The fear of world destruction and being all alone to survive by myself.
I remember in '83 this song was in heavy MTV rotation every 45-60 min. Saw them in concert that same summer at Magic Mountain (So-Cal). They sounded perfect, what a great show and time to be 18 y/o! Lucky to have been a child in the greatest music era of all time.
Agree agree agree...that's exactly what I thought hearing these in 1982 at 17 years old! Great shows awesome tunes! R&R Hall inductee 2023 Cy + The Fixx!
Been a Fixxture for nearly 40 years, I still feel very deeply about the Fixx, they carried me through so much. I was very into current events at a young age, so it made sense that was so drawn to a band that spoke to the issues. The Fixx are touring this year starting in June, I’m curious to see the reaction Stand Or Fall will get this time. I saw them in 2021 when there wasn’t a war yet in Ukraine. I’m betting this time when they play it, it will be super emotional!
I bought a FIXX best of album to listen to few songs and never realized how many great songs they had.
Right?
I learned some of their songs by watching old VHS tapes of MTV online!
Shuttered Room is a great debut, and my favorite Fixx album (US version). I still try and see The Fixx live every year when they come around. Always a great show.
You know that Cy Curnin still has that unique sensitivity when he just pulls from nowhere a term like "friendly echo" to summarize this weird feeling of impotency + catharsis. The Fixx is criminally undervalued.
So glad you covered these songs - Stand or Fall and Red Skies are among the most underrated songs of the 80s. And thank you for the wonderful Cy Curnin interview! I still kinda have a crush on him, 40 years later *blush*
Stand or Fall could be written today. What an amazing band...hope to see them again.
Absolutely loved this interview. The Fixx have always been one of my faves from the 80's and to have him talk about those 2 epic albums was a blessing to my soul. Thank you. ♥️♥️🌺🌺
"Stand or Fall" is absolutely amazing.
Hey Adam. Glad you asked about the 'atmosphere' of Red Skies and Stand Or Fall. The Fixx don't come out of the speakers like any other band... they resonate uniquely.
It just boggles my mind that 1982 was 40 years ago. Tempus fugit.
Music and smell are the two most powerful memory joggers.
I talk about that with my wife all the time. Music and Scents
To quote the great Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, funny how time flies…
The Fixx is one of my favorite New Wave bands. I remember sitting next to the radio waiting to record "Stand Or Fall" onto cassette. I believe I still have the cassette.
Cy is a great lyricist and The Fixx are a great band. They take all the right influences and make their own sound.
This was really interesting. I was young in 1982, so I really only remember when "One Thing Leads To Another" came out (a great song). About a year ago while adding music to my iTunes, I started doing deep dives into a bunch of 80's stuff like Echo and the Bunnymen, Killing Joke, INXS, Howard Jones... etc. I happened to add those two Fixx songs as well thinking, "Damn, these are so haunting! There's so much going on in there, I can't believe I missed them!!" Aaaannnnd, here they are.
You mention they were produced by Rupert Hine... who later worked with Rush on Presto and Roll the Bones... 2 albums that have kind of a similarly haunting sound.
Very cool!
You hit it out of the park again Adam!
After 40 years, the Fixx is still ahead of their time!
Lyrically and musically.
I had the pleasure of meeting them in Houston in 2019. One of their songs has become very personal to me and my late wife. (Secret Separation)
One of the best bands of any era - five great players contributing to a brilliant sound and nice to hear about specifics like the background vocal treatments and the input of producer Rupert Hine on the albums. Can hear myself screaming in the crowd on the "React" live album tracks from Montreal, boys, think about returning to Canada for some shows.
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!❤️
I like their music alot but every era. Pink Floyd was still above in the 80's. Dark Side Of the Moon stayed on the billboards top 100 for 18 years.
That interview was fantastic, thanks so much! -- Now I need to listen to the Fixx's music again. There was so much variety and creativity in the '80's. Oh, yeah, I remember the saber-rattling and the paranoia going on then. We're seeing a repeat now, just with a new spin on it. There's still so much good out there, despite all the bad. I hope we avoid destroying the planet in any of the multiple ways going on now.
"Reach the Beach" and "Phantoms" are two of my favorite.The bass lines on those two albums are amazing.
Yeah, Dan K Brown is awesome!
DKB is one solid bassist.
I think my favorite Fixx song is "Outside", the last song on Reach the Beach. I also love "The Fool." I buy albums based on what I heard on the radio then fall in love with the non-hit pieces. The Fixx is one of my favorite bands from my youth.
I owned the LP of Reach the Beach with one of the best album covers ever. However, I have not heard either song from the debut album before today. Then again we didn't have MTV so I had to get mine from Friday Night Videos and a regional Saturday afternoon show called "Rock Box".
What do you think of these songs?
Yes, that album cover grabbed me hard. Loved the music ! And I was one of those people who was always spouting how the 80s sucked. 😆
The Fixx aren’t just one of my favorite 80s bands, they’re one of my favorite bands, period, and Stand or Fall is my favorite song of theirs. I love Shuttered Room, and I got the original vinyl release because it has my favorite version of Red Skies (the CD release had the 1987 remix version instead, which I didn’t care as much for). They actually have another new album coming out, next month I think!
I feel the same way. I think the original is also on one of their compilations
Likewise, the slower version of Red Skies seems to emulate the mood of the subject matter of that song.
Your right, the original is far superior.
@@Tpanther775 I agree. It’s why I like the original version better.
I've heard several different versions of "Red Skies" over the years. Both the "Shuttered Room" CD releases on MCA (1982 -- now out of print) and Fuel 2000 (1997 -- contains 2 bonus tracks) feature the original version of "Red Skies". The single vinyl release on MCA is also the original version, although it's edited down from 4:20 to 3:27.
Was so happy to see this. I am an 80's gal. MTV introduced me to the Fixx. I got to see them on concert once. I will always love them. Thanks for the interview. It was a great video.
Shuttered Room album, every song on that album is awesome! By far my favorite 80's band and all time favorite band. Have their first four albums on vinyl and 95% of the tracks on all four are great. Great video, Adam! Always enjoyed your videos with Cy. Hell I enjoy all your videos what am I saying. Lol
Cool! Thanks Kyle. Always happy when I see your comments on here.
@@ProfessorofRock always look forward to your videos around this time everyday. I always comment on the ones I'm most passionate about. I always learn something new on all your videos, no matter the subject matter.
Oh man, the Fixx, major props! Give me some Driven Out, Stand Or Fall, Red Skies, and Saved By Zero! Two thumbs way up!!
For sure. Great songs!
All great songs!
The Fixx was my brother's favorite band and we played them a lot in our house growing up. I love this band and their music evokes a lot of memories and emotions. I remember how so many songs in the 80's referenced the Cold War and the fears of it heating up. I lived with that worry all through my teen years like a low bass hum. It made you constantly uncomfortable but you could never fully explain it or express it. Music like this helped you feel like you could conceptualize and grab hold of it and tame it a little. Singing about it gave a small sense of control even though you actually had none in reality. It was comforting.
Fantastic band! This album should be re-released! Timeless!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
So happy to see Cy being interviews by the Professor. What a great match. Cy’s songs are so awesome… and those videos were all over the first years of MTV. Love those tunes.
Saw them at the Fox Theater in Boulder CO. Win tix off 93.3 ktcl and they fetchin smoked! Definitely one of the top 80's Iconic bands!
The Fixx have stood the test of time and are still an incredible band today as they were back in the day. They still tour as we speak putting on great shows every time and their recent albums over the past 20 years are just as good as the ones from the 80's. Great interview!!
I saw The Fixx play State Theater in VA in 2005. They were fantastic. After the show, they spent time with fans by the bus. What a wonderful group of guys.
The Fixx and A Flock of Seagulls was my first concert ever; this was back in 1983. The Fixx became my fav band for many years and I still love them to this day. Stand or Fall was the song that hooked me!
Probably the greatest lyrics ever penned Secret separation. Thank you Cy
Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today?hope you’re having a good day?GOD BLESS YOU!!!❤️
I used to Hate the 80s music scene but interviews like this show me the depth and artistry
I love this song sooooo much! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
One of the greatest ever!
Thanks Professor and thanks Cy!
One of my favorite bands in high school. To this day, they remain one of my favorite bands, where as most of my other favorite bands from the time have diminished in my minds eye.