(Reach Up for the) Sunrise

For those who don't know yet, I'm a (big) fan of Duran Duran. I practically grew up listening to Duran Duran. And at one point John Taylor was the man to be. Even my bass-playing is influenced by John Taylor. For me Duran Duran defined the 80s. The music, the boyband-like adulation, the fashion, etc.

Their first three albums were just classic new wave. Then Roger Taylor resigned from the band and became a farmer. Andy Taylor left as well as he felt his rocking guitar sound is undermined by Nick Rhodes synthesizers. Andy tried a solo career which failed. So that left three and they made Notorious. Warren Cucurello joined ranks as guitarist and Duran Duran made The Wedding Album, an album about growing up.

During the recording of Medazzaland, John Taylor left the band and now it was only Simon LeBon, Nick and Warren. The three of them recorded Pop Trash but it was basically a flop. Then after 20 years in existence, suddenly Duran Duran became a household name again because new bands are 'copying' their 80s sound. Stellastar*, Interpol, The Killers, Hot Hot Heat, The Stills, etc, they all owe a bit of their sound to Duran Duran.

That made those five guys think again and suddenly a reunion beckons. So in 2003 all five of them gathered up again, just like when they did 25 years ago in Birmingham. They did a couple of reunion gigs in the States, which sold out in minutes. They received an MTV Lifetime Achievement award. And poor Avril Lavigne was clueless about them ("Who is Duran Duran? Are they a new boyband?" said the self-acclaimed modern day Sid Vicious).

Their album, Astronaut, is coming out in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait to hear them again. Right now the single is out, called (Reach Up for the) Sunrise. From the intro you can tell instantly that it is Roger on the drums and Andy doing the guitars. Classic Duran Duran.

Click here to enjoy the video.
Click here to get the single.