influences

bernard sumner

bernard sumner is barney in the boo radleys single 'barney (...and me)'
 

bernard sumner

joy division guitarist until singer ian curtis hung himself in 1980. joy division then re-formed as new order with new member gillian gilbert playing keyboards, and sumner took on vocal responsibilities.

new order enjoyed a period of critical and commercial success, particularly during the mid to late 1980s when the 'blue monday' sleeve and 'true faith' video helped them attain pioneer status.

bernard teamed-up with johnny marr in 1992 to form electronic, a fruitful side project, and recently completed a new album and tour with the occassionally active new order. bernard was more commonly known as 'barney' for a period in the late 80s.

"we all thought he was ace," martin explains. "so that's why 'barney (...and me)' is called 'barney (...and me)'.

but sumner isn't the only star recognised in this 1992 boo radleys single...

"since and i were doing the backing vocals one night in the studio, drunk on whiskey as i recall.

"i was trying to come up with a melody for a gap that we had left. i don't know which came first but i started singing 'faye dunaway' and couldn't think of anything better. she is dead sexy in bonnie and clyde."

back


blog | forum | fans | releases | live | interviews | influences | downloads | shop

interview with bernard sumner