Second-Hand Suits (1992) he withdrew from the music scene for almost a decade. In 2001 he started performing again as Fad Gadget supporting label mates Depeche Mode on their world tour. Fad Gadet was invited by Depeche Mode themselves as they once supported Fad Gadget on tour in 1980. On April 3rd 2002, only a few days after he had returned home from a Fad Gadget come-back tour through Europe, Frank Tovey died due to a heart failure. Apparently he was aware of the risks of a heart failure that were already diagnosed when he was a chid. This could explain why he called one of the track on his Fireside Favorite debut album the Arch Of The Aorta. FLASHBACKCONCERTREVIEW***FLASHBACKCONCERTREVIEW***FLASHBACKCONCERTREVIEW Fad Gadget’s First comeback live show since 1988! Elektrofest 15/04/2001, Mean Fiddler, London When I heard the first rumors about a possible comeback by this pioneer of New-Wave in its purest form, which flourished in the early eighties, I raised my eyebrows for a moment. It was the same disbelief that overwhelmed me about a year ago, when there was a lot of speculation about a real Skinny Puppy reunion. Although I must say that the disbelief immediately gave way to a feeling of euphoria. How many times had we already whined at some bar about the ideal comeback from the whole wave thing of the past twenty years? Each time, Frank Tovey's alter ego Fad Gadget emerged as the most wanted come-back artist. How did that proverb go again; a drunken mouth speaks the truth? Little did we know! So, we didn't hesitate and immediately ordered a ticket via the information highway. The concert was announced as a comeback performance by this artist, whose name was at the top of an otherwise mundane list. A poster that I will not elaborate on because 'it can also be seen at the local tripe fair', except perhaps an honorable mention for the industrial/technoterrorists of Greenhaus who actually managed to create and rape “Transmission” (Joy Division) with their Underworld-is, without causing too much pain (on the contrary: it was very pleasing). But now on to what should be the event of 2001, at least for the first generation New-wavers. A first glance at the stage made clear driving force Frank Tovey had not come alone.An electronic drum kit was set up in the centre, flanked by a minimal keyboard installation, while a guitar and bass guitar were positioned to the left and right of the stage respectively (perhaps let's clarify for the electro-heads: it looks like a phallic symbol with a few strings attached) were waiting for their manipulators. Fad Gadget live as a real band? Something that could turn out to be either good or bad, I thought. Because about eighteen years ago - long before the days of minidiscs and DAT players - this man himself was often seen alone on stage, flanked by a cassette recorder (remember those?). To what extent would these “new” musicians be able to express this gentleman's classics? Or would they mainly play new material? Has the man become an old bald fart who can no longer pull a hair from his head, let alone his scrotum? We would soon find out... The lights went out, while the stage was filled with - 25 - www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be
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