=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S Issue # 11 - December 23, 1989 DDDDD D D D D GGGG D D G DDDDD G GGG G G GGGG A Debbie Gibson Discussion Forum =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CONTENTS * Administrative Notes * Forum News * Announcement * Kingswood Music Theatre * Introduction from David Dean * Good Morning America * Ray Wilmott & The Fifties * Comments from Tim Hu * Comments from Tony Catone * More from Henry Lee * Even More from Henry Lee * Some Poll Answers * Trivia * Random Thoughts * Questions & Answers =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Administrative Notes To new members of the forum: Welcome! I hope you enjoy our forum! I will send back issues (#1-#10) to those who want them. Just send me e-mail. If you requested back issues and did not get them, please e-mail again. I am sorry for the inconvenience. I would like to thank all those who sent in articles! Disclaimer: This forum does not necessarily reflect the views of Deborah Ann Gibson, GPI (Gibson Productions Inc.), Atlantic Recording Corporation, or any of the organizations that members of this forum belong to or represent. All songs by Debbie Gibson are copyrighted by Deborah Ann's Music (ASCAP). This forum is a non-profit organization. Information about products is fine, trying to advertise products for sale is not permitted, keep this to private e-mail. This forum is not intended to be a replacement for D.G.I.F., the only authorized fan club. Information on D.G.I.F. can be obtained by e-mailing me or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to: D.G.I.F. P.O. BOX 489 MERRICK, NY 11566 Membership in D.G.I.F. is $15/year. Renewal is $10/year. If you are trying to reach another forum member via e-mail and cannot reach him or her, please let me know. I will try to provide additional suggestions for addresses and if necessary, I will forward mail to the intended person. Thank you all for your patience and support! -- Michael A. Scheele "Between the Lines" moderator pershing@athena.mit.edu (ARPANET/Internet) ...!bloom-beacon!mit-eddie!mit-athena!pershing (UUCP) site-dependent (BITNET) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Forum News From: Michael Scheele As you know, I have been a bit slow in answering e-mail and producing issues late this year. I intend to rectify this. I am meeting with some early forum members and a planning session will occur during the vacation period. It is my goal to have the forum back to previous levels of efficiency (around the first or second issue I produced). I mentioned that there will be two additional issues. There will be. #12 will be an issue of reviews and long articles. #12A will be an account of my adventures seeing Debbie on tour. Hopefully the long pause will be worth it. Happy Holidays!! If you are reading this after vacation, I hope your holidays were fantastic! Note: I will be back at MIT on January 7, 1990. See you then. Submissions for Volume #2, Issue #1 will be taken until January 20. I hope to put out that issue out by January 31. I won't mind terribly if you send you submissions before I get back. If there are questions/issues not addressed that feel should be, please drop me a note. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Announcement Attention: Debbie will be on a Christmas benefit program somewhere around Dec. 26-27 on CBS! Look for it! Thanks to Dina Shimoyama for the information. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Kingswood Music Theatre From: Sandra Connolly Date: Thu, 10 Aug 89 21:31:27 EDT Debbie played a concert at the the Kingswood Music Theatre (at Canada's Wonderland, just north of Toronto) the other night, and unfortunately, the entire lighting system died halfway through the show. Apparently, Debbie was able to keep the crowd enthusiastic and entertained nonetheless. Even the reviewer admitted it, and it didn't seem like he enjoyed the show too much. [Editor's Note: Sandra's account has run out, so contacting her will be difficult. -- Michael] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Introduction from David Dean From: David Dean Date: Tue, 24 Oct 89 22:03:58 EDT Hello, my name is David Dean. I've been reading all of your introductions and I guess it's about time I made mine. I guess I'll start with how my interest in Debbie started. I have a friend who is a really big Van Halen fan, and the rest of his musical tastes' are heavy metal. But one night when we were cruising around Bellefontaine (small town in Ohio where he lives) we here 'Shake your Love'. He starts raving about how good a song this is, and how much he likes Debbie Gibson. I'm about going into shock, because he is always putting down my music which is mainly Top-40 stuff, (except for my PRINCE, which I'm about THE biggest fan of his music). So we went to the record store and he bought her tape. After listening to it I thought it was really good, and when he told me that she was only sixteen(or seventeen I can't remember) I was even more impressed. Then when 'Electric Youth' came out, I bought the CD a couple days after it came out. I think my favorite song is "No More Rhyme". Then this summer when my friend heard that she was going on tour, he got on the phone and called everywhere from the local radio station to her recording studio and found out that she was to be in Cincinnati on September 10. We bought the tickets the day they went on sale and still only got seats halfway back in the pavillion (River Bend is an outdoor arena). I'm not very good at giving reviews but I'll try. The show opened with Bros, who incidently I thought was very good. Reminded me a lot of Wham except just a little bit heavier. Then Debbie came on stage and the fireworks began. I can't remember the order that she sang the songs, but she mixed them up very good, with "Electric Youth" being the last song she performed. During the middle of the show she sat down at a Baby Grand (I think) white piano, and played "Lost in Your Eyes." The way she played that song with such feeling, almost made me want to cry, especially with my soon to be girlfriend sitting right beside me, and thinking how true this song was in looking into her eyes. I have never been that much of a fan of the song "Electric Youth" but the way Debbie performed it, I really like it now. She danced to the music just like the video, which was SPECIAL because I was seeing it live. Her dancers were very good, and added a nice complement to Debbie, who I think cannot dance very good, but she tried and it looked OK. The only thing I didn't like about the show, was throughout the whole show, Debbie looked like everything was exactly planned. It's hard to explain, but, to me, it looked like everything she did was timed down to a T, with no room for spontaneous movements. Even when she reached down to touch the crowd, it looked like she had to touch exactly a certain number of people. Other than that the show was spectacular. I would rank it as the third best concert I have seen, but I've only seen about ten, and no concert will ever top the PRINCE concert I saw, and the second best show I saw was Pink Floyd...the laser lights were awesome. Well that about finishes my introduction, and very non-professional concert review. I hope a lot of you saw Debbie in concert, because she was great. [Editor's Note: Debbie played a white Baldwin baby grand piano on this tour. Debbie's shows seem well planned, but she is usually able to adapt to each venues requirements. Her show is entirely unsequenced, so can (and did) vary the song order. Thanks for you comments. -- Michael] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Good Morning America From: Dina Shimoyama Date: Tue, 3 Oct 89 18:49:16 EDT Well, it's been about two weeks, so it's getting a little fuzzy... And, her appearance on "After Hours" has kind of blended together with it so if I include something from there I apologize. But, here goes........... They begin by showing a clips from the videos for "Lost in Your Eyes" and "No More Rhyme". After the usual bit praising her for writing, producing, her own music, etc. they show her. Now I don't know if it's just me being picky but she looked very tired, not her usual spunky self. Her hair has gotten a lot longer since she was in the audience at Arsenio's show. [Editor's Note: Debbie's hair is quite a bit longer now than it used to be. -- Michael] Joan Lunden begins by telling Debbie how her daughters are big fans of hers. Anyway, Joan praises her too, and is impressed by the workload Debbie has undertaken--her worldwide tour; acting in "Skirts" and writing songs for the soundtrack; her new "Electric Youth" perfume; and writing a book! Joan mentioned that Debbie will be going to Japan to tour there soon. [Editor's Note: I marvel at how she is able to keep up with so many projects. I am no stranger to heavy workloads, but she makes me seems inactive. She definitely has my respect! -- Michael] Then, Joan showed a picture of Debbie and the guy from Bros which had the caption "Romantically involved" and asked her to comment. Debbie said, "Ya know, that makes me laugh. I'm so busy that I don't have any time for that.. I don't even know where they (Bros) are right now." [Editor's Note: I saw a picture in Spin magazine about this. I suppose only she and Matthew Goss know for certain. She had a different opening act starting in November, Kevin Paige. I assume Bros went back home to promote their new album. -- Michael] Then, they ended, saying that Debbie would be performing in New York that night, and that's it! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ray Wilmott & The Fifties From: Ray Wilmott Date: Mon, 6 Nov 89 18:46:54 EST A short note to those of you who haven't visited your local record stores lately : The Wonder Years soundtrack is out, and features 2 new songs from Debbie. First, an excellent remake of "In The Still Of The Night". Second, a short original song called "Come Home (Wonder Years)", a slow song filled with a sense of longing/nostalgia (perfect for the show). Both songs sound great, and given the state of pop music today where 10 out of the top 40 songs are remakes, I'd be surprised to see In The Still Of The Night *not* make it at least into the top 20. (As an aside...after hearing these 2 songs, I know what *I'd* like to see from Debs in the future - a 50's style album, much as Billy Joel did with An Innocence Man several years back. Hey, she admittedly loves the 50's, and I'd rather hear her beautiful voice on those types of songs rather than on the more dance oriented stuff which currently comprises about 50% of her albums) [Editor's Note: I enjoy 50's style music too. That 50% figure reflects the heavier dance orientation of her first album (she had so many songs to choose from, she could do many albums of any style). -- Michael] (As another aside...I was at a taping of Letterman last Friday, and Paul was spraying Debbie's "Electric Youth Perfume" around the studio. I gotta agree with Dave on this one...this stuff REEKS!) [Editor's Note: While EY perfume isn't going to take the world by storm, it isn't that bad. Just an opinion... -- Michael] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from Tim Hu From: Tim Hu Date: Tue, 10 Oct 89 16:09:21 EDT Sorry I haven't contributed to BTL lately; I've been in the process of relocating and haven't had much spare time. But I'm glad to be back and look forward to the continued interaction with fellow Debbie Gibson fans. (At the time of this writing, I haven't read BTL issue #8, so please forgive me for any comments or observations that don't seem particularly original.) A friend and I went to Debbie's EY concert in Biloxi, MS last week (10/1/89), and we had a great time. I think Debbie is a fantastic performer and really can't see how anyone could be disappointed after seeing her live. I will echo one minor criticism that someone else in the forum had : the arrangements were virtually the same as those in the Out of the Blue tour; she could have done something a little different. One incident towards the end of the concert - a guy jumped on stage and gave her a hug. (I don't know how common this is, but its never happened at any of the concerts I been to.) Obviously, she was a bit rattled because she hugged him back and looked as if she didn't know what was going on. Anyway, security whisked him off stage, and we never saw him again. [Editor's Note: She did change some of the arrangements toward the end of the tour, but some remained the same. -- Michael] I'm really concerned about the reports of Debbie's gradual demise in popularity. What, she only sold 2 million plus copies of EY? Do you think she'll be so discouraged that she'll give up songwriting altogether? Come on! Put away your sackcloths. I think people were spoiled by the phenomenal success of her debut album. It's a tough act to follow; I think she did very well. And she's only 19, for goodness sakes. I wish I had a forum about me when I was 19. [Editor's Note: While we are all proud of Debbie's impressive achievements, I think we should acknowledge that she has had a decline in popularity. Hopefully she will remedy this with her third album, due out next year. -- Michael] One personal opinion. and please let me know if I'm just spouting off a bunch of nonsense or if anyone else feels this way. EY is definitely a more "mature" album than Out of the Blue. As much as I like it, however, (and I think that, overall, it's a much stronger album with generally stronger songs) I already miss the youthful exuberance of her first album. (I guess that its in EY but to a lesser degree and harder to find.) It was Debbie's (and pardon me for the expression) 'bubble-gum' music that first attracted me, and I can't help feeling a tinge of regret that those days are pretty much over. I realize that it's an inevitable consequence of Debbie maturing as an artist; I just wish it hadn't happened quite so fast. The Beatles were a similar case (although it was a longer transition for them). They started out with light, infectious songs, then slowly moved into more serious, more contemplative music. Lest anyone accuse me of having shallow musical tastes, I do like serious music (classical, jazz, etc.); its just that I associate Debbie with a sense of fun and excitement. It's selfish of me, I know; Debbie's most important music is yet to come. Still... Now, I'll just sit here and wait for the flames to come. [Editor's Note: Discussion is permitted, flames are not. Debbie's enthusiasm shines through in all of her music, just in different forms. Deb continues to mature as an artist and this will reflect in her music. -- Michael] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from Tony Catone From: Tony Catone Date: Wed, 25 Oct 89 11:19:06 EDT I liked the hot pants Debbie wore on Arsenio. I thought they were *much* more flattering than the outfits she wore when I saw her live this past summer in upstate NY. As for the camera work, it fits in with the mood of the rest of the show. I'm not saying this is good or bad, just that it's a thing, and like most things, has good and bad points. Personally, I like the show, and if a loose style translates into occasional sloppiness, so what; I like Saturday Night Live, and old cinemascopes of live TV from (not that) long ago, for the same reasons. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= More from Henry Lee From: Henry Lee Date: Mon, 16 Oct 89 20:40:38 EDT If anyone in BtL would like to send mail, I would greatly appreciate the contact with other members. It appears that sending mail to me at either of the following addresses should work : hlee@cc.sfu.ca OR henry_lee@cc.sfu.ca [Editor's Note: I have to send to hlee%sfu.bitnet... -- Michael] (Both addresses are NOT Case-sensitive as my computing account is not on a UNIX-based system.) Allow me to address/answer questions to topics in Btl #10 consecutively. Here in Vancouver, there's been no hint at the release of "We Could Be Together" on any of the city's radio stations (soft rock, top 40 or otherwise). While I can keep my fingers crossed for as long as I like, it doesn't look promising. I concur with Matt (Jung) that at least someone isn't holding too much hope if they've sent a postcard (DGIF) asking members and hopeful members to request the song for video and airplay. The big rave is with New Kids on the Block and Milli Vanilli. Thus far, every single from New Kids and MV have gone on into Power (3.5 hour) Rotation here in Vancouver (LG 73). Personally, I've come to really dislike them both ... MV was supposed to headline for Debbie Gibson on her swing through western Canada. However, about two to three weeks prior to the Vancouver concert, MV was dropped and Bros. was added. Didn't matter; we All know who we're going to see, anyway ... B-) The "fickle/capricious" teens make up the dominant listenership to pop radio and thus hold the fort on request lines. Note that on some Top 40 charts, you might see a Maximum of 4 (count 'em, 4) NKotB singles with airplay; in Vancouver : 2 are in Power (3.5 h) Rotation; 1 in Back (13.5 h) Rotation and; 1 upcoming Xmas song (will do well for Awhile.) As Matt suggests, Gibson apparently has been "dropped" and into her "downswing". The timing of her single(s) are a tricky measure. Too early or too late will mean a quick demise (as we've all seen). Calculated moves for an artist/group are added into this measure of "staying ahead". The intrinsic "quick rise n' fall" nature of the music (ESPECIALLY top 40) business means many a sleepless night for people involved. My own feeling suggests another interesting aspect. Since the greater proportion of "radio and video" have apparently been given over to the likes of NKotB and MV. We could observe a "reverse turnover effect" with respect to Gibson's current position. That is, for now, Gibson's music has been passed by. But look, there is currently a Huge, Huge massive assault of NK stuff on the market. I'm looking for a corresponding Large drop when the listenership starts to pass them by and say, starts to pick up once again on Gibson. The trouble with this argument follows with the "aging" fanbase that are in the same "age group" as Gibson. As I stated, most of pop is "ruled" by the 13 to 17 group. Who knows what'll happen in the next few months? (I know I'm keeping my fingers crossed when Grammy nominations come out.) As Mike (Scheele) later states along similar lines, it's not a matter of being paranoid or being concerned that relates here. It's just downright scary to see such a large and (apparent) "negative" effect. As for Atlantic attempting for control over her music, she could switch labels if she wanted to continue putting out albums (that's a "given" right now, of course). Realize though that WEA which does mass distribution for Atlantic is (I believe) the distribution company with the most artists and groups. (Interesting risk on their part in 1987, given over to a sixteen year old.) Ah, speculations, speculations ..... "Gibson Ranks High Among Teens" ... Matt Jung (Aug 22/89) The wholesome image portrayed by Debbie is obviously taken well by people all over. But, remember, this all could change, too. There is no "a priori" statement or law that maintains the way she handles her image. From what I've seen and heard (via interviews) Debbie isn't too concerned with the perceived public image. I'm treading a fine line, so I shouldn't push any further here. I'd like to correct an error (that) I found in my oh, so lengthy introduction ... In my "... Comments on ... Singles", I stated incorrectly that "Foolish Beat" along with "Lost In Your Eyes" were possible Grammy nominations for '88 Song of the Year. Clearly, that's wrong; I should have said that ... only "Foolish Beat" should have been nominated for the '88 and "Lost In Your Eyes" is a possible nomination for the '89. Mike, I wasn't trying to be critical in my rather foolish slip. You're doing a fine job ... my comment "lord, the moderator" was just a friendly jibe. [Editor's Note: No problem. -- Michael] Kathyrn (Ericson) asks for "Yet another Poll"; this time on our fave 3 DG songs. As I continue to wear out the E.Y. tape, it's still an extremely difficult choice among the fine fine music in her 2nd album. But, if you just HAD to twist my arm, here it would be : The HitMan's DG Top Three 3. Foolish Beat 2. Lost in Your Eyes 1. ELECTRIC YOUTH And that's just for the Released Singles Thus far ... If anyone's still got early versions of DGIF material and could possibly photocopy them (ah, copyright here, could be problems), I'd greatly appreciate it. I sent in my bucks and the form to DGIF and am presently waiting for their reply. My letter of inquiry "only" took 4 weeks; that's good as I understand. I'd like to hear from the "rest of youse". Catch ya later "over the wall", Henry Lee I think I'm in deep, Deep, Deep, Deep "like" but that's just a Rumour. You heard it here first. ;-) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Even More from Henry Lee From: Henry Lee Date: Fri, 8 Dec 89 15:48:23 EST I listened to Wonder Years Wednesday night (and yah, taped the rerun of After Hours with Debbie). Not a bad tape at all but I really would have never bought it if Debbie wasn't on it. Lots of classics and I preferred Side 1 to 2. But oh, what songs that she's done this time around. "In the Still of the Night" is a great 50's-early 60's kinda groove and "Come Home" is a short but sweet reminder of Friends and where they fit into our lives. What a find. Now if only I could tweak those two songs out onto a Debbie compilation tape ... What with the current release of "Swing the Mood" by Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers (rising quickly on pop charts), you might say that part of the feel for pop music is going back to the 50's and early 60's. Why not release one of the singles from the soundtrack? Of course, my preference above all would go to Debbie's songs : in particular, "In the Still of the Night" because i/ it's longer than "Come Home" ii/ I think it could do well considering no worse than WCBT, eh? iii/ it's different than her "usual" single releases, no? Still, 'twas a hard decision for me to choose but it went to the song on side 1. By the way, if you abbreviate New Kids on the Block to ... NKotB ... it looks like "KNOB" ... both my sister and Steve Anthony (Much Music VJ) noted this and left the humour as the remainder. Not that I disagree mind you .... BUT I digress. So, what do you say : release one of her songs from the Wonder Years? Or is this just a nice smoky dream of mine? [Editor's Note: I like the idea and I have been requesting "In the Still of the Night" on local radio stations. Go for it! -- Michael] Saluti cordiali, Henry (proud holder of DGIF card 6491) NEVER, EVER, EVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU'LL MEET ANOTHER DEB HEAD. B-) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Some Poll Answers The following was in BTL #10. What are your three favorite Debbie Gibson songs? Re-mixes are allowable choices. One reply so far. From: Andrew Jay Shurak Date: Thu, 19 Oct 89 10:30:40 -0400 (EDT) All Mixes: 1) Out Of The Blue,12" 2) Who Loves Ya Baby? 3) Between The Lines Album Versions Only 1) Between The Lines 2) Who Loves Ya Baby? 3) Red Hot =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Trivia From: Gregg Smith Date: Fri, 24 Nov 89 19:00:49 EST Did you know? -that Deborah wrote 'Shake Your Love' one night in a hotel in Florida at 2:00 am in the morning? She came up with the tune and couldn't wait to put it down so she got out of bed while her mom and sister were asleep in the next room and wrote the song.............. -that Deborah's song 'Red Hot' was recorded on the soundtrack to the movie, 'Fatal Beauty' in 1988? -that Deborah appeared in the musical The Sound of Music with her three sisters who were cast as for four of the seven kids. One of the boys who was in the production was Tommy Williams!!!!! During that time Deb and Tommy didn't get along that well, so she locked him in a trunk. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Random Thoughts 1989 was an excellent year for fans of Debbie Gibson. She was "red-hot" early this year. Many of us were able to see her on her tour. We have been reading "Between the Lines." What more can we ask for? An even bigger 1990! She should have a new album out next year and there is a rumor of another tour. Debbie Gibson into the 1990s! DG: "Who Loves Ya Baby?" [to audiences] DG: "Me!" {or "I do"} That was our line... :-) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Questions & Answers Q: Tim Hu What else do fellow Debbie fans listen to? [paraphrase of Tim's question] A: Byron Oh boy this is going to be good... In no particular order: In Medias Res, Fra Lippo Lippi, Deacon Blue, Danny Wilson, China Crisis, David Sylvian, Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil, Enya, Virginia Astley, Kirsty MacColl, Everything But the Girl, Felt, Swing Out Sister, the Style Council, Matt Bianco, 10,000 Maniacs, Aztec Camera, B-Movie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Orange Juice, Haircut 100, Care, Jimmy Jimmy, the Lotus Eaters, the Farmer's Boys, the Wild Swans, the Church, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Microdisney, David Bowie, the Pale Fountains, Marc Almond, Billy Bragg, Violent Femmes, The The, Joy Division, old (pre-"Floodland") Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, the Jazz Butcher, the Psychedelic Furs, Joe Jackson, and the Cure (among others...) Q: Dina Shimoyama Anyone know how Debbie's music is doing in Japan? A: Michael A. Scheele I don't have any exact figures, but it is my impression that Debbie is doing well in Japan (and Asia in general). There are a number of CD singles in Japan and I was lucky enough to be sent a compilation CD of some of the 12" single remixes for songs from _Out of the Blue_. I seem to recall that her Japanese tour went well. If anyone has more specific information, please let us know. Q: Duke Robillard I've got a question for the Q&A section: I've recently started to looking for a drum machine. I don't know too much about them, but I did notice the one Debbie uses on her single "Electric Youth." I really liked this one--it almost sounds like real drums! Does anyone know what kind it is? Thanks! A: Yoshio Nakamura I don't know which instruments were used on the "Electric Youth" album, but I found out what instruments Debbie and Fred Zarr owned while doing the "Out of the Blue" album. Acording to a magazine called Music, Computers & Software (December 1988, Volume 3 Number 7), Debbie has a "12-track studio in her bedroom containing a Kawai K3, Akai AX60, Yamaha DX7, Yamaha TX802, an E-max, Yamaha MEP4, Linn 9000 Sequencer, E-mu SP12, Tascam Patchbay Editor, Effectron II, Yamaha Digital Reverb R1000, Yamaha Rev 2, two Symetrix Compressors, an Akai MG1212 and Tascam 22-2, as well as a Casio MIDI Thru Box, a Yamaha K-520 and Onkyo cassette deck." In the same magazine, (in the sidebar) Bill Lewis writes: Except for some of the mixing, Zarr produced _Out of the Blue_ in his home studio in Brooklyn using an Apple //e computer and Syntech software. These days he's working with Digidesign's "Creator" on an Atari 1040 ST. He still has his OBX, DSX and DMX along with an interesting collection of sonic equipment; an Emulator II, a PPG, DX7, DX7II, TX-7, RX-11, Prophet 5, Oberheim Expander, S-990, Ex-8000, Voyetra 8, D-550 and a Mini Moog MIDI'ed through a Roland MPU-101. On Gibson's album, they triggered drum sounds in the Emulator from the DMX through the computer which provided velocity not available in the DMX. Q: Ian R. Justman Since I'm a computer nut and am sometimes interested in knowing what some celebs use for a computer (and OS), if they have one at all, does Debbie have a computer? If so, which one, and which operating system does she use? I use an S-100 box, make Dynabyte, model DB8/1, operating system CP/M (and have no intention of switching to DOS anytime REAL soon). A: Yoshio Nakamura While leafing through one of the teenager's fan magazines, I saw a picture of Debbie smiling in a bedroom, with a Macintosh Plus behind her. I laughed when I saw the picture, because the Mac's numeric keypad was on the wrong side, meaning it was printed backwards. I don't know if it actually belongs to her, but I assumed she owned it, so I have no idea if she uses it as a sequencer for MIDI synthesizers. Q: Ray Wilmott I'm looking for a copy of the Arsenio appearance on VHS. Contact me via e-mail. Q: Sherie Rodgers Does anyone have the lyrics to the poem that Debbie wrote when she was 12 that won her a New York songwriting contest? [Editor's Note: The song was called "I Come From America." -- Michael] Q: Tony Catone What's the latest news on Deb's movie [Skirts]? Q: Yoshio Nakamura Debbie Gibson started out with a multitrack recorder (4 tracks), a piano and synthesizer and a drum machine. And using those tools, she wrote her songs. Does anyone else write songs, either lyrics alone or music alone or both music and lyrics together? What instruments do you play? (If any.) Q: Yoshio Nakamura Do you know anyone with Sun rasterfiles or X11 bitmaps with Debbie Gibson in it? (Or any other kind of electronic picture with Debbie Gibson in it?) Q: Michael A. Scheele Comments on the format of "Between the Lines"?? Any suggestions on how to improve the forum will be given consideration. Anything you would like to see added? Anything deleted?