In a lengthy posting on Facebook, ex-Bauhaus/Love And Rockets bassist David J Haskins (aka David J) made some comments regarding his strained relationship with ex-bandmate Daniel Ash. The comments were part of a larger post regarding his memoir Who Killed Mister Moonlight? Bauhaus, Black Magick and Benediction, which was initially published in 2014 and has recently been repressed.
The post begins with Haskins lamenting that he found a typo in the new edition of his memoir, but revealed that the typo has now encouraged him to once again try to get in touch with Ash. Ash apparently wasn't thrilled with some of the content included in the initial pressing of the memoir and previously refused a copy, but Haskins is motivated to reach out to him again. He gave fans the history of the situation in a post titled Of Typos, Tantrums and Transcendence. Here's an excerpt from that posting:
"Daniel had taken umbrage over the fact that in the first edition I had given away the sacred secret of the Bela chords. (‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’ the band’s phenomenally successful first single.) A series of angry emails to me ensued. As I tried to explain, these particular chords were not exactly out of the public domain as there are several bedroom tutorials on YouTube etc showing guitar players clearly demonstrating how to play the song. Well, he just wasn’t having it and voiced his outrage over this perceived indiscretion in no uncertain terms. He was also somewhat concerned that I had also mentioned that the descending pattern used in our Gothic anthem was inspired by ‘Rock n’ Roll’ (Parts 1 & 2) by Gary Glitter.
“David! What if Gary Glitter decides to sue us?”
As I retorted as the time, Gary Glitter had been arrested for serial statuary rape and is currently in prison serving a a very long sentence at Her Majesty’s pleasure and is not exactly in a position to sue anybody! Still, out of deference I did remove the offending sentences from the next edition.
I actually have the impression that Daniel has not read the thing but has been told of it’s contents by a personal aide-de-camp. I mailed him a copy of the book when it first came out along with a rather soulful and heartfelt letter but the package was returned to me unopened. Thinking that he had changed his PO box I dropped him an email requesting that he send me the new address so that I could resend the package.
In response I received a terse: ‘No thanks!’ Our relationship was somewhat strained following this incident although of late it has been much improved, cordial even.
Anyway, seeing this latest typo has prompted me to make the decision to try again and mail out another copy the tome. Thinking about it, this actually makes that little typo part of Bauhaus band lore! This time I really hope that the gift doesn’t come back. We shall see!"
Read the full posting from David J here.
Published April 28th, 2018