Fast Forward: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: Volume II

by Stephen Morris

Iconic drummer Stephen Morris presses play once more to the tune of the long-awaited second volume of memoirs . . .Poised on the brink of success, the dizzying heights of the unknown lying ahead, Ian Curtis had taken his own life. Grieving yet determined, Stephen Morris emerged from the wreckage of Joy Division to the dawn of something a new band, a new tour, a new beginning. Under the name New Order, Morris and his bandmates set their sights on America, only to encounter new disasters. Yet, in true northern spirit, not even this sudden tragedy could dissuade them from following their haphazard path to greatness.Following the highs and lows of New Order, Fast Forward tracks the changing rhythm of Morris's life and the music that shaped it. From 'music differences' to the ever-growing Joy Division legacy, music is the constant beat through the verses of Fast Forward as Morris's personal and professional life grew increasingly intertwined. This came to a head when his girlfriend was invited to join the band. Tentatively stepping into their testosterone-filled world, Gillian was the right person at the right time for New Order. And for Morris. What began as just a trial period in the band spun into a whirlwind of new projects and experiences, including The Other Two - a project born during one of New Order's (many) hiatuses.Blending entertaining anecdote with profound reflection, Fast Forward strips back a lifetime of fame and fortune to tell, with raw honesty, how New Order threatened to implode time after time. And yet, despite everything, the legacy of their music continued to hold them together.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography, Audiobook

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Stephen Paul David Morris is an English drummer who is best known for his work with the rock band New Order and, previously, Joy Division.

Reviews

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm aware trying to compare joy division and new order is like trying to compare apples and oranges, but i think, much to the chagrin of my 13 year old self (who was trying their best to be cynical and angsty), i truly love new order much more than their previous gloomy incarnation. something about the synths and the bass and bernard sumner's slightly off key singing does it for me, i suppose.

as a result, i really enjoyed fast forward even more than i enjoyed record, play, pause. stephen morris's friendly yet self deprecating narrative tone makes a much welcomed return, and having decided to pick up the audiobook halfway through reading, i also got to enjoy his dulcet macclesfield tones. it's not a meticulous track by track dissection of new order records, nor is it a gossipy drama filled blow by blow of hooky and bernard's falling out. instead, it's probably the most level headed account of how things went down, and while stephen has professed being averse to confrontation, it doesn't take a genius to catch on to some of the undercurrents of frustration and exhaustion that can be felt in certain chapters.

that being said, a lot of fast forward consists of stephen nerding out about vintage tech and synths, relating anecdotes surrounding the band's (or often just his own) seemingly never ending misfortune, and something that i feel like i don't get to hear enough about: what it's like being one of the 'other two' in new order. hooky and bernard often share the limelight, but i've always had a soft spot for gillian and steve. it was nice to actually hear their side of the story, something that often gets eclipsed by the much larger personalities and infamy of their bandmates.

as with record, play, pause, reading this book feels like sitting down with a friend and letting them regale you with tales of their time in a band. listening to the audiobook only furthered this experience, and i highly recommend it as it also includes a Q&A at the end that was another treat for my already nerdy-new-order-enthusiast-self to enjoy. if you want something more dramatic and juicy i'm sure peter hook's substance will probably scratch that itch for you (if you're in the mood for a 750 page tome, that is - hence why it currently serves as a doorstopper instead of being on my bookshelf). but if you want a friendly, all around likeable narrator, or maybe you're just really into the techy/nerdy side of electronic music, or, maybe like me, you just wanted to hear from the side of new order that often gets overlooked - i would be picking up fast forward if i were you.

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anything, I enjoyed part 2 even more. Kicking off (where part one ended) after the tragic suicide of Ian Curtis, this tells the story of the emergence of New Order, and the subsequent branching out into Electronic, Revenge and The Other Two.

Morris describes the dynamics in the group as well as life outside of the setting. While he talks a lot about the conflicts and the challenges in the communication and collaboration between these 4 (or 5, really, including Rob Gretton for a substantial amount of the time) individuals, you won't be getting any dirt or accusations from him. This makes a lot of sense, interpersonal squabbles between people in this tight setting for more than 3 decades described in the format of he said/she said/he said would not be either interesting or come anywhere near the truth.

Instead, this becomes a fascinating story of how the group managed to move on past the loss of Ian, how dynamics and work methods fundamentally changed, and also giving great insights into a piece of musical history - not least with the introduction of electronic instruments.

If you waited this long to read about Joy Division/New Order, Morris' parts one and two is really everything you need.

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Record Play Pause (2019) (subtitled Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist Volume 1) and so was keen to read this, the follow up. The first book ends shortly after Joy Division singer Ian Curtis's suicide and the group's first tentative steps as New Order.

Again Stephen Morris proves he is the most modest and clear eyed of the group. If you like New Order then Fast Forward: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: Volume II is another essential read. It covers: New Order emerging from the long shadow of Joy Division; the career highs of Power, Corruption and Lies, Low-Life, and Technique; the many arguments; the Hacienda saga; the solo projects; and, of course, the heavy drug taking. Whilst Stephen doesn’t go into detail about the gradually fracturing relationship between Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook there’s still enough here to clearly chart the increasing hostility between the group’s two biggest egos.

Stephen also describes his life outside the group, not least his relationship with Gillian and his family. He’s a good storyteller with plenty of good stories. A perfect bandmate too as he seems forever happy to defer to others, avoid conflict and hide in the shadows - so much so that he regularly didn’t get let into his own gigs, or his own night club - something he cheerfully admits.

4/5

[Matt Whittingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second volume of Stephen's book covers the aftermath of the end of Joy Division

All the elements fans want are pretty much here. The group getting back on its feet, the golden years of PC&L, and Low Life. The rows. The solo projects. Copious drug taking.

He doesn't really dish the dirt, but you don't have to read between the lines too hard, to feel some of the pain of group politics, and especially the fallout of the two bigger egos in the band.

As well as band stuff, there is plenty of home life too, including his love of tanks and his relationship with Gillian.

Stephen Morris is humorous company. I do sometimes wish he could stick up for himself a bit more. Self effacement can be charming, But over doing it can start to sound like someone who can never make a decision for fear of upsetting others, or who never really stands their corner.

This is a great addition to the NO/JD book cannon. The collective individuals of New Order have now written 6 books between them. Surely there is nothing left to be said

[Michael Legge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shame he dies in the end.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the previous volume, this is a brisk and entertaining look at one of the most important bands in pop history. Hooky’s books get into more of the dirt within the band, Bernard’s book was pretty shallow, but the two Stephen Morris books feel like the most clear-eyed and grounded account of the history of Joy Division and New Order.

[Peter Johansson · Rating 4 out of 5]

En stark fyra👊🏻

[Gareth Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 2 of Stephen Morris’ memoir focuses on the New Order years up to 2007. It’s funny, incredibly frank and wonderfully well written. Feels like the truth about the band and Factory rather than the myths around it or the point scoring of the other memoirs. An important book about one of the most important bands. (And suggest reading as the accompanying playlist plays)

[Steve Bygrave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but I didn't think it was quite as well written as the first book in terms of structure, editing etc. I found parts of it to be a little fragmented and was quite disappointed at the stage it ended (was hoping for some more info on Music Complete but it stopped short of that - presumably in readiness for another book!). Also there were quite a few typos that I picked up on which is a shame. Overall though, I found it a very honest, enjoyable, funny (sad in places) and fair account - but it did leave me feeling quite sorry for both Stephen and Gillian in terms of how they were perceived/treated by the band/management. In summary, it's a great read even though it's not particularly well edited.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I said in the review of his first book, this is Stephen's story. A modest narrative of his time with the band New Order. It lacks the finger-pointing and debauchery of Hooky's book and the lack of anything interesting in Barney's. I enjoyed a more reasonable assessment from his perspective as someone who did not get much of a voice in other accounts and interviews. Stephen has a great writing style, full of voice and varied sentences. He has mentioned aspirations of writing a novel and maybe that day will come. Another killer playlist is included in this one of the songs mentioned as well as formative influences:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3UX...

[Steve Gozdecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as brilliant as Volume I -- as with many rock bios/autobios, the later years get short shrift -- but still compelling, rich and insightful. Of the Hook/Sumner/Morris books on JD and NO, I enjoyed Morris's the best. Of course, I also like The Other Two better than any of Hooky's side projects so....

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow up to the first volume.
Having read all of Peter Hooks books, very entertaining, and Bernard Sumners, a little boring, it is interesting the drummer turns out to be the best writer. I would be interested in Gillians point of view but I guess that is not going to happen. It is good to see her back in the fold in New Order as despite Peter Hooks views I think Gillian helped make New Order a little different from the other groups at the time.
I am not sure there will be a third volume as I guess the final exit of Peter Hook cannot be written without upsetting some of the parties involved. I would like to see some rapprochement between Sumner and Hook as they were the two boyhood pals who started it all off.
Stephen should give himself more credit though as his drumming was integral to Joy Division and his thirst for new electronic gadgets alongside Sumners interest made New Order so good and dare I say it better than Joy Division. Let us be honest, Morris could be in both groups but an Ian Curtis led Joy Division would not have become New Order and would probably not have lasted as long. Joy Division were great but were of their time whilst New Order did change over time and are ultimately more influential.

[Ronnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una lástima que leí este libro cuando no tengo muchas ganas de escribir reseñas porque creo que hay muchas cosas que decir y todas son buenas, tal vez un día me siente a pensar en ellas y la escriba pero no puedo dejar de decir que es un libro increíble y me encantó de principio a fin.

[Russ Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

the second volume of Stephen Morris' memoirs concentrate on his time in New Order, mainly with partner Gillian Gilbert, and go through the recording of their albums over this time, as well as details of the fall outs. I was hoping to gain some insight into why Peter Hook had split with the others over this time, and had read all the other books by current and former NO members up to this point. This isn't quite as funny as Morris' first book, more an indication of him growing up in the band I suppose, that and there not being quite the same things to be funny over - the death of Ian Curtis being a full stop in Joy Division's progress and which leads to New Order being a different beast due to the chemistry of the original band being changed, with the singer gone and the rest of the band trying to fill that gap. And the split in the band? Longstanding issues between various members never brought into the open and discussed, so left to fester, with a change of management after the death of Rob Gretton leading to some frankly appalling decisions and things being said to Morris, as well as things said to other band members which were later retracted, or never actually said by the band members they were attributed to.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking New Order more than I like Joy Division, I think it was only natural that I'd like this book more than the previous one.

The highlights for me were:

I'd programmed myself out of a job on ['The Perfect Kiss'] but as a consolation I got to play musical frogs on the track, a first for me and possibly all mankind.

Any mention of the frogs from 'The Perfect Kiss' always makes me smile :-)

Learning how the [tank] worked was both frustrating and very satisfying, though probably not as satisfying as discovering that its gun had a range of ten miles, making Bernard's house an easy target.

Ah! Friendship!

We began to be nominated for various awards. The ones with elderly statesman-like titles: 'Lifetime Achievement Award', that sort of thing. These seemed to suggest that perhaps our life might be reaching its useful end.
I came to think of them as 'Fuck Off and Die' awards. 'They used to be really good, you know' sort of things.

Steve just seems to be like a really funny, down to earth guy. I wish he was, like, my cool uncle who'd make fun of my taste in music.

[Hillery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting history of New Order from the perspective of Stephen Morris, the drummer. He has a wry sense of humor and a healthy perspective on himself and the whole 'rock band' thing. And he seems genuinely appreciative of the life he's led, despite the requisite hassles and dramas of being in a band. His love for Gillian shines through, and even he acknowledges that she appears to take up less text in his book than the other band members, which he knows seems weird. My only disappointment is that the book ends around 2007 when Hooky leaves and it appears New Order is finally done. However, as Stephen acknowledges in the last paragraph, there is more to the story (the return to the band of Gillian and the release of the excellent new album Music Complete in 2015). Maybe there will be a Volume III to Stephen's writing.....I hope so.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

As entertaining as Volume 1 and in Morris’ slightly rambling anecdotal conversational style. Quite clear from the narrative that over time New Order morphed into being Bernard Sumner’s band culminating with Peter Hook throwing a complete strop (as we say in the UK) and permanently storming out. Stephen Morris while rueing that their previous all-for-one-and-one-for-all dynamic has gone still chips away in the band. The chapter entitled 2001 is very poignant covering his 2nd daughter’s illness, his wife’s illness and his father’s growing dementia and then death. The book is also full of witty asides about technology both for music making and in general.
4 stars again as this edition like Volume 1 is riddled with typos, 5 star content though!

[Gary Fowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are enough books out there about JoyDivsionFactoryNewOrder to fill a small library. I’ve read enough of them to safely state that this, Morris’ second book (covering the New Order years up to Hooky’s departure), is one of the best.

What Morris has, apart from that essential first-hand I was there-ness, is a willingness to lift the curtain not only on the record-tour-argue-take a break-repeat of the New Order story but also on his own life. Meaning that this reads less like a 500 page my-version-of-events essay and more like the drummer/keyboard player in New Order’s personal view on that particular bubble.

Impossible to put down once begun.

[Keith Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and quirky 2nd installment from @stephenmorris, covering the NO years up to around 2007 when the group seemingly split. The book is interesting, tells lots of stories about Morris & Gilbert, stuff you won't see elsewhere as the other two (although if you want proper gossip see Hook's books). It's also full of techie stuff about the music and the instruments used. The '07 conclusion (despite being recently released) seems to point towards a third book covering these years (looking forward to that) - this is a positive point about Morris' and Hook's books vs. Sumner's one offer... much more space and depth.

[Keith Astbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whereas Record Play Pause dealt with the authors growing up and his time as drummer in Joy Division, Fast Forward concerns itself with the on-off New Order years where his percussive skills often took second place to programming attempts on early unforgiving technology. Morris comes across as a hugely likable, self-deprecating fella, all too aware of his own shortcomings and generally tactful in the extreme when it comes to other band members and other, er, Factory legends.

A hugely enjoyable book, though I would add that the proof readers weren't exactly at the top of their game here.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Morris is a great writer, and he's funny as hell. I laughed almost every day while listening to this book, as I did while listening to Record, Play, Pause. I was sad when I finished - gonna miss Morris' stories and sense of humor, and the details of his and Gillian's lives inside and outside of New Order.

I guess now that I've read/listened to Hooky's and Stephen's books (along with Deborah Curtis'), it's finally time to read Bernard Sumner's to get his side of the story. Maybe after a bit of a break, though.

[Paul Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of the greatest indie rock drummer's 'memoirs' takes us from the end of Joy Division to New Order splitting up. In between Morris takes a wry - and often very funny - look at being in a band that despite their own attempts to sabotage their careers became hugely successful. He offers his thoughts on band politics and talks about collecting tanks (true story). If you like JD/NO you will love this and if you don't it is still great fun and incisive on how being in marriage can often be be like a long unhappy marriage.

[Rob Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this second book to be a fantastic read. It was the book I picked up and did not want to put down. I hated that I felt that I needed to pace myself because I was reading it so quickly and wanted to savor this enjoyable read.
Stephen is a clever writer and his dry wit and humor are perfectly paired with the stories he tells.
A fantastical read and I highly recommend for old and new fans alike.

[Dave Merry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read most of the books about Joy Division/New Order. I liked both the Peter Hook and Bernard autobiographies but enjoyed this more than both of those. Stephen is much less concerned with scoring points and settling grievances than Hook and Sumner and his book is full of funny, insightful little anecdotes. He comes across as a thoroughly decent, likeable, lad and gives a real insight as to what it was like being in a drummer in one of the biggest bands in the world. Loved it

[Mancman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in a lull with reading, I couldn’t find something to engross me. Then I spied the first volume of these memoirs on a bookshelf, and remembered how much I’d enjoyed it.
So I got this, the second volume, and thoroughly enjoyed this too.
The length of time it took me to read it may make someone think I’m lying there, but I was savouring it, it was too good to gulp down quickly.
There’s warmth, sadness, humour, self deprecation and much much more in here.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Forward is an absorbing continuation of Stephen Morris’s memoirs, offering an unfiltered look at the fragile transition from Joy Division’s collapse to New Order’s uncertain rebirth. The book balances grief, resilience, and creative persistence with remarkable honesty.
What stands out most is Morris’s ability to ground iconic moments in personal reality. Fame, tragedy, and artistic tension are not romanticized, but examined with clarity and humility. The evolving relationship between bandmates, the growing Joy Division legacy, and the arrival of Gillian into the band all add emotional depth beyond the music itself.
This is an essential read for fans of post punk history and for anyone interested in how creativity survives disruption and loss.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first Stephen Morris which covered his life up to the Joy Division years so I was looking forward to the rest of his story. It didn't disappoint. Refreshing to get his take on the New Order years having previously read the Hooky and Sumner books. Not just about the music, also about his family and the heart-breaking demise of his father (something I totally relate to having gone through it will my recently deceased mother). Top read.

Ray Smillie

[Andrewl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, the second part of Stephen Morris' engaging autobiography. Chronologically this starts in 1980, and covers the rise of New Order and their very slow motion implosion over a decade. Each chapter flits between the music, touring, drugs, Stephen's domestic life, and super nerdy technology info, but always told with great warmth and humour.

[Ms. Esker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful on audio. After listening to them for so long, it gives me some disequilibrium each time I am reminded how unhappy they all were and how their various personalities and goals for the band clashed. The interview of “The Other Two” by daughter Grace was pretty neat.

[Russio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts well, continuing the previous instalment, then slowly stutters - like New Order - into a slow fade. The personal stuff is mostly great, the band stuff ditto, but the last 100 pages are a bit if a trudge. And, as always, you get the sense that some things are left unsaid.