Heaven 17 Release Three Free Downloads.

 

Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware announced on Friday that they are changing the Heaven 17 website to make it better for fans to interact with them and added a link for some free tunes while we wait - which includes an Exclusive Acoustic Version of "Let Me Go."

Go get them now!

Photo: Heaven 17

The World Of Music According To Heaven 17.

 

Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory have been hard at work, "coming up with a playlist of conversation starters. The tunes that get them shooting the breeze, chewing the fat, and occasionally even running off at the mouth. With specially grown beards for the obligatory chin scratching..." with their new internet radio show called "Music For…"

Episode 2, "Music For...Getting Ready To Go Out To," and Episode 3, "Music For...Talking About," are now available for listen and can be found at Ditto TV.

This writer is on her fourth listen to "Music For…" Episode 1, entitled "Music For...Growing Up To," which kicked off with Roxy Music's "Pyjamarama" (1973) - of which Glenn said was the one song that made him want to sing, and travels through many of Heaven 17's other influences including Iggy's "Raw Power," Chic's "Le Freak," Donna Summer's "I Feel Love," and David Bowie's "Fame."

With eclectic record collections they think too good to keep to themselves Glenn and Martyn have invited "listeners on a tour of musical intrigue, combining classics you know and love with hidden gems from established artists and breaking acts," and encourage submissions via e-mail at musicfor@ditto.tv.

Photo: Heaven 17

Quotes: Radio Ditto

Forgive Us Our Synths.

 

1981 "saw the release of OMD's Architecture & Morality, Depeche Mode's Speak & Spell, Soft Cell's Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, Japan's Tin Drum, the Human League's Dare and Heaven 17's Penthouse and Pavement. Hailing from different parts of the country, the bands constituted less a scene than a shared sensibility: synthesisers before guitars, outlandish ideas before rock'n'roll cliches. The future of pop glittered with possibility." 

With next year marking "the 30th anniversary of synthpop's annus mirabilis," Dorian Lynskey of the Guardian talks with the original ideas men. 

Photo: Sheila Rock/Rex Features via guardian.co.uk 

Quotes: guardian.co.uk

Electronically Yours.

 

German breakbeat experimentalists Nude have covered The Human League's 1978 classic "Being Boiled," which will appear on their forthcoming second album Basic Guerrilla Moves. 

Set to be released in October, Basic Guerrilla Moves will also feature the band's cover of Heaven 17's "Let Me Go." 

According to a press release "Let Me Go" was released digitally in Europe on Monday and four different mixes are now available via several sites including iTunes. 

"Being Boiled" did not chart on its first release in 1978 but went to #6 when it was re-released in 1982. "Being Boiled" was composed by Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware, and Phil Oakey, and is notable for being one of the first singles to feature only electronic instruments. The original sleeve of "Being Boiled" bared the words "Electronically Yours." 

"Originally formed in 2007 and based in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany, Nude’s musical roots is steeped in various genres including Breakbeat, BigBeat, ElectroPunk and Drum N Bass. In the tradition of Basement Jaxx, Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Faithless and the Prodigy, Nude entertains their fans with addictive dance music, adrenalin beats, hooks and melodies." 

Watch the Nude video for "Being Boiled" here. 

Photo: Nude Official 

Quoted material: Noble PR

Electropunk Band Nude Rework Heaven 17's "Let Me Go."

 

"Drum'n Bass smashers, Electro and Bigbeat, Breakbeat and psycodelic" band Nude have covered Heaven 17's 1982 classic "Let Me Go," and according to the band Glenn Gregory has personally approved the remix. 

Nude said on Monday, "The main intention why we made a remix or adaption of 'Let Me Go' is that (I) loved this song for a very long time. We didn't just want to do a remix, but a new song with our own 'nude touch' if I might say so." 

The single has 4 different tracks, "featuring Nude's new member Tweeky from Sweden. Nude are Isabelle Gernand, Georgie Weeratunga, Marc Werner, David Ahlund, Johannes Buchner and Flo Stossberg. The backing vocals on this cover were by Beatrix Thomas and Lee Weeratunga." 

The official video for Nude's cover of "Let Me Go" can be found here. 

Photo & quotes: Nude

Living, For A Very Long Time!

 

Heaven 17, who head out on tour in November to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Penthouse and Pavement, are being featured twice in the BBC2's (already in progress) Eighties Season. 

From The Star/Sheffield Telegraph: As the BBC turns its attention to the '80s for a retro season of programmes it is only right the lens should fall on arguably Sheffield's most influential music period, writes David Dunn. Among the prime exponents of music that defined a generation is Heaven 17 - and the synth band formed by arts students Martyn Ware, Glenn Gregory and Ian Craig-Marsh gets two bites of the TV cherry. 

BBC2 will feature two shows directed by British TV director and writer James Strong, who gathered footage of the band's recent performances in South Yorkshire and interviews with people such as radio presenter Steve Lamacq and new electronic artists La Roux. The focus is on the then trio's seminal 1981 concept album Penthouse & Pavement, which from its artwork to its sound is viewed as a landmark '80s release. Heaven 17 Live In Concert (which aired for the first time last night) looks at the 30th anniversary tour in which remaining members Glenn and Martyn play the album in its entirety at the Magna centre in Rotherham.

The Story Of Penthouse & Pavement (airing tonight) looks at the making of the record which featured the enduring hit "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang." James Strong, who has directed episodes of Holby City and Doctor Who as well as the autobiographical documentary Elton John: Me, Myself & I, said: "The aim of the films is to tell the story of the band and the city - then and now." At the time the band were pioneers in terms of the technology they used to create the album. The early synths built in Sheffield were to change the face of popular music. 

We also explore how the influences of the steel city and it's industry were key in shaping the creative side of the band back then, but remain so today with steel being replaced by digital technology. "A young workforce who 30 years ago would have been forgemasters are now computer programmers." Martyn Ware adds: "Sheffield has always been a unique place. Sheffield allows and encourages creative talent to grow and develop. Just look at the musical heritage Sheffield has now." 

Both programs will be available on the BBC iPlayer for one week (UK residents only). 

Heaven 17 are currently: founding members Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware, Asa Bennett, Billie Godfrey, Julian Crampton, and Joel Farland. The band will be supported on the 30th anniversary tour by DJ Mark Jones. 

Tour dates: 

November 22 - Edinburgh, HMV Picture House 

November 23 - Glasgow, O2 ABC 

November 25 - Manchester, Manchester Ritz 

November 26 - Birmingham, HMV Institute 

November 28 - London, HMV Forum 

November 29 - Oxford, O2 Academy 

November 30 - Brighton, Corn Exchange 

December 1 - Bristol, O2 Academy 

Photo: Tracey Welch via Heaven 17

Heaven 17 To Perform Penthouse And Pavement Live For The Very First Time.

From heaven17.com: Now, as it was then...from the partnership that's opening doors all over the world...

In 2010 British Electric Foundation will present Heaven 17 performing their seminal 1981 album of the year Penthouse And Pavement live in its entirety for the very first time.

Featuring original members - lead singer Glenn Gregory and synthesist and vocalist Martyn Ware, together with backing vocalist Billie Godfrey, electric guitarist Asa Bennett, Joel Farland on electronic percussion and legendary bass guitarist Randy Hope-Taylor.

Lighting designer Pip Rhodes will coordinate a live digital visual show featuring some of the biggest names and most talented up-and-coming artists from the worlds of digital and graphic design, fine art and film, including Chris Bird (United Visual Artists), graphic designer Malcolm Garrett, Mike Faulkner (D-Fuse), famous artist Tim Head, Ian Anderson (Designers Republic), Ross Phillips (ShowStudio), Brian Duffy (Modified Toy Orchestra), James Strong, Kim Leliboux, Ed Cookson (The Sancho Plan), BAFTA-winning filmmaker Julian Henriques, Ben Tomlinson, James Bates, Chris Cheeseman and, of course, Pip Rhodes and Heaven 17 themselves.

The event will be curated from the moment the audience enters the venue, as the LED wall will be showing the visual artists' interpretations of BEF compositions from the same period, including tracks from BEF albums Music For Stowaways and Music Of Quality And Distinction Vol.1 - and all artists have been allowed to express their interpretations freely with no prior guidance from Heaven 17. The artists contributing to this 'group show' will be credited - this will be a world-first multimedia show - part art installation and part concert - the evening culminating with Penthouse And Pavement being performed in its entirety, the two sides punctuated by special BEF performances featuring surprise guest singers.

This will be a unique opportunity for the audience to immerse themselves in Heaven 17 and BEF's futuristic musical vision of the period, using today's technologies and sensibilities - this is no nostalgia show...

...We’re going to live for a very long time...

Confirmed dates can be found here.

Photo: heaven17.com

Heaven 17 To Release New Album.

Naked as Advertised is a newly recorded album by Heaven 17 featuring tracks derived from their live set as well as a few real collectors items of oddities and rarities. There is even one brand new, never heard before Heaven 17 song, "Don't Fall."

Some of these tracks reach back into the very earliest days of Heaven 17. Re-visited and re-worked they sound as fresh today as they ever did.

A beautiful version of The Associates' "Party Fears Two," originally performed at the Billy Mackenzie memorial concert, makes you take a second look at this classic and beautiful song.

There are even tracks that pre-date Heaven 17 with covers of the original Human League songs "Being Boiled," and "Empire State Human," the latter sounding as if it would be quite at home in the soundtrack of A Clockwork Orange, the film from which Heaven 17 took their name.

There is also a version of their classic hit "Temptation," featuring Billie Godfrey on vocals, and as anyone that has ever seen them play live will testify, this just has to be heard. Billie takes this always-classic diva moment to a brand new high.

Originally recorded to go along side the forthcoming Steel City tour, Naked as Advertised stands proudly alongside any previous Heaven 17 album, beautiful, crafted, quirky, eccentric, and completely listenable. This album is a must for any Heaven 17 fan and will probably create quite a few more fans along its way.

Track samples, and pre-order copies of Naked as Advertised available at: Just Music.

Photo & material: heaven17.com

Happy 25th Birthday The Luxury Gap.

The second album by Heaven 17, The Luxury Gap was the band's biggest selling, reaching #4 in the UK charts.

Unlike their debut album Penthouse and Pavement, the singles from The Luxury Gap charted well, especially "Temptation," which reached #2, "Come Live With Me," which went to #5, "Crushed By The Wheels of Industry," hit #17, and "Let Me Go," reached #41.

The 2006 remastered and re-released The Luxury Gap features the magnificent extended version of "Let Me Go," a Waist High favorite.

Happy Birthday Glenn Gregory.

Taking their name from a fictional pop group mentioned in Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange, Heaven 17 formed when Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware split from their earlier group The Human League and formed production company British Electric Foundation (BEF). Shortly after, they recruited their good friend and photographer Glenn Gregory on vocals to complete their lineup.

Heaven 17's biggest hit, "Temptation," is said by some to have defined the 1980s.

Glenn Gregory has gone on to work with an exciting range of artists including Tina Turner, Grace Jones, Propaganda, Terence Trent D'Arby, Ultravox, Midge Ure, John Lydon, and Martin Fry. Glenn most recently teamed up with Keith Lowndes, who toured with ABC before becoming an internationally renowned DJ, and formed Honeyroot, producing what they call "soulful electronica."

Asked by Melvin Welters in 1997 what is the best Heaven 17 track and album, Gregory had this to say:

"Oh I don't know. I suppose it's not that hard really. My favourite Heaven 17 track is 'Let Me Go.' And now you want to know why. Well, I think it's the song we all feel should have done better, it's almost the song I would like to be remembered for (but I guess that's going to be Temptation.) It took a lot of getting right but once we were there we all really loved it, we were convinced it was a top ten hit (it wasn't). Maybe there's still time? The best album though I have no problem with, Penthouse and Pavement. My first ever recordings, and nothing can better that experience."

Material: wikipedia.org, bbc.co.uk & abcmartinfry.com
Photo: abcmartinfry.com

Happy Birthday Ian Craig Marsh.

Taking their name from the Anthony Burgess novel A Clockwork Orange, the U.K. techno pop trio Heaven 17 grew out of the experimental dance project the British Electric Foundation, itself an offshoot of the electro pop outfit Human League.

The core of Heaven 17 was comprised of Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, a pair of onetime computer operators who first teamed in 1977 as the Dead Daughters, a duo which integrated synthesizer patterns with a heavy reliance on tape loops. Soon, Ware and Marsh were joined by Philip Oakey and Adi Newton and changed their name to the Human League, where they remained before exiting together in 1980.

As a means of establishing the synthesizer as an expressive, human instrument, Marsh and Ware formed the British Electric Foundation, a production project which employed a variety of musicians and singers including Tina Turner, Sandie Shaw, and Gary Glitter. The B.E.F.'s debut, 1980's Music of Quality and Distinction, Vol. 1, also included vocalist Glenn Gregory, a former photographer whom Ware and Marsh met at a Sheffield drama center.

In 1981, the duo enlisted Gregory for Heaven 17, the first and most successful B.E.F. alter ego, and debuted with the single "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thing," a minor hit banned by the BBC over its title. An album, Penthouse and Pavement, followed the same year.

By the release of 1983's The Luxury Gap, the B.E.F. had fallen by the wayside, and Heaven 17 had become Ware and Marsh's primary focus. The LP proved highly successful, spawning the hit singles "Temptation," "Come Live With Me," "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry," and "Let Me Go." The follow up, How Men Are, was another British hit, but the group receded from view after its release. When they returned in 1986 with the album Pleasure One, it was with a number of guest musicians and vocalists.

After the commerical failure of 1988's Teddy Bear, Duke & Psycho, Heaven 17 officially disbanded.

Material courtesy: poemhunter.com