Before After
Heaven 17
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Radio Interview Martyn
Ware
Electro
pop pioneers Heaven 17 release their first album in 8 years
on 27th February 2006 entitled ‘Before After’
on Go! Entertainment via Rough Trade Distribution
Before After takes the band back to their roots with strong
melodies, disco beats and electro sound combined to make
this their strongest album since ‘Penthouse &
Pavement’ and ‘Luxury Gap’ The songs
feature Billie Godfrey and the legendary Angie Brown on
additional vocals.
Fronted by the charismatic Glenn Gregory, alongside the
other original members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh,
Heaven 17 have collectively pioneered British synthesizer
pop through The Future (The Golden Hour Of The Future), The
Human League (Reproduction, Travelogue) and Heaven 17
(Penthouse And Pavement). They are responsible for two of
the UK’s greatest ‘electro’ singles -
both ‘Being Boiled’ and ‘(We Don’t
Need This) Fascist Groove Thing’.
Heaven 17 also elevated the role of producer to the level
of artist in the 1980s by shaping hits such as ‘Sign
Your Name’ with Terence Trent D’Arby and
re-launching Tina Turner’s career, initially by
working with her on their own B.E.F. compilation, Music Of
Quality & Distinction, and then later producing her Top
10 ‘comeback’ hit, ‘Let’s Stay
Together’.
In recent years Martyn Ware has recorded music with Vince
Clarke (Depeche Mode, Erasure) for art installations
including a one-off commission for the Sellafield nuclear
power station and explored the realm of 3D sound. The
always inventive Ian Craig Marsh has been involved with
soundtrack work. Glenn Gregory’s ambient pop group
Honeyroot caught a lot of people by surprise with their
beautiful version of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will
Tear Us Apart’.
‘…these guys were commenting on ‘80s
culture before the decade had fully arrived: ‘Their
entire aesthetic predicted the look and sound of the
decade. Three Sheffield boys reared on glam, funkadelia and
German electronics, using synthesizers instead of guitars,
doing Pas not gigs, sporting ponytails and suits, and
espousing principles every bit as socialist as the class of
77’
1. I'm Gonna Make You Fall
In Love With Me
2. Hands Up To Heaven
3. The Way It Is
4. Freedom From Love
5. Don't Fear The Reaper
6. Into The Blue
7. Deeper and Deeper
8. What Would It Take
9. Someone For Real
10. Are You Ready?