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The group’s name was actually taken from a reference in the “A Clockwork Orange” novel (The Heaven Seventeen was the name of a fictional pop band within the story), but before Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware founded this group they clocked in time as two of the three core members of the New Wave act Human League. During their formative stages The Human League weren’t exactly viewed as a New Wave band (at least in the general sense), but were rather associated with experimental electronica and at times punk.
The Human Leagues‘ lead singer Paul Oakley wanted to take a step in a more pop oriented direction, while Marsh and Ware wanted to work with the sound they had been developing on their 1st two albums. The rift between the members only grew with time and by 1980 Marsh and Ware left the Human league to form Heaven 17. The line up for their new project was completed once photographer Glenn Gregory filled the vacancy for vocalist. Their early recordings were characterized by heavy use of drum machines and analog synthesizers, but also included contributions by session musicians, integrating the sounds of more traditional instrumentation such as the grand piano.
Heaven 17 crashed into the public’s attention with their catchy, but lyrically controversial debut single “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang”. The track was pulled from BBC Radio 1’s rotation on account of it’s politically left overtones; however, many of those that managed to get ahold of it latched on and eagerly anticipated the band’s next offerings.
The wait was answered in September 1981 with the release of their studio debut “Penthouse and Pavement”, while the album was by no means a commercial hit, it sold modestly well and established a devout cult following. It has since been recognized as a crucial artifact of the synth pop genre and has gone on to appear in the book, “1001 Albums You Must Listen to Before You Die”.
The group still struggled to make it into the UK top 40 with their follow up single “Let Me Go”, but went well beyond their mark with the release of the track “Temptation”. This single climbed to no. 2 on the UK Singles chart and set the stage for their breakthrough sophomore album “The Luxury Gap”. The album included an additional three hit singles “Crushed By the Wheels of Industry”, “Let Me Go”, and “Come Live With Me” and eventually reached platinum status within the UK.
Heaven 17 never managed to achieve the commercial success they touched with their 2nd studio album; however, they were still going strong with their 3rd full length release “How Men Are”. It peaked on the UK Albums Chart at no. 12, went Gold and also introduced a modified sound for the group, emphasizing acoustic instruments and string sections into their previously synth dominated mix.
Also during this time Heaven 17 were immersed in the work of their production company B.E.F. (British Electronic Foundation), putting out cover albums such as “Music of Quality & Distinction Volume One” and helping produce Tina Turner’s classic version of the song “Let’s Stay Together” (which has been attributed to reviving her career).
In 1986 Heaven 17 made their concert debut on the UK pop/rock music program, the Tube and the following November released their 4th studio album “Pleasure One”. Though the album charted in the UK top 100 ranking at no. 86, it was a significant drop from their previous no. 12 position, which they achieved with “How Men Are”. Their 1988 follow up “Teddy Bear, Duke & Psycho” did not do any better on the UK charts; however, it landed at no. 46 on the German Albums Chart and featured the western guitar influenced single “The Ballad of Go Go Brown”.
Heaven 17 released only 1 studio album in the 1990s, “Bigger Than America”. The album did not garner commercial success, but it did earn favorable reviews with the critics, in particular their standout single “Designing Heaven”. Ware spent the majority of this decade operating the production company BEF and producing albums for the likes of Marc Almond, Erasure, and Terence Tent D’Arby.
The band’s follow up “Before After” came out in 2005 through Ninthwave Records and did reasonably well on a commercial level, peaking at no. 6 on the Billboard Magazine Club Play Charts. The next Heaven 17 release “Naked as Advertised” was their 1st release not to include Marsh and was a compilation of reworked Heaven 17 and Human League songs. The band still continues to release material and tour on occasion.
Críticas en vivo
Heaven 17, a new wave synthpop band out of the UK. Two of the original members were in the Human League! Not automatically a head turner as far as music goes but I was interested enough to see their concert when they played as a duo.
Immediately I realized this was not the synthpop I expected. They were lively, upbeat, very eighties pop. This was not gothic or low in tone. It was a fun band having fun with synthetic music and vocals. Their lead vocalist, Glenn Gregory, was lively, upbeat, and had clear fun with the music and the fans without hesitation. It was a wonderful start to a wonderful live show. Then the bass came in. What a wonderful sound and bass riff. I am an amateur bass player and as soon as I heard what they were doing with bass I was floored.
I could not believe a band like this was putting so much funk into their music, synthetic or otherwise. They kept up the tempo and the pace. They kept up the fun. The audience was into it and loving it. They used a variety of sounds and instruments to create unique sounds and a fun show for all involved. I would highly recommend seeing a show by Heaven 17 to anyone that is remotely interested in doing so.
Having knowing all the songs this was going to be easy
Singing along to favourites such as penthouse and pavement, geisha boys temple girls, height of the fighting, let’s all make a bomb soul warfare we don’t need this fascist groove thing, I’m your money, then my favourite all time Let Me Go temptation and come live with me crushed by the wheels we’re big singalongs but the earlier songs from Penthouse And Pavement
With Blancmange on first signing old favs and a few new numbers but everyone who is not a Blancmange fan will sometimes not get where Neil Arthur is coming from but fans will understand me when I say he/they are brilliant
With a venue I haven’t been to before but now knowing that it is as good as it was to get close to the artists without being squashed it was a great night thanks to everyone involved in brining back my youth even for one evening
Modeman
The Heaven 17 concert yesterday, 9/25/17 at the Highline Ballroom was terrific! Their performance was top notch, enthusiastic and energetic. The audience danced and applauded feverishly.
I hope they do return to NYC as they had said many times during the show.
The venue was wonderful. I love seeing concerts where, if I get there early enough, I stand either at the front or within the first few rows from the stage.
Excellent, memorable performance and a fantastic night. Thank you Heaven 17 for coming to NYC!
AMGAMG
Great selection of tracks from an early Human League number - Being Boiled to Sunset Now - all the main hits and a couple of new tracks that Glenn and Martin have put together after 14 years ! Great venue and with Blancmange as support a fantastic 80's trip for all - Neil Arthur was fab and we had Waves to What's your problem to keep the crowd buzzing - and a nice touch to meet Neil in the interval - and all for £22 - what more can you say .... Brilliant !! ?
poxford
Amazing concert, the sound was excellent, nice interaction with the audience, with plenty of humour. The girl singing on Temptation has an incredible voice. Acknowledged connection with Human League and performed early tracks from that period. Cover tribute to David Bowie was very well done, I won’t spoil it by telling you which hit, but as a big DB fan I was over the moon ;o)
maria-odonnell-1
Heaven 17 set was beautiful but a bit too short. We bought VIP-tickets understanding that we would meet and greet with Glenn (and Chris from Squeeze) prior to the gig (as it was billed as a joint tour). It was therefore a bit disappointing that we payd all that amount of money without geting to meet Heaven 17 (apparently one of the Squeeze bandmembers are also called Glenn)
ken-alexander-bruhei
Didn't take place. No idea why it was cancelled. Received email from SeeTickets. No information anywhere on venue or artist websites. Got a refund, minus the £4 booking fees. It's nice giving £4 away to people for nothing
minky35
Sounding better than ever, seeing them in such a small venue was a real treat.
They were recording the gig with a view to releasing a live album and included a few old Human League favourites.
cadoga1410
Superb show last night at the Glasgow Academy great venue great crowd and the band didnt fail to please. All the old favourites and more. X Propaganda were an awesome support band to boot.
Rcamzzz
