Heaven 17 first hit the charts in the early 80s, having formed from The Human League. Everyone and their mum knows their biggest hit ‘Temptation’, a classic tune that has endured, but they also released two electronic pop masterpieces with the albums ‘Penthouse and Pavement’ and ‘The Luxury Gap’. New pop fox La Roux is a big fan and they’re hitting the Bedford Corn Exchange on November 7th, co-headlining with Blancmange! (Living on the Ceiling, Don’t Tell Me).
We spoke to singer Glenn Gregory about what he’s been up to…
Clanger: Have you been to Bedford before?
Glenn: Yeah, a long time ago, with Terry…(?)
C: Have you Toured with Blancmange before?
G: No, this is the first time but Martin had produced the demo for ‘Living on the Ceiling’ back in 1980, so there is a connection.
C: What are Heaven 17 listening to at the moment?
G: Well, I’ve been doing a tour called the Man Who Sold the World with Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey, amongst others and that entailed learning 22 Bowie songs, so that took up my time recently. Plus we’re working on our own material for the new Heaven 17 album…
C: Sheffield is a hotspot for musical talent, what could you put that down to?
G: When we were young and started out there was just nothing to do! With the collapse of the Steel industry and the cutlery companies, there were a lot of empty buildings and factories. We’d rent them cheap and use them for studios and have parties. People are still producing good stuff there, I think Sheffield people are ‘do-ers’.
C: Did you have any other names lined up before Heaven 17?
G: Yes, There were about 7 names, can’t remember all of them, though some were from the book/film ‘Clockwork Orange’, including; Goggly Gogol, Wordmaster, Monolith (metal?!) That’s where the name Sparks & Moloko come from as well…
C: Fave 80s bands ?
G: Lots of electronic stuff, Kraftwerk, Utravox, Duran Duran…..
C: Any clues what direction the new tunes are going in ?
G: This is the first time we’ve been in the studio for 14 years, previously we’d work separately and send files and bits back and forth. We’re using some original synths as well as new technology, with the similar electronic, dance and funk influences as before.
C: Anyone you’d like to work with?
G: Well I ticked that box 6 months ago with the BEF 3 project (British Electric Foundation) with collaborations with Sandie Shaw, Boy George & La Roux, amongst others…I also performed with La Roux recently, really rate her work.
C: Any interesting experiences filming Top of the Pops?
G: They were interesting experiences, a very small studio, with about 20 people in the audience shuffling from stage to stage. The best thing was at home Christmas Day round the dinner table with my mum to watch myself on Top of the Pops!
C: Any cheese you find a temptation?
G: Ah, that’s left field!. Er, cheese…which cheese? Gouda!
C: Good choice!
Pad Presents: Heaven 17 with Blancmange at Bedford Corn Exchange on Friday 7th November.
Check www.heaven17.com for more info…
