Blancmange - Blancmange
by Darren Aston
published: 23 / 6 / 2012
intro
Darren Aston photographs Neil Arthur from 80's synth pop duo Blancmange at a show at the 02 Academy in Liverpool
80's synth pop duo Blancmange reformed in 2010 after an absence of 23 years, and returned last year with a new album, 'Blanc Burn'. Blancmange formed in 1979, shortly after Neil Arthur (vocals, guitar and electronics), who was brought up in the Lancashire town of Darwen, moved to North London to study at the Harrow School of Art and met Stephen Luscombe (synthesisers, keyboards), who was locally-based. The duo released their first single, ‘Irene and Mavis', in a limited edition of 1000 copies on their own label, Blaah Records, in 1980, before signing to London Records in 1982. Over the next five years and before their break-up in 1987, they had a string of seven Top 40 hits including ‘Living on the Ceiling’, ‘Waves’ and ‘Blind Vision’, and also released three albums, ‘Happy Families’ (1982), ‘Mange Tout’ (1984) and ‘Believe You Me’ (1985). Both Arthur and Luscombe have since both gone on individually to have successful careers as composers of soundtracks for film and television. Blancmange toured successfully last year, although Luscombe because of health reasons had to pull out of playing. They played a second tour in May with Graham Henderson once again taking Luscombe’s place on synthesisers. These photos of Neil Arthur were taken by Darren Aston on the 10th May at a gig at the O2 Academy in Liverpool.
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/BlancmangeMusichttp://www.blancmange.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/_blancmange_
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2020) |
Dave Goodwin speaks to Neil Arthur from seminal electronic group Blancmange about their 80's-influenced new and twelfth album, 'Mindset'. |
Interview (2016) |
Interview (2012) |
Interview (2011) |
profiles |
Profile (2017) |
Tony Gaughan examines a detailed and in-depth nine CD retrospective from synth pop duo Blancmange, which compiles together their first three albums with remixes, session tracks, demos and live performances |
live reviews |
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 12/11/2013 |
Dave Goodwin sees reformed 80's electronic act Blancmange play an exuberant set at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham |
soundcloud
reviews |
Commercial Break (2021) |
1980s synth-pop progenitors Blancmange maintain their highly prolific release rate with a solid new addition to their discography |
Mindset (2020) |
Wanderlust (2018) |
Unfurnished Rooms (2017) |
Semi Detached (2015) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPDwina Gibb - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Allan Clarke - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart