Blancmange (band)
Encyclopedia
Blancmange are a British
synthpop
band
who came to prominence with a string of hits in the early to mid 1980s.
, Lancashire
) and instrumentalists Stephen Luscombe (born 29 October 1954, Hillingdon
, Middlesex
) and Laurence Stevens. Stevens left shortly after the band were formed and Arthur and Luscombe continued as a duo. The duo
released their first EP
"Irene and Mavis" the following year, but had their first real exposure via a track on the seminal Some Bizzare Album
, alongside fellow acts
Soft Cell
and Depeche Mode
. This led to them signing a recording contract
with London Records
.
Blancmange supported Nash the Slash
on a London
club
tour in October and November 1980. Nash introduced the band to the Virgin
subsidiary record label
DinDisc
, but they were ultimately signed by London Records, in 1982.
The duo found minor success with their 1982 double A-sided single
, "God's Kitchen"/"I've Seen The Word" which peaked at no.65 in the UK. This was followed by "Feel Me" which peaked at no.46. Later that year, they broke through with "Living on the Ceiling
", which reached no.7 in the UK Singles Chart
. Their debut album, Happy Families
(which featured a sleeve
painting in the style of Louis Wain
) also reached the top 30.
Further hits followed with "Waves" (no.19), "Blind Vision" (no.10), "That's Love That It Is" (no.33) and "Don't Tell Me" (no.8), while their second album Mange Tout
also reached no.8 in the UK album chart. In 1984, Blancmange covered ABBA
's single "The Day Before You Came", which reached no.22 in the UK (slightly higher than Abba's original less than two years earlier). But after this, the band's fortunes declined. Their 1985 single "What's Your Problem" only reached no.40, and the subsequent album Believe You Me
spent only two weeks in the UK Albums Chart
, peaking at no.54. Blancmange formally split up in 1987.
Luscombe released an album of India
n influenced music
New Demons with Pandit Dinesh, Peter Culshaw, Priya Khajuria and Asha Bhosle
under the name West India Company, in 1989. Meanwhile, Arthur released a solo album, Suitcase
, in 1994.
Following a gap of a quarter of a century, Blancmange released their fourth studio album Blanc Burn
in March 2011.
Recorded for a February 1982 Peel Session show.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
who came to prominence with a string of hits in the early to mid 1980s.
Biography
Blancmange was formed in Harrow, Middlesex in 1979 by singer Neil Arthur (born 15 June 1958, DarwenDarwen
Darwen is a market town and civil parish located within Lancashire, England. Along with its northerly neighbour, Blackburn, it forms the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen — a unitary authority area...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
) and instrumentalists Stephen Luscombe (born 29 October 1954, Hillingdon
Hillingdon
Hillingdon is a suburban area within the London Borough of Hillingdon, situated 14.2 miles west of Charing Cross.Much of Hillingdon is represented as the Hillingdon East ward within the local authority, Hillingdon Council...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
) and Laurence Stevens. Stevens left shortly after the band were formed and Arthur and Luscombe continued as a duo. The duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
released their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
"Irene and Mavis" the following year, but had their first real exposure via a track on the seminal Some Bizzare Album
Some Bizzare Album
Some Bizzare Album was the first album by Some Bizzare Records. It was released in 1981 as a sampler of the label's musical ethos. The acts were not actually signed exclusively to the label at the time.-Information:...
, alongside fellow acts
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
Soft Cell
Soft Cell
Soft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
and Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
. This led to them signing a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
.
Blancmange supported Nash the Slash
Nash the Slash
Nash the Slash is a Canadian musician. Though a multi-instrumentalist, he is known primarily for playing electric violin and mandolin, as well as harmonica, keyboards, glockenspiel, and other instruments .Nash worked as a solo artist beginning in 1975, then founded the progressive rock band FM in...
on a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
tour in October and November 1980. Nash introduced the band to the Virgin
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
subsidiary record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
DinDisc
DinDisc
Dindisc Records was a short-lived independent UK record label, associated with Virgin Records, which issued new releases from mid-1979 through early 1982...
, but they were ultimately signed by London Records, in 1982.
The duo found minor success with their 1982 double A-sided single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "God's Kitchen"/"I've Seen The Word" which peaked at no.65 in the UK. This was followed by "Feel Me" which peaked at no.46. Later that year, they broke through with "Living on the Ceiling
Living on the Ceiling
Living on the Ceiling is a song by Blancmange which appeared as the fifth track on their 1982 album Happy Families. It was released in 1982 as the third single from the album. It was a surprise hit for the band, reaching #7 on the UK charts and #5 on the Australian Singles Chart .Blancmange...
", which reached no.7 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Their debut album, Happy Families
Happy Families (album)
Happy Families is the debut album by Blancmange.-Side one:# "I Can't Explain" – 4:00# "Feel Me" – 5:07# "I've Seen the Word" – 3:00# "Wasted" – 4:17# "Living on the Ceiling" – 4:11-Side two:# "Waves" – 4:07# "Kind" – 3:56...
(which featured a sleeve
Album cover
An album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. The term can refer to either the printed cardboard covers typically used to package sets of 10" and 12" 78 rpm records, single and sets of 12" LPs, sets of 45 rpm records , or the front-facing...
painting in the style of Louis Wain
Louis Wain
Louis Wain was an English artist best known for his drawings, which consistently featured anthropomorphised large-eyed cats and kittens. In his later years he suffered from schizophrenia, which, according to some psychologists, can be seen in his works.- Life and work :Louis William Wain was...
) also reached the top 30.
Further hits followed with "Waves" (no.19), "Blind Vision" (no.10), "That's Love That It Is" (no.33) and "Don't Tell Me" (no.8), while their second album Mange Tout
Mange Tout
Mange Tout is the second album by Blancmange. The full album title is - Mange Tout .-Side 1:# "Don't Tell Me" – 3:31# "Game Above My Head" – 3:58# "Blind Vision" – 3:56# "Time Became The Tide" – 4:49...
also reached no.8 in the UK album chart. In 1984, Blancmange covered ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
's single "The Day Before You Came", which reached no.22 in the UK (slightly higher than Abba's original less than two years earlier). But after this, the band's fortunes declined. Their 1985 single "What's Your Problem" only reached no.40, and the subsequent album Believe You Me
Believe You Me
Believe You Me is the third album by Blancmange and was released in 1985.-Side one:# "Lose Your Love" – 4:09# "What's Your Problem?" – 4:13# "Paradise Is" – 3:48# "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?" – 4:35# "22339" – 5:23 -Side two:...
spent only two weeks in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, peaking at no.54. Blancmange formally split up in 1987.
Luscombe released an album of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n influenced music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
New Demons with Pandit Dinesh, Peter Culshaw, Priya Khajuria and Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies...
under the name West India Company, in 1989. Meanwhile, Arthur released a solo album, Suitcase
Suitcase (Neil Arthur album)
-UK CD: CDCHR 6065:All songs written by Neil Arthur, except where noted.# "Breaking My Heart" – 4:17# "I Love I Hate" – 4:29# "Suitcase" – 4:02# "Jumping Like A Kangaroo" – 3:49# "I Know These Things About You" – 4:05# "Heaven" – 4:06...
, in 1994.
Following a gap of a quarter of a century, Blancmange released their fourth studio album Blanc Burn
Blanc Burn
Blanc Burn is the fourth studio album by Blancmange, was released on 7 March 2011 by Proper Records. It is Blancmange's first album of new material in a quarter of a century, following 1985's Believe You Me.-Track listing:-Charts:...
in March 2011.
Studio albums
- Happy FamiliesHappy Families (album)Happy Families is the debut album by Blancmange.-Side one:# "I Can't Explain" – 4:00# "Feel Me" – 5:07# "I've Seen the Word" – 3:00# "Wasted" – 4:17# "Living on the Ceiling" – 4:11-Side two:# "Waves" – 4:07# "Kind" – 3:56...
(1982) UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#30 - Mange ToutMange ToutMange Tout is the second album by Blancmange. The full album title is - Mange Tout .-Side 1:# "Don't Tell Me" – 3:31# "Game Above My Head" – 3:58# "Blind Vision" – 3:56# "Time Became The Tide" – 4:49...
(1984) UK #8 - Believe You MeBelieve You MeBelieve You Me is the third album by Blancmange and was released in 1985.-Side one:# "Lose Your Love" – 4:09# "What's Your Problem?" – 4:13# "Paradise Is" – 3:48# "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?" – 4:35# "22339" – 5:23 -Side two:...
(1985) UK #54 - Blanc BurnBlanc BurnBlanc Burn is the fourth studio album by Blancmange, was released on 7 March 2011 by Proper Records. It is Blancmange's first album of new material in a quarter of a century, following 1985's Believe You Me.-Track listing:-Charts:...
(2011) UK #163
Compilations
- Second HelpingsSecond HelpingsSecond Helpings is a compilation of Blancmange singles, album and non album tracks.-CD: 828 043-2:# "God's Kitchen" – 2:55# "I've Seen the Word" – 3:05# "Feel Me" – 5:06# "Living on the Ceiling" – 4:01# "Waves" – 4:07...
(1990) - Heaven Knows (1992)
- The Third CourseThe Third CourseThe Third Course is a compilation of Blancmange singles, album and non album tracks.-CD: 550 194-2:# "Feel Me" – 5:07# "I've Seen the Word" – 3:07# "God's Kitchen" – 2:56# "I Can't Explain" – 4:03# "Waves" – 4:09# "Lose Your Love" – 4:06...
(1994) - Best of BlancmangeBest of BlancmangeThe Best of Blancmange is a compilation of Blancmange singles, album and non album tracks.-CD: VSOP CD226:# "God's Kitchen" – 2:55# "I've Seen the Word" – 3:05# "Feel Me" – 5:04# "Living on the Ceiling" – 4:00# "Running Thin" – 2:21...
(1996) - The Platinum Collection (2006)
EPs
- Irene & Mavis (1980) 33 RPM 7", Blaah Records, only 500 copies ever printed
- 21st Century Blanc Remixes Part 1 (2011)
Singles (with chart position)
- "God's Kitchen"/"I've Seen the Word" (1982) UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#65 - "Feel Me" (1982) UK #46
- "Living on the CeilingLiving on the CeilingLiving on the Ceiling is a song by Blancmange which appeared as the fifth track on their 1982 album Happy Families. It was released in 1982 as the third single from the album. It was a surprise hit for the band, reaching #7 on the UK charts and #5 on the Australian Singles Chart .Blancmange...
" (1982) UK #7 - "Waves" (1983) UK #19
- "Blind Vision" (1983) UK #10 US Hot Dance Club Songs #3
- "That's Love That It Is" (1983) UK #33 US Hot Dance Club Songs #16
- "Don't Tell Me" (1984) UK #8 US Hot Dance Club Songs #44
- "The Day Before You Came" (1984) UK #22
- "What's Your Problem?" (1985) UK #40
- "Lose Your Love" (1985) UK #77 Hot Dance Club Songs #2
- "I Can See It" (1986) UK #71
- "Drive Me" (2011) UK Download only
Radio Session tracks
- "I Would"
- "Living on the Ceiling"
- "Waves"
- "Running Thin"
Recorded for a February 1982 Peel Session show.
In media
- In the 19861986 in film-Events:*April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle.*April 26 - Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver.*May - Actress Heather Locklear marries Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee....
Sci-FiScience fictionScience fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
film Flight Of The NavigatorFlight of the NavigatorFlight of the Navigator is a 1986 Disney science fiction film directed by Randal Kleiser and written by Mark H. Baker and Michael Burton, about a 12-year-old boy named David who is abducted by an alien space craft and finds himself caught in a world which has changed around him...
Blancmange appear on David's TVTelevisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
with the music video for "Lose Your Love" when he is introduced to music videos by Carolyn, played by a young Sarah Jessica ParkerSarah Jessica ParkerSarah Jessica Parker is an American film, television, and theater actress and producer.She is best known for her leading role as Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO television series Sex and the City , for which she won four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy Awards...
. - In 2000 "Living On The Ceiling" was sampled by the GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
technoTechnoTechno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
group ScooterScooter (band)Scooter are a German hard dance band founded in Hamburg, who have sold over 25 million records and earned over 80 gold and platinum awards. Scooter are considered the most successful single-record German act with 23 top ten hits. The band is currently composed of members H.P. Baxxter, Rick J....
on the song "Kashmir", from the album Back To The Heavyweight JamBack to the Heavyweight JamBack to the Heavyweight Jam is the sixth studio album by German techno band Scooter, released in 1999. It contains two singles, "Faster Harder Scooter" and "Fuck the Millennium"....
. - During the 1980s and through the late 1990s the main theme of "Living On The Ceiling" was used as the intro for the Arabic news program on Israel'sIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
Channel OneChannel 1 (Israel)Channel 1 is one of the oldest television channels in Israel and one of five terrestrial channels in the country...
television. - An instrumental version of the song "Blind Vision" by Blancmange is used for the closing credits of the 1985 B-movie Avenging AngelAvenging AngelAvenging Angel may refer to:* Avenging Angel , a 1985 film starring Betsy Russell* The Avenging Angel, a 1995 TV movie directed by Craig R...
. - "Don't Tell Me" plays during the club scene in the 1987 thriller No Man's LandNo Man's Land (1987 film)No Man's Land is a 1987 film directed by Peter Werner and starring D. B. Sweeney, Charlie Sheen and Randy Quaid. Brad Pitt made his acting debut in this film as an uncredited extra.-Plot:...
, starring Charlie SheenCharlie SheenCarlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
and written by Law & Order'sLaw & OrderLaw & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
Dick WolfDick WolfRichard Anthony "Dick" Wolf is an American producer, specializing in crime dramas such as Miami Vice and the Law & Order franchise. Throughout his career he has won several awards including an Emmy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-Early life:Wolf was born in New York City, the son...
. - FaithlessFaithlessFaithless were a British electronica band consisting of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. The group is best known for their dance songs . Faithless recorded six albums. During their career they sold over 15 million records worldwide...
remixed "Feel Me" for their 2010 release The DanceThe Dance (Faithless album)The Dance is the sixth and last studio album by dance music act Faithless on their own record label, Nates Tunes, and first for PIAS Recordings. Dido is featured on the songs "North Star" and "Feelin' Good"...
.