Manchester University Press
15 Dreams of leaving
Abstract
The independent political and creative spirit of Sheffield is explored as the new decade dawns. The exotic influence of New York’s ZE Records on the young artists of Sheffield is examined as Vice Versa travel to Holland in grey raincoats and return in Day-Glo cycling wear as ABC – the Radical Dance Faction. The rise of The Human League stalls as the major label pressure for a hit causes unrest in the perpetual darkness of their derelict studio. The management coup that splits the band is analysed. Pulp play their first high-profile gig at the Bouquet of Steel Festival at The Leadmill, ninth on a ten-band bill. Cabaret Voltaire’s links with Manchester’s Factory Records are outlined and New Order’s first recordings after Ian Curtis’s suicide are detailed, taking place at Western Works in the summer of 1980. The story of Cabaret Voltaire’s first NME cover story is told as is the story of Vice Versa’s final appearance at the Futurama Festival in Leeds alongside Clock DVA. Martyn Ware, ousted from his own band, forms Heaven 17 with old pal Glenn Gregory and preparations for the Sheffield synth wars begin.
Abstract
The independent political and creative spirit of Sheffield is explored as the new decade dawns. The exotic influence of New York’s ZE Records on the young artists of Sheffield is examined as Vice Versa travel to Holland in grey raincoats and return in Day-Glo cycling wear as ABC – the Radical Dance Faction. The rise of The Human League stalls as the major label pressure for a hit causes unrest in the perpetual darkness of their derelict studio. The management coup that splits the band is analysed. Pulp play their first high-profile gig at the Bouquet of Steel Festival at The Leadmill, ninth on a ten-band bill. Cabaret Voltaire’s links with Manchester’s Factory Records are outlined and New Order’s first recordings after Ian Curtis’s suicide are detailed, taking place at Western Works in the summer of 1980. The story of Cabaret Voltaire’s first NME cover story is told as is the story of Vice Versa’s final appearance at the Futurama Festival in Leeds alongside Clock DVA. Martyn Ware, ousted from his own band, forms Heaven 17 with old pal Glenn Gregory and preparations for the Sheffield synth wars begin.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Epigraph v
- Dedication vi
- Contents vii
- Preface ix
- 1 Death of a futurist 1
- 2 Ballifield year zero 13
- 3 The analogue trace 28
- 4 Untrained/undaunted 40
- 5 The décor of tomorrow’s hell 53
- 6 War chants 60
- 7 This is tomorrow 72
- 8 Knock three times and ask for Big Jake 86
- 9 Musical Vomit 110
- 10 Adolphus rising 122
- 11 New ruins 141
- 12 No illegal connections 154
- 13 Fast products 164
- 14 Notes from a condemned terrace 189
- 15 Dreams of leaving 213
- 16 The wall in the head 232
- 17 Buried dreams 251
- Acknowledgements 268
- List of illustrations 270
- Notes 272
- Index 283
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Epigraph v
- Dedication vi
- Contents vii
- Preface ix
- 1 Death of a futurist 1
- 2 Ballifield year zero 13
- 3 The analogue trace 28
- 4 Untrained/undaunted 40
- 5 The décor of tomorrow’s hell 53
- 6 War chants 60
- 7 This is tomorrow 72
- 8 Knock three times and ask for Big Jake 86
- 9 Musical Vomit 110
- 10 Adolphus rising 122
- 11 New ruins 141
- 12 No illegal connections 154
- 13 Fast products 164
- 14 Notes from a condemned terrace 189
- 15 Dreams of leaving 213
- 16 The wall in the head 232
- 17 Buried dreams 251
- Acknowledgements 268
- List of illustrations 270
- Notes 272
- Index 283
