Original members of Sheffield’s Human League, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh left after the first two albums and formed Heaven 17 in 1980. Named after a fictional band in Anthony Burgess’s “A Clockwork Orange”, they recruited Glenn Gregory on vocals (who had been the original choice for lead singer of the Human League).
Signed to Virgin Records, debut single “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” attracted a lot of attention in March 1981, and a BBC Radio 1 ban. Recorded in Sheffield and London, debut album
“Penthouse And Pavement” was released in September 1981 and was certified Gold the following year, and also contained the singles “Play To Win”, “Penthouse And Pavement”, and “The Height Of The Fighting”.
This new edition has been expertly mastered by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering from the original stereo tapes using precision half-speed mastering. Half-speed mastering is a vinyl cutting technique that improves groove accuracy and transient information creating an incredibly detailed stereo image with a natural high frequency response.
Presented in its original sleeve, pressed on 180-gram heavyweight black vinyl, featuring an obi strip and housed in a poly-lined inner sleeve, with all the lyrics and credits plus photos on the 4-page insert.
“Heaven 17 – Penthouse and Pavement” is out Friday, 26th July 2024 on Demon Records and available for pre-order now.
Tracklisting
(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang
Penthouse And Pavement
Play To Win
Soul Warfare
Geisha Boys And Temple Girls
Let’s All Make A Bomb
The Height Of The Fighting
Song With No Name
We’re Going To Live For A Very Long Time