ABC Announce the Release of 'Lexicon of Love 2'

ABC have a announced the release of possible sequel of their most successful and best selling album 'The Lexicon of Love'. The album was originally released in 1982 and featured the hits "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love". It is announced to be an 80's album with the modern twist to it. The band have also announced the release of the first single "Viva Love" which will have a promotional video to it. The album is set for release on May 2nd through Universal Records.

Mad World- A Brand New Oral History of New Wave Out Now

A little bit of something to get back on our 80's track. A brand new New Wave book is out. It is entitled Mad World and it is a highly entertaining oral history that celebrates the New Wave music phenomenon of the 1980s via new interviews with 35 of the most notable artists of the period. Each chapter begins with a discussion of their most popular song but leads to stories of their history and place in the scene, ultimately painting a vivid picture of this colorful, idiosyncratic time. Mixtape suggestions, fashion sidebars, and quotes from famous contemporary admirers help fill out the fun. Participants include members of Duran Duran, New Order, The Smiths, Tears for Fears, Adam Ant, Echo and the Bunnymen, Devo, ABC, Spandau Ballet, A Flock of Seagulls, Thompson Twins, and INXS. Authors are Lori Majewski and Jonathan Bernstein with an foreword by Nick Rhodes and afterword by Moby.

 madworldbook.com

Best of 1982 - The Album List

The rise of synthesizers continued to shape the landscape of pop music, gaining dominance and emerging as a potential formula for future success. The Human League maintained their chart-topping presence and received the BRIT Award for Best Breakthrough Act, solidifying their status as pioneers of the synth-pop movement. Inspired by their success, other bands such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Soft Cell adopted synthesizers as primary instruments, contributing to the launch of the Second British Invasion in the United States.

This musical invasion introduced new styles, rhythms, and stars to American audiences, with acts like Duran Duran, The Human League, Eurythmics, Billy Idol, and more making a significant impact. However, the era also saw the dissolution of some iconic bands from the late '70s and early '80s, including Blondie, Adam and The Ants, ABBA, and Japan, marking the end of their influential musical journeys.

Retrovision: ABC- Poison Arrow

ABC released one of their biggest hits "Poison Arrow" thirty years ago. The song reached #6 in the UK charts and it was also included on their debut album The Lexicon of Love which was issued during the same year. The video features the lead singer Martin Fry in three roles, as a haughty upper-class opera patron, as a messenger boy at the opera, and as a bandleader at a 1960s-style swinging nightspot, in all three roles, unsuccessfully attempting to woo the leading lady, played by Lisa Vanderpump.

  

The Rewind Festival- 80's Supernova

Rewind – The 80s Music Festival is to launch a new weekend event at Scone Palace in Perthshire, Scotland from 29th-31st July 2011. The festival will boast the biggest live outdoor line-up of 80s recording artists and performers ever! Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday January 21st. For further ticket outlet info and prices visit: www.rewindfestival.com.The all-star 80s line-up will perform at the historic setting of Scone Palace in Perthshire; the home of The Earls of Mansfield and the crowning palace of the Kings of Scotland. 

More info:
http://www.noblepr.co.uk
Ticket Info

Vice Versa

Vice Versa was a synthpop group from Sheffield, England. The band was formed in 1978 by Stephen Singleton and Mark White. Their record label ‘Neutron Records’ played an important role in Sheffield’s late 70’s music scene. The group later transformed their sound into pop after Martin Fry joined the band and became a lead singer.

Vice Versa were formed in 1978 in Sheffield. They founded their own record label ‘Neutron Records’ and succeeded in gaining public attention with their blend of electronic which was inspired by Cabaret Voltaire and The Human League. In September 1979, they released their first record on ‘Neutron Records’, an EP called ‘Vice Versa Music 4’, including the 4 songs "Riot Squad", "Camille", "New Girls/Neutrons" and "Science - Fact". Their record label made sharp and intelligent statement with their music announcing the new decade in music. Vice Versa also won a NME’s famous song of the week. In 1980 the label released ‘The First 15 Minutes’ EP which featured unsigned, local bands of Sheffield including Vice Versa and Clock DVA. The group also supported the Human League during their first Sheffield gig.

Martin Fry who was running the fanzine ‘Modern Drugs’ interviewed the group and joined the group after David Sydenham left. Vice Versa made two more releases before they changed their sound. They released a cassette only '8 Aspects of' followed by their only single release “Stilyagi/Eyes of Christ”
During their Holland tour Martin started improvising on vocals and soon became a new lead singer after, while Mark White took over the song writing. The new concept was born. Vice Versa went pop. The rest of the history is ABC.

The Regeneration Tour

The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, A Flock of Seagulls and Naked Eyes will tour this summer as part of the inaugural '80s-themed Regeneration Tour, scheduled to begin August 1 at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix and to last the whole August.Tickets have already gone on sale in Atlanta, Los Angeles and San Diego, with the remaining on-sale dates to roll out in the next four weeks.

http://www.regenerationtour.com

Tour Dates

ABC- Traffic

ABC have released the new album 'Traffic' on 28th of April this year. The album is released on the label Borough Music and it is available on their official website. The first single "The Very First Time" has been released as a download in March and can be downloaded from 7Digital.