March Singles Round Up

The Round up of March's single releases is here. We start with the Human League who are the band of the month who are releasing their second single "Never Let Me Go" from the album 'Credo' which is out on Monday. Earlier this month OMD released their third single "The History of Modern part 1" from the album of the same name and James Blake released the second single "The Wilhelm Scream" from his self titled debut. White Lies are back with "Strangers" and so are Hooverphonic with "Anger Never Dies", both releasing second singles from their albums. Patrick Wolf returns with a new single "The City" which also announces new album this spring. And last but not least, George Michael covers "True Faith" by New Order and fails to impress the music media with his interpretation of the song. Well at least, it's for the good cause.

She Wants Revenge- Valleyheart

The new album by the Los Angeles based group She Wants Revenge will be released on May 24, 2011. Their third album is entitled 'Valleyheart' and it is a follow up to 'This is Forever' which was released in 2007.The new single "Must Be The One" is up for streaming and there is also a video available for the fantastic new song "Take The World" which was directed by by Adam Bravin. Check out She Wants Revenge official for more info and tour dates.

http://www.shewantsrevenge.com

WAW: The Human League- Never Let Me Go

"Never Let Me Go" full length Official Video is here for your viewing pleasure. One week until 'Credo' album release!

Instant Hit: End of Data- Sahrah

The minimal/ post punk outfit End of Data from France released two albums during their Brief existence. Their first LP Sahrah was released in 1984 through Divine record label and their second album followed the year after. This gothadelic tune perfectly represents the sound of the first album.
End of Data never officially released any singles and, sadly their albums never got reissued.

Ladytron- Ace of Hz Video

The official video for the song "Ace of Hz" which announces the 'Best Of Ladytron: 00-10' is out. The band has also relased 'Best Of Remixes' which features mixes by Soulwax, Tiesto, Toxic Avenger, Felix Da Housecat, Hot Chip, Simian Mobile Disco, and more.

http://www.ladytron.com/#news

Icicle Works- The Small Price Of A Bicycle Reissue

The Liverpool group Icicle Works will see their second album 'The Small Price Of A Bicycle' reissued by Cherry Red Records this month. The album was originally released in 1985 and featured the singles "Seven Horses" and "All The Daughters". This reissue in conjunction with Beggars Banquet contains two bonus discs of rare and unreleased material, b-sides and live versions of the songs.

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/cherryred/artists/icicleworks

Shakespears Sister- Dancing Barefoot

Shakespears Sister have announced that their new single will be a cover of none other than the Bananarama classic "Really Saying Something"(a digital-only release).This version will mark the 30th anniversary of the song which is a live version performed on Shakespears Sister's 2010 tour and taken from the band's forthcoming live album. The new Shakespears Sister EP 'Dancing Barefoot' is also up for sale through website's digital store. It is a four track EP and it includes "Dancing Barefoot", a Patti Smith cover and an early alternate version of "A Man In Uniform". The other half of the Shakespears Sister and former member of the band Marcela Detrorit is also working on new material.

http://www.shakespearssister.co.uk/News

Marcella News

The Human League's 'Credo' Preview

The new Human League album 'Credo' is available as a stream via the Human League official Facebook page. This is the first official streaming of the album which will be available until Sunday. The official album release date is set for March 21, 2011 in the UK.

http://www.facebook.com/thehumanleague

Erasure- Total Pop! Tour

Erasure will make their much anticpated return to the live arena in 2011 with a run of 'Total Pop!' summer shows - including a series of very special outdoor shows in woodlands and forests around the UK in June as part of The Forestry Commission's annual concert series - that will see them play in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Russia and Ukraine, plus appearances at Miami's prestigious Ultra Music Festival in March and the Short Circuit Festival in London in May.

The guys are also working on a new album which will be co-produced by Frankmusik. Check out Erasure official for more information.

www.erasureinfo.com

The Rise of The Human League

Philip Oakey

It was a note from a friend left on his door that would change his life forever. This is where Philip Oakey’s story in music began back in 1977 when he joined a band which would transform in the synth pop super group called the Human League. Also known as Phil, he is a singer, composer and producer and his music and his style made him an iconic figure of the early 80’s music scene and fashion trend setter with his unique styles to dress. From avant-garde to commercial synth pop, the sound and vision of Human League has changed throughout the years with Phil remaining the group’s only constant member and group leader since 1978 up to date, when the Humane League are releasing their first album in ten years.

The Future

In the late 70’s Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh were working as computer operators. They met at youth arts project Meatwhistle. Their musical collaboration combined pop music of that time with avant-garde electronic sound. They used to perform private performances under the name The Dead Daughters and after a few more low-key, private performances, Ware and Marsh decided to officially form a band. Joined by their friend Adi Newton, they formed The Future and began to create music in their own rehearsal facility in a disused cutlery workshop in the centre of Sheffield. The association with Adi Newton was short; Newton left The Future and went on to form Clock DVA. Ware at this point decided that he needed a singer rather than another keyboard player. This was the time when Ware’s old school friend Phil Oakey joined the band. With a new line-up, sound and vocalist, Ware decided that the band needed a new name. He suggested a quote derived from the game Starforce: 'Alpha Centauri', a science fiction wargame and in early 1978 The Future became The Human League. They however managed to release one avantgare and experimental album under The Future moniker entitled The Golden Hour of the Future

The Men

The Men was an alias used by The Human League as a result of Virgin pressing the group to record material which used more 'conventional' instruments, rather than just synthesizers. Virgin were afraid that the general public would not accept a synthesizer-only group at that time. Martyn Ware had previously declared that the League would certainly consider recording material using non-electronic instruments, but "not under the name Human League". So, to appease their new label, they recorded "I Don't Depend On You", with session musicians providing bass guitar and drums, and Katie Kissoon and Lisa Strike providing backing vocals.

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Source: Wikipedia (edit)
The Golden Hour of the Human League (Part II)
The Human League- Hysteria (Part III)