Saw this one on sequencer.de. Title link takes you to an interesting biography of the Human League. I didn't realize Adi Newton was part of the original lineup and left to for Clock DVA (note in the bio they refer to Clock DVA as Clock DNA. I'm guessing this is just a typo). "Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh were two computer operators in Sheffield who both shared an intense passion for German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk. Armed with a few months' savings, Ware was able to buy a modest monophonic synth (a Korg 770S) that had just become available on the commercial market at an affordable price. Despite having never played a single note, Marsh and Craig set themselves the task of understanding the art of sound synthesis and it wasn't long before their combined enthusiasm began to exceed the limits of the cheap synth."
"The very first Human League demo contained Being Boiled, Circus of Death & Toyota City all recorded in mono and it soon caught the attention of Bob Last who ran a small record label in Scotland called Fast Records.
Being Boiled was released in June 1978 after the League and Bob Last had agreed a deal over the phone. Although the single had a limited amount of copies pressed, the song succeeded in attracting the admiration of NME whilst guest reviewer Johnny Rotten described the group as 'trendy hippies'! Being Boiled was completely at odds with the prevailing punk movement of the time. The track was a stark slab of electro that would influence many artists in years to come, memorable also for its lyrics that linked the slaughter of silk worms with Buddhism."
"Disappointed by the lack of sales, Virgin reacted swiftly by cancelling the League's proposed UK tour in November asking the band to support the Talking Heads instead. Reluctantly, the group agreed releasing a press statement that revealed their plans for the upcoming performance. With tongue firmly in cheek, the League suggested that they wouldn't actually be on stage for the performances and that their place would be taken by backing tapes and a slide show hinting that they would occasionally view the show as members of the audience. David Byrne and co failed to see the funny side and the League were dropped from the support slot."
Update via the comments:
"Here's a really good site dedicated to the pre-Dare Human League"
Is David Byrne known for a lack of sense of humor? I don't know his personality, just his music.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen him perform live, I would have thought he had a sense of humor, but who knows. On the flip site, if The Human League were serious and not joking themselves, then all the power to David Byrne for booting them.
ReplyDeleteHere's a really good site dedicated to the pre-Dare Human League
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blindyouth.co.uk/