Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BLANCMANGE

UK synthesizer duo named after a disgusting and tasteless British pudding. Neil Arthur (b 15 June '58, Darwen, Lancs), Steven Luscombe (b 29 Oct. '54) met at art college '78; both had bands (Luscombe Miru, Arthur and the Viewfinders), got together as L360, drifted apart, regrouped Jan. '79 to record Kraftwerk-infl. 'Sad Day', instrumental issued on LP Some Bizzare '81, compilation of material in new romantic mode (Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, etc). Meanwhile made EP mid-'79 Irene And Mavis with Laurence Stevens on drums, issued a year later; by then exposure on Bizzare tour led to demos with Martyn Ware of Heaven 17, contract with London. Toured with Depeche Mode, Grace Jones, Japan; audacious audio/visuals got attention (e.g. projection screen in front of the group instead of rear), gangling Arthur with roots in punk a slightly reluctant frontman contrasting with diminutive accomplished keyboardist Luscombe. Debut LP Happy Families incl. 'Sad Day' (again), 'God's Kitchen', 'Feel Me' and chart breakthrough 'Living On The Ceiling': Talking Heads-infl. electro-pop piece made no. 7 UK '82; success followed up with heavily orchestrated 'Waves' (no. 10 '83). Second LP Mange Tout '84 recorded with US remix/dance prod. John Luongo; saw Indian infl. apparent in 'Ceiling' emerge more fully (with Pandit Dinesh on tablas, Deepak Khazanchi on sitar and santour); hits on LP incl. cover of Abba's 'The Day Before You Came' (no. 22), 'Blind Vision' (no. 10), 'That's Love That It Is' (no. 33), 'Don't Tell Me' (no. 8). Since earliest gigs with drum machine they had built up a band with backing singers, session guitarist David Rhodes (ex-Random Hold, Peter Gabriel, Joan Armatrading). Third LP Believe You Me '85 continued unique mix of pop sensibility and electronics (only two Indian-infl. tracks this time); single 'What's Your Problem' barely reached top 40. They split '86.