SCOTLAND’S WARE IT’S AT
Heaven 17 star Martyn is heading north for Rewind festival.. and he might make the move permanent to escape Tories
SYNTHPOP pioneer Martyn Ware is thinking of moving to Scotland if the Tories win the general election on Thursday.
Born in Sheffield as the son of a miner, the founder of The Human League and Heaven 17 is a big supporter of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour.
But he backs many of the SNP’s causes and likes Nicola Sturgeon because he thinks she has a “moral code” like Corbyn.
Martyn, 61, said: “My wife is from Northern Ireland and we are both solid socialists.
“We have discussed moving up to Scotland if the Tories get in again but I think the weather would be an issue.
“I’m a passionate Corbyn supporter but I’m also an SNP supporter as well. Both want social change.
His connections north of the border stretch back decades. Scotland’s first indie label Fast Product – run by Bob Last in Edinburgh – released the Human League’s song Being Boiled in 1978.
Bob went on to manage The Human League and Heaven 17.
Martyn has always had political motivation. Heaven 17’s debut single in 1981 was (We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thing with lyrics about the US presidential race: “Democrats are out of power, Across that great wide ocean, Reagan’s president elect, Fascist god in motion”.
Change Reagan to Trump and it still rings true. And Heaven 17’s 1981 debut album Penthouse and Pavement predicted the wealth-hungry 80s. So it’s no surprise to find Martyn out canvassing around his home in London’s Camden. He said: “Last year I did consider submitting myself to be an MP. “It’s a lot of work and I’d have to give up my music career. Maybe 10 years ago I’d have done it. “I’m not crazy about politicians unless they have morals and Corbyn and Sturgeon do. I’m not keen on Scottish Labour. They are still too Blairite but I do feel
Corbyn’s Labour and the SNP are fighting for the same cause.
“Personally, if it came to a hung parliament and the SNP held the balance of power, I think Corbyn would consider an alliance.”
Martyn is bringing together an eclectic musical alliance for Rewind Scotland at Scone Palace, near Perth, next month.
His production company arm The British Electric Foundation will welcome Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, Joy Division’s Peter Hook, soul singer Jaki Graham, Scots one-hit wonder Owen Paul, Propaganda singer Claudia Brucken and Martyn’s Heaven 17 pal Glenn Gregory.
Each will play their biggest hit and a cover for the BEF takeover at the festival on Sunday, July 23. Martyn’s Heaven 17 group will be the house band for the singers.
He said: “I don’t think there are many outfits who could get a line-up like this. I’ve known Glen since 1979.
“We are going to do Pretty Vacant and for his cover, we are going to do Happy because Glen loves soul music. I think good music transcends genre.”
Martyn started off in synth band The Future in 1977. They roped in school pal Philip Oakey to front the band and changed the name to The Human League.
After Fast Product released two of their songs, they were championed by NME and David Bowie who said he’d “seen the future of pop music”.
They later signed to Virgin but clashes over the direction of the band saw Martyn quit in 1980.
The Human League had huge success with Dare while their ex-members teamed up with Glenn Gregory to form Heaven 17 reaching No2 with Temptation.
Martyn was also a sought-after producer, revitalising Tina Turner’s career with 1983’s Let’s Stay Together and working on Terence Trent D’Arby’s No1 album, Introducing the Hardline According to...
The BEF takeover at Rewind will feature a tribute to George Michael, with the performers joining to sing Freedom 90.
Martyn said: “I can guarantee it’s going to be an amazing hour.
“Stay sober for it. I know that’s impossible. We’re more likely to have a Labour majority in Scotland.”