The New Romantics emerged in the UK, in the early 80s. It was said to have been a movement against the punk scene, however it could also be seen as a carry on from punk. The New Romantics was about glamour, sexuality, ostentatious clothes, being different and standing out in the crowd.
New Romantics developed largely through a nightclub called Billy’s, which held David Bowie and Roxy music nights. But when Punk Rock had lost its original popularity, organizers Ste Strange and Rusty Egan relocated to a club called The Blitz. Before becoming famous with Culture Club, Boy George worked as a cloakroom attendant at The Blitz, until he was fired for allegedly stealing money from people’s coats and purses. Another person who worked as a cloakroom attendant was cross dresser singer, Marilyn, who later became known for his song “Calling Your Name” in 1983.
http://www.hollywoodcelebgossips.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/british-singer-marilyn-peter-robinson-picture.jpg
Rusty Egan was the clubs DJ, and Ste Strange worked on the door. Many people were turned away from the club by Ste Strange, including Mick Jagger, who was denied into the club as he “lacked appropriate attire”. This is how Ste Strange became well known, as well as being in a very famous band called Visage.
Everyone dressed as uniquely as possible to attract attention. Both sexes wore a lot of makeup, and often dressed in clothes of the opposite sex. A lot of the costumes people wore were handmade and were decorated to a high degree with bright colours. A common hairstyle was the quiff, however many people tried to be as unique as they could, and styled their hair as big and bold as possible.
http://echostains.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/80-s-adam-ant-new-romantic-retro-fashion-1335561-264-400.jpg
http://spd.fotologs.net/photo/13/17/48/key__george/1209426748_f.jpg
The music of New Romantics took large influence from David Bowie, with his song “Ashes to Ashes” considered to be the anthem of New Romantics. Ste Strange actually appeared in the Ashes to Ashes video alongside other members of the London Blitz scene. This video was the most expensive video at the time costing £25,000. It has a lot of copyright prtection therfore this is just a link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLBlFq4oE2I&feature=related
Bands like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Visage took heavy influence from David Bowie, from both his music and appearance. Most of the songs were mainly synth driven, with a strong often slapped bass line. The lyrical content was about having fun and blocking the bad things out in the world, “We'll try to stay blind, to the hope and fear outside, Hey child, stay wilder than the wind”-(Duran Duran-Come Undone). The structure of the songs were quite simple but had catchy hooks and melodies. New Romantic scene music was often laid back, with a steady beat to dance to.
Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Culture Club were undoubtedly the biggest bands of the New Romantic scene. Duran Duran didn’t release their first single until 1981 but had been together since 1978. So by this time they had already fully developed their sound and style. They reached their fame with their third single “Girls on Film”, whose video became banned by the BBC. This opened people’s eyes to possibilities in videos, which helped Duran Duran receive worldwide success.
Spandau Ballet emerged from the Blitz, and recorded their first album “To Cut a Long Story Short” in 1980, with many more hits immediately following. However the same success did not come to Culture Club so quickly. They were turned down by EMI and were eventually signed by Virgin. It wasn’t until their third single “Do you Really Want to Hurt Me” that they became large, thanks to Boy Georges voice and startling appearance. They caused much confusion as to whether he was a man or woman.
The type of music that was being produced in the New Romantic scene didn’t have much of a political view, however everybody wanted to be different, and wanted to be allowed to be different. The music was a way of pushing all of their troubles aside and be allowed to be what they want. This is why everybody dressed as differently as they did. On the other hand most people wanted to attract attention, and have a good time.
The actual musical aspect of the New Romantic scene took great influence from soul, punk and even funk. Here is an example of a greatly funk influenced Duran Duran song.
The New Romantic scene had great influence on bands of today such as Franz Ferdinand, with the music and even some aspect of the style. The New Romantic scene was a very good time for music, and some great bands and songs came out of it.
New Romantics developed largely through a nightclub called Billy’s, which held David Bowie and Roxy music nights. But when Punk Rock had lost its original popularity, organizers Ste Strange and Rusty Egan relocated to a club called The Blitz. Before becoming famous with Culture Club, Boy George worked as a cloakroom attendant at The Blitz, until he was fired for allegedly stealing money from people’s coats and purses. Another person who worked as a cloakroom attendant was cross dresser singer, Marilyn, who later became known for his song “Calling Your Name” in 1983.
http://www.hollywoodcelebgossips.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/british-singer-marilyn-peter-robinson-picture.jpg
Rusty Egan was the clubs DJ, and Ste Strange worked on the door. Many people were turned away from the club by Ste Strange, including Mick Jagger, who was denied into the club as he “lacked appropriate attire”. This is how Ste Strange became well known, as well as being in a very famous band called Visage.
Everyone dressed as uniquely as possible to attract attention. Both sexes wore a lot of makeup, and often dressed in clothes of the opposite sex. A lot of the costumes people wore were handmade and were decorated to a high degree with bright colours. A common hairstyle was the quiff, however many people tried to be as unique as they could, and styled their hair as big and bold as possible.
http://echostains.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/80-s-adam-ant-new-romantic-retro-fashion-1335561-264-400.jpg
http://spd.fotologs.net/photo/13/17/48/key__george/1209426748_f.jpg
The music of New Romantics took large influence from David Bowie, with his song “Ashes to Ashes” considered to be the anthem of New Romantics. Ste Strange actually appeared in the Ashes to Ashes video alongside other members of the London Blitz scene. This video was the most expensive video at the time costing £25,000. It has a lot of copyright prtection therfore this is just a link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLBlFq4oE2I&feature=related
Bands like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Visage took heavy influence from David Bowie, from both his music and appearance. Most of the songs were mainly synth driven, with a strong often slapped bass line. The lyrical content was about having fun and blocking the bad things out in the world, “We'll try to stay blind, to the hope and fear outside, Hey child, stay wilder than the wind”-(Duran Duran-Come Undone). The structure of the songs were quite simple but had catchy hooks and melodies. New Romantic scene music was often laid back, with a steady beat to dance to.
Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Culture Club were undoubtedly the biggest bands of the New Romantic scene. Duran Duran didn’t release their first single until 1981 but had been together since 1978. So by this time they had already fully developed their sound and style. They reached their fame with their third single “Girls on Film”, whose video became banned by the BBC. This opened people’s eyes to possibilities in videos, which helped Duran Duran receive worldwide success.
Spandau Ballet emerged from the Blitz, and recorded their first album “To Cut a Long Story Short” in 1980, with many more hits immediately following. However the same success did not come to Culture Club so quickly. They were turned down by EMI and were eventually signed by Virgin. It wasn’t until their third single “Do you Really Want to Hurt Me” that they became large, thanks to Boy Georges voice and startling appearance. They caused much confusion as to whether he was a man or woman.
The type of music that was being produced in the New Romantic scene didn’t have much of a political view, however everybody wanted to be different, and wanted to be allowed to be different. The music was a way of pushing all of their troubles aside and be allowed to be what they want. This is why everybody dressed as differently as they did. On the other hand most people wanted to attract attention, and have a good time.
The actual musical aspect of the New Romantic scene took great influence from soul, punk and even funk. Here is an example of a greatly funk influenced Duran Duran song.
The New Romantic scene had great influence on bands of today such as Franz Ferdinand, with the music and even some aspect of the style. The New Romantic scene was a very good time for music, and some great bands and songs came out of it.
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