Heaven 17: Penthouse and Pavement - Live In Sheffield 2010

Penthouse and Pavement is the debut album by the English synthpop group Heaven 17, released in 1981.

The first single, "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang", best demonstrates the left-wing outlook of the lyrics, criticising certain aspects of Britain at the beginning of the 1980s which was under the leadership of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The song was famously banned by Radio 1 disc jockey Mike Read (himself a Conservative and follower of Thatcher) for being overtly political. Other themes explored include nuclear war, religious extremism, American influence in the world and the rise of the Yuppie.

Heaven 17 drew on R&B and funk to create pop-friendly, danceable hooks. The album charted at No. 14 and remained in the Top 75 for 76 weeks. The album was played live in its entirety by the band in a series of concerts throughout 2010, one of which (in Sheffield) was filmed and shown on BBC Two on 16 May 2010. A documentary about the making of the album was screened the following night.

This album is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Original Personnel:
Glenn Gregory - Vocals
Ian Craig Marsh - Synthesisers, Saxophone, Percussion
Martyn Ware - Synthesisers, Piano, Percussion and Backing Vocals
... and:

Malcolm Veale - Synthesisers, Saxophone
Josie James - Vocals on Penthouse and Pavement
Steve Travell - Piano on Soul Warfare
The Boys of Buddha - Synthetic Horns
John Wilson - Bass guitar, Guitar and Guitar Synthesisers on Pavement side
Ray Smith - Cover painting

ProductionEngineer and Assistant to the Producers: Peter Walsh
Engineer: Steve Rance
Executive Manipulator: Bob Last