I realise that there might be an overlap with New Wave, Synth Pop and even Krautrock, but we’ll get to those later.
ABC
Classix Nouveux
Depeche Mode
Duran Duran
Flock Of Seagulls
Heaven 17
Human League
Japan
Soft Cell
Spandau Ballet
Toyah
Ultravox
Visage
Predominantly a British phenomenon.
I really can’t do much better than that list for sure. The ones I listen to most are Duran Duran, Japan and Soft Cell. I love Depeche Mode but I don’t remember them being a part of that scene.
The first few hits with Vince Clarke (who left to form Yazoo with Alison Moyet, then the short lived Assembly, finally settling with Erasure) were very rinky-dinky, plinky-plonky, pop. They were pure white at this time, becoming ever greyer and industrial, before ending up pitch black, complete with drug overdoses. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a band start at one end of the spectrum and end up at the other.
shareI thought about Adam and the Ants, but they started off as punk and then became their own thing.
shareGreat bands! Can't add to that list, but New Romantic didn't last long as they mostly went mainstream or got categorized as New Wave or Synth Pop.
I prefer Synth Pop as then you can add a few more later artists like Howard Jones and Nik Kershaw.
That’s right. Boy George was often seen at the Rum Runner as well.
shareI think Culture Club arrived just a little too late to be New Romantics. Definitely a pure pop band with some strong songs. I’ve seen them a few times on some 80s all dayers.
shareYeah I dont think Culture Club was formed yet but Boy George hung out at the Rum Runner during its peak for sure. That was such a small time frame for the New Romantics style. Duran Duran was all about it during their first album and then a major style change for Rio. Evolution 😀
shareYes, it’s a tough one. Take OMD, who were on the fringes of the New Romantic movement, but really qualify as Synth Pop.
share then you can add a few more later artists like Howard Jones and Nik Kershaw.
wait , what ?
So what makes a "new romantic" exactly?
HJ & NK (who I both absolutely love) were definitely not New Romantics, but rode the crest of Synth Pop (Thomas Dolby being another example) that came after.
New Romantic was the crop of bands that emerged around 1980, that were heavily stylised, bouffant haired, makeup wearing, androgynous groups that were influenced by Bowie and Glam Rock.
thompson twins
shareNot sure if they would strictly qualify as New Romantics, but a quality synth pop band for sure.
shareI never heard of this term back in the 1980s.
shareIt only lasted a couple of years and it originated in a club called the Rum Runner. It was high glamor with everyone in crazy make up.
shareHere is Duran Duran playing at the Rum Runner during the New Romantics era. Check out the people in the crowd.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HKz0fHyuNDg
Solo John Foxx, e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvTgLDq5CXA
The Associates, e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww2AYxrPqkk
Icehouse, e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhQRxr_cfYw
B-movie, e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykYY-v22iJQ
Update: Simple Minds were also New Romantic-ish looking and sounding in 1981: Love Song, Sweat in Bullet, Seeing out the Angel, Theme for Great Cities, etc..
I remember this Icehouse tune being played In clubs and on many mixtapes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie7ECyuosq0
I remember Icehouse being played in this "Trigger happy TV" clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Kwf75sZRg
Beautiful
haunting
spooky
I like that one. Where can I hear the entire track?
shareSome great picks: -
I never really got into John Foxx.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the vocals with The Associates.
I forgot about Icehouse - heading up the Australian contingent.
I've never heard of B-Movie, so thanks for this.
Simple Minds, hmmmmm! (love them BTW) - difficult one. I would've put them in with the Alternative crowd (along with the likes of Echo and The Bunnymen), rather than New Romantics, but I totally get where you're coming from.
roxy music
ultravox?
Roxy Music along with Bowie, were two very big influences on the New Romantic movement.
Ultravox were big in UK, Europe and Australia - not so much in Canadia. Here’s their biggest hit: -
https://youtu.be/xJeWySiuq1I
what about this song from the human league
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqqBs6kkzHE
The Outfield - Your Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N1iwQxiHrs
I wondered why I don’t remember Classix Nouveaux at all, then I noticed they only had one UK Top 40 hit. Poland loved them for some reason, four top five hits over there!
share