Blue Plate Special: Visage
Visage was a pioneering British synth-pop band formed in London in 1978. The original lineup featured Steve Strange on vocals, drummer Rusty Egan, guitarist and synthesist Midge Ure, keyboardists Billy Currie and Dave Formula, guitarist John McGeoch, and bassist Barry Adamson. They were instrumental in the New Romantic movement, blending synthesizer-driven melodies with a distinctive visual style. Their 1980 single “Fade to Grey” became an international hit, reaching number one in Germany and Switzerland, and solidifying their place in the synth-pop genre.
The band’s self-titled debut album, released in 1980, received critical acclaim for its innovative sound, combining electronic music with glam rock influences. Their follow-up album, “The Anvil” (1982), continued this trend, producing hits like “The Damned Don’t Cry” and “Night Train.” However, internal tensions and members’ commitments to other projects led to lineup changes, with Ure departing to focus on Ultravox. These shifts contributed to the band’s eventual dissolution in 1985 after the less successful release of their third album, “Beat Boy.”
In 2013, Steve Strange revived Visage with a new lineup, including bassist Steve Barnacle, guitarist Robin Simon, and vocalist Lauren Duvall. This incarnation released “Hearts and Knives,” the band’s first album in 29 years, which was well-received by fans and critics alike. Tragically, Steve Strange passed away in 2015, marking the end of Visage’s influential journey in the music world.
Some of my favorites from their catalog:
The Damned Don’t Cry – from the album The Anvil (1982)
Fade to Grey – from the album Visage (1980)
Before You Win – from the album Demons to Diamonds (2015)
Tar – from the album Visage (1980)
Never Enough (live) – from the album Live 2013 (2024)
Wild Life – from the album The Anvil (1982)
Shameless Fashion – from the album Hearts & Knives (2013)
Yesterday’s Shadow – from the album Beat Boy (1984)
