In 1977 the band Vice Versa was formed. The members were Stephen Singleton (Synths), Mark White (Synthgs/Vocals), Ian Garth (Guitar/Synths) and David Sydenham (Synths). The were also titled the Big Four just like other late 70's electronic bands from Sheffield were named like Cabaret Voltaire, Clock DVA and The Human League. Their first appearance was as a support act for Wire at the Doncaster Outlook Club. Their first live gig in Sheffield was together with The Human League.
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| Vice Versa EP "Music 4" |
In 1978 White and Singleton founded their own Neutron Records label. They released an EP titled "Music 4" in 1979. In 1980, the band released a six-sided fold-out EP named 1980: The First Fifteen Minutes that included 1 track by Vicce Versa and other tracks by Sheffield bands: Clock DVA, The Stunt Kites and I'm So Hollow. The NME magazine titled this EP as the "Single Of The Week" in 1980. Sydenham left the band and was replaced by Martin Fry who wrote for the Fanzine "Modern Drugs". A Cassette was released titled "8 Aspects Of" followed by their only single "Stilyagi" /"Eyes of Christ" taken from that cassette but remixed at the Backstreet/Backlash Studio in Rotterdam (Netherlands). It appeared to be the last release of Vice Versa. They then toured throughout the Netherlands and started jamming in a studio in Rotterdam. They were surprised that Martin could sing very well and decided to make him the lead singer and changed the name of the band to ABC. The band's last day as Vice Versa was at the Futurama 2 Festival in Leeds in September 1980.
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| Vice Versa band picture |
ABC
In 1981 Fry, Singleton and White were joined by Mark Lickley on bass guitar and David Robinson on drums. Singleton started to play saxophone and Mark White on guitar and synths. Their first single "Tears Are Not Enough" charted at #20 in the UK. Robinson left after their first single and was replaced by David Palmer. In June 1982 their first album was released titled "The Lexicon Of Love" reaching #1 in the UK (Netherlands #16/US #24). More singles followed in 1982 including "Poison Arrow" (UK #6/NL #18/US #25), "The Look of Love" (UK #4/NL #11/US #18) and "All of My Heart" (UK #5/NL #20). After the "Lexicon Of Love" Tour David Palmer left to drum with the Yellow Magic Orchestra. Mark Lickley left already halfway 1982. The album consisted of recurrent themes, including heartache and the struggle to make meaningful connections. The album was produced by Trevor Horn and engineered by Gary Langan. Orchestrations were composed by Anne Dudley and programming of the Fairlight CMI by J. J. Jeczalik. A year later Horn, Langan, Dudley and Jeczalik formed the Art of Noise and started the ZTT label. In 1983 the band that remained included 3 members: Martin Fry, Mark White and Stephen Singleton and started to work on their next album "Beauty Stab".
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| LP back cover design |
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| ABC band picture |
DISCOGRAPHY
VICE VERSA
EP: Music 4
New Girls Neutrons / Science Fact / Riot Squad / Camille
EP: 1980 The First Fifteen Minutes
ClockDVA – Brigade / The Stunt Kites – Beautiful People / Vice Versa – Genetic Warfare / I'm So Hollow – I Don't Know
CASSETTE: 8 Aspects Of
Democratic Dancebeat / Stilyagi / Eyes Of Christ / Jazz Drugs / Body Sculpture / Trapped in Celluloid / Artist at War / Idol
SINGLE: Stilyagi / Eyes Of Christ
The Look Of Love single back
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| ABC: All Of My Heart single cover |
ABC
SINGLE: Tears Are Not Enough / Alphabet Soup
SINGLE: Poison Arrow / Theme From Mantrap
SINGLE: The Look Of Love (part 1) / The Look Of Love (part 2)
SINGLE: All Of My Heart / Overture
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| Original album cover |
Show Me / Poison Arrow / Many Happy Returns / Tears Are Not Enough / Valentine's Day / The Look of Love" (part 1) / Date Stamp / All of My Heart / 4 Ever 2 Gether / The Look of Love" (part 4)
All Of My Heart
Vice Versa: Stilyagi
Vice Versa: Music 4 EP (complete)