GLENN Gregory is promising fans something very special when Heaven 17 celebrate the 35th anniversary of their album Penthouse and Pavement in Manchester next week.

Singer Glenn and musical partner Martyn Ware will be playing the album - one of the iconic albums of the Eighties - in its entirety.

“We played Penthouse and Pavement to celebrate its 30th anniversary,” said Glenn, “and then we did it pretty much as identically as we could to the album, possibly to the detriment of the performance. But we were sticklers for how it sounded.

“This time it’s the full fat, boosted version with added vitamins. It’s the same songs so tell people not to be afraid but all the songs have been looked at. We have always done that and tried to take things forward with our music.

Formed when Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh left the Human League, Heaven 17 were at the forefront of the Eighties’ synth sound. Songs such as Fascist Groove Thang and later singles such as Temptation and Come Live With Me made them chart regulars.

But although Penthouse and Pavement may be 35 years old, Glenn believes it’s still as relevant today.

“At time we wrote the album the League had just split so you had got Martyn and Ian and Phil (Oakey) and Adrian (Wright). They had one studio between them as it was their only asset and no-one wanted to give it up so we worked nights and they worked days.

“How northern can you get, writing an album on shift work?

“But it was really volatile in studio, a cauldron of ideas. Each side was rushing to get their album out first and both parties wanted to prove they had the best songs.

“I don’t think there was a spare note in anything we wrote for the album and it was so fresh and vibrant. It doesn’t feel like 35 years ago and I genuinely feeling that the songs are very relevant”

Penthouse and Pavement is often cited as being an example of the yuppy Eighties, but the songs were often darker than people realised.

“It’s quite serious and quite a dark album,” said Glenn.

For Wednesday’s show the second half will feature a rare treat - a live performance by the British Electric Foundation.

BEF was a side project of Glenn and Martyn’s which produced four albums in which they worked with a variety of artists on unusual cover versions. For the live shows, Mari Wilson, Glen Matlock and Peter Hooten of the Farm will be appearing.

“We have never toured BEF before,” said Glenn, “It’s a first and it’s going to be a great contrast to Penthouse and Pavement.

“The show is going to have to have two very different looks. The band will be the same but want it to feel that you have gone somewhere else for the second half.

“I think that Martyn and I have grown pretty comfortable in our own skins these days - we’re a bit like Morecambe and Wise,” he laughed.

Heaven 17 and British Electric Foundation, Manchester Ritz, Wednesday, October 26. Details from 0161 714 4140