Visage

Visage were one of the key acts of the new romantic movement. A genuine “supergroup” that managed to carve out an important role in the development of synth-pop and new wave music in the 1980s.

Founded in 1978, the band grew out of the initiative of the charismatic Steve Strange (born Steven John Harrington) and DJ Rusty Egan, already the driving forces behind London's coolest nights at the Blitz Club, a haunt for key figures of the era's musical and cultural scene. The club was the hub of the new romantic scene, a place for stylistic and musical experimentation. The original line-up emerged from a sort of twinning between Magazine and Ultravox, bringing together the cream of the era's synth-pop talent: Billy Currie and Midge Ure (violin/keyboards and future voice/guitar of Ultravox, respectively), plus the superb guitarist John McGeoch (Siouxsie & The Banshees, Magazine) and keyboardist Dave Formula (Magazine).

According to Strange's own definition, the name “Visage” was meant to signal the group's “visual” attitude (“Vis”) and the new era (“Age”) of dance music. The delicious fruit of all this grace was, above all, an atmospheric dance ballad in pure new romantic style, with the irresistible title “Fade To Grey”. Essentially a bomb of a track, one that would send the charts into collapse, hitting No. 1 in 21 countries.

“Fade To Grey”, a genuine generational anthem, is the driving single from the self-titled debut album “Visage”, a pioneering work that fused elements of synth-pop, electronics and new wave. Other standout tracks on the album include “Mind Of A Toy” and “Tar”, which helped define the band's musical identity: atmospheric synthesizers, mechanical rhythms and Strange's theatrical voice.

In 1982, Visage released “The Anvil”, a more mature and complex album that places greater emphasis on orchestral sonorities and an even more polished production. Tracks like “The Damned Don’t Cry” and “Night Train” cemented Strange and co.'s reputation as innovators on the synth-pop scene. “The Anvil” takes its name from a New York club known for its underground atmosphere, highlighting the influence that nightlife culture and the clubbing world had on Visage.

Despite their initial success, internal tensions and the other projects of key members, such as Ure's work with Ultravox, began to undermine the band's stability. After Ure's departure, Visage had to rethink both their line-up and their sound.

In 1984, the album “Beat Boy” was released, marking a shift in direction toward rock and away from the pure electronics that had defined their early work. The album, however, failed to match the success of its predecessors, and Visage disbanded shortly after its release. Tracks like “Love Glove” and the title track “Beat Boy” nonetheless show a commendable attempt at renewal, though not enough to keep the public's interest alive.

After a long period of silence, Steve Strange attempted to revive Visage in the early 2000s, with the 2013 album “Hearts And Knives”. A work that marks a return to their origins, with an electronic, nostalgic sound, albeit updated to the musical tastes of the time. Tracks like “Shameless Fashion” and “Dreamer I Know” at least manage to capture the attention of longtime fans while introducing the band to a new generation.

Visage nonetheless left a significant mark on the history of pop and electronic music, becoming a key reference point for later artists in the synth-pop and new wave scene. Steve Strange's figure has remained a symbol of the new romantic movement, remembered for his bold aesthetic and stage charisma. Strange died on February 12, 2015 at the age of 55, struck by a heart attack while staying in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. His passing left a void among fans, marking the end of an era defined by his status as a brilliant outsider capable of redefining the style and sound of an entire generation.