Blitzed Issue 10 (On sale 7th of September 2023)

Blitzed Issue 10

The new issue of Blitzed brings you more interviews, features, reviews and news covering the worlds of music, art and culture.

OMD have a brand-new studio album on the way and Blitzed speaks to both Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys on the challenges, themes and inspirations behind ‘Bauhaus Staircase’, which may also mark OMD’s final album release.

We speak to Midge Ure about his extensive musical legacy, including Ultravox, Live Aid and his forthcoming Royal Albert Hall performance (which also coincides with Midge’s 70^th birthday celebrations). On a similar theme, Billy Currie discusses his Ultravox years covering the recording of ‘Quartet’, working with Gary Numan and Billy’s own solo outings.

We speak to Marcella Detroit whose amazing music career has seen her working with the likes of Bob Seger and Eric Clapton in her early years, through to pop chart success with Shakespears Sister. Rusty Egan chats about the Blitz Club and also his passionate musical plans for the future. We also catch up with Dollar’s Thereza Bazar ahead of a new tour.

Also, with the sad news of the passing of Sinéad O’Connor, Neil Scott revisits a memorable early performance by the cherished singer/songwriter.

Plenty of albums are celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year. The new issue of Blitzed looks back at Depeche Mode’s classic 1983 album ‘Construction Time Again’, the seasoned pop of China Crisis’ ‘Working with Fire and Steel’, Madonna’s iconic debut album, XTC’s impressive ‘Mummer’, Paul Young’s chart-topping ‘No Parlez’, Yazoo’s synth-pop second album ‘You and Me Both’ and The Chameleons’ ‘Script of the Bridge’.

In Blitzed reviews, we look at new releases from OMD and Nation of Language. There’s also features on reissues and compilations from David Sylvian, Siouxsie, The Human League, Toyah, Billy Idol, Fun Boy Three, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Mel & Kim and more. Meanwhile, we cast an eye on Daniel Rachel’s ‘Too Much Too Young: The Two Tone Records Story’ in book reviews.

There’s a special feature on the role of classic pop songs at the movies, plus a look at Hazel O’Connor’s gritty 1980 music film ‘Breaking Glass’. Lucy Robinson explores the history of political music with Red Wedge. There’s a look back at classic synth the Yamaha DX7 and also interviews with Peter Steer (Tin Gun) and Birmingham Electric.

In Blitzed live reviews, we report back from Let’s Rock Leeds featuring Blancmange, Midge Ure, OMD and Soft Cell. Plus, Paul Heaton’s performance at Tramlines.

All this plus the regular Blitzed features and columns, including Electronic Café, AnalogueTrash, Mik Scarlet and Kevin O’Dowd.

Paul Browne (Editor)