[Music] Greatest UK Band Cup 2025 - Group A

[crodonilson]

The Police

 

[Pavilionaire]

I'm in the minority here but I've gone Human League. As a 13 year old kid that 'Dare' album was quintessential New Romantic pop, Christmas 1981 - my first girlfriend, pixie boots, fashion - just a big part of my early teen years, and the album still holds up today.

 

[crodonilson]

However, I've really got into Pulp again recently after seeing them last year and loving their new album. Common People is probably my favourite song of all time too.

Got To Have Love off the new album is up there with their nineties stuff for me.

Still, The Police.

 

[Austrian Gull]

Never a fan of Human League - thought Heaven 17 were better. There was always something self-satisfied about Oakey and I'm not sure the two girls were particularly capable singers.

Depeche Mode for me but I respect the merits of the other two contenders.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

This is a tough one. If you'd asked me a year ago I probably would have gone for Depeche Mode right away. However, I've really got into Pulp again recently after seeing them last year and loving their new album. Common People is probably my favourite song of all time too.

It is a fine bit of work, but not a patch on THIS, IMO...

 

[hans kraay fan club]

And THIS. Far less well known, but a flippin MASTERPIECE, from the Trainspotting soundtrack album



All the kids come out tonight
they kick a ball and have a fight
maybe shoot somebody if they lose at pool

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

I'm in the minority here but I've gone Human League. As a 13 year old kid that 'Dare' album was quintessential New Romantic pop, Christmas 1981 - my first girlfriend, pixie boots, fashion - just a big part of my early teen years, and the album still holds up today.

I bought my first girlfriend that album for Christmas 81 (her mum got a box of Weekend)

We might even play a few tracks when some of our mates (and her mother who’s still going strong) pop round for a few drinks next month to celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

What group will the The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who will be added in?!

Never mind, I've just seen the bottom of the original thread.

 

[HyperTony]

Blur just ahead of Pulp for me, Modern Life is Rubbish is one of my favourite albums. His and Hers and the PulpIntro compilation album that came out in the early nineties were amazing but MLiR is superb (and allows me to forgive some of the Chas & Dave elements of Parklife)

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Never a fan of Human League - thought Heaven 17 were better. There was always something self-satisfied about Oakey and I'm not sure the two girls were particularly capable singers.

Depeche Mode for me but I respect the merits of the other two contenders.

I saw Human League mark I at the Nashville in the late 70s, with Eno sitting at a table on his own by the door, and a cameo appearance in the audience by David Bowie. Who stood next to me. We exchanged a few words.
Human League mark I were quite brilliant.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I was never a great fan of synthpop although I thought Tears for Fears were probably the best, combining 'real' instruments with it. I'll probably vote for them in a later round. Sorry, what was that ? ..............

Modern Synth Pop (I mean, that from the last 25 years) is well worth a deep dive.
De/Vision
Echo Image
Rupesh Cartel
The Frozen Autumn

I could drone on.....but won't.

 

[Lenny Rider]

Saw Depeche Mode at the Top Rank Suite in 1981, and they ended up a stadium band in the US, the ultimate market to crack.

 

[Is it PotG?]

Modern Synth Pop (I mean, that from the last 25 years) is well worth a deep dive.
De/Vision
Echo Image
Rupesh Cartel
The Frozen Autumn

I could drone on.....but won't.

 

[Austrian Gull]

I saw Human League mark I at the Nashville in the late 70s, with Eno sitting at a table on his own by the door, and a cameo appearance in the audience by David Bowie. Who stood next to me. We exchanged a few words.
Human League mark I were quite brilliant.

What a life you have led - I'm impressed!

Much prefer Glenn Gregory to Oakey as a vocalist. Penthouse and Pavement is a favourite 80s album for me.

 

[Dinner with Gotsmanov]

And THIS. Far less well known, but a flippin MASTERPIECE, from the Trainspotting soundtrack album



All the kids come out tonight
they kick a ball and have a fight
maybe shoot somebody if they lose at pool

This song made me vote Pulp over Blur. Love both groups. The Mode I appreciate their rich body of work but no one song hits me in the same way as things by P and B. I think THL are largely loved due to Don’t You Want Me which I have happy memories of but do think they did some far better stuff, especially pre split. All subjective though, I guess.

 

[Dinner with Gotsmanov]

Saw Depeche Mode at the Top Rank Suite in 1981, and they ended up a stadium band in the US, the ultimate market to crack.

Think I was there too, great gig. The Top Rank was a good venue.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

What a life you have led - I'm impressed!

Much prefer Glenn Gregory to Oakey as a vocalist. Penthouse and Pavement is a favourite 80s album for me.

I can assure you the highlights don't detract well from the overall dullness

Those two Heaven 17 Albums are played here much more often than the Human League.
Unusual for the time that every track is a winner.

 

[Lenny Rider]

Think I was there too, great gig. The Top Rank was a good venue.

I also got to play Asteroids that night

A venue with gaming machines, indeed a great venue.