JAUNTY ECCENTRICS

Group: Blancmange.

Personnel: Neil Arthur, vocals, drums, clarinet; Stephen Luscombe, keyboards, trumpet; David Rhodes, guitar; James Hildreth, drums; Bernita Turner, vocals; Violet Mason, vocals.

History: This English duet--Arthur and Luscombe are the two real members--first gained notice when it contributed a track to the “Some Bizarre” compilation album in ’81. Soon the group began touring, opening for performers like Grace Jones, Depeche Mode and Japan. After signing with London Records in England, the group released its first single, “God’s Kitchen,” which made a brief appearance on British pop charts and started a strong word-of-mouth and critical reception for the band. The next single, “Feel Me,” was a dance-floor hit in England and some American clubs. The next one, “Living on the Ceiling,” was an English chart hit, selling 300,000 copies. The video for the song was an early MTV staple, and Blancmange began making waves on American college and nouveau-rock stations. The single was followed by the band’s debut album, “Happy Families,” which went gold in Britain. More successful singles followed, including “Blind Vision” and “That’s Live That It Is.” In 1984 Blancmange signed an American contract with Sire Records and released its debut album for the label, “Mange Tout,” which included the popular single “Don’t Tell Me.” Following the album’s release, Luscombe formed a side project, West India Company. An outlet for his passion for Indian music, the group released an Indo-European version of “Ave Maria.” After that, Blancmange recorded its latest album, “Believe You Me.”

Sound: Synth-pop supreme. What separated Blancmange from the more fashion-conscious Depeche Modes and Human Leagues was its loopy sense of irony and slightly goofy neurotic humor. Arthur’s vocals are like a cross between David Byrne and the Bonzo Dog Band, and, like the Thompson Twins, Blancmange includes a lot of world-music references in its sound: “Living on the Ceiling” has an “Arabian Nights”-style chorus, and the group’s new album features a jazz-flavored instrumental. Though the ditzy charm is being replaced by a more introspective seriousness these days, Blancmange at its best combines techno-pop craft with a jaunty, slightly eccentric sensibility.

Shows: The Roxy, Monday through Thursday; UC Irvine, Saturday.