The Maisonettes

The Maisonettes were an English pop band formed by Laurence "Lol" Mason (formerly of City Boy)[1] with Mark Tibenham and drummer Nick Parry, best known for their hit single "Heartache Avenue".

The Maisonettes
OriginBirmingham, England
GenresSynthpop, psychedelic pop
Years active1982–1984
Past members

History

The group's debut single, "Heartache Avenue", reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1983,[2] reached number 6 on the Irish Singles Chart, topped the UK Independent Chart,[3] and later peaked at number 12 on the Canadian chart and number 97 in Australia. The band's demo was picked up by David Virr, who released "Heartache Avenue" on his own Ready Steady Go! label.[4] The single had been recorded with session backing singers, but to promote the single, they recruited models Denise Ward and Elaine Williams, although these two were later replaced by Carla Mendonça and Elisa Backer (née Richards)

The follow-up single, "Where I Stand", peaked at number 28 on the UK Independent Chart.[3]

In 1984 their album, Maisonettes for Sale, was released in Canada, including "Heartache Avenue" and ten other songs. With no further hits, the group soon disbanded.

"Heartache Avenue" was later sampled by UK rap group Roll Deep, for the chorus on their UK number 11 hit, "The Avenue".

In 2004, Heartache Avenue: The Very Best of the Maisonettes was released in the UK by Cherry Red records, containing two unreleased tracks, the original "Heartache Avenue" and a remix, and fifteen other songs.[5]

On 31 July 2019, Laurence "Lol" Edward Mason died at the age of 69 in his home in Harborne from a heart attack, after complications following a kidney transplant.[6]

Discography

Albums
  • Maisonettes for Sale (Ready Steady Go!, 1983)
Compilations
  • Heartache Avenue: The Very Best of the Maisonettes (Cherry Red, 2004)

Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[2][7]		 UK Indie
 AUS
[8]
1982 "Heartache Avenue" 7 ― 97
1983 "Where I Stand" 80 28 ―
"Addicted" ― ― ―
"This Affair" / "Say It Again" (double A-side) ― ― ―
"Lifeboat" ― ― ―
"Hot Club" ― ― ―
1984 "Two Can Have a Party" ― ― ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

References
  1. Larkin, Colin (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Seventies Music. Virgin Books. p. 92. ISBN 978-0753501542.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 344. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. Lazell, Barry (1998). Indie Hits 1980-1989. Cherry Red Books. p. 140. ISBN 0-95172-069-4.
  4. Unterberger, Ritchie. "The Maisonettes Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  5. Unterberger, Ritchie. "The Heartache Avenue: The Very Best of the Maisonettes: Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  6. Lockley, Mike (4 August 2019). "Birmingham singer Lol Mason dies at home in Harborne". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. "MAISONETTES - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  8. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 188. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. "Maisonettes - Heartache Avenue". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
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