Wendy Stonehenge, the electro/New Wave project Candy Whips, has released a cover of Heaven 17’s “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang,” and the timing is no accident. Originally released 45 years ago, the song’s political lyrics have lost none of their edge, and Stonehenge recognized it immediately. “This song was originally released 45 years ago, and it’s more relevant than ever,” he says. “I decided it needed to be given a new life.”
The interpretation slows the tempo slightly while deepening the dance groove, stripping back the arrangement to give the lyrics room to land. “My version is much more stripped down but also even more danceable,” Stonehenge explains. “This is the first time I’ve made a straight up dance track. It was a fun challenge to work outside of my usual comfort zone.”
The new single follows ‘Moonlight’, Candy Whips’ doo-wop covers EP featuring reimagined versions of The Flamingos’ “I Only Have Eyes For You,” Marvin and Johnny’s “Cherry Pie,” and the Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman.” Ripe with vocal effects, drum machines, and synths, ‘Moonlight’ connected classic source material to a modern production sensibility. “If I could turn young people on to this older music, that would be amazing,” Stonehenge says.
An established member of Northern California glam rock outfit Glitter Wizard, Stonehenge launched Candy Whips during the pandemic as a focused outlet for synthpop and electronic experimentation, fusing punk energy with electronic production in ways that didn’t fit the Glitter Wizard mold. Critics have placed the project alongside Devo, Gary Numan, NEU!, Trevor Horn, Oingo Boingo, Wall of Voodoo, and Sparks, and the new single adds another strong entry to a catalog that keeps finding new ground.
“(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” is out now via Kitten Robot on all major platforms.