Twenty months later they were No 1 with the statelier Stephen Hague mix. Since then, Pet Shop Boys have become the biggest-selling UK duo in pop music history. And they're still purveying their own unique line of euphoric/melancholic electronic dance music, as evinced by their brand-new album, Nonetheless. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe talk Pete Paphides through their brilliant 40-year career while, on p. 73, John Earls rates all 15 of their albums and, on p. 77, John Coleman compiles a hefty discography. On pages 58 and 64 you will have already read about Einstürzende Neubauten and Bananarama, who both had a good 1984. There is more '84-related goodness here: on p80, we celebrate the ruby anniversary of PSBs' emergence by reliving 1984's format wars, when for the first time vinyl went into battle with the CD, before finally, on p. 86, naming The Best Records Of 1984.
Two hours?!" gasps Chris Lowe. The idea that the next couple of hours of his life might be spent talking about his past and present life as a Pet Shop Boy momentarily throws him. With Neil Tennant T yet to arrive, it falls upon him to tell the group's publicist when the tea should be served. "Bring it in halfway," he decides. And then, half-jokingly, he suggests we should get AI to do the whole thing. Lowe promptly pulls his phone from the pocket of his black Adidas top and issues the command for his AI app to "write an interview with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys for Record Collector." Then, addressing your correspondent, he adds, "I'll send it to you if you want, then you can use it. Save us both a job!"
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2024 من Record Collector.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2024 من Record Collector.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
"THINGS CAN GO VERY BADLY WRONG"
But not too often. The Iron Maiden singer, aviator, business mogul and awardwinning everyman, Bruce Dickinson, returns with a new solo album, The Mandrake Project – Top 10 across the planet at the time of writing – and a ton of anecdotes about his extraordinarily successful career. Just don’t try and put him in a box. “I’m not a number, I’m a free man!” he warns Joel McIver.
Out Of The Darkness
Long-anticipated solo debut from Portishead singer is worth the wait
The Collector
Swiss-based Icelander Sunna Margrét is a rising force in experimental pop. Having begun her career as a teenager touring with electro-pop ensemble Bloodgroup, she is about to release her debut full-length solo LP, Finger on Tongue.
UNDER THE RADAR
Artists, bands, and labels meriting more attention
THE ENGINE ROOM
The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music
10 OF THE BEST This month: Ed Banger Records
DJ Mehdi Lucky Boy (Ed Banger 6143676, LP, France, 2006) £20
This month: The Vinyl Hunters
Jake and his grandad Dave Kapusta are affectionately known online as The Vinyl Hunters. Dave was a black cabbie who has been collecting records since the 60s, ranging from prog through to heavy metal.
THE ENGINE ROOM
The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music
A MESSAGE TO YOU
Give or take Hot Chocolate, well ahead of Hi-Tension et al, Cymande were the first black British band of note. With influences ranging from soul, funk, and reggae to blues-rock, jazz and calypso, they were big in the States but failed to capitalise on early success. A staple for sampladelic hip-hoppers, they are finally getting their due with a brand new documentary. Cymande says: Lois Wilson
MYSTERY MEN
Around the turn of the 70s, as many of their compatriots who are now household names were still building a mainstream profile, The Guess Who were Canada's biggest rock band. They never made many ripples over here, but hits such as American Woman remain instantly recognisable half a century on. They even bequeathed another major outfit in Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Meanwhile, two competing versions of The Guess Who are still touring. Rob Hughes hears their versions of events...