Pet Shop Boys

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Pet Shop Boys

Background information
Origin United Kingdom United Kingdom
Genre(s) Electronic music, Pop, Dance,
Years active 1981–present
Label(s) Parlophone
EMI (US) (1985–1995)
Atlantic Records (US) (1996–1998)
Sire Records (US) (1999–2001)
Sanctuary Records (US) (2002–2003)
Rhino (US) (2004–present)
Associated
acts		 Electronic
Website http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/
Members
Neil Tennant
Chris Lowe
The capitalization of song titles in this article may be disputed. Please see the centralized discussion on this subject before making changes.

Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic/pop music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant who provides main vocals, keyboards and very occasionally guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards and occasionally on vocals.

The longevity of their career is generally attributed to their ability to create melodic pop/dance music with intelligent lyrics and striking style. They are one of the most consistently successful duos in pop music, particularly in Europe. Since 1986, they have had 39 top 30 singles in the UK including four number ones: "West End girls", "It's a sin", "Always on my mind" and "Heart". They were very successful in the United States in the mid-1980s; however, their mainstream popularity waned by 1988 with their final top 40 single, "Domino Dancing", reaching number 18 on the US pop chart. They have remained successful outside the USA since then, however, because of the quality and imagination of their releases which continue to chart worldwide and to inspire a very active and devoted fan base.

Their recent album, Fundamental, was released on the Parlophone label on 22 May 2006. The album peaked at number five in the UK and in the rest of Europe at number two marking a strong return to the charts. The album's first single, "I'm with Stupid" was released in the UK on 8 May 2006, reaching number eight in the UK Singles Chart. The second single to be taken from Fundamental was "Minimal", which received its first UK play on BBC Radio 1 on 19 May, and was released on 24 July, 2006. The third single from the album, 'Numb', written by Diane Warren with new production by Trevor Horn, was released on 16th October 2006. The single charted at No 23. In December 2006, they were nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording ("I'm with Stupid") and Best Electronic/Dance Album (Fundamental).

Contents

[edit] Sound and image

Chris Lowe (left) and Neil Tennant (right) taken from the "Can You Forgive Her?" photo shoot 1993
Enlarge
Chris Lowe (left) and Neil Tennant (right) taken from the "Can You Forgive Her?" photo shoot 1993

[edit] Music

Neil Tennant has consistently and sincerely labelled Pet Shop Boys' music as "disco." Their music's trademark sound is a combination of pure synthesised pop (which could qualify them as a New Wave group), with sometimes slightly over-the-top instrumentation, contrasting with Tennant's laconic vocals, sometimes spoken-word or rap. Despite a history of implementing current musical trends from the underground (house, electro, jungle, techno etc.) into their productions, they have always maintained their own specific and defined sound. Their lyrics (mainly written by Tennant) have been described as articulate, stylish and poetic. Among their musical trademarks is the combining of pop hooks with detailed chord structures and soundscapes.

One of the most frequent labels attached to the band is that of "ironists,"[1][2][3] referring to instances where their lyrics are used to exhibit veiled meanings or criticisms — shown, for example, by "Shopping" on Actually, an upbeat and catchy song hiding anti-Thatcherism sentiments.[3]

A defining element of Pet Shop Boys' style is their obsession with extended and remixed versions of their songs. As of 2006, they have been remixed by over 80 different DJs and producers. In many cases, Pet Shop Boys have used aspiring remixers who became well known later—they used Moby in 1991, Sasha in 1993, Tracy Young in 1995, Trouser Enthusiasts in 1997, and Eric Prydz in 2003. Their roster of remixers also includes The KLF, Brothers in Rhythm, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Rollo, Pink Noise, Basement Jaxx, Deep Dish, Blank and Jones, Scissor Sisters, Tiga, and Richard X. The vast array of Pet Shop Boys remixes have made them one of the most collectible bands in the world. Collectors relish the assortment of triple-vinyl limited editions, unique artwork sleeves, and multiple compact disc singles. One highly sought after item is a 1997 fan-club only release called "It doesn't often snow at Christmas," a CD single that is clear with a frosted snowflake on it that came in a PET film bubble sleeve (and interestingly, this song was included on a 2005 Elton John Christmas CD, sold exclusively at Starbucks Coffee shops in the United States). There is only one other artist who probably rivals Pet Shop Boys in this remix/collector category, and has used as many if not more remixers--Depeche Mode.

[edit] Band dynamic

The dynamic of Pet Shop Boys' image lies in the duo's distinct public personalities — Tennant is perceived as an erudite intellectual, articulate, and verbose in speech; while Lowe, now almost always seen in his trademark attire of hat and sunglasses (since as early as 1995),[4] appears as guarded and terse but nevertheless behaves as casual, flippant and fun-loving. They have even cultivated a pattern for interviews, in which Tennant is the primary speaker, answering questions at length, while occasionally being interrupted by brief, generally humorous interjections from Lowe[5][6] (comparable to the concept of a comedic double act).

They are also seen as willfully contrary, defying expectations of record labels and the music industry in terms of commercial image, self-promotion, and the nature of their music; it is said that the members of Pet Shop Boys are defined by the things they refuse to do. A 1986 quote by Lowe, taken from an Entertainment Tonight clip and subsequently sampled in their song "Paninaro," is often cited as the prime example of this:

   
Pet Shop Boys
 I don't like country and western. I don't like rock music, I don't like rockabilly or rock and roll particularly. I don't like much, really, do I? But what I do like, I love passionately.
   
Pet Shop Boys

This also formed the foundation of the band's reputation as being anti-rock music (allying themselves with disco, positioned as a diametric opposite), which would later be built up in additional songs such as the 1993 single "Can you forgive her?" ("She's made you some kind of laughing stock / because you dance to disco and you don't like rock"), or the appropriately titled "How I learned to hate rock and roll." Eventually, however, these differences were reconciled — a process that symbolically culminated with Pet Shop Boys' performance at the 2000 Glastonbury Festival.

[edit] Image

This band dynamic has played a role in their public image as well. Early in their career, the duo were frequently accused of lacking stage presence, said to be a deliberate reaction to the hyper-cheerful music of the time demonstrated by bands such as Wham!. A typical early performance featured Lowe in the background hitting the occasional note on a Fairlight synthesiser keyboard and Tennant singing, but otherwise unanimated, in the foreground.

However, when they began touring in 1989, they were heavily influenced by opera and theatre staging. Derek Jarman staged their first tour, making a series of films to be projected behind the costumed singers and dancers. In 1991 they brought in David Alden and David Fielding from the English National Opera to create the staging and costume design for a show which made no attempt to involve or even acknowledge the audience, and pushed the choreography and staging centre stage. Subsequent tours have used artist Sam Taylor-Wood and architect Zaha Hadid for stage design. Their latest tour, ongoing in 2006, was conceived and designed by theatre designer Es Devlin with choreography by Hakeem Onibudo.

Traditionally, Pet Shop Boys have always favoured avant-garde tailored fashions. Tennant often references the designers of his suits in interviews, and Lowe has often sported outfits and glasses made by Issey Miyake and Stüssy. Presentation has always been a major theme, and Pet Shop Boys have dramatically "reinvented" their image twice in their career. In 1993, when promoting their Very album, they wore brightly coloured costumes and used state-of-the-art computer technology to place themselves in a modern computer graphic world. This concept of reinvention was again realized for the promotion of the Nightlife album, in which they transformed their look wearing wigs and glasses with very futuristic urban wardrobes. In 2006 both Tennant and Lowe were seen on stage and in photographs wearing clothes designed by Hedi Slimane/Dior Homme.

[edit] Importance of the aesthetic

The duo have always been very interested in the artwork, design and photography for their releases. Photographer Eric Watson helped create the original image of Pet Shop Boys, creating many of their photographs and videos from 1984 to 1991. In design they have primarily worked with Mark Farrow, who designed the cover of their first Parlophone album release in 1986. The collaboration between Mark Farrow and Pet Shop Boys is comparable to the designer-band relationship of Peter Saville and New Order or Anton Corbijn and Depeche Mode. Their record sleeves are quite often very minimal, and the attention to detail is obvious, down to the font type and style. In October 2006, they released a 336-page hardcover book entitled Catalogue, showcasing their accomplishments in artwork, design, and of course, music. This retrospective of work is certainly one of the most comprehensive anthologies any music artist could have.

[edit] Biography

Main article: Pet Shop Boys biography

[edit] Discography

Main article: Pet Shop Boys discography

[edit] Sexuality

Neil Tennant is openly gay, although he refused to confirm rumours about his sexuality in the 1980s until finally coming out shortly after the release of 1993's Very in Attitude, a UK gay lifestyle magazine. Lowe, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped despite making several suggestive remarks on chat shows. The duo are sometimes incorrectly assumed to be a couple (in the 1990 biography Pet Shop Boys, Literally, Tennant recalls that even their ex-manager, Tom Watkins, was under this impression for a time).

Pet Shop Boys are seen as significant figures in gay culture for such songs as "Can you forgive her?", "It's a sin" (for which gay director Derek Jarman produced the video), "New York City Boy" and their cover of Village People's "Go West". They have written a song about a young male fan spending a night with a rapper, based on Eminem, called "The night I fell in love" and a song about coming out, "Metamorphosis". Their 1990s single "Being boring" dealt with the gay experience and the devastation wrought by the AIDS crisis; the song, and its supporting video filmed by Bruce Weber, remains one of their most popular. However, Neil Tennant has stated many times that his lyrics are not specifically gay. Many of their songs are written from an ambiguous view point that can be taken any way the listener perceives it, and this goes some way to explain why a large segment of their die-hard fans are heterosexual.

Pet Shop Boys have performed and worked with many artists considered to be gay icons such as Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Dusty Springfield and Kylie Minogue. Pet Shop Boys attempted to organise and perform in a planned 2001 tour of out gay musicians, entitled 'Wotapalava'. However, the plans were later put on hold and the idea seems to have been discarded.

[edit] Influence

Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose was unapologetic in his praise of the Behaviour album as one of his all-time favourites, claiming that "November Rain" was partly inspired by album track "My October Symphony".

As of 2003, Pet Shop Boys were ranked by Billboard's Joel Whitburn (in his book Billboard's Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003) as the number-four most successful act on the U.S. Dance/Club Play charts, behind only Madonna, Janet Jackson and Donna Summer.

In October 2005, a Swedish tribute band called West End Girls had a number-three hit single in their home country with a cover version of "Domino dancing". In January 2006 they released their version of "West End girls", and an album was released in June. Pet Shop Boys also have several tribute bands in the form of Birmingham-based Pet Shop Noise who have been performing locally for many years, and Seattle-based West End Boys.

Madonna's album Confessions on a Dance Floor, released November 2005, includes a track called "Jump" which has close similarities to "West End girls". An interview at www.popjustice.co.uk with Stuart Price, who produced Madonna's album, revealed the track "Jump" was a complete Chris Lowe inspiration. Apparently, while recording the album, Madonna blurted out at one point, "Pet Shop Boys! I fucking love them!". Pet Shop Boys remixed "Sorry", the second single from the album. Their mix has proven to be a favourite, as even Madonna is using their version in her 2006 Confessions tour. The history between Madonna and Pet Shop Boys goes back to 1988 with the song "Heart". It was composed by the duo with the idea of pitching it to Madonna to sing--but they were too shy to call her and offer her the song--so they recorded it themselves. The song ended up going to number one in the UK charts. Later, in 1991, Madonna was referenced in a tongue-in-cheek lyric in the song "DJ Culture," right after Madonna and Sean Penn had divorced. Tennant writes, "Like Liz before Betty / She after Sean / suddenly you're missing / then you're reborn". Tennant refers to the 'reinvention' Madonna was going through at the time. Madonna also paid tribute to Pet Shop Boys at the 2006 Brit Awards naming them as one of the British artists who had influenced her music, in her acceptance speech after being presented with the 'Best International Female' award by Neil Tennant.

Actor David Tennant, who currently plays Doctor Who, took his stage name from Neil Tennant. David's real surname is MacDonald, but he needed a stage name for Equity.

American cartoonist Thomas K. Dye, most famous for creating the satrical webcomic Newshounds, first attempted to make a comic book called The Boy Shop Pets, so called because the characters were animals. It was written between November 1991 to January 1992, but did not last.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Taylor, Charles (November 17, 1999). The last days of disco. Salon.com. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
  2. ^ Ankeny, Jason. Pet Shop Boys Biography. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
  3. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (May 19, 2006). Pet Shop Boys, Fundamental. Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
  4. ^ Pop Perfection. The Guardian (1995). Retrieved on 2006-06-09.
  5. ^ Sawyer, Miranda (September 5, 2004). "I refuse to be restricted by background - or fear". The Observer. Retrieved on 2006-06-09.
  6. ^ Perera, Sasha (May 25, 2006). Pet Shop Politics. SX News. Retrieved on 2006-06-09.

[edit] References

  • Harrison, Andrew (April 2006), "Pet Shop Boys", The Word, no. 38, p. 98-106

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

[edit] Official sites

[edit] Fan sites

[edit] Forums and discussion

Pet Shop Boys
Neil Tennant | Chris Lowe
Discography
Albums: Please | Actually | Introspective | Behaviour | Very | Bilingual | Nightlife | Release | Fundamental
Soundtracks and scores: Closer to Heaven (Original Cast Recording) | Battleship Potemkin
Remix albums: Disco | Disco 2 | Disco 3
Compilations: Discography: The Complete Singles Collection | Alternative | PopArt: The Hits
Live: Concrete
Related Articles
Other projects: It Couldn't Happen Here | Results | Spaghetti Records | Closer to Heaven | Back to Mine: Pet Shop Boys
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