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 In view of what was going on at that time, did any of you get the urge to dig out some eyeliner and do a bit of synth pop?
Andy: Well, like any band, we'd found our formula and stuck to it. In fact, the first two flops were both new romantic tracks and that's where our name kinda came from. But that first track just bombed abysmally and so did the second one, even though it was stronger and actually became one of our best live tracks. So even though it was kinda by accident, we just decided to move on from the new romantic thing. It felt a bit cliched at first, but once we started to play live, with a top percussionist, it just gave it a bit more credibility. The backbone of the band was strengthened by the genuine salsa rhythms going on.
Your era of band is really in focus again at the moment, with the retro tours going and the new programme, Reborn In Then USA. Have you watched the programme yet?
Andy: I haven't seen much of it, but I did catch up with Tony Hadley about three months ago. I went along to a gig and went backstage after to catch up with him and a few others. None of them knew about us reforming though, and if my mates don't know about us, what chance do we stand with the rest of the world! So we've really got to start pushing it now. Anyway, at that stage no one knew who was going to be on the programme. As soon as I found out he was on it, I just thought he's got to win it. He's one of the nicest blokes I've ever met. He's a bit like me; a North Londoner, mad Arsenal supporter, a really down-to-earth guy. When I heard him sing last, I said to him, 'I can't believe you've got better with age!'. There's that long note at the end of 'Cut A Long Story Short' and it's not that I didn't think he'd crack it, but he was so powerful and held it for so long, my jaw actually dropped!
In retrospect then, did the '80's turn out to be the best years of your life?
Andy: They were actually. There were some down times, but it was an absolutely brilliant period. A time when everywhere you go, people want to buy you drinks and treat you like super hero, like Spiderman and Superman combined. Let's face it as a young single male, it would your ideal world. None of the rich people could buy the experience we had. The comradery of six or seven guys in a band going out together, it was a kind of fellowship. We were a really tight band and it was like a marriage, but nothing could touch it. I'd never get that again. You'd be very lucky to get it a second time. Priceless!
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Modern Romance |
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'Two flop records.' Andy's explanation for shift from new romantic to salsa. |
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Mungo Jerry |
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'It just kept selling!' Ray Dorset talks about his seasonal anthem. |
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Dave Dee |
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Dave Dee discusses the hazards of using a bullwhip on stage. |
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Pete Burns |
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We chat to androgynous Dead or Alive frontman about the '80s revival. |
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The
Searchers |
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'At the time, I really didn't think it was going to be a lifetime job'. |
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Middle Of The Road |
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Ken Andrew talks about the cheap and chirpy world of Middle Of The Road... |
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Howard
Jones |
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We
ask the synth wizard a heap of questions, including "What is love?" |
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Paul
Hardcastle |
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We speak
to the Electro-pop wizard about his TOTP memories... |
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The
Stranglers |
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The
history of The Stranglers, according to bassist and songwriter JJ Burnel. |
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S'Express |
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Mark
Moore tell us what he's up to these days. |
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Owen
Paul |
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He's
back! And music is still his favourite waste of time. |
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Bucks
Fizz |
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We speak
to Cheryl Baker about Eurovision, Jay Aston and mini-skirts |
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The
Foundations |
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We
track down Clem Curtis of 'Build Me Up Buttercup' fame |
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