NEWS
On this page you will be kept up to date with all the very latest Pet Shop Boys news. Some of the news items on this page have been reproduced from
PetShopBoys.co.uk,
with the kind permission of Bill 'Redman' Goodin.
21st September 2008 - Sam Taylor-Wood Track Listing
Highly-acclaimed artist and film-maker Sam Taylor-Wood releases the CD single of
'I'm In Love With A German Film Star' on Kompakt on Monday 20th October 2008. The single,
a cover version of the post-punk classic by The Passions, is produced by the Pet Shop Boys
who have also done a full length 'Symphonic Mix'. Other remixes will be available by
Gui Boratto, Juergen Paape and Mark Reeder.
The single will be available through iTunes on Wednesday 22nd October 2008 and through other
digital outlets on Monday October 29th 2008. The track will also be available on limited
edition 7" vinyl (500 numbered copies) and 12" vinyl. The track listing is as follows:
7" Single - Limited Edition (KOM POP 13/7):
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Original Radio Edit
I'm in Love With A German Film Star - Mark Reeder's Rundfunk Remix
12" Single - Double Pack (KOM POP 13):
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Gui Boratto Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic XTD Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Mark Reeder's Stuck In The 80's Remix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Jürgen Paape Mix
CD Single - Maxi CD (KOM POP MAXI CD 03):
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Original Radio Edit
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic XTD Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic XTD Instrumental Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Mark Reeder's Stuck In The 80's Remix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Gui Boratto Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Jürgen Paape Mix
20th September 2008 - Well Done Neil
Neil's been learning to drive this year and this morning he passed his driving test
(at the first attempt, much to his surprise).
19th September 2008 - Album Update
Neil and Chris are back working with Xenomania this week after a summer break. They wrote a
new song over the backing-track of a song they weren't totally happy with and they really
like it now. The album should be finished by the end of October 2008.
9th September 2008 - Sam Taylor-Wood Update
Kompakt records have confirmed that 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star' by Sam Taylor-Wood,
produced by the Pet Shop Boys, will be released on the following dates:
CD released on Monday 20th October 2008
iTunes released on Wednesday 22nd October 2008
Other digital sites on Monday October 29th 2008 (to be confirmed)
As well as the 'PSB Radio Edit' and 'Full-length Symphonic Mix', there will be remixes by Gui
Boratto, Jürgen Paape and Mark Reeder.
For more information, visit the
Kompakt
website.
1st August 2008 - Sam Taylor-Wood
'I'm In Love With A German Film Star' sung by Sam Taylor-Wood and produced by the
Pet Shop Boys will be released on CD and Download on the Kompakt label in October 2008 to
coincide with Sam Taylor-Wood's new exhibition at the White Cube gallery in London which opens
on Wednesday 22nd October 2008.
The track is a cover version of a 1981 release by The Passions. There will be also be an
extended 'symphonic' mix by the Pet Shop Boys and other dance mixes. A video shot by director
Baillie Walsh will be released at the same time.
Sam Taylor-Wood has previously released, under the name Kiki Kokova, two other tracks produced
by the Pet Shop Boys' 'Je T'aime Moi Non Plus' (1999) and 'Love To Love You, Baby' (2003).
30th July 2008 - Trevor Horn DVD
Trevor Horn's legendary 2004 25th anniversary concert during which the Pet Shop Boys performed
'Left To My Own Devices' and 'It's Alright' with a full band and orchestra is now available on
DVD. Other Trevor Horn-produced artists featured include ABC, Art Of Noise, Propaganda,
Grace Jones, Seal and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Buy 'Trevor Horn, Slaves To The Rhythm':
UK DVD.
11th July 2008 - Fashion DJs
For the last two days, there has been an "audio spectacular" broadcasting from the
world-famous Abbey Road Studios, featuring celebrities from the music and fashion industries
playing music and talking. The Pet Shop Boys will be in the studio from 6pm this evening
spinning their choice of six records with the legendary DJ, Fat Tony. Other guests over the
three days include Naomi Campbell, Boy George, Gareth Pugh, Stella McCartney and Giles Deacon.
10th July 2008 - Happy Birthday Neil!
So Pet Shop Boys and all the many fans online wish Neil
a very warm and happy 54th birthday!
9th July 2008 - War Child DVD
The Pet Shop Boys appear in a new DVD of last November's Brixton Academy concert for War Child,
curated by Keane. Two Pet Shop Boys tracks are included, 'Being Boring' and 'Integral',
alongside performances by Guillemots, Lily Allen, Magic Numbers, Keane and others. The DVD
entitled 'Keane Curate A Night For War Child' will be released on Monday 15th September 2008.
All profits will go to the War Child Charity. Pre-order 'Keane Curate A Night For War Child':
UK DVD.
1st July 2008 - Top 20 Greatest Duets
In this month's duet-themed 'Q Magazine' (with four different covers), there is yet another
list, the Top 20 Greatest Duets. At number 13 is the Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield,
'What Have I Done To Deserve This?'.
19th June 2008 - Integral Award
Congratulations to The Rumpus Room who have just won a Gold Cyber Lion award at the Cannes
International Advertising Festival for creating the innovative 'Integral' video.
12th June 2008 - EMI Sessions
Previously unheard tracks recorded by EMI artists are to made available for the first time.
EMI has reached an agreement with the BBC to release the tracks on CD and online. It includes
tracks by the Pet Shop Boys, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd and Coldplay.
9th June 2008 - New Songs
As part of the process of making a new album, the Pet Shop Boys have been co-writing a few
songs with their production team, Xenomania. One, two or more will be featured on the upcoming
album, planned for release early next year. Neil and Chris are enjoying the collaboration.
"It's fun", says Neil. "They're making us work hard. Not that we don't normally work hard,
anyway..."
28th May 2008 - Happy Birthday So Pet Shop Boys!
So Pet Shop Boys is 8 years old today!
23rd May 2008 - James Bond Theme Update
The Pet Shop Boys have denied they want to work with Amy Winehouse to record a theme song for
the upcoming James Bond film 'Quantum Of Solace', insisting they never made the comments.
21st May 2008 - James Bond Theme
It has been reported that the Pet Shop Boys have offered to help Amy Winehouse complete her James Bond theme tune.
They want to help her record the theme song for the upcoming Bond film 'Quantum Of Solace',
and are desperate to provide movie bosses with a title track for the superspy's latest outing,
due out in October, they want the 'Back To Black' singer to lay down vocals for the song.
Last month, DJ Mark Ronson confirmed he had started work on a song for the movie, and had
roped in Winehouse to record a song in his studio in Oxford, England. But Ronson has hit out
at the star's recent return to erratic behaviour, insisting troubled Winehouse is simply not
"ready" to work on music while she is still battling her demons. Now, Neil says they are eager
to take the acclaimed producer's place, by recording their own track with Winehouse.
He says, "She's got a few things to sort out first but we like her very much. Technically
she's a great singer and we've got one or two tracks that would really suit her."
15th May 2008 - New Music
Work on the next album is progressing. The Pet Shop Boys have been working on tracks for their
new album with Xenomania, the legendary production/writing team who have produced and
collaborated with artists as diverse as Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Saint Etienne, New Order and
Franz Ferdinand. The new Pet Shop Boys album is planned to be released early next year.
3rd May 2008 - Last Night
The Pet Shop Boys played at Heaven in London at midnight last night as part of the
'Can You Bear It?' benefit night for the family of Dainton Connell, the Pet Shop Boys' friend
and former assistant who was tragically killed in a car accident last year. They were joined
on stage by Dawne Adams (percussion) and Bic Hayes and Mark Refoy (guitars).
The set list was as follows:
Go West
Rent - Electro Version
Integral - Perfect Immaculate Version
Suburbia
West End Girls - Long Version
It's A Sin
My Girl (with Suggs and Carl from Madness)
Being Boring
Suggs and Carl from Madness (who first got to know Dainton when he was only 12 years old) came
on stage for a chaotic performance of the Madness classic, 'My Girl', in a new arrangement by
the Pet Shop Boys. 'Being Boring' was accompanied by a montage of film clips of Dainton.
Afterwards, Dainton's wife, Mandy, made a speech thanking the organisers of the event and the
line-up of DJs and the Pet Shop Boys, particularly thanking Chris Lowe for his "amazing"
loyalty and support. At 2.15am Chris played a short DJ set, mainly composed of old rave
classics, assisted by DJ Tom Stephan. During the course of the night, the Pet Shop Boys'
programmer, Pete Gleadall (a.k.a. Pedro Gonzalez) and the Pet Shop Boys' manager,
Dave Dorrell, also played DJ sets, alongside DJ legends like Judge Jules, Danny Rampling and
Terry Farley.
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe would like to thank all their crew for generously giving their
time and effort during the last few days. They'd also like to thank everyone who bought
tickets for the sell-out event and to congratulate the organisers for creating such a
memorable and successful night.
Go to the Exclusive Tracks folder in the Product section of
PetShopBoys.co.uk,
to of the hear the Pet Shop Boys' demo of 'My Girl'.
24th April 2008 - It's Madness
A very special collaboration for The Bear. The Pet Shop Boys will be joined on stage at Heaven
for one song by Suggs and Carl from Madness on Friday 2nd May 2008 during the benefit evening
for Dainton Connell's family, 'Can You Bear It?'. As part of the Pet Shop Boys' live set, a
Madness classic will be performed in a new arrangement by the Pet Shop Boys with vocals from
Suggs and Carl. The collaboration has come about because Dainton worked as security for
Madness in their early days.
Meanwhile, a track written and produced by Chris Lowe with vocals by Dainton in the rave days
of the early 1990s has recently surfaced on iTunes and other download sites. The track was
made just for fun and a few white labels of the track were distributed at the time for friends
and select DJs. Now it has reappeared as 'It's The Bear', attributed to an Arsenal-related
band called The Riders Of The Night. The Pet Shop Boys have decided to donate all rights in
this track to Dainton's family so they can benefit from any exploitation of it now and in the
future.
10th March 2008 - Dainton Connell's Benefit Concert
'Can You Bear It?', a benefit concert for Dainton Connell's family will be held at Heaven,
London WC2, on Friday 2nd May 2008. The event, subtitled '20 Years Of House Music', will
feature a stellar array of DJs (including Chris Lowe) as well as a short live set by the
Pet Shop Boys. Also performing live will be Suggs and Carl (from Madness) and The Away Boyz.
Buy tickets at the
Heaven London Box Office.
24th February 2008 - The Next Album
Chris and Neil have been writing new songs for much of this year and will continue until they
feel they have enough songs for a new album. The writing sessions have proved very fertile
with, so far, seven new songs being completed. Some of the songs they wrote early last year
are also likely to feature on the album. Meetings with potential producers are already being
lined up for March. The release date for the new album will probably be early 2009.
The Pet Shop Boys have also been sketching musical ideas for their ballet which is still under
discussion with Sadlers Wells theatre in London.
22nd February 2008 - Literally Issue 32
It's here, Literally Issue 32 came through my letterbox this morning.
To find out what's in it see the
Literally page for more details.
20th February 2008 - Brighton Festival
Neil has accepted an invitation to talk at this year's Brighton Festival. On Saturday 17th May 2008 at 7pm, at the
Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, you will have a chance to "Discover the man behind the music –
the opinions, the motivations, the passions and the politics – in this intimate 'in
conversation' with writer and cultural commentator Michael Bracewell."
The Brighton Festival runs from Saturday 3rd May until Sunday 25th May 2008 and booking opens
on 29th February. Tickets priced £7.50 can be bought in person from the Brighton Dome box
on New Street, Brighton.
16th February 2008 - I'm In Love With A German Film Star
The Pet Shop Boys have recorded a cover version of the early 80s classic,
'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', with Sam Taylor-Wood on vocals. The new version
(the original was a hit in the UK in 1981 for The Passions), was partly inspired by Marlene
Dietrich, will be made available for sale on CD as the second release on the Lucky Kunst
label. There will be a seven-inch mix, a full length mix and a dance remix.
The first release on Lucky Kunst was 'Love To Love You, Baby' by Kiki Kokova.
15th February 2008 - Dainton Connell Benefit Night
A benefit night for Dainton Connell's family will be held at Heaven, the London nightclub, on
Friday 2nd May 2008, at which the Pet Shop Boys will play a short live set. Full details will
be announced as soon as they are finalised.
4th February 2008 - New Issue Of Literally
The latest issue of Literally, the exclusive magazine sent to all members of the Pet
Shop Boys Club, is in production now and should be dispatched by the end of the month.
Contents of this bumper 44 page issue include Neil and Chris's tribute to Dainton, a full
report of the last date of the 'Fundamental World Tour' in Bucharest and an interview with
Neil Tennant, as well as news, letters and exclusive photos.
2nd February 2008 - Battleship Potemkin
Today's 'Guardian' newspaper in the UK contains a free DVD copy of the film
'Battleship Potemkin'. It doesn't feature Pet Shop Boys' soundtrack but Neil has written a
piece about the film for the 'Guardian' website which includes details of how to sync up the
PSB CD with the DVD.
18th January 2008 - Integral Download
Online digital media delivery company 7digital has announced that its top three singles of the
year were:
1. 2 Hearts Kylie Minogue
2. Kingdom Dave Gahan
3. Integral Pet Shop Boys
17th January 2008 - TV Interviews
Neil Tennant is interviewed tonight on 'Newsnight' on BBC2 at 10.30 pm, discussing the new film
of Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd'. Tomorrow night Neil will be interviewed in the third
part of 'Pop Britannia' on BBC4 at 10pm, which focuses on British pop's "constant struggle
between the forces of art and commerce" over the last three decades.
11th January 2008 - Tony Wadsworth And EMI
A statement from Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe:
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the long working and personal
relationship we have enjoyed with Tony Wadsworth, Chairman of EMI UK, who leaves EMI today
after 26 years. He gave us encouragement when we needed it and much sound advice, creating an
environment where creativity could flourish. Like many other EMI artists and staff we are very
sad to see him go and wish him all the best for the future."
8th January 2008 - Battleship Potemkin
Friday's performace of 'Battleship Potemkin' with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by
Jonathan Stockhammer, at the Barbican Hall, London in now sold out.
1st January 2008 - Happy New Year!
What will the Pet Shop Boys be up to in 2008? Keep up to date by regularly checking back here.
All the best for 2008.