Erasure launch covers comeback

Andy Bell and Vince Clarke: Back after a break

by Tom Bishop

Erasure have sold 20 million records and had 28 hit singles, including Sometimes, A Little Respect and Blue Savannah.

After a two-year break they are returning with an album of cover versions aptly entitled Other People's Songs.

The parents of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke had a big influence on the album's eclectic and unexpected selection of covers.

Their latest single, Solsbury Hill, went into the UK top 10

"My dad was a big Buddy Holly fan, my mum was into Elvis and they both loved Phil Spector. I grew up with these songs," says Bell.

As a result, Holly's Everyday and True Love Ways are covered alongside Can't Help Falling in Love and the Ronettes hit Walking in the Rain.

"They do sound quite bizarre together," Bell admits. "But I'm surprised at how Erasure the whole album is. It has its own character."

Twelve songs made it onto the album, but some tributes did not make the final cut.

"We covered Marianne Faithfull's Ballad of Lucy Jordan for a Tom Jones TV special," Bell recalls. "But once recorded it didn't sound so special."

They also resisted the temptation to include Abba's The Winner Takes It All, despite the fact that the Abba-esque EP was Erasure's sole UK number one.

"We didn't want to go down the Abba route again."

Revival

Other People's Songs is released in the wake of Wheatus' top 10 guitar version of A Little Respect.

Meanwhile, Erasure songs brighten up US TV comedies Scrubs and Will and Grace - a testament to their enduring strength.

But Bell denies rumours of a Mamma Mia-style musical based around the hits of Erasure and Clarke's earlier band Yazoo.

Coming out doesn't have that political impact now - today it's seen more as a lifestyle choice

Andy Bell

"One day we'd like to do a new musical from scratch, but it's a bit ambitious for now."

Nevertheless he is keen to work with electropop revivalists Fischerspooner, saying: "If it's good enough for Kylie, it's good enough for me."

With 18 years of fame under his belt, Bell understands why today's gay stars - such as Will Young - have less impact than he did in the 80s.

"We rode a wave of opposition to Tory Aids propaganda and Section 28 - Jimmy Somerville and I seemed to lead every march.

"Coming out doesn't have that political impact now.

"Today it's seen more as a lifestyle choice, affecting what you wear rather than what you are fighting against."

I would go on Celebrity Fame Academy, but to be honest I think I would win hands down

Andy Bell

Erasure will soon embark on a UK tour - their first in five years - which will see Bell swap his famous unitard and feather boa for Edwardian stage gear.

But how far are they prepared to go to reclaim their pop stardom?

"I would go on Celebrity Fame Academy, but to be honest I think I would win hands down," Bell says.

"Or I could go on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes dressed as Alison Moyet."

He concludes: "Eight years ago I prayed we could be less famous and not get pressured wherever we went. It worked.

"Now I'm hoping to reverse the spell."