Bros twin plots comeback

By Michael Osborn BBC News Online

Former 80s boy band singer Matt Goss is back on the music scene with a different brand of pop from his days fronting teen sensation Bros.

Fifteen years ago, a pair of striking blond twin boys caused teenage hysteria and a plethora of fashion trends, from ripped jeans to bottle tops stuck to boots.

Goss remembers his early fame fondly

Identical siblings Matt and Luke Goss, along with Craig Logan, tore up the charts with a string of pop hits like When Will I Be Famous? and I Owe You Nothing from 1988-91 - until the magic faded and Bros split.

At the age of 34, Matt Goss is returning to the music scene, six years after an initial stab at solo success.

The slighter twin from those heady Bros days is now hulkier and the trademark fashions have gone - but the pop memories keep on coming back.

Goss's singing voice has matured considerably since the high-pitched teen-friendly pop of the Bros era, while the music is ploughing a more grown-up, eclectic furrow.

"A lot of people come up to me and think they're the first person to recognise me, but usually the last person was 15 minutes ago," he explains.

Goss had huge fame with Bros

"When I arrived in London, fans were waiting for me. They are so reminiscent and positive about those days, saying Bros were their teenage years.

"They are still some of the best moments of my life," adds Goss.

His recollections may be fond, but the former Bros vocalist rules out a nostalgic comeback tour for the original chart-busting threesome.

"I think music is about being the man you are and not the man you were. I get lucrative offers all the time for a Bros reunion, and I do some old songs on my current tour.

"I'd be stupid not to, they were big hits and I'm proud of them," he says.

"But I'd never end one of my gigs with a Bros song," he adds firmly.

Bros were especially popular with teenage girls

Goss has spent the past six years quietly writing for other artists in the US, enjoying the California sunshine and slowly making the decision to return with a new single, album and UK tour.

"I genuinely missed connecting with audiences," he says.

"It would've been easy to do a big Bros reunion gig, but that was the easy road. Rather than being that guy known for those old hits, I want to make new ones," says Goss.

A teen sensation of old has a word about the current crop of young chart stars created by the power of television.

"People going into a room and auditioning is just entertainment. The music industry itself is taking the soul out of music."

'Paid my dues'

The Bros sensation may have burned bright for just three years, but Goss is determined to stay the course and become a solo artist of long standing.

"I'm not going anywhere," he proclaims. "I know I've been away for too long and am not intimidated by anything. I'm sure I've got hit records on this album," he says.

"I've paid my dues over the years and haven't been milking the Bros phenomenon. Slow and steady is the key this time - I went straight in at number one with Bros."

Goss reveals he is looking for a second home back in his beloved Britain, and dreams of playing the Royal Albert Hall.

Maybe the older, wiser former Bros twin may make his comeback a permanent one this time.

Matt Goss and his eight-piece band are currently touring the UK. His new single Watch Me Fall is out on 18 August.