ARCHIVE NEWS FROM
JANUARY - DECEMBER 2008

Some of the news items on this page have been reproduced from PetShopBoys.co.uk, with the kind permission of Bill 'Redman' Goodin.

28th December 2008 - UK Chart

This week in the singles chart Girls Aloud's 'The Loving Kind', co-wtitten by the Pet Shop Boys went down 8 places to number 46, The Killers Christmas charity single 'Joseph, Better You Than Me', which features Elton John and Neil Tennant went out of the top 100, and in the dance singles chart Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys went down 17 places to number 39.

25th December 2008 - Merry Christmas!

So Pet Shop Boys would like to wish everybody around the world a very merry Christmas.

21st December 2008 - UK Chart

This week in the singles chart Girls Aloud's 'The Loving Kind', co-wtitten by the Pet Shop Boys went up 49 places to number 38, The Killers Christmas charity single 'Joseph, Better You Than Me', which features Elton John and Neil Tennant entered the singles chart at number 88, and in the dance singles chart Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys went up 9 places to number 22.

16th December 2008 - Out Today

The Killers Christmas charity single 'Joseph, Better You Than Me', which features Elton John and Neil Tennant (Neil also co-wrote a few lines) is released as download only today.
It was originally recorded for a new weekly music service called RED(WIRE) which will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa. It has now been given a full release. Buy 'Joseph, Better You Than Me': Download.

14th December 2008 - UK Chart

This week Girls Aloud's 'The Loving Kind', co-wtitten by the Pet Shop Boys entered the singles chart at number 87 and in the dance singles chart Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys went down 14 places to number 31.

9th December 2008 - Exclusive Tracks

Christmas has come early. On the Pet Shop Boys offical website there are two new exclusive unreleased remixes. They are of MGMT's 'Kids', 'Kids - PSB Abstrakt Mix' and 'Kids - PSB Synthpop Mix'. Go to the Exclusive Tracks folder in the Product section of PetShopBoys.co.uk, to of the hear the remixes.
MGMT (previously known as The Management) are an American musical group based in Brooklyn, New York. 'Kids' was third release from their much-praised debut album 'Oracular Spectacular' and was released in October 2008.

7th December 2008 - UK Chart

This week in the dance singles chart Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys went down 6 places to number 17.

8th December 2008 - 2008 Christmas Card

It's here, the Pet Shop Boys Club 2008 Christmas card came through my letterbox this morning.
To find out what this years Christmas card looks like see my Christmas 2008 page.

1st December 2008 - Out Today

The Killers Christmas charity single 'Joseph, Better You Than Me', which features Elton John and Neil Tennant (Neil also co-wrote a few lines) is released as download only today.
It's been recorded for a new weekly music service which will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa. Each issue of RED(WIRE), which will cost $5, includes an exclusive song from a major artist, as well as a musician the charity hopes to promote. The service launches today which is World Aids Day. In addition to MP3 tracks, which can be download automatically onto iTunes, users will receive a multimedia piece such as video or photography.
For more information, visit the RED(WIRE) website.

30th November 2008 - UK Chart

This week in the dance singles chart Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys went down 3 places to number 11.

27th November 2008 - New Album Finished

Mixes of all twelve tracks for the new Pet Shop Boys album were finished today. The album has a provisional release date of Monday 23rd March 2009.

23rd November 2008 - UK Chart

This week in the dance singles chart Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys went down 6 places to number 8.

22nd November 2008 - New Album Almost Finished

Recording and mixing of all tracks for the new Pet Shop Boys album are approaching completion. Neil, Chris and Brian Higgins will be approving final mixes in the next two weeks. Parlophone have suggested a provisional release date of MOnday 23rd March 2009 (this may and probably will change!).

21st November 2008 - Girls Aloud

The second Girls Aloud single release from their new album 'Out Of Control', will be the Pet Shop Boys/Xenomania collaboration, 'The Loving Kind'. It will be released on Monday 12th January 2009. The song was produced by Xenomania, Neil and Chris's involvement being only in the writing. 'The Loving Kind' will be Girls Aloud's 20th single release.

16th November 2008 - UK Chart

This week in the dance singles chart Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys went down 1 place to number 2.

12th November 2008 - Ballet Boys

A year after it was first mentioned, Neil and Chris have started writing a ballet. Neil said, "It's been a very productive two days. We're doing a workshop of a couple of scenes at the beginning of December to see if we all think it can work."

11th November 2008 - Neil's Killer Lyric

Neil has co-written and sings a few lines on The Killers' new Christmas single, 'Joseph, Better You Than Me', which is a duet with Elton John.
The Killers were recording it at producer Stuart Price's house last Friday when they got stuck on the lyrics. Neil and Chris were at the house visiting Stuart's wife. Brandon Flowers said, "We'd hit a block, and Neil came upstairs. Within moments, he came up with a great line about, Going to the carpenter's shop." Neil added, "I wrote the lyrics for one verse and sang a guide vocal of them. It was fun spending a little time in the studio with Brandon Flowers and Stuart Price." It is thought that 'Joseph, Better You Than Me' will be a digital-only release in December with proceeds going to charity.

9th November 2008 - UK Chart

This week Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys entered the dance singles chart at number 1.

3rd November 2008 - Brit Awards 2009

The Pet Shop Boys are to be honoured with the top prize at the 2009 Brit Awards, the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. This is the press statement released today by the BPI:
The UK's recorded music association, The BPI, today unveiled the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. Pioneering British Dance duo, the Pet Shop Boys, will be awarded with the revered trophy at The BRIT Awards with MasterCard 2009 on Wednesday 18th February 2009.
A packed audience at Earls Court plus millions of viewers watching live on ITV1 will witness an iconic performance from the Pet Shop Boys when they take to The BRITs stage.
Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said, "Since their first BRIT Award over 20 years ago, Neil and Chris have produced a fantastic body of work with songs that truly were the soundtrack to a whole generation's lives. The Pet Shop Boys have since become one of the most influential groups of the modern era and are deserving recipients of the award."
Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have sold 50 million records since they signed to Parlophone in 1985 with four No. 1 singles, 22 top 10 hits and a staggering 39 top 30 singles making them one of the most successful pop duos ever.
This is a welcome return to The BRITs for the Pet Shop Boys who were awarded their first BRIT in 1987 winning Best British Single for 'West End Girls'. The duo went on to pick up the coveted Best British Group Award in 1988 and performed their hit single 'Go West' with the accompaniment of a 200 piece Welsh male choir in 1994 while being lowered onto the stage by two huge cranes.
The Pet Shop Boys will receive the prestigious award, a gift from the Council of the BPI, and perform live at The BRITs 2009 with MasterCard. Previous recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award include Paul McCartney, Oasis, U2, Paul Weller, Tom Jones, Sting, David Bowie, Eurythmics, The Beatles and The Who.

3rd November 2008 - Out Today

Don't forget that the new Girls Aloud album, 'Out Of Control' is released in the UK today. Neil and Chris have co-written a track for the album with Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper and Tim Powell of Xenomania called 'The Loving Kind'. Buy 'Out Of Control': UK CD.

29th October 2008 - New Album

It is anticipated that the recording and mixing of the new Pet Shop Boys album will be completed in November 2008 and that it will be released in March 2009. A single, probably a song co-written with Xenomania called 'Love etc.', will be released prior to the album.

27th October 2008 - Out Today

Don't forget that Sam Taylor-Wood's 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys is released in the UK today. Buy 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star': UK CD. The track listing is as follows:

7" Single - Limited Edition (KOMPOP13/7):
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 (KOMPOP13):
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Gui Boratto Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Mark Reeder's Stuck In The 80's Mix

CD Single - Maxi CD (KOMPOPMAXICD03):
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Original Radio Edit
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic Instrumental Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Mark Reeder's Stuck In The 80's Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Gui Boratto Mix

8th October 2008 - New Release Date

Sam Taylor-Wood's release of 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', produced by the Pet Shop Boys will be a week later than originally announced. It will now be released on CD and vinyl on Monday 27th October 2008 with the digital release through iTunes on Wednesday 29th October 2008. Pre-order 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star': UK CD.

7th October 2008 - Pet Shop Girls Aloud

Neil and Chris have co-written a track for the new Girls Aloud album, 'Out Of Control'. When they were working with the Xenomania team, they ended up co-writing a song called, 'The Loving Kind' for Girls Aloud. Neil said, "I love it - it's beautiful but still dancey - and there's talk of it being released as a single. We first got involved with Xenomania because they'd written and produced great songs for Girls Aloud like 'Biology' and 'Call The Shots'". 'Out Of Control' is released on Monday 3rd November 2008. Pre-order 'Out Of Control': UK CD.

4th October 2008 - Happy Birthday Chris!

So Pet Shop Boys and all the many fans online wish Chris a very warm and happy 49th birthday!

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 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. Pre-order 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star': UK CD. The track listing is as follows:

7" Single - Limited Edition (KOMPOP13/7):
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 (KOMPOP13):
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Gui Boratto Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Mark Reeder's Stuck In The 80's Mix

CD Single - Maxi CD (KOMPOPMAXICD03):
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Original Radio Edit
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - PSB Symphonic Instrumental Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Mark Reeder's Stuck In The 80's Mix
I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Gui Boratto 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.