Erasure • Features • Biography
Erasure (1995)
What started in 1985 as a rather promising electronic pop outfit called Erasure, has developed, a decade down the line, into the most successful and enduring pop duo the UK has ever produced.
Erasure, aka Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, have sold eight million albums around the world and have successfully transcended a variety of musical fads and fashions to retain their pole position.
However the roots of Erasure began some time before 1985 . Vince's first task was playing with the then relatively unknown Depeche Mode. After two hits: "New Life" and "Just Can't Get Enough", Vince had become accustomed to being in the Top 20, but nevertheless decided the time was right to move on.
He subsequently formed Yazoo with fellow Basildonian Alison Moyet and the combination of Vince's stark, but hauntingly simple melodies and Alison's surprisingly deep, soulful vocals meant that Yazoo were soon having Top 5 hits with the likes of "Only You", "Don't Go" (both 1982 and "Nobody's Diary" the following year. Despite two more hits Alison decided to pursue a subsequently successful solo career and Vince decided to find another voice.
Rather than going through his address book this time, he decided to hold auditions to find the right person. Enter Andy Bell, an extraordinarily gifted singer songwriter from another undemanding suburban town of Peterborough.
Although initially it would seem their personalities were worlds apart, the combination of the flamboyant and sometimes outrageous Andy and the studio chained, workaholic pop producer Vince, were like fire and magnesium. The experiment was an unqualified success - instant combustion!
On October 5th 1985, Erasure's debut single, "Who Needs Love Like That", reached a respectable 55 in the UK charts; it was followed by "Heavenly Action" (100) and "Oh L'Amour" (85) in April of the following year. Unfazed by the lack of a Top 40 hit, the duo's debut album "Wonderland" was released in June 1986 and reached No.71. Then the live shows followed.
If anyone was in any doubt about what Erasure could do chartwise, the live shows did not disappoint. In fact the shows wowed the public, excited the critics and demanded attention. Erasure had arrived.
Four months later "Sometimes" hit No. 2 in the UK singles chart and Erasure's ten year domination of the charts had begun...
A decade on and Erasure have never ceased to surprise, astound and entertain. Their stage shows have been exciting, excessive, thrilling, fun; a musical and visual extravaganza and of course always sell-outs. Audiences have swooned to Andy's sensual lyrics, while he has argued gay politics with the media until he is blue in the face.
1995 sees the release of Erasure's ninth album "Erasure" on October 23rd. Altogether a darker and more daring affair, it's bound to surprise more than just the duo's ever-increasing fan base. Experimental instrumental workouts are cleverly intertwined with eleven brand new stylish Erasure-esque dance stompers and classic ballads.