Austinist Preview: Pet Shop Boys at the Backyard

Decades come and go, generations pass and fade, yet some artists seem reluctant to leave. The Pet Shop Boys marched through the 80s with a series of chart toppers, especially in the UK. “West End Girls”, “Suburbia”, “It’s A Sin” and the as-slick-as-80s-production-can-be cover of “Always On My Mind” all hit a chord and many a key in all of our lives. There was even time for collaboration with Dusty Springfield for “What Have I Done To Deserve This?” and a re-do of “Where The Streets Have No Name.” However, by the next decade, all eyes were off the duo of Neil Tennant (he’s got the looks) and Chris Lowe (he’s got the brains) as they wandered into mediocrity. And grunge.

Now, with nu-new wave, no-new wave, and new wave in general all making comebacks, who’s to stop these blokes from releasing a brand new album, Fundamental? They bring their synth dance pop to the The Backyard on Saturday night for a combination of old and new. Tickets are fairly steep, at close to $50 just to get in, but for a further 10 bucks, one can enjoy fajitas and rice n’ beans while domino dancing.

[Official Site]
[Myspace]

Pet Shop Boys
Saturday, October 21st
The Backyard [Map]
Doors at 6:30pm
[Tickets]

Photo by sabbat1cal on Flickr

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By adi anand in Arts & Entertainment on October 20, 2006 11:30 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

truecraig

Obscurity IS a more appropriate word to use. Good call.

Jonathan

Good effort at reconciliation, Craig, but unless PSB's singles and albums automagically worsened in quality as they came off the boat from the UK, I don't think "mediocrity" is the word to use there.

A band isn't mediocre on just one continent, unless it's David Hasselhoff, who has kindly inflicted his musical career almost exclusively on the Europeans. Thanks, Dave.

I'll grant you they slid into obscurity here, but whether anyone here was aware of it or not, they've never been mediocre.

Now I'm going to go hug my dictionary.

truecraig

Okay, everyone just CALM DOWN. The man didn't mean to flick anyone's oonce-oonce loving ears. Take his words IN CONTEXT. Here in 'merica, they DID fall into mediocrity.

But so did our mainstream media, along with our collective idea of musical taste/talent. So it's no surprise.

I hear Rod Stewart has a new album out too. Fucking rocks like gravel.

Jooley Ann

*ahem* I'm a bit baffled by the anti-PSB nature of this post myself. Complain about "The New Cars" and their ilk all you like, but the Pet Shop Boys continue to enjoy critical acclaim and commercial success across the pond for many a good reason. $50 to see them in a venue as cozy as the Backyard seems like a steal to me.

Norman

I can't belive this guy!!! He must be either nuts or thinking about the other PSB (the one from another other planet). Tell me you don't like PSB but don't lie to me. Get your facts right.

minimalrobot

Whu??? Bowie is still making music? Does it sound anything like "China Girl" or "Let's Dance?" I really need to get to the record store more often.

Jonathan

"Some artists seem reluctant to leave"

Yep, call in the Sandmen, because these guys are just too consistently good. They should end their careers with a graceful demise at Carousel and make room for the rest of us.

Neil and Chris, your palms are blinking! Do the right thing!

While we're at it, someone should also notify David Bowie that no one is allowed to be relevant to more than one generation. Cheeky bastard has to go and do something interesting every damn decade.

minimalrobot

Pet Shop Boys made a Grunge album? Which one are you talking about? I totally need to check that out.

By the way, I'm with you 100%. Once a band stops having big hits in America, they should definitely give it up and "leave" the music biz.

hangingfire

It's worth noting, you know, that the Pet Shop Boys have been consistently popular in England for the last twenty years, even, yes, AFTER the 1980s were over; their albums and singles regularly make the top 10 lists. And I would hardly call Behaviour or Very "mediocre".

Of course, since no one in this country gives a rat's arse about what anyone anywhere else thinks, that doesn't matter, does it? Much easier to be snide about those wacky 80s.