On August 19th, Neil and Chris meet by chance in an electronics shop on the Kings Road. Realizing they have a common interest in dance music, they begin to write together. Initially they call themselves West End; later they come up with the name Pet Shop Boys, a name derived from some friends who work in a pet shop in Ealing. “We thought it sounded like an English rap group”.
The Boys begin work on a song initially titled ‘Shame,’ which eventually evolves into ‘To Step Aside.’
Chris adds synth-string parts to ‘Birthday Boy.’
The Pet Shop Boys are in Seoul, South Korea, for their Electric Tour concert there this evening. During the afternoon, however, they pay a visit to the city’s Leeum Samsung Art Museum.
They bring their Electric Tour (still going strong) to Copenhagen, Denmark.
They perform this evening at the Flow Festival in Helsinki, Finland. On their official website, they refer to it as ‘the last performance of Pet Shop Boys’ Electric Tour.’
The Boys take the Place des Palais stage tonight at the Brussels Summer Festival.