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”.
While in New York City during their Performance tour, Neil tells Chris, ‘I’ve got an idea for a ‘West End Girls’ type song. It’s called ‘DJ Culture.”
Neil records vocals for demos of ‘Call Me Old-Fashioned’ and ‘Nightlife.’
They record vocals for ‘The Sodom and Gomorrah Show.’
On their way back home following the Australian leg of the Fundamental Tour, the Boys enjoy a layover in Hong Kong.
Neil is photographed at the East End gay pub George & Dragon attending a birthday party for London model/DJ/socialite Princess Julia.
The Boys complete a mix of ‘Inside.’ Also, Pete Gleadall, who has been working with them in Berlin on new tracks, returns today to London.
The 2014 leg of the Electric Tour begins with the Pet Shop Boys’ return engagement at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California, where they had twice performed the previous October.