March 1995
On March 6th, ‘Various’, a collection of the Pet Shop Boys’ most recent videos, is released.
History
July 1995
On July 31st, the Pet Shop Boys release ‘Paninaro ‘95’, a new version of the song they first recorded in 1986. It is based upon the new arrangement Chris performed on the ‘Discovery’ tour, and Chris’ new, updated lyrics.
August 1995
On August 7th an album of Pet Shop Boys B‑sides is released. It is called ‘Alternative’ (a last minute change from the title which had always been saved for this record: ‘Besides’). It contains thirty songs in chronological order from ‘In the night’ to ‘Some speculation’, and the first copies of the CD and album have a hologram on the cover which shifts between two photographs, one of Neil, one of Chris, both in fencing masks. “They’re some of our favourite songs”, Neil explains, “and it just seemed like a nice idea to have them in one place”. On the same day, ‘Discovery’, a video of the Pet Shop Boys performing live in Rio de Janeiro, is released.
December 1995
On December 19th the Pet Shop Boys record a two hour radio programme, Merry Pet Shop Boys, for Radio One to broadcast on Christmas Eve. They play their favourite records from the previous year, beginning with Livin’ Joy’s ‘Dreamer’ and ending with the Sleaze Sisters with Vicki’s ‘Let’s Whip It Up’, and including songs by Edwyn Collins, Grace, The Original, The Passengers, Dubstar, Gusto, Billie Ray Martin, and two by Oasis. During the recording they drink champagne, and eat twiglets and crisps. Neil leaves the band once, and Chris explains to a Radio One producer why he likes the records that he likes: “It’s like art. You like it because you like it. You don’t know why. I I like any song with the word ‘love’ in it. I like any record with love in it because, as far as I’m concerned, right, love’s the only thing that matters”.
On this day
1984
On assignment for Smash Hits, a pre-stardom Neil Tennant spends much of the day with Depeche Mode and their entourage before attending their concert this evening in Leicester, U.K.
1999
The Boys perform in San Diego, California. Also, the issue with this date of the California gay magazine Frontiers features an interview with Neil.
2006
In town for their concert the following evening, Neil and Chris visit the Denver Art Museum.
2008
The Pet Shop Boys are informed that they will be recognized for Outstanding Contribution to Music at the next BRITS Awards.
2009
On sale today: the latest issue of the U.K. political/cultural magazine The Spectator, to which Neil contributes this week’s ‘Diary’ feature. This same day, he and Chris are in the studio working on tracks for an upcoming special holiday release.
2010
A busy day for the Boys. They sign 500 prints set to go to fans who have bought their new collection Ultimate from their website. Then they meet with designer Katrina Lindsay and choreographer Javier De Frutos about their upcoming ballet The Most Incredible Thing, during which they see a model of the set and hear production ideas.
2012
Enjoying a day off during their brief visit to Mexico City, Chris and Neil travel roughly 30 miles northeast to the ruins of the ancient Aztec city of Teotihuacan. They make particular note of the famed Pyramid of the Sun, posting a picture that one of them took of it on their official website.
2016
The Boys perform at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
2018
Neil spends time signing pre-ordered copies of his new book One Hundred Lyrics and a Poem.
- Facts collated by geowayne.com