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
1989
Directed by Derek Jarman, the Pet Shop Boys have a dress rehearsal in London for their upcoming tour—their first ever—which will kick off one week later with a show in Hong Kong.
1991
‘Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)’ hits its #72 peak on the U.S. singles chart.
1992
Electronic’s single ‘Disappointed,’ co-written by Neil, who also sings lead vocals, is released.
2002
The Boys perform in Hamburg, Germany.
2009
Neil and Chris are in Amsterdam for their concert this evening at the Heineken Music Hall.
2011
Tonight is the first of three consecutive PSB/Take That shows in Glasgow, Scotland. As they have throughout the tour, the Boys work on new songs back at their hotel. Today they begin writing a song titled ‘Making Waves.’
2015
Chris and Neil work all day on a song titled ‘Wedding in Berlin,’ which they will later offer as a wedding present to some friends of theirs.
2017
They perform this evening at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena.
2018
The Pet Shop Boys are among the artists—creators of ‘Northern anthems’ as voted on by the general public—depicted in an exhibition of original portraits by Manchester-based illustrator Stanley Chow that opens today at Sage Gateshead as part of the ‘Great Exhibition of the North.’ The PSB songs that have been nominated by the public as ‘Northern anthems’ are ‘Love Comes Quickly’ and ‘It’s a Sin.’
2022
The Dreamworld Tour comes to Cork, Ireland.
2024
Pet Shop Boys headline at the Isle of Wight Festival.
- Facts collated by geowayne.com