Erasure • Features • Ask Erasure
Andy Bell (Oct 2005)
1) Andy, with Electric Blue you have managed to record an album that is so different from any Erasure release, an entirely different style. That must have been difficult to do after composing and performing the Erasure way of music for 20 years... PS Good luck with the release!!! xxx (Janet C)
Andy: Thankyou xx
2) If you were given the chance to redo a song of yours, what would it be? (David French)
Andy: Heavenly Action in the style of S'Express
3) As a black women whose been a fan since 1985, I've noticed you always have black backing singers on shows or on tour. I think in todays society it is commendable and would like to know from Vince or Andy was this something they've thought of, or was it just a decision from other influences? (Victoria Ricketts)
Andy: It was just a spur of the moment decision but our girls & boys have always been so lovely & back men & women have taught us whities how to sing & dance
4) What is your life's most embarrassing moment? (Neil Bothwell)
Andy: Nicking chocolates from my Nan's bedroom & 'fessing up!
5) Hi Andy just wanted to ask what you think of the song 'When I Needed You'? It is my favourite erasure song yet it is low profile - I've never heard it live. (Paraic Elliott)
Andy: Maybe this time ......
6) What is the deciding factor in making a song a b-side? My assumption was always that it was a song that didn't quite fit the mood of the main album, or are some of them created specifically for the single releases as an added-value bonus? (Frank Ort)
Andy: It's either not good enough or written on the spur of the moment (these sometimes work out better than the A-side.)
7) How did you get in involved with Ant & Dec on the 1997 release 'Shout'? (Aaron Read)
Andy: They asked me.
8) How do you both feel about collectors who know more about an artists releases than the artists themselves? Some people are feverish collectors, and they know every promo that exists on planet earth, and they also have every shred of vinyl that was ever issued for a particular Erasure release. Is this fascinating to you or frightening? (Bruce LaFountain)
Andy: I am glad somebody keeps track of what I'm up to, they usually know before I do which is pretty handy if you get lost.
9) One year ago, I broke up with my girlfriend and my life turns into a real nightmare. The only way I found to feel good, was listening to your music. The song 'Sono Luminus' was the cure for my pain. Could you tell me more about that song? It's a real experience of your own life? (Pablo Alvear)
Andy: It's a great song for transmuting pain but I don't know what it's about to be honest.
10) What are your favourite and least favourite Erasure videos? (Jackie)
Andy: My least favourite is Heavenly Action because I look like a twat & favourite is Lay All Your Love 'cause I get to ride a motorbike.
11) I was wondering why you guys don't sing a lot of the songs from the albums 'ISay ISay ISay', 'Erasure' and 'Loveboat' live?. (Jose Frausto)
Andy: Only very few people know this material & it would be a bit anoraky to perform them.
12) What are your top five shows or concerts/performances that you've attended over the years? (Linda)
Andy: 1. Blondie : Shepherds Bush Empire
2. Madonna Re-invention : Wembley Arena
3. B52's: The Forum Kentish Town
4. Marc Almond : Sonar Festival Barcelona
5. KD.Lang : Mean Fiddler Harlsden.
13) Would you consider sticking a commercially unreleased track on a file sharing program such as Kazaa and watch how popular it becomes? Even if it was just something you knocked up in a few days? (Mark Lawrie)
Andy: Yes
14) I was wondering if the two of you ever plan to release a B-sides album. Some of my favourite Erasure songs of all time are B-sides. You could call it 'The Other Side'? (Sam Hisey)
Andy: We are in the process of compiling one.
15) Do you have many unreleased songs from previous Erasure albums? (Pablo Nunez)
Andy: No
16) What are your views on the afterlife? Do you have any particular faith that makes sense to you? (Lee Warne)
Andy: I just wanna keep coming back like a bad penny & get worse & worse & worse!