Pet Shop Boys

About Pet Shop Boys

Though they've achieved more success in their native England than they have in the United States, the electronic music duo The Pet Shop Boys have cultivated a world wide reputation. Connoisseurs of electronic music admire the two men for their arch, sophisticated lyrics and complex, orchestral pop arrangements. But though they may have high art taste, the band unironically champion dance music, always referring to what they do as "disco" and releasing biting tracks like "Can You Forgive Her?" and "How I Learned to Hate Rock n' Roll." Appropriately enough the two men-Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe-met in an electronics shop while looking at synthesizers. The two discovered they shared an interest in music and decided to try recording. They wrote songs in Tennant's trendy London flat, including demos for their hits "West End Girls," "It's A Sin" and "Jealousy." They signed with Parlophone Records in 1985 and released their early singles "Opportunities (Lets Make Lots of Money)" and "In the Night." It wasn't until they released the caustic track "West End Girls" in 1985 that they came to mainstream attention-it started low on the charts, but picked up radio momentum and eventually climbed to #1. Though their initial stage shows were deliberately uninspired, the stylish Pet Shop Boys took an interest in opera staging for their first major tour and worked with members of the English National Opera to design stage sets and costumes. The Pet Shop Boys are also famous for their love of remixes, and have hired up and coming electronic artists like Moby, Sasha, The KLF and Scissor Sisters to produce highly collectible remix singles.