Ever since I first heard “Oh L’amour” (sometime in 1987), I’ve been a fan of Erasure, and its two members, Vince Clarke and Andy Bell.  Considering what a fan I was of Depeche Mode and especially Yazoo (both of which were co-founded by Vince Clarke), combined with my delight in larger-than-life stage personalities - well, it might not have been unexpected, but it’s always been a pleasure. 

In preparation for their upcoming Halloween concert, at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort (the Las Vegas-stop on the band's The Violent Flame Tour) was recently afforded the opportunity to speak with singer, Andy Bell; and following are a few of the highlights from our conversation.

SHULMAN:  How important was it for y’all to be involved (as headliners, alongside Cyndi Lauper and Debbie Harry), on the now-historic True Colors Tour?

ANDY BELL:  It was quite important.  I mean, all the bands were Cyndi’s choice, you know?  So we felt very privileged to be on the tour.  Part of it was because I’d been out, since the beginning; and I suppose that gave me a bit of a profile, in the gay community.  And it was a lot of talking about ideas, and hanging-out with Cyndi and Rosie, and it was a great time.  Mostly female, I must add.  I mean, Debbie Harry!  Yeah, that was fabulous…

How has your on-stage persona developed, over the past few decades?

Well, it’s funny.  The stage persona kind of grew, really, out of nothing; because I was kind of – I was a bit boring, to be honest, when we first started.  I remember we had one of our first shows at Heaven Nightclub, in the UK, and I was wearing this kind of see-through outfit.  And I was very aware of being “the singer after Alison Moyet” – you know?  Because she had a huge personality and she was very ballsy and bluesy; and I came along.  This shy boy with a high voice, and I didn’t know what to say, for these first few shows.  I was just standing there.  In silence.  And I remember them yelling at me, “Andy!  Tell some jokes!”

It was then that I started building this persona that was based, quite a bit, on drag queens I’d seen in London.  You know, becoming larger than life, and wearing elaborate costumes.  And it grew out of there.  And then, after I-don’t-know-how-many thousands of concerts we’ve done, you just kind of grow into your own skin and be comfortable with who you are.  And your voice mellows, and you mature, and some of the songs we’d drop the key.  But I think you just become confident in who you are as a performer, as yourself.  And I suppose now, instead of being a nelly, camp queen, on purpose; I’m much more myself. 

Read the rest of my interview, with Erasure’s Andy Bell, in Part 2.

Erasure with Brian Evans
The Violent Flame Tour | Halloween
Pearl Concert Theater at Palms
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