Soft Cell to play non-stop 40th birthday album gigs
Old favourites and exciting new tracks from Soft Cell will feature in live shows this November as the duo celebrate 40 years since the launch of their debut album Non Stop Erotic Cabaret and forthcoming new album Happiness Not Included due out in spring.
Vocalist Marc Almond revealed: “We plan to do two sets in the evening. The first set will be greatest hits, some album and fan favourites as well as previewing some new songs live for the first time.
“The second will be Non Stop Erotic Cabaret in its entirety and in track order with accompanying visuals and a few extras. It’ll be a full-on show.”
On differences between staging live shows in the early ‘80s to playing live now, instrumentalist David Ball observed: “The main difference is the technology.
“All our visuals, lights and sequenced synths and drum machines are run live from offstage computers as opposed to the old Kodak projectors and Revox reel to reel tape machines we used to use.
“It gives us much more control and clarity in the sound and visuals. I still play live analogue synths on stage and we certainly don’t use autotune on Marc’s or the backing singer’s voices. One thing that hasn’t changed is Gary Barnacle still plays a mean saxophone.”
On Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret being 40, Marc said: “It’s hard to believe a small collection of songs has had such a long life. I’m amazed at how fresh and current it still sounds – and lyrically still relevant.”
Dave continued: “I suppose we were 40 years younger so Marc’s voice sounds more youthful and my synth playing and arrangements were more simplistic.”
When recording the debut album, Marc recalled: “We formed the band in a Northern city and there we were in one of the top New York Studios recording. We ate up the experience. And, in some ways, New York ate us up!
“I think being born in Lancashire seaside towns (Southport and Blackpool) gives you a Vaudevillian sensibility.
“It’s the home of cheap showbiz and hard-bitten entertainers, lurid cabarets, casinos and pier shows, seaside postcards, Coronation Street and The Beatles. Being born in the North gives you a tough survival instinct and the humour to deal with it. We definitely needed it.”
Dave added: “I think our ‘northern grit’ was our sheer determination to be successful. All the guitar bands in Leeds used to laugh at us. It was the tail-end of punk and the idea of a synth duo was unheard of back then.
“We remained convinced we were on to something and, luckily, were proved right. The British synth duo was born.”
On the impact of COVID19ovid and the title of their new album, Marc played down sentiment.
“The world has been going to hell in a handcart for as long as I can remember. Maybe every century feels the same.”
On their unique Soft Cell sound, he explained: “It’s the chemistry. Dave’s music has a cinematic feel and pop sensibility. It’s dark and threatening at times, but with a sleazy naughtiness. It has humour too.”
Dave revealed: “We will see how this new album performs. If Marc and I are up for it, we may do more shows and another album as BMG have an option. I try to keep an open mind.”
Gig dates are November 10 Glasgow O2 Academy, November 12 Manchester O2 Apollo, November 13 Leeds O2 Academy, November 15 and 16 London Hammersmith Apollo.
Visit https://myticket. co.uk/artists/soft-cell for more info.