Any Erasure Experts?

[MARV]

Who writes the lyrics for their songs? Is it Vince or Andy?

[rewind]

While they are both credited with writing the songs, Andy (born Andrew Ivan Bell) usually writes the lyrics, Vince (born Vincent John Martin) the music.

When he was in Depeche Mode, Vince wrote the music and lyrics.

[MARV]

Thanks, Rewind. Just as I suspected!

[Warzau]

I always like Vince Clarks music. From first DM to Yaz,Yazoo and then Erasure.

[MARV]

I know he's done other side projects. Anyone have a full listing of what he's done?

[My Aural Stimulator]

Marv-

I lifted this straight from vinceclarke.com:

Vince Clarke came to the forefront of the Basildon music scene in 1979 after forming a small band with two of his school mates named Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher. That original foray into the world of music was imaginatively named Composition of Sound. In this early structure the three were primarily interested in using guitars for their source of music. By 1980 the band decided to trade in the guitars for synthesizers which they felt would give them a wider range of possibilities in regards to musical production. Until this point Vince had provided all fronting vocals for the group and had never really felt comfortable in this lead role. Together they decided to recruit a proper lead singer and consequently became interested in a fellow Basildonian named Dave Gahan when they found him singing David Bowie covers in a night club. Following a short talk with Gahan they decided he was the right man for the job and musical history was made. Shortly after recruiting their new lead singer, they were practicing in Vince's garage and Dave saw a fashion magazine that was named 'Depeche Mode' (which is still around today). He really liked the title and the band decided to change their name.

Shortly after this point, the new group of four got a small break by being invited to contribute one song to a 'Some Bizarre' compilation album. Their involvement in this release brought the notice of several larger record labels that were quite interested in signing Depeche Mode to a deal. However, Vince had just recently met a gentleman named Daniel Miller who had of late founded his own independent music label under the moniker Mute Records. Vince was convinced that Mute Records was the label for them due to the increased artistic freedom that is allowed on an independent label versus the strict control exercised by larger companies. Thus after some brief negotiations they decided to release their first single and album with Daniel Miller's new company on nothing more than a handshake. It is notable that even after twenty two years Vince still releases music on Mute Records with little more than this "handshake deal". The first single the band released was entitled 'Dreaming of Me' and it did very little in the single charts. The album was also fairly un-successful and the following single 'New Life' barely made a dent in the charts. The band at last struck gold with their third single 'Just Can't Get Enough' and were soon playing on TV programs such as Top of the Pops.

Vince began feeling the pressure of this new found success and swiftly decided to part ways with Depeche Mode. He felt that they were in favor of taking a different musical direction than the one he was in favor of pursuing. He was initially rather troubled about leaving because he knew the other three weren't musicians and had no idea how to program synthesizers (they would eventually bring in musician Alan Wilder to fill this role). To ease his guilt he offered them two songs that he had just written ('Only You', and 'Don't Go'), however the band didn't think they could perform those songs and decided not to take the songs from Vince (they later regretted not taking 'Only You' as they all rather enjoyed this song once they heard the completed version).

A few months afterward Vince saw an ad in Melody Maker posted by another school mate named Alison Moyet who had seen time playing the Punk and R&B circuits in small no-name bands. The ad called for a "Rootsy blues musician" and Vince answered the ad in his typical subtle comedic way (he is neither rootsy, nor blues). This was the birth of one of the most beloved synth-pop bands of all time, Yazoo. Vince originally asked Alison to sing on a demo of 'Only You' (One of the songs he had offered Depeche Mode). A few weeks later, the song was at the top of the charts. Soon Vince and Alison cut their first album together 'Upstairs At Eric's'. Before long they were releasing more singles which also enjoyed very high chart placings and were being hailed as one of the most original bands in music history (indeed, a designation that can still be used about them to this day). Unfortunately, such brilliance often has a tendency to expire very quickly and shortly after recording their second album together 'You and Me Both', Yazoo split up.

Vince moved on quickly after the demise of 'Yazoo'. He teamed up with his good friend and 'Yazoo' producer Eric (EC) Radcliffe. They named this new project The Assembly' and were intent on releasing a string of singles utilizing the talents of different vocalists for each. Their first and only foray into this project was with Feargal Sharkey and the single was 'Never Never'. This single met with a tepid response and Vince and Eric decided to move ahead to some production duties in 1984. This new venture was named Reset Records and produced eight singles that didn't meet with the success originally hoped for. Eric subsequently decided to move onto something else and left Vince with time to make new plans. In early 1985 Vince decided to re-visit the original idea of releasing singles with varying singers and teamed up with Paul Quinn to release the single 'One Day' which didn't even crack the top 100 of the single charts.

Later in 1985 Vince got together with producer Flood and began auditioning for vocalists for a new project. This time his hope was to release an entire album with different singers for each song. Most of the hopefuls who tried out that day were "dreadful" according to Vince. This led him to the revelation that perhaps it was best just to choose a lead singer and use the same one on the entire album. The 42nd vocalist to try-out was a young man named Andy Bell who was currently working as a butcher. The two hit it off immediately and Vince's longest running, and most successful band to date was born, Erasure. Erasure released their first album to very little critical or commercial success. Indeed Andy Bell thought that it was over before it began. However, Vince and he kept at it and recorded a second album which went straight to the top of the charts. The pair have since penned a series of 35 singles and 13 albums. Erasure have in fact become one of the most influential and commercially successful electronic bands in history.

Twenty two years after beginning, Vince is still going strong. In addition to his on-going work in Erasure, Vince has recently ventured into some other musical territory in such bands as Family Fantastic who have released one album 'Nice!', and currently have another album awaiting release entitled 'Wonderful'. Another project that Vince devotes a lot of time to is The Clarke And Ware Experiment who have currently released two albums (1999's 'Pretentious', and 2001's 'Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle'). The Radioactivators released a double A side single 'Knock On Your Door/Bopp' in December of 2001 and represents another interesting side project for Vince Clarke. In 2001 Vince and Martin Ware (his partner from The Clarke and Ware Experiment) also formed an innovative and exciting company named The Illustrious Company. They are involved in a number of different musical efforts providing ambient soundscapes for various companies and artistic events.

In early 2003 Erasure stormed back into the top ten of the British pop charts with the single 'Solsbury Hill', and made the top twenty with the single 'Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me). Along with these releases Erasure toured the UK and US with their well received 'Other Tour'. This success was followed up with the shimmering album of cover versions entitled 'Other People's Songs'. In October 2003 Erasure released an updated version of their 1986 third single 'Oh L'Amour'. The single entered the charts in the top 15 making 2003 one of the most successful years in Erasure history!

The band have recently completed the recording of their all new studio album. The new album is entitled 'Nightbird' and will be released in January 2005. 'Nightbird' will be preceded by the single 'Breathe' which is an all new Erasure composition. Erasure will also be touring early 2005, so look to a venue near you for one of the greatest shows on earth!

[MARV]

Excellent - thanx Aural!

[:)]