Boyz magazine – July 17th 1999.

"Tennant's extra"

"The Pet Shop Boys are back. Although, according to Neil Tennant, they've never been away. He talks to Howard Wilmot about drugs, dicks and... er, H from Steps.

Neil Tennant is sitting at home in Chelsea wearing a pair of combat trousers, black Camper shoes and a grey T-shirt with 'X Large' on it. He admits that the label is unfortunately becoming increasingly appropriate. Chris Lowe, of course. If elsewhere, though for a moment in the pre-interview to-ing and fro-ing, Boyz thought we'd bagged him as well.

While chatting to Boyz, Neil gazes out across his garden. He's awaiting the arrival of a tree surgeon to arrive (sic) and cut down a problematic specimen. And then it's off 'to do the French'. Journalists, that is. Because, yep, after 15 years in the pop game ('West End Girls' first came out in April 1984) and three years since their last album, the Pet Shop Boys are back with a new single, 'I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more', a prelude to this autumn's new album, Nightlife, and perhaps a case of the jitters...

Boyz: Do you worry that nobody's going to give a shit this time round?

NT: You do worry about that, but I don't think of it as coming back, because we never go away. We're always doing something: last year I was on the Robbie Williams' single and we did the Noel Coward project. When you bring out a new record, you want to capture people's imaginations.

Boyz: But it's the same record all over again, right?

NT: You can say that about anyone, really. Some people think all classical music sounds the same or that all the Rolling Stones records sound the same. If you play our records back to back, they're pretty different. People think they sound the same because of my voice, so no matter what we do, people always say, 'Oh typical Pet Shop Boys...'

Boyz: Are you 'pop royalty' now?

NT: No. I've always hated the idea of pop royalty. When I was at Smash Hits, I invented the phrase 'like punk never happened', 'cause in the early 80s there was that Culture Club/Duran/Spandau thing going on, and I thought punk rock had got rid of that. I still don't like the idea of a pop aristocracy, with people swanning around having their pictures taken outside the Met Bar.

Boyz: But you could be the 'fathers' of pop...

NT: Do you think? When I look at pop music today, I don't think a lot of it has much to do with what we do. It's all kids from stage schools doing dance routines. Though there's nothing wrong with that, it's not really about music, it's about showbusiness. We've always set our sights a little higher.

Boyz: So, you're 'artists'?

NT: No, I love being a pop star, but I think we try to develop and invent new ways of doing things - whether it be on the record or at concerts like we did at the Savoy a couple of years ago. It's important to try and do things differently.

Boyz: Do the Pet Shop Boys take themselves too seriously?

NT: No, 'cause we have a very good sense of humour about it, and we have a strong sense of the ridiculous. But of course we take it seriously, but not too seriously. You can't with Chris in the group.

Boyz: Has anything ever been too damn stupid in retrospect?

NT: Not really. When I think of some of the ridiculous things we've done, like making a film, it was a great experience and a film I like. The videos were really good, even if we felt a bit ridiculous doing them. Wearing those big orange wigs for the latest one... that takes a certain amount of courage, but I really like the end result.

Boyz: It's camp and clever, but it's never cheeky or playful?

NT: I don't think it's particularly clever, it just gives a different feel to a record. Chris and I have always liked to dress up as the Pet Shop Boys, we feel like it's a disguise.

Boyz: So, what's been the Pet Shop Boys' one triumph?

NT: I'm really proud of the collection of songs and albums, though there's the odd record I think we could have done better. But highlights: the number one in America, the shows we did at the Savoy and when we finally do our musical, I think that'll be a highlight. I know Chris would say his highlight was when he went to see the European Cup Final and the whole crowd sang 'Go West' when Arsenal won.

Boyz: Are those the moments when you thought 'this is what being a pop star's all about'?

NT: Oh god, the parties - they're highlights. We had a party in 1989 at Westway studios at the end of our Derek Jarman tour, which was absolutely fantastic. It was listed in Harpers & Queen as the last great party of the 80s. And then we had another great party a couple of years later at Pinewood Studios - unbelievably expensive! I remember being completely drunk and seeing the dawn come up over the pine wood.

Boyz: You've never done drugs?

NT: Never.

Boyz: How come?

NT: It's not the sort of thing one should talk about really. It's a kind of touchy subject really. Clubbing is too much about drugs now. When people are still dancing in clubs at 11 o'clock the following morning, there's something about that which gives me the creeps. I think it's very unhealthy. I have seen people's lives harmed by drugs.

Boyz: So what happens when you're not in the public eye?

NT: I always thought we must be the most visible pop stars in the world! Last night I was in Vauxhall Tavern watching the Divine David.

Boyz: People think it's all lazing around on yachts and getting Brazilian rent boys in.

NT: If only that was the case. I haven't been on a yacht in my life. I'm not a very good sailor. I live in London most of the time, but I have a country house in the North East of England where I like to spend a lot of time. I'm often to be found in the theatre, the Departure Lounge in Heaven, the Groucho Club or wandering around Soho.

Boyz: Are you dating?

NT: I'm not. I'm actually in the market for a boyfriend. I like them to be intelligent, with beautiful eyes, skinny, late twenties or early thirties...

Boyz: Are you a size queen?

NT: No, I'm not a size queen, actually. I think all penises look pretty much the same. (laughs)

Boyz: Can I ask if you're a top or a bottom?

NT: Erm, no you can't. It's too personal. But put it this way, I'm not a bottom. (laughs)

Boyz: Has being famous stopped you finding a boyfriend?

NT: I think my own lack of confidence probably hinders it sometimes. I'm not relentless enough in the pursuit either.

Boyz: Ever done Chris?

NT: What, you mean have sex with him? No, never.

Boyz: How about the groupie thing?

NT: (Silence)

Boyz: That's a very long pause for thought.

NT: Sometimes something that starts off like that might not end up like it. But no, I haven't really done the groupie thing.

Boyz: Has Chris?

NT: (laughs) You'll have to ask Chris that and he'll never speak to you, so there you go. He's far too enigmatic.

Boyz: Do you get dirty fan mail?

NT: I get more fan mail from middle-aged women, the same age as me. We do get mail from men who send pictures in, and occasionally we get really weird ones. People send in sexual suggestions, but you have a laugh then throw it away. You can use your imagination.

Boyz: Is being gay still an issue in pop?

NT: I think it must be an issue, or the Steven Gately thing wouldn't have happened. No one would have cared. I think in Britain it isn't such an issue and the George Michael situation really proved that. He still had fantastic success all around Europe, but in America I don't expect it went down all that well. I think in Britain people expect their entertainers to be homosexual.

Boyz: Do pop stars have a responsibility to be out?

NT: No, not if they don't want to be. I think they have a responsibility to themselves really. I'm quite against the idea that people expect celebrities to set an example. You should do what you want to do, what feels right for you, and if people admire you for that, then great.

Boyz: And finally, who's your favourite member of Steps?

NT: H, of course.

Boyz: Why 'of course'?

NT: 'Cause he's bonkers. I like the way he puts his tongue out whenever there's a camera. I saw him at Party in the Park on Sunday, and I love what we call the hair washing dance, I think it's absolutely brilliant.

Boyz: Thanks for your time.

NT: A pleasure. It's off to the French now."