Andy Bell, one half of of the synth-driven Erasure, is not a house-hold name in the United States. In fact, he and his band-mate Vince Clarke (former member of Depeche Mode), have sold an estimated 25 million albums world-wide with only one RIAA Gold certification in the States. But the world was indeed listening. The duo had a string of chart topping albums in the United Kingdom. There are no strangers to Pittsburgh making their debut in support of Duran Duran way back in 1987 at the Civic Arena. They have headlined the AJ Palumbo Center (1990), the Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead (2014) and the Byham Theater (2018) as well.
2025 brings the inaugural appearance of Andy Bell as a solo artist. Before you worry, no Erasure did not break up. Speaking of the band Andy said “Vince and I are currently working together in the studio. It’s the 40th anniversary of Erasure’s first album next year, and we hope to have a new album ready to coincide with that. “. In May of this year Andy released his third album, Ten Crowns. Ten Crowns is a collaboration with Grammy winner Dave Audé who has worked with the likes of U2 ,Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and more. Andy reflected on how the collaboration came to be. “To be honest I’d never thought of myself as a songwriter before, even though I’d been a co-writer with a few other people (excluding Vincent!). I felt very fortunate when my partner Stephen mentioned that Dave was a huge fan, which is very flattering. He suggested that we might try and write a few dance tunes. I love club music and Dave is very accomplished in his own musical sphere, and has worked with everybody in the industry. He works incredibly hard. Our first two collaborations were very successful on the US Billboard dance charts, so we thought it only natural to meet and write again when time allowed. Dave remains unjaded by the ‘business’ which I find very refreshing, and he’s maintained his integrity throughout. I can always tell when someone likes my voice. We are equal partners on everything we write which is something I got quite comfortable with.”
As we’re used to seeing him with Vince Clarke is was natural to wonder what we can expect as far as musicians. Asked about who will be joining him on stage Andy shared “All the musicians were initially selected by Dave Audé and are all Nashville-based, which is very handy and puts me in the thick of the country music writing scene which is quite remarkable being a white gay electro boy. So the dynamic is one of excitement, opposites attract and it’s a real fun eccentric bunch full of energy and undeniable talent. Jerry Fuentes brings a Siouxsie-type ethereal atmosphere to the songs apart from being a total flirt, and Sarah Tomek is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She is a rock goddess feminist with a filthy imagination (like mine) and she kicks ass as hard as she plays the drums. Our new singer, Chelsea King-Blank is a natural successor to Hailey and gives off the same Charlie’s Angels infectious charisma, as well as being a singer at the top of her game. Dave goes without saying… for the Erasure tracks, he has reprogrammed all the stems, which Vince kindly sent over, and has put his own stamp on them. He gets slightly nervous but the whole show is dependent on him, myself and our incredible crew. The whole sound is fresh and dynamic.”
Andy just announced the release of The Crown Jewels which will be available December 12 (link). The 4-disc release features the original Ten Crowes album plus bonus cover of Olivia Newton John’s “Xanadu”. The second disc includes remixes including Vince Clarke’s remix of “Dance for Mercy”. The third disc extended remixes by Dave Audé. The fourth disc, Ten Crowns Live, features live versions of songs from the album.
Andy will be at the Roxian Theatre on Tuesday, October 28th at 7pm. Tickets are still available at here.