Bernard Butler - guitar /2019 studio/ | |
Bernard Joseph Butler (born 1 May 1970) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the first guitarist with Suede, until his departure in 1994. He has been hailed by some critics as the greatest guitarist of his generation; BBC journalist Mark Savage called him "one of Britain's most original and influential guitarists".
Butler has played on and/or produced records by Aimee Mann, Edwyn Collins, Neneh Cherry, Roy Orbison, Bert Jansch, The Libertines, Heather Nova, Mark Owen, The Veils, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Cribs, the Pretenders, The On-Off's, 1990s, The Mescalitas,Duffy, Arkitekt, Tricky, Sharleen Spiteri and many more. In November 2019, Pet Shop Boys released their second single "Burning The Heather" from their forthcoming album "Hotspot", featuring a guitar riff played by Bernard Butler.
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Afrika Green - drums, backing vocals /2016-now live performaces/ | |
Afrika Green, is British/American drummer, came from a rural town in the East Of England. She started playing drums at 13 as it was something to keep her stimulated in a sleepy town where the average age is 60+. She used to bash around on the drums at lunch breaks at school until she got caught by the music teacher and was encouraged to seek lessons. It wasn’t long before she started to outgrow her surroundings and needed to be pushed more. At 18 she made the decision to study for a Degree in Music performance at ACM. After she graduated with a first-class degree in Music Performance she is currently drumming and singing backing vocals for the Pet Shop Boys on their ‘Super’ world tour. She is also drumming for British electronic music producer & DJ, High Contrast. Alongside she worked with many artists and bands, including Goldie, Akala, Fleur East, Saravah Soul, Soweto Kinch and Island Records’ JUCE, all of which she learnt a great deal from and still harness skills.
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Christina Hizon - keys, violin, backing vocals /2016-now live performaces/ | |
Christina Hizon is a Session Musician, with extensive experience touring the UK, Europe, USA, Asia & Australia. As well as being a vocalist, Christina is a multi-instrumentalist and plays Keyboards, Violin and accompanying Guitar. She is currently playing for Dua Lipa & has been touring worldwide with The Pet Shop Boys's SUPER tour for the last three years. Over an extensive career, she has also played with many artists including Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Paul Draper, Becky Hill, Jacob Banks, Maisie Peters and CleanBandit. Pet Shop Boys - Backing Vocalist/Keyboardist/Violinist BBC Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park Headline 2019 SUPER Asian Tour March/April 2019 SUPER The Royal Opera House July 2016 & 2018 SUPER South American, US & European Tour 2016-2017 |
Simon Tellier - keys, drums, backing vocals /2016-now live performaces/ | |
At age 17, having obtained his “Baccalaureat” (diploma) in France, Simon was offered a scholarship to study at Tech Music School in London. Simon seized this amazing opportunity and moved to England to pursue his dream of becoming a professional drummer. After a few months of learning new skills from the great teachers at Drumtech, Simon auditioned and got his first “proper gig” becoming the house drummer for the Pop Hit factory “Xenomania records”. He played for many of their artists including Mini Viva, Florrie Arnold, Nightvision and Alex Gardner and subsequently embarked on many UK tours, in theatres as well as arenas, supporting acts like Paolo Nutini, One Republic, Scouting for Girls, Leona Lewis, and Whitney Houston. Simon is now one of the go to guys on the session circuit and has been lucky and proud to have worked with many different artists such as the Pet Shop Boys (Super tour), Birdy, Jason Derulo, Gloria Gaynor, Christophe Willem, Taio Cruz, Tinchy Stryder, Charlie XCX, Ella Henderson even a promo gig with the world famous One Direction! |
Bic Hayes - guitar, backing vocals /2002-2005 live performaces, studio/ | |
Christian David Hayes (born 10 June 1964 in Westminster, London), also known as Bic Hayes, is an English rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Best known as the frontman of Dark Star and guitarist with Levitation, he has also released solo material as Mikrokosmos, which was produced by Tim Smith. Following the disbanding of Dark Star in 2001, Hayes toured and recorded with the Pet Shop Boys (Release tour, University tour...; I Get Along, If Looks Could Kill ) and worked as guitar tech/tour/production manager for the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Kula Shaker and David Cassidy. |
Mark Refoy - guitar, backing vocals /2002-2005 live performaces, studio/ | |
Mark is part of Slipstream, English indie rock band. It was formed in 1994 after Mark Refoy left Spiritualized. The band consisted of Ian Anderson on guitar, Gary Lennon on bass, Steve Beswick on drums and occasional appearances from Jonny Mattock who had also stopped drumming for Spiritualized later that year. Over the following five years the band released two albums, Slipstream and Be Groovy Or Leave, and a compilation CD, Side Effects, all on Ché Trading. In January 2008, Slipstream released their new album Mantra. The twelve-track album was mixed by Pete Gleadall at his West London studio, Hoedown City. Mark appeared alongside former Levitation and Dark Star guitarist Bic Hayes on the world tour for the Pet Shop Boys, including an appearance headlining the Live 8 concert, Moscow and other that time related performances. More he appears on PSB's records I Get Along and If Looks Could Kill. |
Dawne Adams - percusion, drums, backing vocals /2002-2005 live performaces/ | |
Her bio says: I’ve been a drummer in London for over 20 years. I was inspired to start playing while watching LIVE AID in 1985 and thinking I would love to do that someday. 20 years later I did, in Red Square playing with The Pet Shop Boys as part of LIVE 8 in 2005.
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So I began drumming at school and then continued learning with Paul Clarvis while studying for a Performing Arts Degree at Middlesex University. From there I went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama completing the Postgraduate course in Jazz & Studio Music under the tuition of Trevor Tompson.
Since then I have been fortunate to play for various artists. It was an honour to make my very first TV appearance on Top of the Pops with Lionel Richie - a show I had watched religiously every week while growing up. It was an even greater honour to play live percussion with him a few years later at gigs infront of 100,000 people and to perform kit with him live on the much respected Parkinson show.
‘IT’S A SIN’ was a No.1 hit by The Pet Shop Boys … again 20 years later I found myself playing that track with them touring around the world.
In 2011, I got the call to play with Duran Duran! Roger Taylor was one of the reasons I started playing drums in the first place and I have now had the great pleasure of sharing a stage with them.
I’ve been very fortunate to work with some great artists so far and I look forward to hopefully working with them, and others, in the future.
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J. J. Belle - guitar, drums /1990-1996 live performaces, studio/ | |
J. J. Belle is a producer, writer and musician - guitar, drum and keyboard player. He played guitar on albums by
Grace Jones, George Michael, Jennifer Rush, Jimmy Sommerville, Tina Turner
and Gina G. He appeared in some of the Pet Shop Boys’ songs, including
Being boring, 1993’s Liberation and Go West, in
addition to Liza Minnelli’s Love pains and I can’t say
goodnight.
J. J. Belle also appeared with Pet Shop Boys on their 1991’s Performance tour, as well as one-night stands in Heaven Nightclub in London in October 1991 and Haçienda club in Manchester in May 1992. New version of Violence performed at Haçienda was released on Pet Shop Boys’ 1995’s Alternative album and 1996’s Se a vida é also featured J. J. Belle’s guitar. He died of cancer on November 26th, 2004. |
Courtney Pine - jazz musician /1989 live performaces/ | |
Courtney Pine (born 18 March 1964) is a British jazz musician. Although known primarily for his
saxophone playing, Pine is a multinstrumentalist, also playing the flute, clarinet and keyboards. His recent music has attempted to integrate modern British music like drum and bass and garage with contemporary jazz styles. He runs his own band and integrates many comtemporary musicians in his performances. Pine was awarded an OBE in 2000 for services to jazz. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Westminster (06/12/04). He made a guest appearance in the 1988 Doctor Who story Silver Nemesis. During the "MCMLXXXIX Tour" in 1989 he appeared along with Pet Shop Boys playing sax and clarinet. |