Erasure's New 'Flame' :: Andy Bell Talks Up His New Grooves

With three decades of hit-making magic between them, and a few solo ventures here and there, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke have maintained their status as one of the most popular electro pop bands. With Andy's added fabulous outness, their new CD "The Violet Flame," and their world concert tour, the duo are back in the deserved spotlight.

With anthem-like tracks that deserve a place on a massive dance floor ("Elevation" and "Sacred") to the spooky minor-keyed "Dead of Night" (a critique of overdoing the excesses of nightlife?), Erasure's new CD harkens back to their earlier years, but with a more richly layered production stylings of Richard X.

"It's just how it came out," said Andy Bell in a phone interview. "After everything we've been through, it was almost a relief to make a new record. It seems like everything's all clear, and calm is restored."

Last year's eloquently somber "Snow Globe" emcompassed the nostalgia and ennui of a wintry holiday season. Bell's partner of 25 years had died shortly before their last album was recorded. He's since begun a new relationship, and found what he cited as a renewed working relationship with longtime collaborator Clarke.

"I feel so greateful to be given this new opportunity," said Bell. He and Clarke spent about a week working with producer Richard X in sunny Miami, Florida (where their U.S. tour also started in September).

Bell said he spent another three weeks in production with his producer and Clarke back near his home in London.

"I think that kind of really gave the record a kind of richness that we weren't actually looking for. But Richard's specification was to keep the feel of the band in a really good way."

Asked about some of the influences, which in a few tracks recall '80s disco and electro grooves (a hint of Georgio Moroder pops up in the song "Paradise"), Bell said that Clarke "has been doing lots of DJing, and I think he's its rubbed off on him. He likes to lift beats from here and there." In a change from their previous collaborations, Clarke's grooves and beats were composed first.The colors and themes from the new Violet Flame album will also become a part of their new stage show (Erasure's November 1 concert at Oakland's Fox Theatre sold out weeks ago).

"I really love the album cover," said Bell, who mentioned magicians' books and even Tarot spiritualism and mysticism as influences in the colorful design. "I love the kind of parlor game aspect of it. It's almost like a fun sideshow."

Along with the fun and danceable tunes, songs like the new "Be the One" offer a bit of ballad-like inspiration.

"I felt like I've cried all the tears I could," said Bell of his more emotional times that inspire such songs. "I love the taste of tears, but after a while, you get a bit over the crying, and have to stop being so down on yourself and lift yourself up a bit."

One uplifting aspect of Bell's life has been quitting smoking. Bell's voice is notably strong in the new album, and fans and reviewers of the early concerts have noted Bell's buff physique and renewed onstage energy.

Bell also credits their time in Miami producing the new music as exemplary of his new lease on life.

"I always knew that I would end up there," said Bell. "It wasn't because I had a yearning. It was just an instinct. I love the Art Deco buildings and neon. Maybe that's the feeling that rubbed off in the new music."

With 40 hit singles and more than 25 million albums sold, Bell is one of several iconic U.K. pop stars (Boy George, Jimmy Somerville) who've endured while being out gay men. But that hasn't always been a good thing.

"I do get a bit annoyed by it all," Bell said. "I feel like while I love being special, there wasn't all that fanfare when I came out. Nowadays, it's kind of like a career move. When I did it, it was more like career suicide."

So, is his being gay now a non-issue?

"There's always gonna be a core group of fans that admire you because of who you are," said Bell. "I love that, and I love the fact that we were kind of a grassroots band. I do get annoyed because we've been ignored by the rock brats," (aka 'Rolling Stone,' etc.). Sometimes, just because you're gay, you're not on their radar at all."

Despite corporate media dismissal, Erasure's concerts remain hot tickets worldwide. And Bell said that he does get a few days off in between concerts to enjoy seeing the world.

"It's often quite good, and I have been going to the gym," he said. "So I'm really glad now that the muscle memory is kicking in. It's nice when you have days off or are in a city overnight," said Bell of touring. "I like going around and taking a walk 'round. But I also like just relaxing and being alone in my hotel room. The down side is waking up early and packing every five minutes."

Along with his two back-up dancers, Valerie and Emma, the show includes Vince playing his usual minimal keyboard accompaniment.

Bell extolled the wonders of his back-up singers, and told an off-the-record unusual tale of his singers almost being kidnapped while on tour.

But that'll have to wait for another conversation.

Erasure's U.S. tour continues through December 31 in New York City. For more info, visit www.erasureinfo.com