jetset
22 Nov 2003, 00:14
Big In Japan, you remember ?
At the time, Alphaville experiences a lightning glory. Back they are in "TRACKS".
In the early eighties, Alphaville releases "Big In Japan", a quick worldwide hit. The musicians trio, formerly associated within the "Nelson Community", likes synth & pop rythms. Surprisingly, Big In Japan dates back to four years when success finally comes. In 1984, Alphaville clears out "Frankie Goes To Hollywood"; at the time, Marian the singer still cooks in a pub [brasserie]. Then, everything will quickly change.
"One day radio stations started to play Big In Japan ; we were the first surprised. And when the track played for the sixth or seventh time, the boss fired me, telling me he didn't wish to see me again, judging my song a shit ! My aid-cook carreer ended up this way (laughs)".
After that, everything goes very fast. AV members become teen-agers idols, and churn hits after another. Sounds Like A Melody, Forever Young, and of course Jet Set.
Although number one in the charts of 30 different countries, the three friends balk at performing live. So, no concert. An unchanged attitude nowadays. For Bernhard, keyboarder, success had become a real nightmare.
"My gold records slept in a corner of my basement for 14 years-not touching them. I took my courage in both hands lately, and ended up to hang them up".
Alphaville notably seduces by its new romantic style, Marian the singer poses for all european teenage magazines frontpages. He enjoys multiple outfits, which sticks on his back the nickname of "Pop synth Chameleon".
"At the time, we had lots of possibilities, we could use the make-up, it was very fashion thanks to Bowie, it was such a fun to play with the make-up".
Then, the Bowie wave slowly fades, times get harder. In the nineties, Alphaville releases two more albums, Prostitute & Salvation, which will be only bought by the most faithful fans. The soft & melodious pop is old-fashioned. Today, with the eighties revival, the wind changed again. Alphaville just released a new album, a Best-Of remix [Forever Pop], and might revive part of its past glory.
[Marian] "Success is always very exhilarating, it pleases people, fans as well as artists, it's a caress for the soul, it distils bliss & love, at least that's the feeling it gives, and that is just great"
. Anyway, Forever Young' 2001 sounds more like a [fun]fair techno. For its part, the band savours a success that has a weird "already-seen" taste. Because forever youth remains a myth, even for Alphaville.
At the time, Alphaville experiences a lightning glory. Back they are in "TRACKS".
In the early eighties, Alphaville releases "Big In Japan", a quick worldwide hit. The musicians trio, formerly associated within the "Nelson Community", likes synth & pop rythms. Surprisingly, Big In Japan dates back to four years when success finally comes. In 1984, Alphaville clears out "Frankie Goes To Hollywood"; at the time, Marian the singer still cooks in a pub [brasserie]. Then, everything will quickly change.
"One day radio stations started to play Big In Japan ; we were the first surprised. And when the track played for the sixth or seventh time, the boss fired me, telling me he didn't wish to see me again, judging my song a shit ! My aid-cook carreer ended up this way (laughs)".
After that, everything goes very fast. AV members become teen-agers idols, and churn hits after another. Sounds Like A Melody, Forever Young, and of course Jet Set.
Although number one in the charts of 30 different countries, the three friends balk at performing live. So, no concert. An unchanged attitude nowadays. For Bernhard, keyboarder, success had become a real nightmare.
"My gold records slept in a corner of my basement for 14 years-not touching them. I took my courage in both hands lately, and ended up to hang them up".
Alphaville notably seduces by its new romantic style, Marian the singer poses for all european teenage magazines frontpages. He enjoys multiple outfits, which sticks on his back the nickname of "Pop synth Chameleon".
"At the time, we had lots of possibilities, we could use the make-up, it was very fashion thanks to Bowie, it was such a fun to play with the make-up".
Then, the Bowie wave slowly fades, times get harder. In the nineties, Alphaville releases two more albums, Prostitute & Salvation, which will be only bought by the most faithful fans. The soft & melodious pop is old-fashioned. Today, with the eighties revival, the wind changed again. Alphaville just released a new album, a Best-Of remix [Forever Pop], and might revive part of its past glory.
[Marian] "Success is always very exhilarating, it pleases people, fans as well as artists, it's a caress for the soul, it distils bliss & love, at least that's the feeling it gives, and that is just great"
. Anyway, Forever Young' 2001 sounds more like a [fun]fair techno. For its part, the band savours a success that has a weird "already-seen" taste. Because forever youth remains a myth, even for Alphaville.