Chris Lowe

Christopher Sean Lowe (born 4 October 1959)[1] is an English musician, singer, songwriter and co-founder of the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys which he formed with Neil Tennant in 1981.[2]

For other people named Chris Lowe, see Chris Lowe (disambiguation).

Chris Lowe
Lowe (left) with Neil Tennant in a Pet Shop Boys concert, Boston, 2006
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Sean Lowe
Born (1959-10-04) 4 October 1959
Blackpool, Lancashire, England
GenresSynthpop, dance, IDM, pop, electropop, electronica
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsSynthesizer, piano, electronic drums, vocals, keyboards, trombone, organ
Years active1981–present
LabelsEMI, Parlophone, Spaghetti
Associated actsPet Shop Boys
Websitewww.petshopboys.co.uk

Biography

Lowe attended Arnold School,[3] an independent school in his home town of Blackpool, Lancashire. Whilst at school, Lowe played trombone in a seven-piece dance band called One Under the Eight, that played old-time favourites like "Hello Dolly", "La Bamba" and "Moon River".[4] Lowe's grandfather had been a trombonist and was a member of comedy jazz troupe The Nitwits. Lowe also became a skilled pianist.

Lowe studied architecture at the University of Liverpool from 1978 but never graduated, as he stated various times on television appearances and the Life in Pop documentary, due to the formation of the Pet Shop Boys. During a work placement in 1981 at a London architectural practice, he designed a staircase for an industrial estate in Milton Keynes. It was at this time that he met Neil Tennant in a hi-fi shop on the Kings Road in London.

Musical career

Pet Shop Boys
Main article: Pet Shop Boys

Lowe generally performs as the Pet Shop Boys' keyboardist; he occasionally provides spoken-word vocals.

On the song "I Want A Lover" Lowe played trombone, which he studied at school.[2][lower-alpha 1]

Solo appearances

In 1993 he wrote and produced the track "Do the Right Thing" for the footballer Ian Wright (Lowe is a passionate Arsenal F.C. fan).[6] The song featured backing vocals by the long-time Pet Shop Boys' backing singer, Sylvia Mason-James, and the single featured remixes by Rollo.

Two years later, Lowe had a cameo in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.[7] His appearance was filmed whilst Pet Shop Boys were touring that country.

In 2004, he was commissioned to do music for an advertisement for the sunscreen brand Blockhead. The song ended up in a remixed version on a "Café Mambo" chill-out compilation.[8]

Two years later, he wrote the music for the song "Streets of Berlin", featured in the revival of Bent at the Trafalgar Studios in Whitehall.[9]

In 2011, Lowe appeared as featured vocalist on Stop Modernists's cover version of the New Order song "Subculture". This was the first time he had appeared as vocals on a non-Pet Shop Boys' project.[10]

Public appearance

Lowe is well known for his understated public presence, often wearing sportswear and with his eyes invisible behind sunglasses. In Pet Shop Boys videos and photoshoots he is often seen looking on as a spectator standing slightly behind Tennant. In live performances he rarely interacts with the audience and often stands still while playing keyboards.[11] In 1995, The Guardian commented that he was "possibly more famous for not doing anything than almost anyone else in the history of popular entertainment."[12] Lowe has also been well known for his multiplicity of outfits.

A Guardian profile of the group from 1993 noted that Lowe's image of "silent Chris walking two steps behind singing Neil" was an intentional choice, developed in discussion with photographer and music video director Eric Watson; Watson has commented that "Chris didn't want to be seen playing keyboards or anything. We realised there was something about somebody singing and somebody else doing nothing – just looking, then looking away – that adds a hideous tension."[13][14]

Notes
  1. In the notes to the album Please, Tennant and Lowe commented: "T: Chris brought his trombone into the studio. He wasn't very keen on doing it." L: "[Producer] Blue Weaver insisted. I learned the trombone when I was about ten. My grandfather played the trombone."[5]

References
  1. "Pet Shop Boys Official Site, History Section". Petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  2. Harrison, Andrew. "Pop Kid - Chris Lowe of Pet Shop Boys Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  3. "Arnold School website, Distinguished pupils". Arnoldschool.com. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  4. "Pet Shop Boys Official Site, History Section". Petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  5. "Lazlo's Pet Shop Boys Discography". Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  6. "Absolutely Pet Shop Boys Unofficial web site – RADIO 2 CONCERT Literally 30". Petshopboys.net. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  7. "Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys) in Neighbours". YouTube. 2 January 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  8. "Chris Lowe: 'Blockhead' – Pet Shop Boys – News". Petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  9. "Bent – Pet Shop Boys – Theatre & Film". Petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  10. "Stop Modernists Official Facebook Page". Facebook.com. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  11. Harrison, Andrew (April 2006), "The Pet Shop Boys talk for Britain", The Word (38), pp. 98–106
  12. Bracewell, Michael (15 July 1995), "Pop perfection", The Guardian, pp. T012
  13. Perrone, Pierre (6 April 2012). "Eric Watson: Photographer who worked with the Pet Shop Boys and for pop bible Smash Hits". The Independent. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  14. Hoare, Philip (23 March 2012). "Eric Watson obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
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