Do you think they know who PSB are?

[Nickname]

On this forum, we have many fans of PSB all over the world. I'd like to know if you consider PSB are still recognizable in your country.

I mean, when you talk with people from your country and say you are a fan of PSB, you see they don't usually know who are them or they more or less recognize the band you are talking about.

For example, I see in Spain most of young people don't know anything about PSB but I see most of people with more than 30 or so who know who are them.

So I could say most of people in my country know who PSB are, they had a lot of promotion and and have been here many times. They recognize the name of the group at least. I'm not talking if they could recognaize them on the street.

Maybe people from UK and Germany could say something similar but what about other countries?

[geowayne]

On of my neighbors with whom I often socialize is a guy who often "talks up" my books when introducing me to others. It actually embarrasses me a little,* and I've confided in him that he really shouldn't do that because "most people don't care." As it turns out, more than half of the people he's introduced me to do NOT know who the Pet Shop Boys are, and most of the others have only a vague idea ("I think I've heard of them"). The exception: gay guys around my age or a little younger. What it seems to indicate is this: at least among my fellow Americans, (1) gay men in their fifties, sixties, and early seventies usually know very well who the Pet Shop Boys are; (2) other people of that same age range may have some recollection of them, but not much, and think of them (to the extent they think of them at all) simply as a comparatively minor pop act of the late 1980s; (3) hardly anyone else has even heard of them.

But, remember, there are ALWAYS exceptions (most notably, dedicated PSB fandom), fortunately enough of them to allow pretty good turnouts at PSB concerts in major urban areas here in the States.

*Incidentally, my embarrassment isn't because I've written about the Pet Shop Boys. I'm a somewhat shy, introverted man who's uncomfortable talking about myself in person to others. I'd be equally embarrassed if I had written about the Beatles, or any other subject, for that matter.

[geowayne]

Error in posting. Please ignore. I wish there was a way to completely delete such mistakes. If there is, I haven't found it.

[Gabby]

I think Wayne's nailed it - although I cannot speak to the middle-aged gay community here in SW Ontario, I'd expect most people of that age - let's say mid-40's upwards - probably know PSB because of old standbys like West End girls, Always on my mind, It's a Sin, What have I done to deserve this? which they would have been familiar with in their more formative years.

Beyond that, I'd be surprised if anyone else knows or cares who they are. I used to encourage my team at work to share their Spotify Wrapped as a bit of fun at Christmas, and the younger people just didn't know PSB. Once I put them on to West End girls there was a glint of recognition, probably due to Grand Theft Auto!

My kids only know PSB because of me. Their peers wouldn't have a clue who they are.

So to your question, I think the answer is less regional, and more age related, but would be keen to know if others feel there are places in the world where PSB is more widely known across a greater demographic (aside I presume from the UK itself).

[greenmile]

100% agree with Gabby about how recognisable they are being age related.

Anyone around my age, 55 or a bit less, usually the answer you get from them if the subject of me being a fan comes up is 'oh are they still going then?'

Much younger people don't have a clue who they are. And nothing wrong with that to be honest. I look at some festival line-ups and wouldn't be familiar with practically anyone on the list lol.

[eastendboy]

People who I know have a very broad taste in music and over the years have become much more appreciative of Pet Shop Boys music. Neil has said that when they started to achieve success they were seen as something of a joke and people are starting to appreciate them now. I agree to a certain extent that younger people don’t have a clue who they are although younger family members and younger work colleagues will say oh I listened to this track the other day and it’s really good and I’ll recommend other tracks they should listen to and I’ve been asked a lot about new music and when they are going to release something new and I say there is plenty to listen to.

[Tentenlad]

I agree it’s age dependant. In the UK I think they are more well known or remembered than other countries. I’m sure most people that attended the dreamland concerts think they split up after Go West though.

[tottenhammattspurs]

On of my neighbors with whom I often socialize is a guy who often "talks up" my books when introducing me to others. It actually embarrasses me a little,* and I've confided in him that he really shouldn't do that because "most people don't care." As it turns out, more than half of the people he's introduced me to do NOT know who the Pet Shop Boys are, and most of the others have only a vague idea ("I think I've heard of them"). The exception: gay guys around my age or a little younger. What it seems to indicate is this: at least among my fellow Americans, (1) gay men in their fifties, sixties, and early seventies usually know very well who the Pet Shop Boys are; (2) other people of that same age range may have some recollection of them, but not much, and think of them (to the extent they think of them at all) simply as a comparatively minor pop act of the late 1980s; (3) hardly anyone else has even heard of them.

But, remember, there are ALWAYS exceptions (most notably, dedicated PSB fandom), fortunately enough of them to allow pretty good turnouts at PSB concerts in major urban areas here in the States.

*Incidentally, my embarrassment isn't because I've written about the Pet Shop Boys. I'm a somewhat shy, introverted man who's uncomfortable talking about myself in person to others. I'd be equally embarrassed if I had written about the Beatles, or any other subject, for that matter.

Wayne. Your books are superb. You should be incredibly proud of this achievement.

[tottenhammattspurs]

Camden. May. Queueing for obscure. People asking what the queue was for:-

Who?
Really?
Are they still going?

That’s your top three answers.

[Gabby]

Camden. May. Queueing for obscure. People asking what the queue was for:-

Who?
Really?
Are they still going?

That’s your top three answers.

Yup, that probably sums it up.

[geowayne]

On of my neighbors with whom I often socialize is a guy who often "talks up" my books when introducing me to others. It actually embarrasses me a little,* and I've confided in him that he really shouldn't do that because "most people don't care." As it turns out, more than half of the people he's introduced me to do NOT know who the Pet Shop Boys are, and most of the others have only a vague idea ("I think I've heard of them"). The exception: gay guys around my age or a little younger. What it seems to indicate is this: at least among my fellow Americans, (1) gay men in their fifties, sixties, and early seventies usually know very well who the Pet Shop Boys are; (2) other people of that same age range may have some recollection of them, but not much, and think of them (to the extent they think of them at all) simply as a comparatively minor pop act of the late 1980s; (3) hardly anyone else has even heard of them.

But, remember, there are ALWAYS exceptions (most notably, dedicated PSB fandom), fortunately enough of them to allow pretty good turnouts at PSB concerts in major urban areas here in the States.

*Incidentally, my embarrassment isn't because I've written about the Pet Shop Boys. I'm a somewhat shy, introverted man who's uncomfortable talking about myself in person to others. I'd be equally embarrassed if I had written about the Beatles, or any other subject, for that matter.

Wayne. Your books are superb. You should be incredibly proud of this achievement.

I am proud of it. But my being personally proud of it doesn't make me enjoy conversations focused on any such achievements when meeting someone for the first time. My pride doesn't overcome my shyness and personal modesty. For the record, I'm a borderline introvert/extrovert. I'm highly introverted around strangers or people I don't know very well, but I open up and become much more extroverted among friends. I've been that way all my life, even as a child. Perhaps strangely, I have no difficulty speaking in public before a large audience and have done so many times, maybe because then I feel totally "in control."

P.S. - Thank you for your very kind words about my books. I truly appreciate it!

[Dog]

Camden. May. Queueing for obscure. People asking what the queue was for:-

Who?
Really?
Are they still going?

That’s your top three answers.

I told everyone that asked me that it was a queue for free ice cream

[Vintage Youth]

Yes I get a lot of 'are they still going?', probably the most popular response.

[JZU73]

I’m from Germany, and everyone I know in their fifties and older knows PSB. But when I fly to England for a concert, I hear people ask suprised, ‘Are they still going?’ When I tell them they’re still releasing new albums and playing big concerts, many look at me in disbelief.