By Lawrence Ferber

Erasure vocalist Andy Bell discusses his new solo album, joining the mile high club, and revealing he's HIV positive.

In this busy, busy world, some people never manage to make time for themselves. Not so for Erasure vocalist Andy Bell. Although he's had an extremely prolific 2005, what with the release of Erasure's lovely Nightbird album and a 50+ date international tour, "The Erasure Show," Bell managed to work on and complete his debut solo effort, Electric Blue.

"People tend to think I'm just the singer for Erasure," Bell says. "This album shows I can also write." Bell co-wrote and recorded the album's 14 tracks with acclaimed remixers/producers Chris Smith and Philip Larsen, aka Manhattan Clique, who also toured with Erasure this past year (FYI, Larsen won a Grammy for his production work on Kylie Minogue's "Come Into My World"). Electric Blue is jam packed with crackling, dancey electropop goodness not entirely removed from what Bell/Erasure's fans might expect, with guest vocal appearances by '80s German pop goddess Claudia Brecken (on the songs "Love Oneself" and "Delicious") and The Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears (on "I Thought It Was You").

This year has also been a big year of non-music related developments for Bell. During interviews to promote Nightbird he revealed that he is HIV-positive (diagnosed in 1998) and on combination therapy. Bell spoke with IN Los Angeles by phone about making his solo album, life since that big announcement, and servicing the community.

IN: How does it feel to have this solo album coming out?

Andy Bell: It's lovely. I feel like I've been waiting enough time. The 2003 Erasure album, Other People's Songs, was first going to be a solo album. I started writing with a guy called Gareth Jones, a producer of a couple of our albums. Then it was going to be an album of Phil Spector cover versions. And then the guys, Philip and Chris, had been on tour with us and they sent me some tracks and asked if I'd be interested in writing with them and I said yes. It took about a year up till June to finish.

Was it like a party making this album or a passionate affair?

I think it was a little of both. More of a passionate affair with a party on the fringe.

What did you get to do making this solo album that you don't get to do with Vince in Erasure?

Well, when we're recording an Erasure album usually we always know everything: when we're going to be in the studio, when the album's going to be released, who we're going to be working with. And usually Vince decides what kind of synths he's going to use so we always know before we go in the studio what we're going to do. And we always write the songs on guitar and piano. This time it was different because I had music tracks sent to me beforehand that I could listen to at home and start to work out the melody.

Did you learn anything about yourself in the process?

I'm not a good rapper. It's very hard to make things rhyme with 'CIA.' I did try to rap [on an unused track]. Worse than Madonna!

What's Jake Shears like?

The Scissor Sisters were playing in London and invited us to the show. They dedicated a song [to us], which has never happened before. We met them backstage and they said they were fans since they were 12-year-olds. Ana Matronic's dad is gay. Then we sent them an MP3 of the song "I Thought It Was You" and Jake said he liked it. We hooked up when we played NYC in April. I thought he sounds a bit like the Bee Gees. He's very funky.

Who's the cutest Scissor Sister?

The guitarist. He's got the biggest dick, apparently.

Those Sisters are such electro-starfuckers! Ana did a song with New Order, now Jake did a song with you. Do you feel used?

I don't feel quite used enough actually. I need to be used lots more. (laughs)

Anyone else you wanted to duet with?

Not on this project, but I would like to do a duets album with all the faggy dames. Barbra Streisand, Debbie Harry.

How personal are Electric Blue's songs?

It's a bit of a diary. Quite open, because I felt like I could write anything that I wanted to. The main theme is about being confident and having your own space, not letting anybody cross over you. Like I used to sleep with people if I felt sorry for them. I won't do that anymore.

That makes me think of that line in George Michael's "Outside" -- "I'd service the community, but I already have."

Yeah. I'm a good Samaritan, you know? I slept with one man -- well, we didn't sleep. We pulled our pants down. He was about 70 years old. And I got crabs from him. I thought like "I hope somebody does me the same favor when I'm his age." Without the crabs.

The people you had pity fucks with -- was one of them Jimmy Somerville? There's a rumor...

No, no, no. I've never had intimate relations with Jimmy Somerville, no. I bumped into him once on the [Hampstead] Heath.

What does Vince think of the CD? Has he been supportive?

Chris went over to New York with the CD and he listened to some of the songs. His favorites were "Crazy" and "The Rest of our Lives." He did a great remix for us on "Crazy" which is what the new Erasure is going to sound like. He's very sweet. Vince always said to me "Whatever you do it's always going to be fine because I know you'll be alright." He's been very supportive.

What if this album ends up doing better than Erasure's last album?

We'll still carry on with Erasure. I did miss him. He really makes me laugh.

You came out as HIV-positive to the press earlier this year. What has life been like since making that announcement?

I just feel like there's nothing left to say. Not nothing left, but like I've got completely all my cards on the table. And whomever I meet I don't have to do any explaining to them. It makes me feel very clear, and it's almost like starting from scratch.

Was there a best bit of press from the time that you've read?

Not really. I thought the Poz magazine [interview] in the U.S. was quite good. But there wasn't an awful lot.

What has the personal feedback been like?

Well, I think the strangest thing is when people tell me they've heard the news and are really somber. Like "It's really awful to hear the news, are you all right," all this kind of stuff.

Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes to Hollywood came out as HIV-positive some years back and wrote about it in his autobiography, A Bone in My Flute. Did you ring him up to compare notes or discuss?

I haven't. I spoke to him one time. This was about 10 years ago, when we were in the studio, I think doing the Wild album. I spoke to him very briefly.

Have you thought of writing one?

I haven't.

But we want all of your firsthand decadent pop star gossip!

Awww. Well, I am in the mile high club! It's fantastic. It was on Virgin Airlines! (laughs)

Thanks, Richard Branson! I'm sure he'll use this for his marketing. Who did you join the club with?

A complete stranger, which is the best way. I think it's exciting on any form of public transport. It doesn't have to be up in the air. A train is fantastic as well.

For more information, see www.andybell.com.