EURYTHMICS: SEPARATE BOTTLES ON THE SAME SHELF

Eurythmics are a good see. Can't argue with that. From their bee-zarre videos to their socko stage presentation, Annie and Dave have folks as fascinated and perplexed as jittery patio furniture before a hurricane.

Thought by certain observers to be classic one-hit wonders, the Eurythmics have demonstrated remarkable staying power on the charts. Their music may leave some listeners colder than Annie's eyes, but it's selling, and that is the point.

You can't argue with the image either. While it's true that controversy always generates attention, the validity of such regard is questionable. Useless twerps like Marilyn and Frankie Goes To Hollywood are getting noticed as well, but are undoubtedly big zeros in the longevity department. Remember the Village People? Neither do we.

Annie and Dave aren't exactly the secretive type in interviews. They appear to expend actual thought on their replies, and don't hesitate to correct or expand on one another's words. Maybe it's just part of the act, but if so, they sure let out some awfully vulnerable information for pretenders.

Probably you should decide for yourself. Pretty rad advice for a tool of commie subversion like America's Only. But we know in advance we can trust our readers to get everything as goofed up as our writers do. Every time.

Ain't faith a scream?

ANNIE LENNOX, SOUL MAN

So, how's success been treating you?

Dave: Not bad. We haven't seen any money yet. They tell us it takes six to nine months just to collect the various royalities around the world. Once the bureaucrats get a hold of it...

You can kiss it goodbye?

Dave: Well, no...we hope notl(laughs) Has your popularity affected those around you?

Annie: Yeah, people on the street will just stand there gawking with their jaw hanging down. It's funny, really!

How about your friends and acquaintances?

Annie: There are indeed people who go along with the bandwagon, but want to be the first to stick a knife in your back.

That sounds a little like the press.

Annie: I think it's true that the media is such that it has to make people or break them.

How is it you've achieved world popularity so suddenly?

Annie: I'd like to think our popularity is based on the soul element in the music. I don't mean...y'know, "soul" music per se, but the immediacy of separate realities.

Huh?

Annie: I just don't think that "soul"— in our case—is a musical entity.

I think your appearance might have a little bit to do with it.

Dave: It can be a sort of protective coloring.

CALL THE VET!

How did this whole sexual ambiguity number begin?

Annie: It got started because I didn't want to be identified with any other cult or fashion. I tried to present myself in a way that had nothing to do with the various cults and fashions England invariably perpetuates.

Why did you try so hard to steer away from that?

Annie: I would have found it very hard to live with an identity I'd been classified with. It would mdke life seem like hitting your head against a brick wall.

Could you put your picture of the Eurythmics7 image into words?

Dave: There's nothing specific intended. Nothing that you go out and say, "Oh, Annie's hairdo equals this concept and my glasses mean that." Rather than have a set image—like the Kinks or Duran Duran—we have songs or albums or videos.

Not just pretty faces?

Dave: Not mine, anyhow! We have subjects we can talk about, things that need to be interpreted.

The Eurythmics are more an idea than a band?

Annie: Well, we've created a vehicle with a lot of flexibility as to the statements we want to make, rather than, "These are the clothes we wear, this is how we look."

And your looks?

Annie: Some of our success comes from people seeing us on TV and liking what they see, but if they didn't like the songs, we wouldn't have a chance.

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INEVITABLE GRACE JONES REFERENCE

How do you perceive your audience?

Annie: When I see people’s faces when we’re performing live, I look out into the audience and it’s very mixed. Very equally interspersed males and females. It’s not all the guys down in front ogling and it’s not a bunch of girls screaming. You’re said to have quite a gay following.

Annie: I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t come across it.

“Love Is A Stranger” was a big hit in gay clubs before it was a single. Or at least so I’m told.

Annie: But from the people who come to the shows—the people who really like you—I don’t see it, and I’ve talked to a lot of people out there. What’s it like to go out there and sing in front of all those people?

Annie: Being a performer is a very here-andnow experience. When you go onstage you want them to identify. If they can’t, they’re just confused or, not interested.

I was talking to Grace Jones about sexual ambiguity and she says it helps her take her anger out onstage. Do you?

Annie: Well, I don’t take out my frustrations onstage.

What then?

Annie: I experience a wide range of emotions up there.

Is anger one of them?

Annie: Anger is there. It’s a valid emotion, but if you start to hammer that into your audience, they’re turned off. I don’t have any reason to judge people from there. It’s not my job.

BLAME IT ON T. REX Have there been many major influences on you?

Annie: I’ve felt very moved about people, that their achievements meant something, but none of that fanatical stuff. I think it’s very odd when people live their lives through Elvis Presley or something.

I know somebody...aw, never mind.

Dave: I remember Marc Bolan being the one when I was about 17 and T. Rex were big. I wanted to wear his mystical cloak and such. Going through that is where I met all the people I really get on with.

It can become a trap.

Annie: Tell me about it.

SUBJUGATE ME, YOU FOOL!

Can the Eurythmics continue to avoid categorization?

Annie: One has to sidestep that a bit. It’s killing to one’s persona.

To yours in particular?

Annie: Well, I’m the sort of person who must remain very self-contained. At times I run hot and cold,,but if there’s a mean streak in me, it wants to be subjugated.

It’s not like you can please everybody.

Annie: I really would go crazy trying to satisfy everyone’s needs. The one I can generally satisfy is myself. And Dave’s critique of our musical goals. What’s most important to you now?

Dave: Our musical direction, as she said. And the'fact that we’re two very different persons. It gets right down to the very nature of relationships. What nature is that?

Annie: It’s how well you adapt to each other, to develop according to the other person’s needs. And are you very successful in that department?

Annie: I suppose we basically complement each other sexually, but we fight a lot too.

Do you see each other outside the Eurythmics anymore?

Annie: Sometimes it seems like it’s all the Eurythmics.

How would you describe your relationship?

Dave: Our relationship has gone through stages, changes all around us. It’s like we’ve been living in separate bottles on the same shelf.