Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The duo Pet Shop Boys was formed in London in 1981.
Answer: True
Explanation: The duo Pet Shop Boys was formed in London, England, in 1981, comprising keyboardist Chris Lowe and vocalist Neil Tennant.
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe first met at a music festival in 1980.
Answer: False
Explanation: Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe first met in 1981 at the Chelsea Record Centre in London, not at a music festival in 1980.
Early influences on Pet Shop Boys included bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early influences cited by Pet Shop Boys primarily include pioneers of electronic music like OMD, Soft Cell, Kraftwerk, The Human League, and Depeche Mode, not The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.
The band name 'Pet Shop Boys' was inspired by a rap rock group.
Answer: False
Explanation: The band name 'Pet Shop Boys' originated from acquaintances who worked in a pet shop and were known by that moniker, not from a rap rock group.
In 1983, Pet Shop Boys collaborated with producer Bobby Orlando.
Answer: True
Explanation: In August 1983, Neil Tennant met with producer Bobby Orlando in New York and presented him with a demo tape, leading to collaborations.
Pet Shop Boys' early music was influenced by the sounds of American blues clubs.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys' early music drew inspiration from electronic music and the dance scene prevalent in gay clubs, not American blues clubs.
In what year and city did the Pet Shop Boys duo officially form?
Answer: 1981, London
Explanation: The duo Pet Shop Boys was officially formed in London, England, in 1981.
Where did Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe first meet?
Answer: At the Chelsea Record Centre in London
Explanation: Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe first met at the Chelsea Record Centre in London in 1981.
Which of these artists was not mentioned as an early musical influence on Pet Shop Boys?
Answer: The Smiths
Explanation: Early influences mentioned include Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, and Soft Cell, but The Smiths were not cited as an early influence.
What was the primary source of inspiration for the band name 'Pet Shop Boys'?
Answer: Friends who worked in a pet shop
Explanation: The band name 'Pet Shop Boys' was derived from acquaintances who worked in a pet shop and were known by that designation.
Who produced the initial version of 'West End Girls' that became a US club hit in 1984?
Answer: Bobby Orlando
Explanation: The initial version of 'West End Girls' that became a US club hit in 1984 was produced by Bobby Orlando.
The musical output of Pet Shop Boys is primarily characterized by genres such as rock and roll and folk music.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys are primarily associated with synth-pop, dance-pop, disco, house music, hi-NRG, and art pop, rather than rock and roll or folk music.
The album 'Please' established Pet Shop Boys' practice of using single-word titles for their albums.
Answer: True
Explanation: The album 'Please' initiated Pet Shop Boys' distinctive tradition of employing single-word titles for their albums.
The lyrics of the song 'King's Cross' were noted for seemingly anticipating the King's Cross fire incident.
Answer: True
Explanation: The lyrics of 'King's Cross' from the album 'Actually' were observed to have a prescient quality regarding the King's Cross fire.
The song 'Being Boring' reflects on the AIDS epidemic and lost friendships.
Answer: True
Explanation: The song 'Being Boring' from the album 'Behaviour' serves as a personal commentary on the AIDS epidemic and friendships lost during that era.
The song 'Being Boring' is mentioned as one of the Pet Shop Boys' songs addressing the AIDS crisis.
Answer: True
Explanation: 'Being Boring' is cited as one of several Pet Shop Boys songs that address the AIDS crisis and its impact.
The album title 'Behaviour' was inspired by a quote from Oscar Wilde.
Answer: False
Explanation: The title 'Behaviour' was inspired by a quote from Zelda Fitzgerald, not Oscar Wilde.
Which of the following is not listed as a primary genre associated with Pet Shop Boys?
Answer: Heavy Metal
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys are primarily associated with synth-pop, dance-pop, disco, house music, hi-NRG, and art pop. Heavy Metal is not among their primary genres.
What is unique about the title convention established by the album 'Please'?
Answer: It began the tradition of using single-word titles.
Explanation: The album 'Please' initiated Pet Shop Boys' practice of using single-word titles for their albums.
The lyrics of which Pet Shop Boys song were noted for seeming to anticipate the King's Cross fire?
Answer: King's Cross
Explanation: The song 'King's Cross' contained lyrics that appeared presciently to foreshadow the King's Cross fire incident.
What theme is central to the song 'Being Boring'?
Answer: The AIDS epidemic and lost friendships
Explanation: The song 'Being Boring' centrally addresses the AIDS epidemic and reflects on friendships lost during that period.
Throughout their career, Pet Shop Boys have accumulated fewer than 20 top 30 singles on the UK charts.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys have achieved 42 top 30 singles on the UK singles chart, including 22 top-10 hits, demonstrating consistent commercial success.
Only the song 'West End Girls' has reached number one on the UK singles chart for Pet Shop Boys.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys have achieved four UK number-one singles: 'West End Girls', 'It's a Sin', 'Always on My Mind', and 'Heart'.
During the 1980s, Pet Shop Boys achieved significant success in the United States, charting five top 10 singles.
Answer: True
Explanation: Their success in the US during the 1980s included five top 10 singles, aligning them with the Second British Invasion phenomenon.
The version of 'West End Girls' produced by Bobby Orlando was immediately a major hit in the UK upon its 1984 release.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Bobby Orlando version of 'West End Girls' was a US club hit in 1984, but the UK number-one hit was a re-recorded version released in 1985.
Pet Shop Boys' debut album, 'Please', was released before their first number one single, 'West End Girls'.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'West End Girls' reached number one in the UK in 1985, while the debut album 'Please' was released in March 1986.
Pet Shop Boys' 1987 Christmas number one single was a cover of The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys' 1987 Christmas number one single was their cover of 'Always on My Mind', not 'Fairytale of New York'.
The album 'Introspective' featured six tracks, all of which were previously released singles.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'Introspective' featured six tracks, but they were primarily new songs presented in extended formats, not previously released singles.
In 1991, Pet Shop Boys released 'Discography', a compilation of their B-sides and remixes.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'Discography', released in 1991, was a compilation of their single releases up to that point, not primarily B-sides and remixes.
The Pet Shop Boys' cover of 'Go West' reached number one in the UK and was adopted as a football chant.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Pet Shop Boys' cover of 'Go West' reached number two in the UK, although it was adopted as a popular football chant.
'Very' is the only Pet Shop Boys album to have reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
Answer: True
Explanation: The album 'Very', released in 1993, is indeed the only Pet Shop Boys album to have reached the number-one position on the UK Albums Chart.
The album 'Very' is the only Pet Shop Boys album to have reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
Answer: True
Explanation: 'Very', released in 1993, holds the distinction of being the sole Pet Shop Boys album to reach the number-one position on the UK Albums Chart.
How many top-10 hits have Pet Shop Boys achieved according to the source?
Answer: 22
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys have achieved 22 top-10 hits on the UK singles chart.
Which of the following songs was not one of Pet Shop Boys' UK number-one singles?
Answer: Go West
Explanation: 'Go West' reached number two on the UK singles chart; 'It's a Sin', 'Always on My Mind', and 'Heart' were UK number-one singles.
What characterized Pet Shop Boys' success in the United States during the 1980s?
Answer: They achieved five US top 10 singles, linking them to the Second British Invasion.
Explanation: During the 1980s, Pet Shop Boys achieved five US top 10 singles, which associated them with the Second British Invasion phenomenon.
Pet Shop Boys' 1987 Christmas number one single was a cover of which song?
Answer: Always on My Mind
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys' 1987 Christmas number one single was their cover of 'Always on My Mind'.
What significant compilation album was released in 1991?
Answer: Released the compilation album 'Discography'.
Explanation: In 1991, Pet Shop Boys released 'Discography', an 18-track compilation featuring their single releases up to that point.
Pet Shop Boys' cover of 'Go West' reached what position on the UK singles chart?
Answer: Number 2
Explanation: The Pet Shop Boys' cover of 'Go West' reached number two on the UK singles chart.
Which Pet Shop Boys album holds the distinction of being their only one to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart?
Answer: Very
Explanation: The album 'Very', released in 1993, is the only Pet Shop Boys album to have reached the number one position on the UK Albums Chart.
Dusty Springfield provided vocals on the Pet Shop Boys' 1987 hit 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The iconic British singer Dusty Springfield provided vocals on the 1987 hit 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?'.
Between 1988 and 1992, Pet Shop Boys produced Liza Minnelli's entire album 'Results'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys produced half of Liza Minnelli's album 'Results' between 1988 and 1992, not the entire album.
In 1994, Pet Shop Boys released a charity single titled 'Absolutely Fabulous' under their own name.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1994 charity single 'Absolutely Fabulous' was released under the artist name 'Absolutely Fabulous', not Pet Shop Boys.
Pet Shop Boys performed 'Hallo Spaceboy' with David Bowie at the 1996 Brit Awards.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys remixed David Bowie's 'Hallo Spaceboy' and performed it with him, including at the 1996 Brit Awards.
Pet Shop Boys remixed Madonna's 'Sorry' but did not contribute vocals to the remix.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys remixed Madonna's 'Sorry', and Neil Tennant contributed backing vocals to the remix.
Pet Shop Boys produced Boy George's cover of 'The Crying Game' in 1992.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys produced Boy George's rendition of 'The Crying Game' in 1992.
Which artist collaborated with Pet Shop Boys on the 1987 hit 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?'
Answer: Dusty Springfield
Explanation: Dusty Springfield provided vocals on the 1987 hit 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?'.
Under what artist name was the 1994 charity single 'Absolutely Fabulous' released?
Answer: Absolutely Fabulous
Explanation: The 1994 charity single 'Absolutely Fabulous' was released under the artist name 'Absolutely Fabulous'.
What contribution did Pet Shop Boys make to David Bowie's song 'Hallo Spaceboy' in 1996?
Answer: Remixed the song and provided backing vocals
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys remixed David Bowie's 'Hallo Spaceboy' and Neil Tennant provided backing vocals on the track.
In 1992, Pet Shop Boys produced a cover of 'The Crying Game' performed by whom?
Answer: Boy George
Explanation: In 1992, Pet Shop Boys produced Boy George's rendition of 'The Crying Game'.
Pet Shop Boys starred in the film 'It Couldn't Happen Here' in 1988 as an alternative to touring.
Answer: True
Explanation: To leverage their success and avoid a traditional tour, Pet Shop Boys starred in the 1988 film 'It Couldn't Happen Here'.
Pet Shop Boys' 1989 tour was a modest affair, focusing solely on musical performance.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1989 tour was conceived as a theatrical extravaganza, realizing ambitious staging concepts rather than being a modest affair.
Pet Shop Boys adopted a minimalist, black-and-white visual style for the promotion of their 1993 album 'Very'.
Answer: False
Explanation: For the promotion of 'Very', Pet Shop Boys adopted a vibrant visual style featuring brightly colored costumes and computer-generated imagery.
In 1997, Pet Shop Boys held a residency at the Royal Albert Hall.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys held a residency in 1997 at the Savoy Theatre in London, not the Royal Albert Hall.
Early Pet Shop Boys performances were criticized for excessive energy and stage antics.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early performances were often criticized for the members standing relatively still, a deliberate choice contrasting with the era's trends.
Zaha Hadid and Es Devlin are among the notable visual collaborators for Pet Shop Boys' tours.
Answer: True
Explanation: Notable visual collaborators for Pet Shop Boys' tours include architect Zaha Hadid and theatre designer Es Devlin.
Mark Farrow has designed Pet Shop Boys' visual identity since their second album.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mark Farrow has designed Pet Shop Boys' visual identity since their first Parlophone release in 1986, which corresponds to their debut album era.
During their 2012 Olympics performance, Pet Shop Boys rode bicycles while performing 'West End Girls'.
Answer: True
Explanation: At the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, Pet Shop Boys performed 'West End Girls' while riding cycle-driven chariots.
The music video for 'I'm with Stupid' featured actors parodying previous Pet Shop Boys videos.
Answer: True
Explanation: The music video for 'I'm with Stupid' featured actors Matt Lucas and David Walliams parodying earlier Pet Shop Boys videos.
Pet Shop Boys' 1997 residency at the Savoy Theatre featured a performance of 'Somewhere' from 'West Side Story'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1997 residency at the Savoy Theatre included a performance of 'Somewhere' from 'West Side Story', which was also released as a single.
What was the purpose of the film 'It Couldn't Happen Here' for Pet Shop Boys in 1988?
Answer: To serve as a visual album and an alternative to touring.
Explanation: The film 'It Couldn't Happen Here' served as a visual album and an alternative to a concert tour for Pet Shop Boys in 1988.
What characterized Pet Shop Boys' visual image for the 1993 album 'Very'?
Answer: Brightly colored costumes and CGI.
Explanation: For the promotion of 'Very', Pet Shop Boys adopted a visual style featuring brightly colored costumes and computer-generated imagery.
What was unique about Pet Shop Boys' 1997 performance residency?
Answer: They were the first band to have a residency at a West End theatre (the Savoy).
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys became the first band to hold a residency at a West End theatre, performing for two weeks at the Savoy Theatre in London in 1997.
What was a deliberate choice regarding Pet Shop Boys' early live performances?
Answer: To stand relatively still, contrasting with the era's trends.
Explanation: A deliberate choice in early Pet Shop Boys performances was to stand relatively still, contrasting with the energetic stage presence common in the 1980s.
Which architect collaborated with Pet Shop Boys on visual design for their tours?
Answer: Zaha Hadid
Explanation: Architect Zaha Hadid is among the notable visual collaborators for Pet Shop Boys' tours.
During the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, how did Pet Shop Boys perform 'West End Girls'?
Answer: While riding cycle-driven chariots.
Explanation: During the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, Pet Shop Boys performed 'West End Girls' while riding cycle-driven chariots.
The 1999 edition of The Guinness Book of Records recognized Pet Shop Boys as the most successful duo in UK music history.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1999 edition of The Guinness Book of Records indeed listed Pet Shop Boys as the most successful duo in UK music history, highlighting their sustained popularity and impact.
Pet Shop Boys have never received any major music awards or nominations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys have received numerous awards, including Brit Awards, Grammy nominations, the NME Godlike Genius Award, and the MTV Europe Music Award for Pop Pioneers.
The song 'It's a Sin' faced accusations of plagiarism, leading to a lawsuit that Pet Shop Boys lost.
Answer: False
Explanation: While 'It's a Sin' faced plagiarism accusations, Pet Shop Boys won the subsequent lawsuit and donated the damages to charity.
Music theorist Fred Everett Maus observed that Pet Shop Boys fans typically reject commercial success.
Answer: False
Explanation: Fred Everett Maus observed that Pet Shop Boys fans exhibit 'an undisguised love of commercial success,' valuing chart performance.
Neil Tennant believes Pet Shop Boys have made minimal contributions to 'gay culture'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Neil Tennant believes Pet Shop Boys have made substantial contributions to 'gay culture' through their music and presentation.
Lady Gaga cited Pet Shop Boys as an influence on her album 'Born This Way'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Lady Gaga stated she listened to Pet Shop Boys while working on her debut album 'The Fame', citing them as an influence on that work, not 'Born This Way'.
Pet Shop Boys received the 'Pop Pioneers' award at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys received the 'Pop Pioneers' award at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, not in 2017.
The 'Pop Pioneers' award recognizes Pet Shop Boys for their early experimental phase in the late 1970s.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Pop Pioneers' award acknowledges their long-standing influence and contributions to pop music over decades, not specifically an early experimental phase in the late 1970s.
Pet Shop Boys expressed admiration for reality television music shows in 2010.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2010, Pet Shop Boys expressed strong criticism towards reality television music shows, describing them negatively.
What distinction did The Guinness Book of Records grant Pet Shop Boys in its 1999 edition?
Answer: Most successful duo in UK music history
Explanation: The 1999 edition of The Guinness Book of Records recognized Pet Shop Boys as the most successful duo in UK music history.
Which major award did Pet Shop Boys receive in 2009?
Answer: Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music
Explanation: In 2009, Pet Shop Boys received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
What did Fred Everett Maus observe about Pet Shop Boys' fans?
Answer: They have an 'undisguised love of commercial success'.
Explanation: Music theorist Fred Everett Maus observed that Pet Shop Boys fans exhibit 'an undisguised love of commercial success'.
Neil Tennant believes Pet Shop Boys have significantly contributed to which cultural sphere?
Answer: Gay culture
Explanation: Neil Tennant believes Pet Shop Boys have made significant contributions to 'gay culture' through their music and presentation.
Lady Gaga mentioned listening to Pet Shop Boys while working on which of her albums?
Answer: The Fame
Explanation: Lady Gaga stated she listened to Pet Shop Boys while working on her debut album 'The Fame', citing them as an influence.
What was the Pet Shop Boys' stance on reality television music shows in 2010?
Answer: They described them as 'so awful and negative and stifling, and so un-pop'.
Explanation: In 2010, Pet Shop Boys expressed strong criticism of reality television music shows, calling them 'so awful and negative and stifling, and so un-pop'.
'Disco 2' featured original songs presented in extended formats, similar to their debut album.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'Disco 2' featured club remixes of existing singles, not original songs, presented in a continuous megamix format.
'Hotspot' (2020) was Pet Shop Boys' first album released on their own x2 label.
Answer: True
Explanation: 'Hotspot', released in 2020, was indeed the first Pet Shop Boys album issued on their own x2 label.
Pet Shop Boys are known for their extensive and active presence on social media platforms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys maintain a 'detached and ambivalent approach' to their public profile, reflected in a low-key social media presence.
Pet Shop Boys' fifteenth studio album is titled 'Very'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys' fifteenth studio album is titled 'Nonetheless', released in 2024. 'Very' was released in 1993.
The 2024 single 'Loneliness' explores themes of isolation and connection.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 2024 single 'Loneliness' delves into themes of isolation and connection within the contemporary world.
The 'Catalogue: 1985–2012' project involved releasing new, unreleased material from that period.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Catalogue: 1985–2012' project focused on the reissue and remastering of existing albums, making the back catalogue more accessible, rather than releasing new, unreleased material.
Pet Shop Boys composed the music for the ballet 'The Most Incredible Thing', based on a Hans Christian Andersen story.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys composed the score for the ballet 'The Most Incredible Thing', adapted from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
The album 'Super' reached number one on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Answer: True
Explanation: The album 'Super' achieved number one on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums chart upon its release.
The single 'A New Bohemia' is part of the 'Nonetheless' album cycle and explores themes of political satire.
Answer: True
Explanation: The single 'A New Bohemia' is part of the 'Nonetheless' album cycle, which explores contemporary themes that can include political commentary.
Following the 2000 Roskilde Festival incident, Pet Shop Boys performed as scheduled.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following the tragic crowd crush incident at the 2000 Roskilde Festival, Pet Shop Boys refused to perform when the organizers decided to continue the event.
The 'Catalogue: 1985–2012' project aimed to make the band's back catalogue more accessible through reissues.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Catalogue: 1985–2012' project involved reissuing and remastering albums from that period to enhance accessibility for fans.
What was the concept behind the 1994 remix album 'Disco 2'?
Answer: A continuous megamix of club remixes by DJ Danny Rampling.
Explanation: 'Disco 2' featured club remixes of singles from 'Very' and 'Behaviour', presented as a continuous megamix by DJ Danny Rampling.
What is the primary focus of the songs on the 2019 EP 'Agenda'?
Answer: Political and pop culture commentary
Explanation: The EP 'Agenda' featured four new songs with a primary focus on political and pop culture commentary.
How has Pet Shop Boys' engagement with social media been described?
Answer: Detached and ambivalent, with a low profile.
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys' engagement with social media has been described as detached and ambivalent, characterized by a low profile.
What is the title of Pet Shop Boys' fifteenth studio album, released in April 2024?
Answer: Nonetheless
Explanation: Pet Shop Boys' fifteenth studio album, released in April 2024, is titled 'Nonetheless'.
What did Pet Shop Boys do in 2000 after the crowd crush incident at the Roskilde Festival?
Answer: Refused to perform when the festival organizers decided to continue.
Explanation: Following the Roskilde Festival incident in 2000, Pet Shop Boys refused to perform when the organizers decided to continue the festival.
The album 'Super' achieved a number one position on which specific Billboard chart?
Answer: Dance/Electronic Albums
Explanation: The album 'Super' reached number one on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
What is the meaning suggested by the title 'Nonetheless' for their 2024 album?
Answer: Perseverance or continuation despite challenges.
Explanation: The title 'Nonetheless' suggests themes of perseverance or continuation despite challenges, fitting for a band with a long and evolving career.