Neil Hannon was born in Londendery, Northern Ireland in November 1970. His dad being a man of the church he claims to have been oblivious to the political troubles of the province. About 10 years later the family move to Eniskillen.
Neil was 13 when he bought his first guitar, he is soon writing his own music and lyrics and forms a band at the age of 15 with some school friends, by the end of 1989 The Divine Comedy are formed and produce a record demo, Setanta records sign the group the following year and they release Fanfare For The Comic Muse, releases such as Timewatch and Europop EP's fail to launch the band and all members but Neil gives up.
Between 1992 and 1993 Neil singlehandedly puts together Liberation, it's recorded in 12 days and it sets presidence for The Divine Comedy style that we know today. It was during 1993 that Neil met Joby Talbot, they worked together on Promanade, released in 1994.
Almost 2 years later with Stuart 'Pinkie' Bates on keyboard, Bryan Mills on bass and Miggy Barados on Drums( now established band members), Casanova is released, it's the hit they deserve and the band have their own headline tour of the UK and Europe, having been popular in France for a few years previous at last the UK are starting to notice The Divine Comedy. Something For The Weekend is the first general released single for the band and when it's made single of the week on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Radio One it gets mainsteam attention and is a top 20 hit, it's followed by Becoming More Like Alfie and Frog Princess.
The following year, 1997, A Short Album About Love is released, recored in October 1996 with a 30 piece orchestra and Joby at the helm. It has 7 romantic, intence, heartstopping songs on it and Everbody Knows ( Except You) is released from the album, another top 20 hit.
The next release that year is the slightly controvertial cover of Noel Coward's I've Been To A Marvellous Party, I can remember listening to Simon Mayo host a passionate debate on his Radio One show as to wether it was the best or worst thing that The Divivne Comedy had ever come out with, it instigated a lot of phone calls, but it's Neil that settles this debate, he's not keen !! The song apears on 20th Century Blues- The Songs of Noel Coward, an Aids charity LP compiled by Neil Tennant of The Pet Shop Boys fame.
August Bank Holiday Monday 1998, the day after performing at the Reading Festival, Fin De Siecle is released, singles from the album follow, Generation Sex goes Top 20, Certainty Of Chance dosn't and National Express is a TOP 10 HIT ! The biggest hit to date.
Tours and festivals follow, a supporting slot for REM at Landsdown Rd in July 1999 is a landmark ( the HQ club the night before is a personal landmark for me) and the popularity of The Divine Comedy grows and grows.
The Pop Singers fear Of The pollen Count, is re-recored and released in Aug 1999 and preludes A Secret History....The Best Of The Divine Comedy, a collection of songs from the career ( so far) of Neil Hannon and The Divine Comedy . Gin Soaked Boy, one of two new songs on the album is released on November 1st.
Neil appears on Tom Jones' new album of colaberations Reload, the song, Portisheads All Mine, stands out as one of the best on the album.
Other claims to fame along the way include writing music for Father Ted including the theme music Songs of Love and My Loverly Horse, and In Persuit Of happiness is used as the theme to BBC's Tomorrows World. The band have also supported the likes of Blur, Tori Amos, Supergrass REM and Robbie Williams.
SO.... WHAT IS THERE LEFT TO SAY ?
The band now established and a new record contract in hand, we now look to the future, thanking Neil and everybody involved with The Divine Comedy for doing what they do and wishing Neil and the boys all the luck in the world .
Suzi XXX