Even in the midst of the latest retro 80s revival, it is no small thing to be one of the rare acts whose music still gets consistent radio airplay. Naked Eyes is just such a band. Fans of their warm brand of synthesized pop, which comprised two albums and two huge 80s hits (Always Something There To Remind Me and Promises, Promises), cant help but launch into song at the sound of their immediately recognizable melodies.
By the time Naked Eyes formed, members (and friends) Pete Byrne and Rob Fisher were old hands at the herky-jerky game of finding the right band. Both had gone around on the Bath pub-n-club circuit while punk, new wave and disco were dominating the music scene, but nothing had clicked for them long term. They had a brief run with Neon from 1980-81, a band that also featured future Tears for Fears members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith yet that essential something remained elusive. "All of Neon's material was written by Rob and me," remembers Byrne, "so it sounded like Naked Eyes with guitar and drums, which was not what we wanted."
On their own again in 82, Byrne and Fisher opted to keep things simple: Synths, and a two-man format. Early demos (one of which was their lush cover of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic Always Something There to Remind Me) led to a major label record deal and producer Tony Mansfield, who put the shine on their 1983 debut album, Burning Bridges (tweaked slightly and renamed Naked Eyes for America), which they recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.
The release of Always proved successful around the world, and was rapidly followed up with Promises, Promises and When The Lights Go Out, proving that the band had more than just one good tune in them. Pressure from the record label for a follow-up kept the band off the road, and in the studio. And Naked Eyes quickly churned out their second album, Fuel for the Fire (clearly the band preferred albums with heat-themed titles), but it failed to continue their momentum, (the quirky single, (What) In the Name of Love, (produced by Arthur Baker,) only brushed the Top 40). Saddled with difficult second album woes brought about by changes at the record label, Byrne and Fisher called it quits.
Yet thats been far from the last word heard from Naked Eyes. Relocated to California, Byrne has kept their flame alight in the intervening years, assembling Everything And More, an album which includes all of the bands 12-inch dance remixes including a version of Promises, Promises which features Madonna. Byrne has also made a name for himself by working with Stevie Wonder, Brad Buxer (musical director for Michael Jackson) and as a producer and songwriter for among others The Olsen Twins. And he has released both a solo EP and full-length album of original tunes (2000s The World in Which We Love and 2001s The Real Illusion). Byrne and Fisher, who had remained close since the band breakup, reunited in early 1999 to work on new tracks, but Fisher died suddenly late in the year after complications following stomach surgery.
Since then, Byrne had been mulling over the idea of putting a new Naked Eyes together, and in 2005 finally put that idea in motion. Having recruited some of the most talented players in Los Angeles, Byrne has written several dazzling new songs and has headlined many sold-out shows across the U.S. Not that Naked Eyes will stop there... Last year saw the release of a live concert DVD and the Naked Eyes "stripped" album, "Fumbling With The Covers." But there's more, Byrne is in the studio recording the next Naked Eyes electric album "Piccadilly" and a national tour with The Human League and ABC will roll out this summer.
By Randee Dawn
Just dropping by to send some love. I've been listening to NAKED EYES a lot lately, cuz I grabbed copies of both your [vinyl!]albums off of Ebay. Don't ask me why, but I love "Burning Bridges." Please come to Iowa, USA sometime. There are a lot of college towns that would love to have you!
Hi Peter!, Just saw the posting about "Movies I Dream", can't wait to hear this new song. Things are alright on this end, miss seeing you guys perform very much. Hope I can get out to Morongo Casino for the gig. See you soon *fingers crossed* peace!!
Thanks for the add! I'm so bummed that I missed you guys in Portsmouth, VA (we hit traffic), especially since Naked Eyes was the only band of the five playing that I even wanted to see. My husband and I went because "Always Something There to Remind Me" is "our" song. Maybe you'll pass through our way again :)
Thank You for adding me! I was amazed when i saw you in trenton, August, i fell in love. Keep it up! Just wish you were playing somewhere close again :( XOXOXO Cristy
Naked Eyes! I love you! I saw you recently at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, FL and was so impressed! From your outfits to your entire performance, everything was stellar! LOVE that saxophone also! I can't wait for your new songs to be released.
Hi Pete, The show in W. Palm Beach was AWESOME! This concert was my daughters first and she loves all the 80's bands. She had a great time, and so did I. You had so much energy on stage I couldng get a good still picture of you, but I did get some video of you. You were GREAT! Thanks again for saying hi......
Hello! How are you? I just wanted to say hello and thank you so much for being a friend on my page. I am such a fan of your music! I loved your songs in the 80s and am glad you are still making great music today. I hope you have a wonderful day and i hope to talk to you again soon. Take care.
Hello Good Sir!+:-) Thank You Ever So Very Much for Adding me as a Friend; I'm Truly honoured!!!=) I also jus' wanted to let you plz kno' 'dat 'da handpainting of 'da tribute shirt by I to be worn, is going along quite 'swimmingly' by I.=) I'm Genuinely lookin' forward to 'da 22nd!:) I'm gonna send ya' a Prvt. Msg. now. ~Sincerely, G.T.
Hey Pete! I like what you did to the page. Profile pic is really cool. See ya at the Regeneration Tour in West Palm Beach. I will be the one taking pictures, at the front of the stage. Weeeeeeeee! Cant wait.
Pete, thanks for the add, I became a Naked Eyes fan way back in 1983 when I got hold of your Naked Eyes tape( proves how old I am LOL), I was a 16 year old kid then and just wore out that tape, and the thing about it is, that Always something there to remind me and Promises Promises were not the only incredible songs on it, best of luck in the future, you have an incredible voice and I look forward to your future products.
Hey Pete. Thanks for keeping me company in the airplane last Friday. I hope you had a blast in Troy. I couldn't make it up there and I was so freakin bummed. It was awesome hangin out with you. I hope you made it back home safe :)
Hey guys.I cannot wait til you guys all come to cincinnati.I'm so stoked. We never get good acts/real musicians anymore..thanks for changing that:) Hope to meet some of you. ~xoxo~ Lori
'Afternoon Peter, Stopping by and showing love. It's been crazy the last few months, but doing just fine...hope to make it up to Vegas for the show in a few months. Hope all's well with you, take care for now. Peace! :)
