Say Hello, Wave goodbye to Soft Cell's Dave Ball

The legendary keyboard player of Soft Cell and The Grid, Dave Ball is a regular around these parts.

2021 has seen Dave release an autobiography; tour again with Marc Almond as Soft Cell, released a new Soft Cell album, as well as signing a new publishing deal with Mute Song Publishing

Electric Boy – Autobiography

In Electronic Boy: My Life In And Out Of Soft Cell, Dave Ball tells the story of his musical journey. Ball began writing his memoirs eight years ago, referring to the diaries that he has kept throughout his career.

Dave grew up in Blackpool in the 60s & 70s, he went to Arnold Boys School, where later Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys also attended. He was always interested in music but it was hearing Autobahn by Kraftwork that led Dave to switch from guitar rock to synthesisers. This together with his long term love of Northern Soul were to form the basis of Soft Cell.

After taking A-levels at Blackpool Technical College, Ball went on to study fine art at Leeds Polytechnic, where he would meet with Marc Almond on his first day, they formed Soft Cell in 1977.

In 1980, John Peel was the first to play their demo EP single, Mutant Moment, a pressing that was funded by a loan from Dave’s mum. He later repaid her faith by purchasing her home in Blackpool with the first royalties.

In 1981, that Soft Cell reached number one in 17 countries with their cover of Tainted Love, the 1965 Gloria Jones Northern Soul classic.

We were just a couple of oiks from art college. We’d done ‘Memorabilia’ which had done quite well in the clubs then we put out this other record which we thought might do a bit better in the clubs and it does more than a bit better, it goes mega. It was a life-changing moment in some good ways and some bad ways. It really did change our lives. We’ve both had lifelong careers musicians because of that record.”
Dave Ball

Soft Cell Split

The band were to go on to release 3 LP’s before spliting in 1984. Afterwards, Dave was to work on various projects, released a Solo LP In Strict tempo and a soundtrack LP for Derek Jarman’s Imagining October film. He was also to join and tour with Psychic TV. In the 90’s Dave was to partner with Richard Norris as the dance duo The Grid, having a top ten hit with ‘Swamp Thing’. They were also much in demand as producers and remixers. working with David Bowie, B-52’s, Pet Shop Boys, Boy George, Brian Eno and Kylie Minogue.

Soft Cell reunited twice: first in 2003, for the album Cruelty Without Beauty and a successful tour, and again in 2018 for the Keychains And Snowstorms box set and a huge farewell show at the O2 in London.

“But Marc and I are more like Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. We get divorced and then we get back together – and then we get divorced again.”
Dave Ball

“He is part of my history and I am part of his history – we are connected always,”…..“I never would have had the success I have had without Dave Ball.”
Marc Almond