Boyz Magazine – H & Claire
Magazine Source: Boyz
Timeline: 4th May 2002
The gay community gasped when it heard on boxing day that steps were to split, then breathed a sigh of relief when H and Claire announced they’d be pairing up under the name, erm, H & Claire. Here they talk to Boyz about the split, how they’re the new Sonny and Cher and why they’re not horrible people.
Did you feel mean when you left STEPS?
C: Mean? No not mean! We brought the subject up, and we’d talked about it the night before. Everybody in the band had talked about it at some point or other, but had never actually meant it.
Was it like a race to be the first one to leave the band?
H: It was mutual. Myself and Claire brought the subject up, but everybody agreed.
C: We were going to do a press conference in January, but somebody leaked the story, so that’s how it came out on Boxing Day that we had split. We weren’t going to say anybody had left, we all decided, and it’s only since that people have changed their feelings about it, obviously.
People have said other things?
C: Yeah, I mean, we were portrayed as the bad guys.
How did that feel?
C: It’s horrible, because I don’t think we’re horrible people, I think we were unhappy.
What were you unhappy with?
C: You know, it’s five years of the same old thing, and it gets a bit much sometimes. I was a teenager when I joined STEPS, and I feel personally that I’ve grown up an awful lot.
H: yeah me too.
C: We were the youngest, and I think we had the biggest kind of transition.
So are you still friends with the others?
H: I’d still class them as my friends.
When was the last time you spoke to them?
H: When was the last time?
December 26th?
H: When we went out for New year, Lee came out as well.
C: I’ve txted a couple of times, but I haven’t actually spoken to them, ’cause I think it’s still a little bit dodgy.
Duos are quite difficult aren’t they?
C: Sonny and Cher!
H: Zig and Zag!
C: I think if you’re trying to launch a duo from nothing it would be quite difficult, but luckily we’ve got a little bit of something already – people know us, and obviously the TV comes into it as well.
What’s the TV thing?
H: We take over SMTV with Brian and Tess Daly. And we’re talking to some production teams about our own TV shows.
Like a Sonny and Cher type thing?
H: Well I mean that’s the only thing we can think of.
C: Morecambe and Wise type things.
Why do you think duos don’t work usually? Is it because there’s always some confusion about the relationship?
H: There’s no sexual tension here, so don’t worry!!
C: Because you’re not quite a solo artist and you’re not quite a group. Also, I don’t think anybody’s tried it for a really long time. We’ve got a lot in common – our personalities are similar, we’ve got the same taste in clothes, same kind of age…
So when you start again like this, is there an idea of ‘OK, let’s have it the way we want it’?
H: Well to be honest, we always kind of did what we wanted, but with five different opinions. It’s more condensed now and myself and Claire are on the same wavelength.
Before it was kind of for kids and students and gay men. Is it still?
H: We never labelled it for anybody.
C: That was what ended up being our core audience I suppose. I don’t want that to change.
Do you not ever think, I want to be cutting edge?
C: No, not at all, because you’ve got to do what you’re good at, and what makes you happy.
H: And don’t pretend to be anything you’re not. There’s no point us trying to be bloody No Doubt. I wouldn’t feel happy with myself.
C: As much as I’d sometimes like to stand there and sing big ballads like Celine Dion, that’s just not where I’m at personally, and professionally, I’m too young for that. Hopefully maybe one day I will get to do that.
So when you two became a duo, did you have to re-sign your record deal?
C: Yes, it’s a totally new company. We’re with – what was it? – WEA London, it’s not Warners, it’s kind of Warners. [It’s actually the pop-music division of the Warner Music Group in the UK – webmaster]
You’re not quite sure which record label you’re with?
(Voice from behind steps in to clarify matters) So do you get more money now?
H: Maybe!
C: Well it only gets split two ways doesn’t it?
H: Do you know what? We both got offered solo deals, and I didn’t want to be a solo artist.
C: He said, I’ve been offered this deal by so-and-so and I don’t know what to do, and somebody – can’t remember who – had offered me something, and we both said, I don’t want to do it! I’m too scared! We’re both just chickens that’s why!
So you didn’t realise you were going to be a duo before you split up>
H: No, no, no.
C: No we spent a lot of time together over Christmas and New Year, and it was the first couple of weeks of January. We spoke to our manager, and both of us didn’t think we were ready to do it on our own. Also, I think that for a lot of bands, the opportunity to be a duo has not really been there. I think we’ve been the first mixed group that have split.
I can’t believe how serious this interview has been. Usually it’s like, “Right, tell me about your porn collection”!
H: Well, ask light-hearted questions then!
OK, so have either of you a girlfriend or boyfriend?
H: I’m in love with Claire!
C: I’ve been with my boyfriend for two years.
When’s the wedding?
H: He’s got to ask her first!
Would you like to?
C:I think I probably would yes.
H: If I was him, I wouldn’t ask her!
What about you? When are you going to come out?
H: Oh shut up! What are you like?! Change the record.
Why not – Will Young’s doing it?
H:Oh please!
Read more classic STEPS interviews in our Interviews & Reports section here.