CICERO

 

BIOGRAPHY
Taken from 1991 press release

Twenty one year old Cicero, singer and keyboard player, is the first signing to 
PET SHOP BOYS new label SPAGHETTI RECORDINGS

CICERO, born in Long Island, USA of an Italian-American father, hence the name, and Scottish mother, left the States at an early age to move to Scotland where he attended school.
The proximity of the school's playing fields to "Hearts" football ground guaranteed, as with all his contemporaries, that he became a seriously enthusiastic football fan.

By the time he was fifteen CICERO had formed his first band with some schoolmates,
practicing in the local snooker hall.
On leaving school, CICERO managed to keep body and soul together with a variety of jobs, everything from waiting tables at the Hilton to apprentice joiner.
However it was music that was to remain the driving force in his life.
His unquestionable song writing and vocal talents made him something of a "local hero" 
in his home town of Livingston,
where he regularly plays to audiences of three to four hundred.

The all important break came when PET SHOP BOYS played the "SECC" in Glasgow,
presenting CICERO with the golden opportunity of passing his demo tape to
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

They were impressed ; impressed enough to want to fly up from London especially to see him perform live.  Their journey was not in vain as, despite being
"nervous as hell", CICERO turned in a performance outstanding enough to secure that
magical first record deal.

Since signing to SPAGHETTI RECORDINGS he has written and recorded an, as yet untitled, album due for release later this year.  However, his powerful debut single
"Heaven Must Have Sent You Back To Me", produced by David Jacob, is most definitely out on 12th August 1991 through Polydor Records.

  Cicero

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CICERO DETAILS
Taken from CICERO Newsletter 1 : 1992

Full Name : David John Cicero
Born : 29th May 1970
Birthplace : Deanport, Long Island, US
Star Sign : Gemini
Height : 5ft 10ins
Weight : 10 stone
Lives : North London

Family
Parents are divorced. Father owns a barber shop in US. Mother now re-married lives in Livingston, Scotland.
Two older brothers, Michael and Steven

Nickname : Cicero Kid
Pets : A Yorkshire terrier called Mitzi and two goldfish, George and Mildred
Qualifications : O level Art, O level Craft and Design
Other Jobs : Apprentice Joiner, Waiter
Favourite Music : Depeche Mode
Food : Kit-Kats and spaghetti - but he hates brussel sprouts
Drink : Chocolate Milkshake
After shave : Armani
Clothes : Chevignon jackets
Teenage Idol : Starsky from Starsky and Hutch
Colour : Black
Film : Silence Of The Lambs
Actor / Actress : Tom Cruise / Julia Roberts
Football Team : Heart Of Midlothian (Hearts)
Lucky Number : 7
Personality : Quiet, Shy, Sensitive, Party Animal
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Literally Interview
Issue 7 - November 1991

How did you first get in touch with the Pet Shop Boys?
It was in Glasgow at the SECC two years ago.  We were going to the actual Pet Shop Boys gig and I was playing
one of my demos to some friends in the car.
I put it in my pocket but I never thought I'd hand it over to anyone.
But when we got into the place I saw Peter Andreas, who was their personal assistant at the time, and gave it to him.
About two weeks later he phoned me up at my work saying he wanted to be my manager.
Later Neil and Chris listened to it too.
Chris thought there was something in my chord structure and Neil thought there was something in my voice.
They didn't actually decide to sign me up until they saw me do a gig in Livingston, my hometown.
They were doing a demo in Glasgow so they popped in.
I had support of about 400 and they saw the atmosphere.

Why had you liked the Pet Shop Boys?
Because it was electronic music and I've always liked electronic music.
The early 80's, new romantic stuff.  People like Depeche Mode, Yazzo.
I remember the first time I saw them on TV.  I was in a chip shop, up getting chips.
We were playing the Space Invaders and just hanging around, and "West End Girls" came on Top Of The Pops.
And I saw the way Neil was singing and Chris was just standing there, and I thought
"That's odd, they're not doing nothing. These guys are different. They're not going to make it."
I started buying all their twelve-inches, but as I got older I went off them and onto other bands (laughs).
I still like them, but I prefer their old stuff like "It's A Sin" and "Paninaro".

Because it's their label, some people have assumed you must be their puppet?
Yeah, but when they see the album and underneath it "Written by Cicero" they'll understand.
They'll visit the studio and say to me "David, I think you should change that", but they just let me do it myself.

Whose idea was it to just call you Cicero?
Well, that's my real surname : my dad's Italian and that.
I mentioned ages ago that maybe I should be called D.CICERO or DC and Pete, my manager, said "Why not just Cicero?"

What is "Love Is Everywhere" about?
It's about one of my ex-girlfriends who mucked me about a bit.
I got to the point where I said "to hell with it" and started going out with my friends instead of being under the thumb of her.
In the song, it's about how she was using me but I still loved her and all this bollocks
and about trying to say to her "Love is everywhere"
"Heaven Must Have Sent You Back To Me" is about her too.
Most of the songs on my album are about my ex-girlfriend.
 

Q & A
Taken from CICERO Newsletter 2 : 1992

Is it true you like being MC CICERO and making tapes for your friends?
How did you hear about that?  It's true yeah.  I just get the microphone out and say things like, "You're listening to Cicero FM"
and play loads of rave tunes and just get carried away.

Do you get recognized more often when you go out now?
Yeah I do actually.  Mostly up in Scotland but also when I'm here in North London.

What's the recorded message on your answer phone like?
It's quite boring actually.  When I first got it I had an exciting message with music in the background and that.
But now I say "Please leave your name and number after the tone" and that's it.

How much of your fan mail do you read?
I try and read all the letters I get but because I'm so busy at the moment I don't really have time to answer them all
personally which is a shame.

Do you watch Beverly Hills 90210?
No.  I've seen it once and didn't think very much of it.  Everyone looks so beautiful in it.
I suppose if I watched it every week I'd eventually get to enjoy it. It's not really my style but I definitely wouldn't
complain if I was offered a part in it.

Have you read the Princess Diana book?
You don't really have to buy it do you?  You can just read it in The Sun every day instead.
I think it's a shame that everyone gets to read about her lifestyle like that.
I'd hate my life story to be made as public.

When was the last time you had breakfast in bed?
Years ago.  My mum used to make it for me.  Sometimes when I'm staying in a hotel I'll order it up.
Actually I can't eat very much early in the morning.  I usually wait until 12 in the afternoon.
I don't mind bananas for breakfast though.

Have you started taking driving lessons yet?
No, not yet.  I do think about it because it would be really handy but I haven't got time right now, plus, driving is
mental down here in London.  The drivers are just crazy.

Who would make you star struck?
Probably Mariah Carey.  I think she's quite nice.  She's got everything including an amazing voice.

Where are you off to after this interview?
Probably back to my house to watch Neighbours.
 
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CICERO RELEASE HISTORY
CICERO AFTER SPAGHETTI
CICERO GALLERY
CICERO LYRICS
CICERO UNRELEASED
SPAGHETTI RECORDS CHRONOLOGY

CICERO INDEX

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