June 20, 2004 in Features

Duran Duran original members reuniting to record new album

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Duran Duran, which regrouped last year for a successful tour, is reuniting again — this time, for a new album on a new record label.

Lead singer Simon LeBon said the band has almost finished working on the untitled disc, which will be released in the fall on Epic Records.

It will mark the first time the original band members — LeBon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor — have recorded an album together since 1983’s “Seven & the Ragged Tiger.”

Working together again has been seamless, LeBon said: “It’s very similar to how it worked 20 years ago. Everybody’s a little bit more open to how they feel about stuff.”

The British pop quintet was among the biggest rock acts in the world in the early ‘80s, with hits including “Girls On Film,” “Rio,” “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “The Reflex,” but band members soon started going their own ways with side projects.

LeBon says the band is not trying to copy the Europop sound that sold millions of records. “I don’t think it would work if we tried to repeat that,” he said.

Yet at the same time, he said it was important for Duran Duran to keep enough of its own musical heritage so that old fans could relate to the new music.

“We wouldn’t want to lose them by trying too hard by trying to connect with a new audience,” he said.

Judging from the sold-out performances Duran Duran gave last year — where shrieking fans sang along with every word — LeBon says he has “no doubt that we will get the attention when we release our stuff because I know there’s a huge, huge demand for (new music).”

And he says band members are closer than ever — even though they still have their disagreements.

“We’re like any people who get very close. Sometimes you argue with each other. But the fact is we inspire each other musically,” he said. “Nobody else does it for me. It’s just very special.”

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