When he was setting out on the road to stardom in Glasgow, Lloyd Cole was flattered when reviewers likened him to Lou Reed.
Now Lloyd has the Velvet Underground legend as one of his many famous neighbours in his New York home … but the glow of pride has worn off.
Lloyd said: “Lou Reed lives around the corner from me, but I avoid him like the plague.
“He’s a miserable old b******d. I hope he’s avoiding me, too, just to make sure I don’t have to put up with him.”
The former Commotions singer was compared with Reed in most of his early rave reviews.
Lloyd said: “A lot has changed since then. I’m now married with a three- year-old son William.
“That means that now I’m making music to keep my family whereas before it was just to feed my ego.”
Now Lloyd is planning an Edwyn Collins-style comeback with the latest single Like Lovers Do … after being inspired by his old pal’s success with A Girl Like You.
“I was worried that Edwyn would be lonely up there in the Top 10,” he said. “In Britain all that everybody talks about is Blur and Oasis.
“But nobody talks about those bands in other countries, such as Germany… whereas Edwyn’s had a hit everywhere.”
Now Lloyd looks set for his first hit in years when the single is released on Monday … because the new song is being championed by top DJs, including Radio One’s Chris Evans.
It follows a long absence from the chart scene for the man who wrote classics such as Perfect Skin and Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?
His latest release is taken from theforthcoming album Love Story, which is being described as his best effort since the brilliant 1984 Commotions debut Rattlesnakes.
And Lloyd will be seeing his fans for the first time when he hopes to line up for a tour later this year.
He said: “I’ve just got into wearing contact lenses about 18 months ago.”
“This’ll be the first time I’ll be able to see the audience. But I wouldn’t say it’s vanity, though it’s definitely got something to do with trying to look a bit better.”
Publication: Scottish Daily Record
Publication date: 18/08/95