In 1979, two students at the art academy in Leeds started composing music a theatric play. Marc Almond sings and Dave Bell plays synthesizer. It soon becomes apparent that more can be gained from their collaboratoin and in 1980 the synthesizer sound of Soft Cell is born. They release their self-financed single: 'Mutant Moments'. The single is picked up and their debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret is released soon afterwards.
'Tainted Love', originally by Gloria Jones, is covered by the two. It will be the duo's first big hit. The song 'Sex Dwarf' from the same album reached the top of the charts in England.
After their latest album The Art OF Falling Apart, the duo split up. They still gave a few performances to say one last goodbye to their fans. Marc Almond continues solo and scores a hit with Gene Pitney at the end of '88 and early '89 with 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart'. Dave Ball releases another solo album, In Strict Tempol, in 1983, before the band's eventual demise.
Around 2001, the synthpop that made Soft Cell big came back into the spotlight. Many new groups emerged that are influenced by the band. In interviews, Soft Cell was often referred to as an important source of inspiration. In 2021, the two reunited to dive into the studio.
