Lloyd Cole is causing a commotion with vintage material

The English singer-songwriter will take the stage with his twenty-something son

Lloyd Cole was once ranked amongst "Golf Digest"'s top 100 list of musicians along with Alice Cooper and Dan Tyminski.
Hello Wendy PR and Conqueroo/for PhillyVoice

Lloyd Cole isn’t a household name, but he’s revered in the homes where his moniker is bandied about. 

“It’s nice to have loyal fans to keep this career going,” Cole said while calling from his Western Massachusetts home. 

“It’s nice to have some respect.”


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The venerable British bard has a number of admirers among his peers, such as Camera Obscura. The critically acclaimed independent band tipped its cap toward Cole a decade ago, courtesy of "Lloyd, I’m Ready to be Heartbroken." The song is the response to Cole’s 1984 hit, "(Are You) Ready to be Heartbroken?”

“That was really nice,” Cole said. “They were kind enough to send it to me to see if I would be fine with it. Of course, I loved it. I asked them to send me an instrumental mix, and they did. Sometimes, I walk on stage while its played.”

Hello Wendy PR and Conqueroo/for PhillyVoiceLloyd Cole
Some might say Cole, 56, has earned the respect. Such renowned songwriters as Morrissey, Matthew Sweet and Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne fame, are ardent fans. The brainy bard made his mark courtesy of his ‘80s work with the Commotions and with his early solo work. That’s what Cole will offer when he performs tonight at the Sellersville Theater. Expect only tracks from 1983 to 1996. Cole is touring behind a pair of boxed sets, “Lloyd Cole and the Commotions-Collected Recordings 1983-1989” and “Lloyd Cole in New York-Collected Recordings 1989-1996.”

“It was a nice period for me,” Cole said. “I’ve enjoyed revisiting that material and fans want to hear those songs. Everybody wins.”

The first half of the show at the Sellersville will feature Cole as a solo artist and Cole will be joined for the latter half of the show by his 24-year old son, Will, on guitar.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of him,” Cole said. 

“He grew up in this world of music and he loves it and he has talent. It’s so great that we’re connected in this manner. I know a lot of parents have no idea what’s going on with their kids who are in their mid-20s, but my son is with me.”

After the tour ends, Cole will once again hit the road playing songs from throughout his 30-plus-year career. 

“I’ll go back to that, but now is the time when I’ll play all of the songs that have been yelled out at me over the years,” Cole said. 

“It’s a good feeling since fans are happy with this choice. I don’t blame them since I got a little lost during the mid to late ‘90s. Apparently, that’s what happens sometimes. It’s nice to look back. Some people never do. I’m glad I focused on this.”

Cole always looks forward to his Philadelphia area dates. 

“There is something about the people from there,” Cole said. “They know music and they’re so passionate about it. I’m glad I’ll be giving quite a few of them exactly what they want.”

Lloyd Cole appears Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville. Tickets are $39.50. Show time is 8 p.m.