Deuce

The band was formed in 1994 by Tom Watkins, a hugely successful manager and promoter of bands such as the Pet Shop Boys, and the head of East 17, 2wo/3rds, and Bros. He invited Kelly O’Keefe, who was doing an internship in his office, because he admired her distinctive vocals, style and sense of kitsch. They decided to form a band of two boys and two girls with O’Keefe as the lead vocalist. O’Keefe studied music at the BRIT Art School, where she invited her high school friend, the dancer Lisa Armstrong. Watson then advertised for two boys. After numerous auditions, dancers Craig Robert Young and Paul Holmes were hired, and the band formed.

The band’s image was a mid-90s dance-pop sound that included coordinated dance choreography and catchy hits that would have hooked 20-year-olds. The debut single “Call It Love” was released in early January 1995. After five weeks of climbing the UK charts, it reached number 11. Their second single “I Need You” was included in the qualifying round of the Eurovision Song Contest 1995, but, despite the outstanding spirit of eurobeat, took third place in the telephone voting of the audience. The song was released as a single in April and immediately went to number 10 in the UK chart, one place higher than the previous hit.

The band’s third single “On The Bible”, was released in late July 1995 and quickly rose to number 13 in the UK. The following month, the band released their debut album, “On The Loose!”, which peaked at number 18 in the UK, earning a silver certificate for selling over 60,000 copies.

Deuce sang on the 50th anniversary album of the soap opera Coronation Street, performing a track called “Life on the Street” featuring actress Sherry Hewson. The ballad “Let’s Call It A Day” was supposed to be the fourth single from the album in November 1995, but was shelved when Kelly O’Keefe announced that she had decided to leave the band. The only live performance of the song was shown as part of CITV’s 50th anniversary celebration in December 1995, with the band dressed in black clothing. Kelly’s last involvement with the band was in the charity single “The Gift Of Christmas” with Child Liners, which also featured Peter Andre, MN8, Ultimate Kaos, East 17, Dannii Minogue, CJ Lewis, Boyzone and Michelle Gale. The single was released in December 1995 and reached number 9 in the UK and number 10 in Ireland, with profits going to the British charity Childline.

In April 1997, a dance remix of “No Surrender” was released for Australia and New Zealand, which did not even reach the top 100. Then Deuce decided to call it a day, as they sang in their own song, and parted, apparently forever... However, in 1998, a double CD version of their album “On the Loose!” was released in Australia, including “No Surrender” and a whole disc of remixes with a half-hour megamix.

In January 2007, a demo version of the unreleased track “Rock the Disco”, recorded in August 1995 with O’Keefe’s participation, was leaked to the network. In 2017, 22 years after the original release, the original album “On The Loose!” was digitally reissued.

All members are singers and dancers.
Kelly O’Keefe (1994-1995)
Lisa Armstrong (1994-1997)
Craig Young (1994-1996)
Paul Holmes (1994-1997)
Amanda Perkins (1995-1997)
Clinton (1996-1997)