Rediscovering Bros

I’ve only just got round to watching Bros: After The Screaming Stops, and it brought back every memory of being a devoted Brosette.

Back in the late 1980s, when Bros were at the peak of their fame, I could never have imagined waiting weeks to watch something featuring my idols. Once those pretty boys — the Goss twins, Matt and Luke, with bassist Craig Logan — burst onto the pop scene, I was a goner. I was obsessed, and I wasn’t alone. Hordes of teenage girls across the UK were as dazzled as I was by their charm, their hair, and their swagger.

When Will I Be Famous?

It all started with their debut hit When Will I Be Famous?, which reached No. 2 in the UK charts in 1987. I first heard it on a sleepover at a friend’s house and remember thinking the lead singer sounded like a girl — perhaps I was hearing the backing vocal. That song changed everything.

From that point, Bros became my world. I was convinced I’d marry Matt Goss one day. Embarrassing now, but completely true.

Brosmania and the Concert

By 1988, Brosmania had taken over. Their mum, Carol Goss, became famous herself for her kindness to fans camping outside her house.

When Bros announced a date at Whitley Bay Ice Rink, my cousin and I were determined to be there. In the days before online ticket sales, we queued outside Newcastle City Hall from the early hours. Luckily, a kind friend who “knew someone” disappeared with our cash and returned triumphantly with two tickets. We were finally going to see our heroes in the flesh.

Vinyl, Collectibles and the Joy of the Hunt

Beyond the concerts, being a Brosette was about collecting. I spent countless hours rifling through the vinyl racks at Grainger Market and Pet Sounds Newcastle searching for rare 12-inch remixes and limited-edition sleeve packs. Some of those records are still sealed in the loft today — my teenage treasures, untouched since the 1980s.

Rumour has it that the Goss brothers are working on a new record deal, so maybe those vinyl packs will be worth something after all.

Fashion and the Brosette Look

Fashion was crucial. The Brosette uniform: faded Levi 501s, black Doc Martens, and Grolsch bottle tops for laces — just like the band. I copied most of it, though I drew the line at the beer bottle tops. Even then, I didn’t know anyone who drank Dutch beer.

All Good Things End

I saw Bros live — twice — and screamed myself hoarse. My letter was even printed in the fan club newsletter (no, I’m not sharing!). But by the time the second album The Time came out, my obsession was fading.

Life moved on: university, new loves, new priorities. Bros eventually split in 1992 after releasing Changing Faces. Their debut album Push had sold in the millions; their later releases didn’t come close.

The Reunion and Aftermath

I didn’t go to the Bros Reunion at the O₂ in 2017. I wanted to preserve the memory of those perfect teenage years. But watching When The Screaming Stops later, I did feel a pang of regret. Seeing Matt and Luke together again, older and more reflective, was strangely moving.

They’ve paid a price for their fame, and it’s clear they still carry scars from those years. But if this reunion has helped them heal, it was worth it.

Legacy

Bros were more than a boy band — they were a cultural moment. For a few shining years, they defined pop fandom. Their story, from teenage hysteria to brotherly reconciliation, still resonates with anyone who ever loved a band too much.

I’ll always have a fondness for Matt, Luke, and Craig. Maybe one day I’ll finally open those sealed badge packs and play that vinyl again.

About the Author
This post was written by Polly Taylor, guest blogger at BloggerByTheSea.com. Her eclectic blog features lifestyle writing, nostalgia, and home-made recipes that are as entertaining as they are delicious.