Do you feel you still have more to achieve, aspirations or goals?
Always… I’d love to play GLASTONBURY… I still think there’s
a whole world of Christians fans who need to be reminded how
brilliant we are. I’d also love to play a gig in New York, we could
have been as big as U2 if it wasn’t for our albums being filed under
‘religious music’ in the US. It was only ever the surname of a bunch
of brothers from Tuebrook… we must be the LEAST religious
group in the whole world.
How did you keep your feet on the ground in the heady days of
the 80’s?
I just enjoyed the highs and worked hard and didn’t get too above
myself. Good times come and go – just enjoy them but don’t lose
the plot!
What’s the song you get requested to play the most?
Probably Ideal World.
Do you have a favourite? Whether that’s to do with the story
behind the songwriting process or the song itself?
I'm glad we started putting 'Still Small Voice' back in the set list.
It was from our third album 'Happy In Hell' which passed many
people by as it was released in the whole pill popping Brit Pop era.
Have a listen... it’s a really great song.
How has your line up changed over the years and what difference
do you think that’s made?
My current band has been with me for 12 years – they’re better
than the original line up of 87.
Tell us about your best and worst experiences on stage?
Best was a festival in France where they simply wouldn’t let me
off stage – must have been 50,000 or more. Worst was falling over
on Vintage TV event last year! My band say they thought I was
messing around so maybe I got away with it – I know I carried on
singing – that’s showbiz!!
Do you see a change in your audiences now that you’ve been
touring for over 30 years?
No they’re still the same – just a little older and they do tend to
bring their children and sometimes grandchildren now – but
they’re just serious music loving fans who will never leave The
Christians thank god otherwise how would I pay my bills because
the record labels certainly didn’t give us much back then! Or
maybe my old manager hid it all somewhere.
Guilty pleasure?
YumYums the doughnut things from Greggs. I'm not really allowed
sugar as I'm on a fitness drive but when I'm on the road – oh dear –
I see a Greggs and that’s its… yum yum yum!
24 wirrallife.com
Favourite food/restaurant?
I still love San Carlos in Liverpool even though I didn’t see my
photo on the wall last time I was there – let's hope they get one up
before I go next. We always go there for my wife Emma's birthday
– one year the waiters were falling over themselves to serve us – we
realised afterwards her top was completely see through. The food
is always BANG ON and although there’s loads of celebs in the
Liverpool and Manchester one – it's kind of low key and a lovely
atmosphere.
What advice would you give young musicians today?
Don’t bother! Unless you’re one in a million it's nearly impossible
to make a living out of music these days. Only the very very lucky
survive and get a decent deal or a synch deal with a TV ad etc.
It's really really hard out there – such a shame as there’s so many
amazing bands. Take the Hummingbirds for example – amazingly
talented hardworking guys with some great, great hand penned
tunes – now they should be bigger than Jesus!
Tickets for the Wirral Life Ball 2019 are available at
www.wirrallifeball.eventbrite.co.uk. Tickets cost
£75 and include a drinks reception, 3 course dinner
along with live entertainment. The event is in aid of
Claire House Hospice.
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR
THE WIRRAL LIFE BALL 2019
Wirral Life are giving away a pair of tickets
for the Wirral Life Ball to a lucky reader.
Simply email your answer along with your
contact information to [email protected]
Question: Which song do The Christians most
get requested to play?
Closing Date: 10th July 2019.
Good Luck!