THE legendary Zombies are taking to the road in May.

The band, having celebrated their 50^th anniversary last year, are busier than ever these days and are in ever-increasing demand.

“The 50^th anniversary shows were absolutely great,” says founder-member and keyboard player Rod Argent.

“It was a very intense year as we toured just about everywhere, and this year is proving to be even more so.”

The band, which features original members Rod and singer Colin Blunstone, along with bassist Jim Rodford (ex-Kinks and Argent – and Rod’s cousin), guitarist Tom Toomey, and Jims son Steve Rodford on drums, has just returned from America where things have gone exceptionally well.

“It was the first of three tours we’re doing of the States this year,” Rod explains.

“We got a fantastic reception and great reviews – even in the South where we have had thin audiences in the past but we’re packing them in now.”

“I don’t know why this is.” He adds, bemused.

The band formed in St Albans in 1962 and had a hit with She’s Not There, which was only the third song Rod composed and was later covered by Santana.

Further success eluded them until the release – in America – of the album Odessey and Oracle (yes, it is supposed to be spelt that way).

The album spawned the single Time of the Season and the album has since become one of the most feted albums ever.

However, the success that should have been theirs was passed up because the band had split up.

Rod formed Argent and Colin had a very successful solo career.

They got back together twelve years ago and have been touring ever since.

Apart from a brief reunion tour by the band Argent last year, Rod says that he is concentrating on The Zombies these days.

“I just haven’t enough creative energy for two bands,” he admits. “So The Zombies has to be the focus, but it takes up a lot of energy and time.”

A new live album is being released around the time of the tour.

“Live in the UK has just ten tracks, it was a strict stipulation by the American distributors.

But it serves as a reminder of how accomplished these musicians are.

Colins’ vocals – a trademark of the band, are as clear as ever – and the solo’s allow the band come creative freedom on stage.

“There’s a lot of improvisation in the set which means that we can play what we feel.” Says Rod.

“The longer solos are always different every night, an exception being the solo during Breathe Out, Breathe In. We play that as written as it’s so short.”

The set list for the UK tour promises to be exciting for the band as well as the audience.

“That’s right,” enthuses the youthful keyboard maestro.

“Obviously there are tracks that we have to play and of course we’ll do a selection from Odessey and Oracle as well as Argent’s Hold Your Head Up and some of Colin’s solo stuff.

Motown legend Jimmy Ruffin says that Blunstone’s cover of his What Becomes of the Brokenhearted is his favourite version.

Rod continues.

“We recently came across Tom Petty’s version of our I Want You Back Again which we haven’t played, so we may include that this year; and also some very old ones like You Really Got a Hold On Me and Going Out of my Head.”

After the tour, you’d think that Rod and his merry men might take a break- but no.

“On the 8^th of June we are playing in Amsterdam, then on the 11^th we are off for another four week tour of the States, during which we’ll be headlining the Summerfest open-air music festival in Central Park.”

“After that we’ll have a break before going back to America again.”

Seeing The Zombies on stage, it is apparent that they enjoy what they do,

“We wouldn’t do it otherwise.” States Rod.

The Zombies will be appearing at The Hall for Cornwall, Truro on Friday 3rd May.

Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01872 262466 and from all the usual agencies.

Martin Hutchinson.

FOLLOWING the recent BBC 4 documentary, interest in the duo that is Chas and Dave has increased. And, bowing to the phenomenal demand by fans after what was supposed to be a farewell tour, they are undertaking on an extensive UK tour.

Chas Hodges (the one on the piano) and Dave Peacock (the bass guitarist), got together as Chas and Dave in 1972 after over a decade earning their living as jobbing musicians. Dave started in a band called The Rolling Stones (no, not that one) and many others, whilst Chas had been in The Outlaws (under the producer-ship of Joe Meek), Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers and the cult band Heads Hands and Feet. It was whilst with the latter band that he decided that he was fed up with singing in an American accent and wanted to perform songs in his own, London accent. He contacted Dave and the duo was born.

They had a string of hits showcasing their cockney-style and jaunty music, which was labelled Rockney. Their debut hit was Strummin, which was about Dave learning to play the guitar (in fact, a lot of their songs are stories), but it was an advert for Courage beer that have them their first big hit with Gertcha. Other hits included Poor Old Mr Woogie, Rabbit and Ain’t No Pleasing You, which – to Chas’ pride – is a ballad sung in a cockney accent. Despite the fact that their image is very ‘London’, they are popular all over the country as well as Australia and America. Chas tells me that it’s their Cockney image that has kept them popular. “We love playing songs that people can join in with. Verybody should sing.” “There’s honesty about our music, we enjoy it and we entertain.” “People always leave with happy, smiling faces, and that’s how it should be.” But, they have fallen foul of the dreaded BBC censor in the past. “Yeah,” Chas laughs. “They objected to the word ‘cowson’ in Gercha and they asked me not to sing it. I did though.” However, the BBC didn’t catch on with the use of the trade name Sainsbury’s in Rabbit. “Nah, they never objected to that for some reason.” Chas then reminisces. “I remember that a mate of mine,  Mark Lamarr, actually went in Sainsburys and asked if they did sell rabbit.” “And they said that they did – it was in the cat food!”

Another aspect of some of their songs is the tongue-twisting lyrics in songs like Rabbit and Diddle Umma Day. Chas explains. “With Rabbit, it was OK, but once we’d recorded it, the real test was doing it live.” “For a while, we used to have it written out, but we’ve been doing it so long that we’ve got it off pat now.” Despite their success and popularity, they seem to have been ignored by music historians and reference book compilers. “I don’t know why that is,” Chas says, perplexed. “We’ve always been respected by other musicians, as they have always seen what we’ve got.” “And we’ve always been popular, but we’re sometimes seen as a novelty act.” “But nowadays, we’re getting some respect – if anyone really thinks that we’re just a novelty act, then I don’t think they’ve got a soul.”

Following the retirement of long-time drummer Mick Burt – who worked with Chas in the Rebel Rousers, they now have a new drummer behind them. “Yeah,” Chas says, “Mick retired about three years ago, me son’s on drums now. He’s called Nik.” The TV documentary showed Dave indulging his spare-time passion for restoring gypsy caravans, but nothing was said about Chas. Well, I’m always writing songs, but I’ve also got an allotment – I’ve been growing me own veg since about 1972.”

The tour will of course feature all the hits and much more and both Chas and Dave are looking forward to it.  “We, so pleased that we’re still gigging at our age, I always say that I’m at least 50 (he is in fact 69 and Dave is 67), you’re as young as you feel.” And when the duo isn’t working, Mr Hodges has the Chas Hodges Band with whom he’s just released an album. “Yeah that’s right. It’s called Together We Make Music and it’s a tribute to all the people I’ve worked with: Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles et cetera.” And his book about his career and that of Chas and Dave is about to be released again as a paperback. Good-time music and a good laugh is guaranteed at their shows. “It’s all very well playing good music, but you have to have fun as well.” Says Chas.

Chas and Dave will be bringing their show to Exeter University on Friday June 7^th.

Tickets are available from the Box Office and all the usual agencies. www.exeterboxoffice.com/diary.aspx

Martin Hutchinson