A REFORMED Clydebank band is excited to be back on the road again for the first time in more than three decades.
Four of the original five members of Chinese Whispers have partnered with a new musician and unexpectedly got back together.
It started when Graham Holley, 53, released the album About Time under the original band name as his final dissertation for his music masters degree.
His work included one song from the old band – Midnight Movies. But when former bandmate Calum McCrae heard about the album, it sparked an idea.
Calum, 53, told the Post: “When I heard about it, I phoned Graham up and asked ‘when are we playing this live?’ And before you know it, the band had reformed.
“We’re back on the road as a bunch of old guys doing our own thing. It’s just manic, it’s a bunch of dads coming together.
“The comments and feedback we are getting from people is just fantastic.
“The amount of folk who know us from Clydebank saying ‘this is brilliant to see the band back together’ is amazing. And we’re only doing it for our own fun.
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“Originally we started up in the early 80s. We were head-to-head with Wet Wet Wet – we were around at the same time.
“We done several things, but in the end, things just didn’t work out for us. We all kept in touch and were all still musically involved.”
Graham and Calum alongside members David MacDonald, 57, Brian Munro, 54, and Rob Wilson, 53, will be promoting the album and playing live in a mini tour of venues across Scotland.
They will play their fist gig in Calum’s home town, Kirkcaldy, next month, followed by another in Glasgow at The Studio on Monday, February 24. Tickets are free.
The group has also released a brand new single – a re-recorded version of the song Breathe.
Their original debut was a Radio Clyde Cash For Kids fundraiser at the Elgin Street Primary School back in 1984.
Calum added: “As Bankies, we wanted to share the story with some of our old pals who follow the Post, and give a fun bit of information about what a few old music locals are up to.
“We’re hoping to promote our Clydebank roots as we are on the road.”
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