|
The Vox Beatles
Digger
asked Mike at the south coast's premier Beatles
Tribute Band, The Vox Beatles a few questions.
The Vox Beatles
have a wealth of experience playing in other bands and with
some big names from the sixties circuit and got together based
on their love for the music of The Beatles and for playing
live.
So may we
introduce to you...
The Vox Beatles - John, Mike,
Paul and Joe
The Vox Beatles
are:
MIKE "John Lennon"
Lead Vocals, Backing & Harmonies
Rhythm & Lead Guitar
JOHN "Ringo"
Drums & Percussion
JOE "George Harrison"
Lead Vocals, Backing & Harmonies
Rhythm & Lead Guitar
PAUL "Paul McCartney"
Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards,
Lead Vocals, Backing & Harmonies
Digger: What is your background
Mike and what prompted the formation of The Vox Beatles?
Mike: I've been a mad
Beatles fan for years (just like millions of others) and have
a massive love of 50s/60's music. My brother John and I have
been playing in 60's cover bands since the 80's, most
successfully with the Fourbeats which was pro/semi-pro for
over 15 years. We were playing alongside the likes of Dave
Berry & The Cruisers, The Checkmates, etc. Last year we (me &
John) parted company with a pub/social club band, and it was
the best thing that ever happened to us. We met a couple of
great musicians & Beatles nuts and away we went!!...
Digger: For those not in the
know Mike, where does the name come from?
Mike: The name The Vox
Beatles came about because ....we wanted to form a Beatles
tribute band, and you can't just call yourself The Beatles. So
Vox means voice in Latin (so I'm told) and also because the
Beatle amps were made by J.M.I. and were called Vox.
Digger: What does the music of
The Beatles and the sixties mean to you?
Mike: Almost everything.
Digger: How hard is it to
reproduce authentically the look and sound of The Beatles?
Mike: It's bloody hard on
both accounts. We are never going to have there facial
looks.... we are older for one thing!! But we try as hard as
we can to sound as close as we can, plus we have most of the
early stage gear so we are well on the way..........
Digger: What can people expect
at one of your gigs and what would be a typical playlist?
Mike: We hope to take them
back to the early 60's for a couple of hours of some of the
best music ever written played completely live. Plus some
great 60's guitars, amps etc. to look at and to listen to.
Also our playlist of lots of early hits with some singles and
LP tracks. We will be adding later material next year.
Digger: What sort of feedback
and comments are you getting from audiences?
Mike: Mostly very good. We
are asked to play return gigs at 95% of places we have
played....I must remember to put all our feedback on our
website!!
Digger: Mike, what are the most
enjoyable aspects of running The Vox Beatles?
Mike: For me personally to
be with like-minded Beatle people in and out of the band.
Digger: Why is retro and
nostalgia such a big thing in so many people's lives these
days, including the new generations?
Mike: Because, without looking through rose tinted specs, I
think the past is a safe comfort place that cannot be changed.
Memories. It wasn't all good, no, but life was less plastic
then. More freedom (thanks to our parents' generation) -
almost free of traffic wardens, CCTV, health & safety etc.
etc..........need I say anymore?!!! Apart from please
excuse my spelling!! Not all young people like all new things
- some like old things as well.
Digger: Where would you like to
see The Vox Beatles in two years' time Mike?
Mike: Please God we are
playing bigger venues, more money, women screaming for us etc.
etc... Really ....yes! All of that and more?
The Vox Beatles - John,
Mike, Paul and Joe
|
A hard day's night