90s pop will repeat itself
Following in the footsteps of the likes of Boyzone and Steps, 911 and S Club are teaming up for a one-off gig in Glasgow
POP is back. It seems we just can’t get enough of nostalgia.
With Bros’s documentary making the uncool cool again and the continuing success of Take That, Boyzone and Steps, our grey Brexit Britain is turning a bit day-glo.
Nineties groups 911 and three of S Club 7, now known as S Club, will play a joint date at the Classic Grand in Glasgow on February 23.
911 Singer Lee Brennan, 45, who starred in the 90s boyband, said: “I think nostalgia is always the one thing that will draw bands and fans back together.
“As we get older, life takes over and it’s great to go back to a place when we were all young and life was more carefree and we all had less responsibilities. The world loves nostalgia and I can’t see that changing ever.”
His bandmate Jimmy Constable, 47, added: “There has been a huge surge in pop comebacks over the years.
“I think it’s down to the fact that amazing music was made in the 90s, so it’s great to bring back great memories for people whose lives have changed.”
The trio was formed when Hit Man and Her dancers Jimmy, from Liverpool and Simon “Spike” Dawbarn, 44, from Warrington, joined forces with singer Lee, who was from Carlisle. From their base in Glasgow, they had a string of hits including UK No1 A Little Bit More. In Scotland, they were huge – scoring 13 top 10 hits including three No1s.
Spike said: “We love playing Glasgow and Scotland as those fans have been with us since the very beginning. They’ve been supporting us for nearly 25 years. They’re always so loud, too – great crowds when we come up for a gig!”
Jimmy added: “As most people know, Glasgow is our second home. We started the band idea there and lived in many places while rehearsing.
“We have nothing but fond memories and will always keep it in our hearts.” In the 90s, the trio were one of the biggest pop bands in the business – one of only five acts to score 10 consecutive top 10 hits in that decade with tracks including More Than A Woman and fan favourite Bodyshakin. But at the turn of the decade, they split – with hundreds of tearful fans in attendance as they announced their break-up live on Chris Moyles’ Radio 1 show.
The end of the band saw Jimmy spiralling into alcoholism, and drug abuse and depression.
He said: “It was all I ever knew for five to six years and then suddenly you realise it’s all gone. It’s that sudden change of lifestyle. You get up on stage and have all that adoration and then you wake up and realise all the people on the other end of the phone all the time weren’t really friends.”
He lost touch with the other two but their friendship endured. Eight years after first splitting they got back together for a nightclub tour. Their second reunion, in 2012, was bigger – featuring on ITV2 documentary series The Big Reunion with the likes of Atomic Kitten and Liberty X.
On the back of the success of the TV show, they released an album, Illuminate... (The Hits and More) with seven new tracks and seven re-recorded old favourites.
While the Glasgow gig is a one-off, Jimmy his hoping 911
will do a bigger tour. He said: “We are always doing gigs and tours every year.
“I think we need a new 911 tour so we can do all of our hits and album tracks that the fans remember.”
But Lee insisted there would be no joining of forces with S Club, whose remaining members are Bradley McIntosh, Jo O’Meara and Tina Barrett.
He said: “This is just a one-off party night with S Club. These one night shows are always really good fun!”
Since the boys split in 2000, Lee has performed as well as acted. He also married Lindsay Armaou of B*Witched although they split in 2011. While he admitted there were no plans for new 911 music, he is hoping to kick-start his solo career.
He said: “Nothing planned at all with the group but I will be recording some songs in the next 12 months hopefully.” But Spike added: “We’re always open to the idea of releasing new material. We released Illuminate just after we were on The Big Reunion in 2013, so never say never.” Tickets for Back in the Day: S Club & 911 at the Classic Grand, Glasgow, on February 23 are available from www.classicgrand.com/events/spike or call 0141 847 0820.
As most people know, Glasgow is our second home. We’ve nothing but fond memories