John Illsley

Gardyne Theatre, Dundee, October 26; Green Hotel, Kinross October 27

They’ve had their money for nothing, twisted by the pool and even done the walk of life together. But despite remaining close friends with Mark Knopfler, John Illsley insists there’s little chance of a Dire Straits reunion.

The bass player and his new band arrive in Courier Country for two gigs as part of a 17-date UK tour.

And while Dire Straits tracks will feature prominently in Illsley’s set, the closest he’s come to teaming up with Knopfler since the Straits split in 1995, has been during impromptu performances at social gatherings.

“Nothing is certainly on the horizon in that department,” says Illsley when asked about the possibility of a reunion.

“But when I look back at Dire Straits I’m very proud of what we did and in some ways, that’s part of the reason why Mark and I don’t really want to revisit it – because it’s kind of been done. I think we left behind a good legacy and good songs, good song writing, good albums.”

As one of the founders of Dire Straits with guitarist brothers Mark and David Knopfler and drummer Pick Withers, Illsley, 68, a self-taught musician, played a key role in the development of the band’s sound and helping them become one of the world’s most commercially successful acts with worldwide record sales of more than 100 million and a clutch of Grammys and Brit Awards.

Dire Straits’ biggest selling album, 1985’s Brothers in Arms, has sold more than 30 million copies alone and was the first album to sell a million copies on the then-new compact disc format.

Illsley has fond memories of playing in Scotland with Dire Straits. But he’s enjoying touring with his new band which includes Robbie Mcintosh (Paul Mccartney, Tom Jones), Paul Stacey (Oasis, High Flying Birds) and Steve Smith (Robert Plant, Steve Harley).

Illsley adds: “I’m very fortunate to have these guys playing with me and I don’t underestimate their musical pedigree at all. I feel very honoured... We are talking two of the best guitar players in the UK.”

John has produced six solo albums. But around 60% of his live show will be Dire Straits material.

“We do change things around occasionally,” he says, “but there’s a core of things which we’ll obviously always play like Romeo and Money for Nothing, Sultans... I’m not churlish enough to say I’m not going to play them, because to be perfectly frank, I like playing them.”

John has owned a pub for 30 years and is a keen artist who exhibits worldwide. But having been diagnosed with and recovering from leukaemia in the late 1990s, he takes nothing for granted.

“It was a difficult few years for sure but I think most people who’ve been through experiences like that and come out the other side just sort of wake every morning and go ‘great I’m still here!’” he laughs. www.dundeebox.co.uk www.mundellmusic.com

The former bass player of Dire Straits, John Illsley, will be in Courier Country next week.