‘I’ll perform until I can’t sing any more’

Later this month, The Christians will be coming to Reading’s SUB89 for a special gig. JAKE CLOTHIER catches up the group’s lead vocalist, Gary Christian, who can’t wait

WHEN THE CHRISTIANS play Sub89 next week, it will be a first for the band. “I can’t remember having played there before,” says Gary Christian, who has led the band since 1987, “But we must have!”

The show was due to take place in August but was rescheduled due to continued uncertainty with the coronavirus pandemic.

But Gary says that the band is ready to feel their way back in.

“We tried a few online sessions, but we just found it too hard,” he explains.

“So we’ve got our studio, we got on with writing, and now we’re getting back on track with live gigs, and back on the road.”

The band is also playing at Rewind Festival in September.

The Christians were on the line-up when it began in 2009, celebrating acts who came to prominence in the 1980s.

Gary says that despite fond memories, which include sharing the stage with Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, he doesn’t like to look back too much. “I prefer to look forward.”

“Back in the day, everybody was angsty, and you didn’t meet other bands, or maybe you would’ve been in competition.

“As you get older you start to mellow, and that’s human.

“And these days its more about connecting with an audience than just getting through it.”

He says that enjoying the work is what the music industry should be about.

“It’s so much fun being on stage, especially if you’re going full octane and having a laugh, and that’s what we’re doing.

“You can’t afford to force it, you have to do what you like doing.”

He warns also of the dangers of taking yourself too seriously.

“There used to be these nihilists in black clothes, all po-faced and serious, and I can’t really decry it.

“But there’s no need, and most grow out of it.

“We’ll play anywhere, because we love it, and we’ll turn up with our Tesco bags and our kit, and if people want to spend money to see us, we make sure we’ll give them 100%.”

Gary says that he’ll keep going until he can’t.

“People always seem to ask why Keith Richards or Paul McCartney are still playing.

“They’re not ready to stop, so why should they?

“There’s no time limit- while I still want to do it, I’ll perform until I can’t sing any more.”

As well as a more general shift during the last few decades, he notes also that the pandemic has changed the structure of the music industry.

“People lost their jobs, lighting techs and sound engineers, and it’s been really very difficult for everyone,

“Right now, there are millions of people who can’t pay their bills.

“Even recording doesn’t feel as worth it any more – I don’t go in for Spotify, since the payment for artists is just terrible.”

This in particular seems to be one of the reasons that enjoyment is so necessary for an artist.

“We were lucky to get our shot, and there’s even more bands just trying to break through.

“But I loved the tours, and the audiences are great – if you enjoy it, it’s a big party”

The Christians will be at Sub89 on Friday, April 15, from 7.30pm.

Reading’s own Tomorrow Bird will be providing support.

■ Tickets are £28, available from premier.ticketek.co.uk.