People and parties
Brian Harvey.
The
red
The band take
to the stage.
carpet
SWANSEA LIFE’S SPIES ARE EVERYWHERE. SHOWBIZ
COLUMNIST AND STAR SPOTTER ED GLEAVE ROUNDS
UP HIS MOST RECENT GLAMOROUS ENCOUNTERS.
East 17 wow crowds despite
their comeback struggle
Boyband East 17 packed out a city nightclub as
Ed catches up with East 17.
they played some of their biggest hits. The 1990s
group — who had a string of chart successes —
performed live at Lava Lounge to a capacity crowd.
Backstage before the gig, Swansea Life exclusively
caught up with lead singer Brian Harvey. And in a
candid chat, the 35-year-old admitted the band are
having a tough time.
“I knew it was going to be hard if we reformed, but
I didn’t realise the extent to which it would be a
struggle,” he said.
“We love doing club appearances, but we can’t be
picky anymore. Money’s harsh and things aren’t
what they were. We’re prepared to put the work in,
though. Back in the day we were massive. There’s
got to be a way of carving it out again somehow.
We need to get our next album fi nished but people
are messing us about.”
In their prime, East 17 were no strangers to top
foursome three years ago, Tony left soon after. “But the producer we’ve been working with is
10 hits, even scooping the Christmas number one
dangling a carrot in front of our face. It has been
“There was a lot of pressure and it didn’t fall into
spot in 1994. But while the Spice Girls and Take
going on for three years and we need to see some
place,” Brian adds. “I’ll never say never to Tony
That reformed to great success, Brian and his
movement. But we’re optimistic, you’ve got to be.”
bandmates haven’t been quite so lucky.
coming back. If he turned up tomorrow and said he
wanted to give it one more go, I’d seriously think
The reaction in Swansea was a good one. Fans
But Brian says he’s glad other groups have also got about it. But I don’t know if that would open up
went wild as Brian, Terry and John took the stage.
back together. “For us it’s good, because it brings
a can of worms. We don’t hear a peep from him
And the Ospreys had rented a VIP booth for the gig,
back a time from before when all the same people
anymore.”
with stars including Shane Williams and Lee Byrne
were about,” he said. “If they’re asking for them, enjoying champagne with pals.
they might ask for us. But I won’t be selling my soul
The group’s city date saw them play a 10-song set,
to get there.”
including hits such as Stay Another Day, Hold My
“There are even some young people who like us.
Body Tight and Steam. And it seems some of the
They couldn’t have been aware of us when we
The group are now touring nightclubs as a trio,
new material could eventually end up in the shops.
were fi rst around, but it seems to go through to the
with songwriter Tony Mortimer missing from the next generation somehow. But that won’t happen
original line-up. After the group fi rst reformed as a “We’ve got half an album recorded,” says Brian. again, so we need to get it together,” Brian says.
34 swansealife November 2009
RedCarpet_Nov.indd 34 19/10/2009 17:55:20
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