They have played at stadiums and concert halls across the globe but The Brand New Heavies have revealed no venue will ever beat the Barrowlands.
The acid jazz band, who have sold more than 2.5 million records worldwide, have played the Ballroom several times over the last three decades and said there’s nowhere else like it on earth.
And the group, who shot to fame in the nineties and are about to embark on a UK tour to mark the 30th anniversary of their hit album Brother Sister, said when it comes to audiences – Glasgow’s are the rowdiest and the best.
Bass player Andy Levy, 58, who founded the band in 1985 with Jan Kincaid, and Simon Bartholomew, said: “The Barrowlands is just the best. We love playing there and get excited when we get told we are heading to Glasgow.
“The Barrowlands is proper rough and ready and greasy and oh so good. The atmosphere is insane and the memories we have of performing there are epic.
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“We’ve always found the further north we go the madder the people and the audiences become so by the time you hit Glasgow we are talking about proper mental. The Barrowlands was always kicking off.”
Guitarist Simon, 58, added: “One of our most memorable gigs ever was playing the Barrowlands in the mid 90s the night before Michael Hutchence took to the stage with INXS.
“To know we were playing on a stage that has showcased some of the biggest names in the business was incredible. Next time we are in Scotland we will be insisting on a ‘Back to the Barrowlands gig.
“Scottish audiences want to be part of the show and share it with us. Scream and shout as much as you can and you will get a better performance out of us so Glasgow always gets one hell of a show.”
Both Andy and Simon, who have been friends since they met at school in Ealing in 1985, feel a strong connection to Scotland but for very different reasons.
Andy, who also went to art college with his bandmate, said: “There is a huge connection between the West Indies and Jamaica. In 1656 Oliver Cromwell banished 1200 Scots prisoners-of-war to the recently acquired English colony there. Subsequently the island attracted a growing number of Scottish immigrants who generally arrived as indentured servants. My mum’s surname is Stirling so there is definitely a bit of Scots in me.”
Simon added: “Ive had several Scottish girlfriends. One lived in Glasgow and one lived in Ellon, Aberdeenshirre. I went to the Isle of Skye with her. The scenery and the whisky were phenomenal – the if you like midges not so much.”
From lock-ins in the Met Bar with Björk, playing at Stella McCartney’s fashion shows, switching Mark Ronson onto soul music and even getting Mick Jagger moving like Jagger on the dancefloor, ‘The Heavies’ have played a huge part in shaping the UK’s music scene.
The band, whose hits include Midnight At the Oasis, Dream on Dreamer, Back to Love and Never Stop, have changed lead singers several times over the years with N’Dea Davenport being the most famous of their vocalists.
Last month the group, which is now fronted by Angela Ricci, released a remastered and expanded edition of their famous Brother Sister album.
Simon, who is looking forward to playing the Albert Hall in March, can’t believe it’s been 30 years since the album came out. He said: “The last 30 years have gone very quickly, probably because we have been touring ever since we released the album. I still feel as naive and stupid as I did then.
“It might be a bloody long time for a young person but for us it just feels like we are in a beautiful loop where we get to gig every weekend, play the guitar and live the dream. It has never felt like a job for us. Growing up is a myth. We are forever young.”
Andy, who has co-written most of the bands music with Simon, added: “In my head I am forever 22. I haven’t really changed that much and like Simon I still have my hair.
“When I first met Simon I was super shy and he was really good with the girls. He would teach me chat up lines and techniques. We started making records at 18 and we are still doing that and having a laugh. Our music is evergreen and maybe we have another 30 years in us. Who knows but the music has definitely kept us young.”
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