Echo & The Bunnymen 'sneer' at The Beatles

[In The Margins]

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News ... 96881.html

YOU'D have expected Echo & The Bunnymen - who started out as a post-punk outfit in Liverpool in the wake of the British explosion - to, at least, consider riding the Britpop wave that came with The Beatles.

But the iconic band's guitarist and founding member, William Sergeant, sniffed at the very suggestion.

Speaking to my paper recently from his home studio in the English city, Sergeant, 51, recalled: "We kind of sneered at The Beatles a little bit. It was never about getting a record deal (for us). We never wanted to be part of any type of 'scene'."

Still, there was clearly something special about the trio, which Sergeant formed in 1978 with vocalist Ian McCulloch, 50, and bassist Les Pattinson, 51.

After garnering mainstream success with albums like Ocean Rain (1984) - which spawned hits like The Killing Moon and Silver - McCulloch left the band in 1988 to pursue a solo career.

Echo & The Bunnymen then called it quits in the early 1990s, but reconvened in 1997. Pattinson left for good two years later.

The band released its 11th studio album, The Fountain, last year.

The current line-up (including Sergeant and McCulloch) will play its first Singapore show on Monday at the Esplanade.

And fans can expect to hear the Bunnymen in top form, promised Sergeant. "I think we just got better at playing (over the years)," he said in his Scouse accent, adding that their Singapore set will contain their biggest hits. He said: "Don't expect anything fancy. I always find simple is much more effective."

That tack isn't a guaranteed winner with concert-goers, particularly at bigger festivals such as Coachella in the United States, at which the group will play in April. At festivals like those, said Sergeant, the generation gap rears its head.

"It's a bit difficult because the crowd will be waiting for some band like (American rockers) Foo Fighters to come on, so it can get weird if we play first."

And being an industry veteran does not mean he has all the answers when it comes to today's scene. Asked if he has favourite contemporary acts, he is reluctant to name names. "It's embarrassing even saying which bands today I like. I'd sound like an old duffer trying to be hip.

"It's like when Elton John goes on about how much he likes Oasis or whatever," he added with a hearty chuckle.

So, what can one expect from their show? A rockin' good time, it seems, that - hopefully - will see the legends at their best.

[Kounelaki]

Slow news day in Singapore?

[withahip]

Will sneered at The Beatles when he was 19?!?!?!??! Oh my god!!!

[Mr. Brian]

Still, there was clearly something special about the trio, which Sergeant formed in 1978 with vocalist Ian McCulloch, 50, and bassist Les Pattinson, 51.

After garnering mainstream success with albums like Ocean Rain (1984) - which spawned hits like The Killing Moon and Silver - McCulloch left the band in 1988 to pursue a solo career.

Echo & The Bunnymen then called it quits in the early 1990s, but reconvened in 1997. Pattinson left for good two years later.rockin' good time, it seems, that - hopefully - will see the legends at their best.

So the way this reads, Mac and Les were 50 and 51 respectively in 1978. Mac went solo at 60 and the Bunnymen reformed when he was 69. Les quit when he was 72.

[Dr Evil]

Perhaps they are vain about their age?

[DivaDiana77]

hehehe....

Mac is actually "he has left the band"

Only one who never left is Will.

[DivaDiana77]

And fans can expect to hear the Bunnymen in top form, promised Sergeant. "I think we just got better at playing (over the years), Don't expect anything fancy. I always find simple is much more effective."

"It's embarrassing even saying which bands today I like. I'd sound like an old duffer trying to be hip. It's like when Elton John goes on about how much he likes Oasis or whatever," he added with a hearty chuckle.

Will's funny as hell.