29.08.2013 / Sierre Blues Festival
Texas
Show information
www.texas.uk.comVenue
Sierre Blues Festival
5th Sierre Blues Festival - Sierre:www.sierreblues.ch
Tickets:
www.starticket.ch
Doors opening: 18:00
Show: 21:30
Texas are back. Not that they ever split, not that they ever fell-out, they just needed to draw breath after almost 20 years at the coalface, during which they released seven sparkling albums and reminded us all that craft, heart and soul never go out of fashion. And, lest we forget, Texas were adored by the public and their peers: they sold 30 million albums across the globe - their love affair with the French started in 1989 with the first Texas single I Don't Want A Lover and continues to this day - and in Britain they've had four chart topping albums, while the songwriting team of singer Sharleen Spiteri and bassist Johnny McElhone won an Ivor Novello Award in 1998 for their back catalogue, although their best was yet to come.
It's not exactly been quiet since 2005's Red Book. Sharleen has enjoyed a successful solo career; and she's branched into artist management with Johnny, while guitarist Ally McErlaine almost died following a massive brain aneurysm.
"We needed a rest from Texas and so did the public," explains Sharleen. "But, there was never any question that it was the end. People really liked us y'know, but even though there's so much goodwill and love towards us, I'm not sure people really remember how big we were. Dizzee Rascal was a fellow judge on Sky's Must Be The Music and when they outlined all Texas had done, his jaw nearly hit the floor. We've got a huge back catalogue and we can't wait to embrace the grittiness of Texas live again."
Sharleen's solo career was always intended to be a diversion. "It wasn't as if I'd always needed to make solo albums. It was a sideroad and Johnny was heavily involved in the Melody album, but it was my vision all the way. What it did make me remember and appreciate was just how good it was when all of Texas were in the same room."
In the meantime, guitarist Ally died twice, medically speaking, after he was struck down by a brain aneurysm in 2009. Once he’d surprised the experts by actually living, he surprised them again by returning to normal once he’d come out of his coma.
“I reckon he survived because his brain isn’t like anyone else’s,” muses Sharleen with a wry grin. “Mind you, they’ve given him his driving license back. That’s outrageous. He should never have had one in the first place!”
And so, 2012 will see the first brand new material from Texas in seven years. The band are currently hard at work in the studio working on an album that will see the light of day later this year.
“The best thing about reconvening Texas is that there’s no baggage. We made every decision with our heads held high: we could have cashed in big time in so many ways and we didn't. For me, when I look back there’s nothing that makes me go ‘ugh’. I’m really proud of what we’ve done and I know I’m going to be prouder still of what we’re going to do.”
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