CLIMAX BLUES BAND Get It Right!

CLIMAX BLUES BAND Get It Right!

Linda Barber

Backstage at the Royal Oak is a cement tunnel lined with pipes (remembrance of air raid drills past). The purpose of my journey into this summer night was to be entertained and, I hoped, enlightened, by a bluesy band known as Climax.

Although none of the four members claimed to be the spokesperson, I chose to stick close to lead vocalist and sax/clarinet player Colin Cooper. Maybe it was his deep, gravel-throated voice that made me feel at ease—or the Apache headband tied around his chestnut-colored shoulder-length hair. He looked wise. I felt safe.

He slouched in the straight-backed chair in the small dressing room. “Weve played Detroit before," he said. “We played Masonic twice and the Michigan Palace twice. And each time we played here, we got a whole bunch of problems." He sank back into the chair and inhaled on his cigarette. A faint smile came to his lips. “But not tonight."

Tonight was different. No longer were they an obscure band. No longer did Climax have their own little circle of devotees. They had arrived. They had cut a record that now promised to reach numero uno. “Couldnt Get It Right" was bringing it home fdr them. They had reached THE BIG TIME.

A little history...

It all began ten years ago in the mind of Colin. He talked thirteen-year-old Peter Haycock into packing up his guitar and hitting the pubs with himself and drummer John Cuffey. They added bassman Derek Holt shortly thereafter, and hit the trail beginning in their hometown, Stafford *heretofore known for its production of pretzels. Objective: to spread the news of the blues.

Seven albums and three managers later, the group finds themselves having to cope with the success theyd hoped for years ago. “We love it..." Peter said, “because we love what were doing."

Each member, I learned, is married with children. When I asked why the wives werent traveling with them, I was greeted with a chorus of mumbling about the wives having their own jobs, etc. (So much for the hopes of a discussion on equal rights with these

gents!)

Climax Blues Band is a case of taking ten years to become an overnight success. “Were very pleased, of course," boasted Colin. “And we hope we dont let our fans down." All this and humble too? Judging by the reception at the sold-out concert that evening, I doubted that any fans were feeling slighted.

“We enjoy touring," drummer John said. “Were a touring band—been doing it all these years." For a moment they reminded me of a group of traveling salesmen: moving from city to city in the dark of night, setting up concessions, showing their wares, waiting for that big bite, that big fish, that sale to end all sales.

Of their seven albums, their .current one is literally putting the group on the map. In the beginning they cut albums in a few days. Now theyre more particular—and with good reason. “Weve just about got nine tracks on the new album done now," said Peter. “When we go back home well finish it up, and try to get it released by early December."

When not on the road, the group goes their separate ways. “We keep in touch and see one another," Derek said, “except for me—I live 30 miles from everyone, so we do it long distance." With a pudgy John Lodgelike frame, Derek is the quiet one onstage, the mischievous one off.

I asked what they did when they werent working. “Oh, we do a bit of fishin and drawin," replied Colin. “And we do a bit of drinkin and...oh, and John," he continued, leering across the room at drummer John, “John last year grew the most powerful...uh, the best garden on this planet." He smacked his lips and fell back into his chair.

At that point Derek jumped up and inquired whether Id witnessed the soccer game on TV earlier in the day. I nodded that I had, but avoided committing myself verbally, knowing nil about the game.

“Ah hah!" he said. “The game was great, except that—its like non-league soccer games in England. I mean," he said, patting my hand, “all the players here are English...But theyre English has-beens.. .rejects!

Climax Blues get it up and on and deliver with as much power as the blues can allow. The riffs are smooth and electrifying, reaching deep down into your bones. Makes you want to get up and boogie; sway and swing and shimmy till the cows come home. Shades of Motown...New Orleans... New York...and the pretzel capital of the world; Stafford, England.