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Having just completed a number of gigs around the country, six supporting the mightly Gary Glitter, and with their first single 'Hup Two Three Four', currently making a not inconsiderable dent in the indie charts, things are evidently looking rosy for the Presleys (or Sids to their friends.) A good time therefore to check these guys out.
So what about that name? Take it away lads.
Pete: "We wanted a name that people wouldn't be able to forget if they tried."
Del: "We don't care if people laugh at it either because it you can get people lauging you're half way there. Anyway what's in a name, it's the music that counts."
Ah! The music.
Take a listen to the current single: a pounding and energetic rocker that defies you to remain still. It's a damn fine record which the boys are justifiably proud of.
So how do the Sids think of their music?
Del: "Rock 'n' roll."
Peter: "Brilliant." (The man clearly has definite views on the role of the Presleys in the current scene). "There hasn't been any genuine rock 'n' roll of the eighties, and we're the first".
Del: "I really think there's a big misunderstanding of what rock 'n' roll is these days, and you've got all thse groups like Rainbow or whatever doing so called rock'n'roll. That's not rock'n'roll, that's just dross. It's gotta rock, know what I mean?"
The Experience are clearly serious about what they are doing. Annoyed by the large amoung of pop found to be inhabiting the charts, the Sids are determined to succeed without compromise.
So, what do they think they'll attract on their way to the top?
Pete: "We did the Gary Glitter tour for the specific reason, that we knew we'd be playing to everybody: grannies, punks, rockers, everybody goes to see Gary Glitter. We went down veyr well, night after night. We don't wanna play to two hundred rockers or two hundred leather jackets, we wanna play to people. Our audience are teeny bop girls, they're hippies, they're rockers, they're punks, they're black, they're white, they're old, they're young, they're people.
The group are also adamant that by not conforming with any established trends they won't damage their chances of success.
Will they ever appear on the Top Of The Pops?
Chris: "We want to get on TOTP and have double A-Side out at Number One and be the first band to have to play their first record twice, probably in the next month".
Pete: "I hate these bands that say they won't go on TOTP, on principle. That is a load of bullshit. We wanna go on TOTP and be the best band on that night."
Ah, but will this success come with ID? [Their record company]
Pete: "We could have had loads of bigger record contracts if we'd dressed up in womens' clothing."
Kevin: "We could have been the first transvestite rock 'n' roll band. I mean f*** that! It's false. That's what we are dead against."
Do they feel that they are in any promoting the myths associated with the legends in their name?
Pete: "We don't deny our influences, but all our name means is that we won't be stuck into a musical box.
Chris: "We're not promoting anything but ourselves."
Talking to the Sid Presley Experience is good fun. And so is the music. The band display an approach rich in honesty, flavoured with a dry wit that clouds any hint of youthful naivety. But I'll let Pete have the final word: "We will continue to defy the normal expectations of what people think a rock 'n' roll band should be." Watch out for Presleyism!
Kirk Blows