Slade set for Dome gig
"IT'S CHRISTMAS!" And you really know it's Christmas when Slade turn up on your doorstep!
So brace yourself for that lovely festive feeling as the legendary 70s four-piece, made famous for their Christmas hit 'Merry Christmas Everybody' take to the stage at the Morecambe Dome.
With 23 hit singles and six smash albums behind them, Slade are on their 17th yuletide tour and will bring the party to Morecambe this Friday in what looks to be an outrageously flamboyant and entertaining show.
The Visitor has been promised the band will play all their classic hits on the night, supported by T-Rex tribute act 'T-Rextasy. Reporter Holly Blackwell caught up with guitarist Dave Hill in preparation for Friday's show.
This is your 17th Christmas tour now Dave, do you get bored of it?
No. It's been my life for 40 odd years now. We are not actually working every week. Sometimes we just do one gig a week in Europe. But we have played Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, even Australia and Russia. There's such a demand to hear the music. It's a great experience. There's always something to pursue in life.
Have you ever been to Morecambe before? How do you feel about coming to The Dome?
Coming up to Morecambe is going to be a treat. Morecambe and Wise are a big part of my life in Slade and I'm a big fan of Morecambe. We used to go up there in the 60s and it's really great. I really like working up in the north-west. I love the Lakes and am a big Wordsworth fan. The last time I came to Morecambe I think was about three or four years ago. It's great because it has a very historic feel to it and is one of the famous seaside towns of the past.
How many dates are on the tour?
I think there's around 16 to 20 dates on this tour. We are playing at the O2 Arena which we have never done before - that will be the last date of the tour.
How does it feel to maintain your popularity through four decades?
It's a bit like what The Beatles said. They said 'give it about five years and it will all be over' and they are still the most talked about band in the world. What you forget is the people that grew up with you at school are in their 40s now and their children want it now, so new people are still learning about us and the older people still want it. We have become the classic music of our generation. It's a great compliment and also a reminder that the music stands up. It was about glitz and glamour but also about substance as well.
How does it feel to be the band who is always associated with Christmas?
'Merry Christmas Everybody'was the biggest hit since 'White Christmas' and it is nice to be associated with something that gives people such pleasure. Christmas is for the young but it's also about giving and in a way the more giving and care we have for one another, the more we will survive. The values of Christmas I remember when I was young and we hadn't much money on the council estate I grew up in.
We actually have a Christmas album out on Polydor so that is a special thank you to our fans.
How will you be spending Christmas?
I'm on the road so I'll be spending Christmas playing to people. On Christmas Day, I'll probably be popping round to see my family for the turkey dinner though where I live in the Midlands. And I'll be watching one of my favourite films 'It's a Wonderful Life.'
And here are Dave's answers to The Visitor's quick-fire Christmas Quiz...
Mince pies or brandy snaps? Mince pies.
Christmas pudding or trifle? Christmas pudding.
Baubles or tinsel? Baubles, no tinsel, tinsel.
Goose or turkey? Turkey.
Sprouts or stuffing? Stuffing.
Vouchers or presents? Presents.
Carols or karaoke? Carols.
Fake tree or real? Oh a real tree, I like the smell.
The Queen's speech or Christmas Simpsons? The Queen's Speech.
* Slade will perform at The Morecambe Dome this Friday, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost 19.50 from 01524 582803. This is a standing concert with limited seating and is suitable for over 14s only. Those aged between 14 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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