Dornock
14-03-2011, 11:07
For over 30 years Henry Priestman has been what he describes modestly as a "backroom boy" in various bands with varying degrees of success. In that time he's hankered after a solo career, but never quite managed to stick his head above the parapet - until now.
Priestman's debut solo album, The Chronicles of Modern Life, is a brilliant realisation of the grumbles, pains and pleasures that come with a certain amount of living and has been a major critical success. It is both wry and cheerful, setting Henry's engaging tones to warm, largely acoustic arrangements. The single 'Don't You Love Me No More' has featured extensively on the BBC and Radio 2, and shot to Number One on the Amazon Chart.
Despite his modesty, Priestman is no stranger to success. Born in Hull, but forging his career in Liverpool, he started out in New Wavers Yachts just as punk was kicking off - they once supported the Sex Pistols - and also penned the songs and played keyboards and guitars with soul-pop hitmakers The Christians ('Forgotten Town', 'Ideal World' and 'Hooverville'). "Yachts was a laugh. Four art college lads who couldn't really play, but luckily we came along in 1977 when the whole punk and new wave thing was going on, so we fitted in nicely. We made two albums, had a bit of success in The States and toured Europe with The Who. The Christians was amazing for what we achieved. Millions of albums sold, a couple of Number Ones, big success in Europe, tours of the USA, Canada, Japan. It was madness at the time. We didn't stop from 1986 until 1995."
Amazingly, Henry also found time to work with various other bands over the last 30 years, including Bette Bright and the Illuminations (with Suggs and Glen Matlock), It's Immaterial, The Lightning Seeds, The Mighty Wah, and Echo and the Bunnymen. He shared vocals with Paul McCartney on a Number One single and produced a hit single for Mark Owen.
Now working on his second solo album, Henry Priestman and his band will be bringing his songs, old and new, to The Greystones on Saturday 19th March. He last played Sheffield in the 1990s with The Christians and recalls playing on the same bill as Def Leppard in the late 70s at the Poly. "And we were top of the bill!"
Saturday promises to be a fantastic evening featuring classic songwriting, with John Reilly of Sheffield favourites Boy on a Dolphin and Acoustic Angels providing support.
Tickets are available £10 in advance from The Greystones (tel: 0114 2665599) or online at www.wegottickets.com/event/101366 or www.seetickets.com
Priestman's debut solo album, The Chronicles of Modern Life, is a brilliant realisation of the grumbles, pains and pleasures that come with a certain amount of living and has been a major critical success. It is both wry and cheerful, setting Henry's engaging tones to warm, largely acoustic arrangements. The single 'Don't You Love Me No More' has featured extensively on the BBC and Radio 2, and shot to Number One on the Amazon Chart.
Despite his modesty, Priestman is no stranger to success. Born in Hull, but forging his career in Liverpool, he started out in New Wavers Yachts just as punk was kicking off - they once supported the Sex Pistols - and also penned the songs and played keyboards and guitars with soul-pop hitmakers The Christians ('Forgotten Town', 'Ideal World' and 'Hooverville'). "Yachts was a laugh. Four art college lads who couldn't really play, but luckily we came along in 1977 when the whole punk and new wave thing was going on, so we fitted in nicely. We made two albums, had a bit of success in The States and toured Europe with The Who. The Christians was amazing for what we achieved. Millions of albums sold, a couple of Number Ones, big success in Europe, tours of the USA, Canada, Japan. It was madness at the time. We didn't stop from 1986 until 1995."
Amazingly, Henry also found time to work with various other bands over the last 30 years, including Bette Bright and the Illuminations (with Suggs and Glen Matlock), It's Immaterial, The Lightning Seeds, The Mighty Wah, and Echo and the Bunnymen. He shared vocals with Paul McCartney on a Number One single and produced a hit single for Mark Owen.
Now working on his second solo album, Henry Priestman and his band will be bringing his songs, old and new, to The Greystones on Saturday 19th March. He last played Sheffield in the 1990s with The Christians and recalls playing on the same bill as Def Leppard in the late 70s at the Poly. "And we were top of the bill!"
Saturday promises to be a fantastic evening featuring classic songwriting, with John Reilly of Sheffield favourites Boy on a Dolphin and Acoustic Angels providing support.
Tickets are available £10 in advance from The Greystones (tel: 0114 2665599) or online at www.wegottickets.com/event/101366 or www.seetickets.com