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By MAURA McCAY
VANCOUVER - Two of Scotland's favourite sons, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid are back on tour to promote the release of Persevere, the fourth album for The Proclaimers.
It was almost 10 years ago, when the duo hit the international charts with their catchy single, I'm Gonna Be (500 miles). One of the highlights of their career during their last North American tour in 1994, was playing before an enthralled audience of 22,000 screaming fans at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.
The teenage twins' musical passion began after a childhood spent in Edinburgh, Cornwall and Auchtermuchty in Fife. At home it was Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams and Ray Charles playing on their dad's stereo. At school they formed punk bands.
Out of this collision of styles and attitudes came The Proclaimers in 1983. Over the next three years the duo built up a fervent following in the pubs of Edinburgh and Inverness.
People latched onto and identified with these two characters -straight but individual, with songs that opened your ears and hit your heart.
Now, after a seven-year absence from the music scene, Charlie said they're thrilled to be back playing before a live audience. He said, "it's the main reason we started playing music in the first place. It's been a massive boost to everyone in the band to receive the great receptions we have had at every concert so far."
The new band includes Stuart Nisbet on guitar and pedal steel; Nico Bruce on electric and double bass; Stevie Christie on keyboards; and Ross McFarlane on drums; along with tour manager Tom Oliver on sound and Gary Mackenzie doing back line.
Charlie spoke to The Celtic Connection as they began the British leg of their tour. He said, "It's been a long time just for various reasons.
THE PROCLAIMERS - Twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid.
pie who have stuck with us is incredible.
"We've received good press and reasonable sales since the start of the album and we're very much encouraged. The response every night so far has been fantastic."
The boys kick off their North American tour in British Columbia. To get warmed up for this tour, The Proclaimers will make a series of appearances at smaller, more intimate local venues on July 25 to play short three song acoustics.
These will include Seymours in North Vancouver, The Silvertone Tavern on Commercial Drive, Bimini's Tap House on West Fourth, The Arts Club on Granville Island, and The Railway Club downtown.
Their tour opens in Victoria on July 27 and they play The Commodore Ballroom on July 28. Then, Kelowna Community Centre on July 30, Red's in Edmonton on August 1; MacEwan Hall Ballroom in Calgary on August 2; the Odeon Night Club in Saskatoon on August 3 and Walker Theatre in Winnipeg on August 4. On their U.S. dates, The Proclaimers join the hugely popular Barenaked Ladies as special guests.
"Family things, kids being born, and then my dad died a couple of years ago. It's been business stuff as well but there's really no excuse. We just didn't write enough songs we considered of decent quality fast enough."
Since the very beginning the Reid brothers have pursued a line of integrity in their writing and their music has always been strongly influenced by their birthplace and their love and affection for their hometown of Leith.
Charlie said, "I'd hardly say we're prolific in the material we put out, but I certainly feel our records are sincere and I think that comes across as well."
Despite their extended absence, fans have remained intensely loyal and Charlie said they have been amazed at the response so far. "There's bound to be a strong element of rebuilding when you've been away that long, but we're in the middle of a British tour at the moment and the amount of peo-
Town Pants Homecoming
VANCOUVER - Local fans gave the Town Pants a rousing welcome home after a five-week tour which included shows from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax, and assorted small town shows in rural Quebec and Ontario.
Dave and Duane Keogh arid Aaron Chapman were joined onstage at the Railway Club on June 22 by fiddler Shona Le Mottee, a former member of The Paperboys.
The band is influenced by the music of famous Irish showbands as The Clancy Brothers, and the Carleton Showband. Their latest album Piston Baroque, was produced by Hugh McMillan from Spirit of the West.
For more information, see: www.thetownpants.com.
THE TOWN PANTS, featuring Aaron Chapman and brothers Dave and Duane Keogh, onstage at the Railway Club with fiddler Shona Le Mottee.