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From page 18 of Classic Rock Magazine October 2007



Cover of October 2007 issue.
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BRITAIN'S BEST TRIBUTE BANDS

*UK BEACH BOYS

INTERVIEW: BRETT CALLWOOD

Having played on stage with the current touring version of The Beach Boys, the UK Beach Boys are better-placed than most to claim to be the nation's best exponents of the legendary California band's music If nothing else, they can take the greatest ever surf anthems to seaside towns like Blackpool and Southend. Drummer/ vocalist Simon West tells us more.

*When and why did you start doing the UK Beach Boys?

We formed in 2002. I'd been working in residencies for a long time, and I had a liking for The Beach Boys anyway. One of my mates, who was working with another Beach Boys tribute, was coming out of that situation, so he and I got together and decided to do it again and do it properly.

*Do you play a greatest hits set, or concentrate on specific albums?

We go right from the early days to the last tracks. Our festival show is around an hour or so, and it basically includes all the big hits. The theatre show is two hours, with an interval, and includes some of the more obscure stuff. It's a lot more interesting.

*How did you come to play on stage with the real Beach Boys?

I formed the band with Ian Baker, and his brother, Adrian Baker, was with the original Beach Boys for 17 years He worked with all of those guys over the years When they came over on tour three years ago, we were invited to join them on stage.

*What do you think of the current touring version of The Beach Boys?

I think it lacks a bit. Most people would admit that they're not as good as the band Brian Wilson has put together.

*Do you prefer the early, poppier songs, or the later stuff?

I prefer the later stuff, but then I like a song like Catch A Wave, which you don't often hear. A lot of people get a bit pretentious about The Beach Boys' music, but the fact is they're all good pop songs.

*If Brian Wilson re-formed The Beach Boys and he needed a drummer, wadd you go for it? I take all of his vocal parts, so unless he wanted to stop singing... What an opportunity that would be.

Find out more at www.ukbeachboys.co.uk

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