Red Room talks comebacks with Dexys
- By Emily Smith -
- Sep 05, 2012
"It's all come together by divine intervention, something good has been looking down on us."
The band that gave us 'Come on Eileen' are back, but unlike most 80s revivals this one is pretty good. Dexys released their first album in 27 years, 'One Day We Are Going to Soar', and it has met wall to wall rave reviews.
Trombonist 'Big' Jim Paterson has been a key member of Dexys since their first no. 1 song, Geno, in 1980 and co-wrote Come of Eileen. Talking to Virgin Red Room, Paterson said they were a little worried about the response but "knew it was going to be a good" album.
"We put our hearts and souls into it and we have the experience to make a good record," says Paterson. "I think it's been a blessing really that everything has gone so well, and we are so happy that everybody seems to like it."
Following the albums release, Dexys announced they are to visit Australia in November for the Harvest music festival. It'll be Paterson's first time in the country.
"You know, when you're young and naive you don't want to put effort into it...there is a little too much testosterone flying about and arguments."
"We are all excited," says Paterson. "I'm like a young kid again, I've never been that far abroad before."
But those at Harvest wishing to re-live their glory days should reconsider. Dexys are adamant they are not back to make a tribute to themselves.
"We aren't catering for people who just want to live in the past," says Paterson. "We are proud of what we did, we wrote great songs and performances but it's time to live in the present." The trombonist concedes they will punch out Come on Eileen but maintains their performance will be very different to the 80s.
"We are not as intense people, we have mellowed," says Paterson. "But believe me Kevin still amazes me, the amount of energy that man has got, he runs all over the place, I don't know how he does it."
Kevin Rowland is the notoriously eccentric frontman and has made several attempts to revive the band throughout the last three decades. Why, in 2012, was he finally successful?
"We are all a bit wiser I think," says Paterson. "You know, when you're young and naive you don't want to put effort into it...there is a little too much testosterone flying about and arguments."
"Now we have got to a stage in our lives where we can deliver something really special."
Paterson admits he stopped playing the trombone for 16 years and playing again has been challenging.
"I only started playing again last year, to be honest I'm not 100 per cent yet," says Paterson. "It's not easy playing the trombone after 16 years, that's why I'm enjoying it so much. It's like I'm starting all over again."
When asked if he is facing any other challenges, the trombonist laughs. "Everything is a challenge at my age," he says. With arthritis in his knees, Paterson can't move around like he use to but promises to give 100% at Harvest.
"It's a show its theatrical," says Paterson. "What a lot of people don't realise is that there is a lot of humour in the show, it's not just good music, it's a real spectacular."
For details of the Dexys at Harvest see: http://www.harvestfestival.com.au/
By Emily Smith. Tweets at terms & conditions.
