Old and new coincide harmoniously in Big Country, as Mark Brzezicki explains to Andrew Youngson
When Big Country frontman Stuart Adamson took his life in December 2001, the band was shaken to its core. However, 13 years later, the band is still going strong – a proud a testament to the conviction of those left behind, and the unwavering support of the fans who have followed them since their beginnings in the early 1980s.
“We can’t get Stuart back, and we sorely miss him, but life has to go on,” said drummer Mark Brzezicki who, along with guitarist Bruce Watson, has been the backbone of the band through the decades.
“And life goes on in the music we play, much of it written by Stuart. In many ways, it doesn’t matter who sings the songs; as long as they’re done in the right spirit. And it’s a celebration of the music, at the end of the day. We’re celebrating Big Country and Stuart’s music each time we play.”
In October, the Scottish rock band will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their number-one album Steeltown. Before then, they are performing a series of one-off gigs and making appearances at festivals across the country, much to their fans’ delight – not least those gathering to hear them play at Huntly’s Stewart’s Hall tomorrow night.
Fans attending the gig, Mark explained, can expect to hear a lot of their favourites, from Where the Rose is Sown, to In a Big Country, to Tall Ships Go.
“We usually defer to what the public want to hear,” he said. “And we normally adjust the set list close to going on stage. It will be a rocking set, no matter what.”
Fans will also have a chance to get acquainted with the band’s current vocalist. In the years since Stuart’s death, other singers have stepped up to the microphone, helping keep the band’s considerable back catalogue alive, while also playing a part in the band’s efforts to forge new work. Most recently, Mike Peters – most well known as lead singer of The Alarm – completed a three-year tenure with the band, with English singer Simon Hough taking over the reins last year.
Mark compares the lead vocal slot to that of Doctor Who – a revolving role which adds value to the story, while not changing the core DNA of the series.
“Simon is a fabulous guy. He is doing a great job and has his own way of bringing Big Country’s music to its rightful place,” said Mark.
As for the new music, a lot of it is still under wraps, and Mark wouldn’t be drawn on a timescale for when, and in what format, it would be released.
“As Stuart used to say, nothing is forced in Big Country. Things have to come at the right time, and it will be what it will be.”
However, listeners can rest assured that the new music will fit snugly into the band’s signature sound.
“It sounds very Big Country. We always do, because we still have that same DNA in the band. It was always about pounding drums and rousing guitars – and they are both definitely still in there. That’s because our blueprint is so strong.”
Finding the balance between the old and the new is important to securing any band’s longevity, and Big Country is no exception to the rule. Mark explained that the golden era of record deals is no more, with many established bands now producing their own work, and releasing it on the web. On the plus side, this means more control for bands,
but, on the flipside, it has “thinned out” the playing field, too.
Touring schedules are also different these days, with the seasonal pattern giving way to a more constant stream of performance opportunities.
But, as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
“Now, because it’s all change, it’s about getting out there and being a band. And in many ways, that’s taken us back to our roots. It’s about doing more shows, but also in more small places, which gives us such a thrill. Though, of course, we also have gigs in big theatres and the odd festival,” Mark said.
“So we’re very much a working band, and that goes back to how we were before our first record deal. I mean, it’s easier now because the band is well known, but it’s the same discipline. It’s keeping the band on its toes. We’re super-tight, but it also means that new ideas are flying around. And it’s all happening naturally because we are a living, breathing band.”
Big Country will perform at The Stewart’s Hall, Huntly, tomorrow, July 25, at 7pm. Online tickets are now sold out, however a small handful of tickets are still available from the Huntly Carpet Centre, The Square, Huntly, or by calling James McKay on 07990 978732. They will then kick off their 30th anniversary Steel Town Tour at the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, on Friday, October 3. Tickets are available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com or by calling 01224 641122.