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The Christians

In 1993 Liverpudlian pop soul act The Christians released their third album Happy in Hell.

Then they disappeared.

ten years later they are back and Garry Christian, the affable lead vocalist with the group, knows what I’m going to ask – where the hell have you been?

“Ha! I knew it was going to be the first question!

“Well... around 95-96 we were ready to do a new album, but I wasn’t feeling good about it. And lo and behold, these guys felt the same. I couldn’t go through it again. So I went on holiday.

“I basically sat on the beach. I didn’t wanna do it again, but at the same time I didn’t burn any bridges so I couldn’t come back. It was very amicable.

“I left Liverpool and went to Paris for four years.” But Garry didn’t rest on his laurels in France. He was persuaded by a long-time fan called Pete Murray to record again.

Under no pressure, and treating it as a fun project, he spent two years putting together a solo album called Your Cool Mystery.

“The record company had a huge launch in the Eiffel Tower... and they spent all the marketing budget on the launch.

“The record was killed right there! So I spent two years crying!"

Contrite – and skint – he returned to Liverpool and his fellow Christians, tail between his legs.

“We met up again and we sort of said ‘Let’s see if we can do something.’ So we played a couple of live dates and they went really well. We thought ‘People still wanted to see this.’ “So here we are.

“We’re not the Black Abbotts [comedy-music act from the 1970s which spawned Russ Abbott] but we have so much fun on stage!

“No record company pressure. It’s fun.” Garry is glad to see the back of the music industry and is scathing of the way the current crop of artists are being handled: “It’s like 15 minutes of fame.

“It’s desperation. There was a mystery with artists when I was growing up. Now, it’s depressing. When we signed to Island Records it was because of their back catalogue.

“Never mind that when we left, after selling three million units, they reckoned we owed them £250,000! Explain that to me!” The last time The Christians played Croydon it didn’t go down too well.

But Garry is determined to set the record straight. And impressed by the appearance of The Isley Brothers at the Fairfield the night after he performs.

“We recorded one of their songs – Harvest for the World! I’ll have to get tickets.” Conversation turns to music heroes and The Christians had the pleasure of performing alongside Ray Charles at the Liverpool pops concerts.

Longevity was the name of the game. I point out that today’s young pop stars are so young and being pushed so aggressively and he agrees.

Then he points out just how competitive the pop industry is.

“In 1990 our album Colour knocked Phil Collins off number one – and he went out and spent lots of advertising to help get his album ...But Seriously back to the top! But don’t tell him. If he sees me he’ll try to knock me out!” Don’t worry Garry, your secret is safe with me.

And all our Guardian readers. Oops! See them before Phil Collins sends the goon squad round! The Christians play the Ashcroft on Tuesday, September 23 at 7.45pm. Tickets are priced at £17.50 and £15.

Call the Fairfield box office on 020 8688 9291.

Prodigal Sons is to be released on Verdala Records, via Pinnacle, on September 15.

Your Cool Mystery has been re-titled The Lost Album is now available by mail order. To get a copy, send a cheque for £14 to GA Christian, PO box 95, Mossley Hill, Liverpool L18 3WS.

12:13pm Wednesday 10th September 2003

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