Back again at last!

Friday 26th November 2010 saw the return of the legendary Retreads after a short break of 29 years 1 month and 17 days. Why the wait? you may ask, well in January 2010 Martyn received a call from "Dizzy" at Detour Records in London and was told that a Japanese record label (1977 Records) wanted to re-release their single This was due to the fact that 1977 records had purchased the last 25 copies of the record from Dizzy and they had sold like "hot cakes" in Tokyo!. A flurry of phone calls tracked down all the original band members (Steve was living in Arizona and Martyn in Germany) very soon a website was created at Detour Records to promote the band and by August the newly printed single was ready for re-release in a wonderful red vinyl edition.

The Reunion Gig

With the re-release of the single and interest growing again about the band they decided to have a get-together at the end of November, within days of this being arranged Bob announced that there would be a gig as well at Rushden Athletic Club ( a scene of old triumphs).

Logistics

It was easy enough tracking everyone down (only took two weeks!) but how easy would it be to get the band together. Martyn's tickets were already booked from Germany but Steve, surely he was out of the question and the band would need to find a replacement. Wanting to keep it in the family Martyn proposed his son Jake (a very able guitarist, not even born when the single was released!) he was immediately up for the job but only had few days to learn about 12 songs.....pressure!

A week before the gig Martyn received a call from a really bothered Steve who after sleepless nights had decided that they couldn't go on without him and had made the crazy decision to fly over so that they could all be together again.....brilliant news!

Rehearsal

The first time together in 29 years...business as usual! No big reminiscing session, just down to work and a few drinks. A big thanks goes to Ron their original soundman and roadie for being on hand to ensure that everything ran smoothly.

The Gig

On the night the band played amazingly tight (for 2 hours rehearsal) and it was great to see so many "original" Retreads fans in the audience (some having traveled some distance to be there) and the response was tremendous. They played 12 of there favourite 60's numbers including all three tracks from their single. Heres the set list:

Can' Buy Me Love
I Only Wanna Be With You
Glad All Over
I Saw Her Standing There
Doo Wah Diddy
You Can't Do That
Would You Listen Girl
You Said You Knew
I'm A Believer
I Took My Baby Home
Last Train To Clarksville
One After 909

The Future

The band had such a great time playing together again that the concensus was to play again sometime in 2011. Possible venues being in England, Germany, Holland and Japan. Also there remains the possibility of releasing previously unreleased studio songs + a complete live album recorded at their peak in 1981. "Watch this space" beat lovers.

More info about The Retreads and Record sales

You can get a copy of The Retreads single here!

Japan:

http://www.1977records.com/main.html

UK:

http://www.detour-records.co.uk/contact.htm


The Retreads at Detour Records

http://boredteenagers.co.uk/RETREADS.htm

The Movies

Special thanks go to Duncan for taking the pictures and filming on the night.