For almost ten years, the Dutch band The Analogues has been at the top when it comes to performing the music of The Beatles live. The tribute band has had success in recent years playing Beatles albums like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road and The White Album. Now they have their own album The Analogues Side Show with which they will also perform live. “We certainly didn’t want to make a Beatles album, but for it to sound like that at times is inevitable.” Culture Club visited the band during the rehearsal in Haarlem.
The Analogues Sideshow – NH News
Somewhere on a business park in Haarlem is the rehearsal space of the Netherlands’ most successful Beatles tribute band The Analogues. With the instruments dating from the sixties, the band is now rehearsing the songs from their first own album. Hard and slim.
Soon the tour will start with music from The Analogues Side Show. “Of course we had a great success with the work of the Beatles. We also have our own audience that might also like it if we come up with our own work,” says bassist and singer Bart van Poppel. “We had already devised that plan years ago. And then, with the corona lockdown, we naturally had plenty of time to work on it.”
They agreed that each band member would provide some songs for the record, sometimes they also work on a song in pairs. “We wanted the album to sound very varied, but it was certainly not the intention to make a kind of Beatles album,” emphasizes drummer Fred Gehring.
Favorite bands
Yet The Beatles and the pop music of the late sixties are naturally in the pores of the musicians. For example, in a number of songs the echo of the Fab Four can be heard. Then you hear in Can’t figure it out a little Penny Lane. “Well, Penny Lane“, sighs Van Poppel. “It is also a bit Lazy sunday afternoon from the Small Faces. We are simply fans of music from that period.”
Singer Felix Maginn agrees. “Of course I write songs with my favorite bands from the sixties in mind. But to try to imitate the Beatles or write a Beatles song, no. I wouldn’t dare. The Beatles are an exceptional category,” laughs he.
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The Analogues Side Show has indeed become a varied album. The most streamed song to date is the quiet one Magnetic Fieldswhich was written by singer Jan van der Meij.
Van der Meij was in the seventies and eighties in heavy pop bands such as Vitesse and Powerplay. Now he is a loose guitarist and singer of The Analogues. “In recent years I have been suffering from ear disease tinnitus and actually only liked soft music,” says Van der Meij. “That’s why I started writing quiet songs like this.” Also the number Magnetic Fields calls the comparison with eg Blackbird or Julia from The White Album from The Beatles op.
Sir Paul
Surely it wouldn’t look out of place on a Paul McCartney solo album? “Oh, you shouldn’t bother that man with that,” says Van der Meij with a smile. Playing together with the legendary Sir Paul sometime, the band is definitely up for that. “That’s a secret dream”, drummer Fred laughs. “But then we have to hurry because Paul and we are not getting any younger.” Felix Maginn would also like to be on stage with Paul. “I would really like it, but I honestly think McCartney would really like that too.” Paul couldn’t wish for a better band. For the time being, The Analogues will still perform without Paul.
Play Saturday December 10th The Analogues release their album Sideshow live in Paradiso in Amsterdam. In the pre-program The Mocks from Nieuw Vennep.
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