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FIND OUT MOREThe test of time
Glaswegian pop quartet Wet Wet Wet enjoyed phenomenal success for a decade during the 80s and 90s, scoring hit after hit in the British charts and around the world, before splitting in 1999. Now, the boys are back, with their first studio album in ten years and a UK tour marking 20 years since their recording debut. Ahead of their Manchester gig this month, frontman Marti Pellow and keyboard player Neil Mitchell take time out to share some of their sweet little mystery with Deborah Purtell.
How does it feel to be back together as a band, producing new material and touring again?
Neil: It's great. When we were in the 'first part' of Wet Wet Wet, there were times when I thought 'I really don't like doing this anymore'. Shortly after, we split up, and suddenly when the band and that life weren't there anymore, I really missed it. Now that we're back together, I'm appreciating the experience a whole lot more.
Marti: As we haven't written collectively for ten years, we're rediscovering each other as songwriters and it's been a joyful experience doing a whole new set of recordings. I think it's an amazing thing to have been around for 20 years, but our wants and needs have changed over that time. When we were in our 20s, it was all about running as fast as you can, being in the charts and travelling the world on tour. Now we're more relaxed and just want to make the best records we can.
Would you say your style of music has changed over the years?
Neil: We always try to write 'classy pop songs' if you like, and there are different styles of music on the new album, as on previous albums, so something there to suit all tastes in our audience. But hopefully we've got better at what we do, because we're older and wiser now.
Marti: Our music is all about the melodies. Although the new material tips its hat to different genres, we do have a very distinctive sound, which comes from the vocals and the way we harmonise the songs - it's very classic Wet Wet Wet.
Are you trying to make a statement about yourselves as a band by calling the album Timeless?
Neil: It was actually Klaus Voormann, the artist who designed our album cover, who came up with the title Timeless after listening to our back catalogue of work and getting to know us through the collaboration. He thought it was an appropriate title because that's what he felt about the band and what we were trying to achieve musically. It also refers to the history of the band, because we grew up together in Scotland and we were friends before forming the group. We're all big fans of Voormann's work; the most famous thing he's done is probably the Revolver album cover design for the Beatles.
Marti: I was reading a piece in the Observer the other week on how Klaus Voormann actually changed people's perception of album design in the 60s, and I thought to myself 'God man! This guy's done my album cover now!' and was really proud - I felt as if it was meant to be.
You brought the new album out on your own record label - how did that come about?
Neil: It's something we'd been thinking about for a wee while, mainly because of the changes taking place in the music world - the arrival of the internet, people downloading music, record stores closing and so on. Our old contract with Universal was basically up, so we thought it was a good time for us to take the opportunity and start a label ourselves. It seems to be the way things are going in the industry today.
Marti: We like the freedom and control it gives us over the whole production process as well. For instance, we were able to collaborate with Klaus and be innovative in our approach to the album cover, which was a brave thing to do. Whereas a major record company would probably prefer to use something safer like a glossy picture of the band on the album cover.
What can fans expect from the Manchester gig - will you be playing your old hits or focusing on the new material?
Marti: We'll put on a great show - not just a good show - a great show. As well as playing songs from our back catalogue there'll be a mix of new songs too. It's about entertaining as well as educating, but primarily about putting on a good show, and we pride ourselves on doing just that.
Can we expect you to still be around in another 20 years?
Marti: Why not? Aye, keep going man! A band can release a song, but it's up to the public whether it's successful or not. It's our job to get the music out there and then it's all in the hands of the fans. We'll be around if they want us to be.
Wet Wet Wet play the Manchester Evening News Arena on December 5. For tickets call 0844 847 8000 or visit www.men-arena.com. To download your copy of Timeless visit iTunes or 7Digital online.