FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION
Measure PR are delighted to represent Fairground Attraction as they make their big comeback after 35 years.
The band’s debut, ‘Perfect’, went to Number One not only in the UK but in countries all around the world and, in 1988, it won Best Single at The Brit Awards. It has gone on to be regarded as a genuine pop classic, written by guitarist Mark Nevin and sung beautifully by Eddi Reader.
There is no other band like Fairground Attraction – their use of the guitarrón (a large, Mexican acoustic bass), played by Simon Edwards, gives the bottom end of their records a warmth and character that combines with drummer Roy Dodds, Nevin and Reader to create a charming acoustic antidote to all that is modern and digital. When they arrived on the scene all those years ago, their unique sound was described by many as a “breath of fresh air” and it is even truer today than it was then.
The band’s meteoric rise to the top of the charts was as surprising as it was welcome, not least for the members themselves, who struggled with having their lives turned upside down and, unfortunately, the whole thing was over too soon, leaving a legacy of just four singles and one double-platinum album, The First of a Million Kisses.
The problem was Fairground Attraction were never expecting, or trying, to be ‘pop stars’ and they weren’t prepared for the pressure and demands of being thrust into that position. Like a Morris Minor mistakenly entered into Formula One, it was only a matter of time before the gaskets blew, and blow they did, leaving the four members bewildered about what to do next.
Eddi went on to enjoy a long and successful solo career, making 10 critically acclaimed solo albums, most notably, The Songs of Robert Burns, her interpretation of the poems of Scotland’s national bard, which gained her honorary degrees from five universities, as well as an MBE for outstanding contributions to the Arts.
Mark, as well as making seven solo albums, has collaborated with various artists, including Morrissey and Kirsty MacColl; He even had one of his songs recorded by David Bowie.
Simon and Roy have been in demand, both together as a rhythm section and individually, working with a wide and varied selection of top artists.
During the past three decades, a lot of water has passed under a lot of bridges and when the estranged members of Fairground Attraction finally re-opened communication last year, they realised there was a lot more that united them than divided them. Soon afterwards, in an impromptu moment, Eddi joined Mark on stage at one of his solo shows to sing the Fairground Attraction favourite ‘Allelujia’ and suddenly – finally – the door was open for more.
‘What’s Wrong With The World?’ is the first single from a brand new album due for release later in 2024. Details are under wraps for now but Mark promises the band’s patient fan base who’ve been waiting over three decades for another record, won’t be disappointed.
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