Keeping it Real
They helped launch Oasis, became best mates with The La’s and gig-swapped with Ocean Colour Scene just as Britpop went global. Pioneering Liverpool rockers The Real People are on Tyneside this Friday
“They’re the masters of hype,” is Chris Griffiths’ instant answer when quizzed on the enduring popularity of indie superstars Oasis. “That band is just an amazing f*****g publicity machine.
“Think about it. They’ve always nailed the hype and they’ve still got it after all these years. One day they’re splitting up and the next day they’re getting back together. Then they’re not getting back together after all because they’ve all fallen out. But then they do get back together. Oh, and they still hate each other!
“I’m sure they plan it all! They agree to do a few solo albums then reunite before absolutely nailing it. Incredible!”
Chris is perfectly placed to provide the expert’s view on the tried and tested Oasis hype machine. After getting to know Noel Gallagher during the early 90s, Chris and brother Tony offered to record demos for the lad who they’d met on the road with Inspiral Carpets.
“We had a studio in Liverpool where everything was always set up,” explains Chris. “We could press play and record at any time and we offered to produce some songs for Noel, his brother and the band. We couldn’t get anyone else to take any interest in Oasis so we helped them out and that’s what became the Live Demonstration tape.”
Those demos morphed into Definitely Maybe and, in turn, launched one of the biggest bands of the 90s. For Chris it must feel like a case of what might have been.
Long before the Gallagher brothers were out gigging, the Griffiths siblings had become past masters of the live scene. Record deals came and went for The Real People — Cher famously turned their debut single One By One into a top 10 hit — but the big time remained elusive.
Nevertheless, talk to Britpop royalty The La’s, Ocean Colour Scene and even Oasis’s bitter rivals Blur (The Real People were recording next door to Damon Albarn and co. in a London studio back in the day) and they’ll all point to the Griffiths boys as pioneers of a fledgling scene.
“The guy who did our first demo has just done the score for the new Superman film,” adds Chris. “When John Murphy was starting out, before he swapped Bootle for Hollywood, he was playing in a few bands in Liverpool and he recorded our demo tape.
“That was in the late 80s. On the back of that we got ourselves a manager and the next thing we know we’re supporting the Stone Roses and getting some really good gigs. By the end of 1989 we’d signed to Sony and our self-titled album came out in 1991. We were touring all over the US and America and we thought we’d made it.”
In fact, follow-up Marshmellow Lane — slated for a major label release in 1992 — never saw the light of day (a version of the album was finally released via Townsend Music in 2016). As Blur, Oasis and co. began to dominate the Britpop scene, it turned out that The Real People had already peaked.
“We’re still great friends with Ocean Colour Scene today,” explains Chris as he reflects on a golden era for North West bands. “We were lucky enough to tour with The Pixies and our second album was recorded by Jimmy Miller who famously worked with The Rolling Stones. They were great times. Then in 1992 we toured with The Inspiral Carpets and met a young roadie called Noel Gallagher. Things changed.”
Thirty years down the line and The Real People are still, well, keeping it real. Friday sees the band headline a show at Newcastle’s Newgate Social with emerging North East newbies Brother and Wolfred in tow. Three decades ago Chris and his brothers were regulars at The Riverside and the buzz of a Friday night crowd in the Toon still has a unique allure.
“We’ve always had a good time in Newcastle,” adds Chris. “Those Riverside shows back in the day were wild. We opened up for Oasis and Ocean Colour Scene in the city and they were crazy nights.
“Now Newcastle’s got Sam Fender and everyone’s talking about the place. Sam’s one of the best things to come out of the music industry in the last decade. His songs are so truthful and he’s a great musician. His lyrics are on a different level — I’ll listen to some of his songs over and over again. The energy and the production is off the scale.”
Like Fender, The Real People are the real deal. Writing songs from the heart and wearing their hearts on their sleeves, the Griffiths brothers are back where they belong. Although for a band that’s used to a challenge, things don’t get any easier. “Our drummer’s just been offered a job working with the AC/DC crew in Australia,” adds Chris. “It was all expenses for six weeks and who’s going to turn that down? So we’re rehearsing a new drummer this week!”
The Real People play Newcastle’s Newgate Social on Friday. Tickets are available here.
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