INSPECTING COUSTEAU

THERE'S a good chance that when Cousteau take to the stage at Ronnie Scott's on Wednesday night (24 May), it could be slightly later than anticipated due to a certain sporting fixture.

"We are looking forward to playing there again as we were very warmly received back in January, but it's the European Cup Final!" laughs guitarist Robin Brown. "Thankfully I hear there's a sports bar next door, so I'll be in there until about 10 o'clock."
Robin, multi-instrumentalist songwriter Davey Ray-Moore, vocalist Liam McKahey, bassit Joe Peet and drummer Dan Moore released their self-titled low-key debut album last year to almost fanatical reviews.
And now signed to Palm Pictures, the brainchild of former Island boss Chris Blackwell, the band are presently taking the unheard of step of re-recording the entire record!
"The original album was a collection of demos as no-one would give us any money," recalls baritone Liam. "When we first did them they were done in stolen moments between really naff jobs - Joe was doing theatre work and I'm a builder and decorator, while Davey and Robin do film and TV music. It was recorded in a mates' bedroom in Leytonstone, Davey's flat in Somerset and Robin's flat in Newcross, which weren't ideal conditions."
"The new version isn't going to be massively different, although we do have a new drummer. There will be a few extra touches. The first album was very good, but this will be a whole lot better."
Deleted in January having sold a respectable 3,000 copies, the original album is now a collectors item.
The revamped version is set for a September release, although the majestic She Don't Hear Your Pray gives an early indication how the band have been working.
A bittersweet love song, it's characterised by the distinctive vocals of Liam - a man whose voice has been compared to both Scott Walker and a young Frank Sinatra.
"If you're going to be compared to somebody, they are definitely the two guys I'd aspire to, two guys who I greatly admire," blushes the singer.
"I grew up with them and still listen to them today."
Dave Freak, Go2Birmingham May 2000