‘The musical content of our shows isn’t a joke at all’
Last updated 05:31, Friday, 18 July 2008
What do Wuthering Heights, Smells Like Teen Spirit and the Sugar Plum Fairy have in common? They all sound cracking on a Ukulele. Better still, on eight Ukuleles, in the expert hands of tuxedoed musical misfits.
For the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, the uke is the window to the soul. According to director George Hinchcliffe: “We’ve sometimes said we’re the obituary of rock music.” The band works like a musical magnifying glass, paring down the classics to reach their hidden workings. The results can be sublime, or hilarious.
“Sometimes we choose songs because they’re good,” he says. “But sometimes it’s because we think they’re rubbish and their inadequacies can be exposed.”
Not that this is a novelty band. The eight members are uke virtuosos, singing and playing without backing or even drums.
“In the end, it’s all about what works on stage,” he adds. “The actual musical content of our shows isn’t a joke at all, although we put it across in a light-hearted way.”
Together for more than 20 years, the band will play at Brampton Live on Sunday, as part of their busiest summer yet. In recent years, they have sold out gigs in America, Canada, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Ireland and Japan.
Their TV appearances have ranged from Blue Peter to Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and they performed at the BBC's Electric Proms as special guests of the Kaiser Chiefs. Nonetheless, they refuse to take themselves too seriously.
The group formed in 1985, with a gig at the Roebuck pub in Southwark, intended as a one-off. Four original members remain, along with a pool of back-up musicians in case of emergencies.
With celebrity fans including Michael Palin, KT Tunstall and the late George Harrison, the band’s influence is growing steadily. Ukulele sales have risen tenfold in the last decade, as fans queue up to learn.
“It’s small, portable and relatively inexpensive, so you can stick it in your rucksack or the back of your car,” says George. “With other instruments, if you decide you don’t like it you’ve spent quite a lot of money. Whereas buying a Ukulele is like buying a round of drinks.”
Since 2006, the band has organised ukulele workshops, where fans with their own £12-£15 instruments can enhance their strumming skills.
Brampton Live is one of 12 festival performances this summer, including two in Germany. In September, the band embark on a tour of Sweden.
“We’re aware that we’re not the core interest of folk audiences,” says George. “I think some of them might think we’re lowering the tone. I do hope so.”
However, he’s confident they’ll win over enough of the crowd. “We try to make sure our audiences get one plucking thing after another,” he quips.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will be performing on Sunday at 8pm.
