Thursday

Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music – but then Shakatak is a particularly unusual group. Because of the nature of their music, their fan base is one that is far reaching while always retaining an ‘underground’ element. This paradox sees the band, who are known primarily as serious jazz/funk musicians, enjoying both high ‘cult’ status and instant recognition as a household name.

After a number of successful top-twenty singles in the UK, the band went on to score unprecedented international success with the release of the classic ‘Nightbirds’ recording and the title track has now become a standard in the popular music repertoire. This success was repeated with the top ten hit ‘Down On The Street’ and the award-winning video established that band’s personnel of Jill Saward (Lead Vocals), Bill Sharpe ((Keyboard), Keith Winter (Guitar), George Anderson (Bass Guitar) and Roger Odell (Drums).

Barry Palmer is one of contemporary music’s best kept secrets! He joined Scarborough based band Brave New World in the 70′s.

His early solo career was highlighted by his 1974 No. 2 smash hit The Bump under the pseudonym of Kenny. He then became the lead singer of German band Triumvirat signed to EMI, which had considerable success most notably in Europe and America.

He has also recorded an album with Mike Oldfield “Discovery” and a major tour. He has sung and performed with other major players such as Rod Argent, Kirsty McCall, Aled Jones, Simon Phillips (drummer The Who, Toto, Judas Priest), Preston Heyman (drummer Tom Robinson Band, Atomic Rooster) Phil Spalding (bass player Mick Jagger, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Robbie William) and many many more.

The Animals have maintained their reputation as one of Newcastle’s finest 60’s groups for over 40 years, with their hits Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Baby Can I Take You Home and their massive No 1 hit House Of The Rising Sun.  John Steel from the Animals joins Graeme Logan to have a chat about the bands history and where it is today.

Friday

Claire Druett - Claire will be with us live in the studio with her regular short story slot.

The Look - This unique band was formed in the Seventies when friends-since-school Jonny Whetstone and Mick Bass decided to start writing and performing their own music. The front man – Jonny with his rugged style is perfect on both vocals and guitar. Mick is best known for his fantastic ability and skill on the Hammond.

They started out as progressive rock band The Kreed but as they picked up bassist Gus Goad, who has worked with musical legends including Bjork and Steve Coogan, they reformed as The Look, were signed to MCA Records, and never looked back.

Their hit single I am the Beat in 1981 sold 200,000 copies in the UK within three months, and considerably more Worldwide. Reportedly, this was the first record Damon Albarn ever bought. They went straight to number 6 in the charts which led to their memorable performance on hit television shows Top of the Pops and Tiswas. The Look soon became favourites of the likes of Radio1 DJ Simon Bates and Ted Carroll from Chiswick Records. Unfortunately, The Look’s record label later went bust, however this didn’t stop the band from soldiering on and doing what they did best – playing to crowds of tens of thousands of loyal fans.

Back in 2004, The Look brought out their second album, Pop Yowlin which CD Universe described as a collection of ‘perfect little pop/rock nuggets’.

This time around The Look are taking things a step further with their new album Tunes and Stories. They have signed to a new record label – Beat Town Records and have secured an exciting new management deal with Urban Influence’s Julian White, which has led to a publishing deal with the stupendous Demon Music Group. To add to this triumph, The Look also have the world acclaimed Universal distributing their long awaited new album.

The Look understand it is important to continue to develop their music and were also keen to stay with their tradition of picking up local talent, therefore, they have drafted in the help of teenage guitarist Jake Jacobs from Jonny’s home village of Woolpit in Suffolk. Jake was also joined in the studio by backing singers Amelia Whetstone and Rachel Kate Bryceland. The band were fortunate enough to attract the attention of Alex Baird who plays drums on every track of the new album – Alex is the man who once powered the Jag’s ‘Back of your Hand’ to the charts.