Liverpool group The Real People will perform at a special benefit concert in aid of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (C.A.L.M). The concert on Saturday 18th November will also commemorate the first anniversary of local musician Paul Bowness. Paul Bowness was a well-loved character on the music scene who committed suicide a year ago, aged 32, after suffering a number of problems. Liam Gallagher, Ocean Colour Scene, and Paul Weller were among those offering messages of condolences. The Real People have put together the event to celebrate Paul’s life and to raise awareness for other young men with similar difficulties. The Real People are brothers Chris and Tony Griffiths. They boast worldwide success as the writing duo behind several number 1 chart hits. Old band mates Tony Mac (drums) and Kirk (guitar) will re-join the band for this special gig. Chris and Tony spoke to the BBC about the gig. It must be something special that has got you together to re-form the band? | | The Real People: raising awareness. |
"Yeah, it is. It’s a memorial concert for my mate’s son. He died last year. There are 5 bands on the bill on the 18th November at the Carling Academy. The guy in question was Paul Bowness. At one point he played in 3 of the bands on the bill. So it’s all his mates getting together to do a memorial concert and we’ve decided to re-form the band again for it." You have come to people’s attention by writing for Cher, Rooster, Nylon and Natasha Hamilton."Yeah, our day job is working in the recording studio and writing. Every week we get new artists sent up to us from London or wherever to work with us. "We are one of the most unlucky bands in the history of pop (laughs). Two years ago we made an album and we were given tours with David Bowie, Simple Minds, Meatloaf, Nelly Furtado, Ocean Colour Scene. But then the company releasing the album went bust! So we got disillusioned then and decided to go behind the scenes and continue songwriting." You’ve got a lot of support bands for the Carling Academy show, Nov 18th?"We’ve got Digsy’s band The Sums, The Same, Holden and Kuki. It’s going to be a great night and nearly everyone involved was a good friend of Paul Bowness. So it’s friends getting together for a good cause." The show takes place at the Carling Academy, Liverpool on Saturday 18th November 2006. | 
