Music Spotlight: Back2Back ready to play four landlord who started it all

Feb 23 2011 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

Hard-working trio Back2Back make a nostalgic return to The Express this month.

Cover bands have become a regular fixture in Crewe’s surviving pubs these days.

But it was all going off down Mill Street way before this latest explosion three years ago.

With 2011 bringing an end to Mick and Shirl’s legendary tenure behind the bar, the stage is set for several parties.

And it’ll be a special night for Bob Highfield (bass), Ken Snelson (vocals/guitar) and Kevin Weir (drums).

“The three of us have been friends and connected through music for more than 20 years now,” explained Bob.

“We first formed as a pop band called Borrowed Time in Brazil playing our own material and Mick actually gave us our first gig.

“Both Mick and Shirl have been very supportive to us over the years and if this is the last gig we do for them, we’re going to make sure it’s going to be a blast.”

Mick recalls that infamous debut.

“It was when I had The Albion in 1984,” he said.

“They brought loads of colleagues from the Post Office who hammered them all night.

“They’re a great bunch of lads and there’s been one hell of an improvement!”

The trio tinkered with electro, adding a keyboardist under the banner of Water’s Edge before a 10-year gap.

Now Back2Back are one of the area’s premier cover bands with an incredible range of tracks from the likes of Bowie, The Jam, The Police and The Undertones.

“When Ken got back from France, we picked up where we left off,” continued Bob.

“But we’d done our own material and we knew it wasn’t going to go anywhere.

“So we locked ourselves in a room and worked on 20 tracks we could bang out.

“Our repertoire is now over 60 songs with tracks from The Beatles and Bowie to Kings of Leon and the Kaiser Chiefs.

“We concentrate on the late 70s and 80s but anything that catches our ear, we’ll have a go at.

“Ken wants to have a go at Plan B’s She Said so will try and add that.”

Bob’s delighted at the recent upturn in Crewe’s live music scene.

“It’s good and there’s far more places to play now,” he added.

“We’ve done wedding and private functions and loads of gigs over the past three years.

“We could have been even busier but with family commitments, you have to add in the odd break to keep everyone happy.”

Back2Back hit The Express next Saturday (February 26).

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