Songs titles like ‘Lonely At The Top’, ‘Great Big Rip Off’ and ‘The Higher The Highs’ tell the whole story. This is one of those dreaded ‘life in the public eye’ records and we have a right to be particularly worried at the outcome. Actually it isn’t bad.
Preston’s reality TV gamble really does seem to have paid off. Not only are his band back from the brink of the no-deal wasteland, they’ve started making some pretty interesting records. ‘Lonely At The Top’ builds on a ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ style bass line to produce an indie guitar song that has its eyes and ears open to a wealth of other influences.
Kaiser Chiefs and Hard-Fi may have sold more records, but they’re mere also-rans in the tabloid fame game compared to Sam Preston. Ed Power finds out how the Ordinary Boys frontman is coping with life post-Big Brother.
Few performances will have done more to shape the future of The Ordinary Boys than the ignoble appearance of frontman Samuel Preston on Celebrity Big Brother. Ironically, his dalliance with trash television, though ensuring the commercial survival of the band, would also signal their exile from the affections of credibility junkies.
With influences by The Jam, The Clash and the Smiths, shirts by Fred Perry and haircuts grade one, The Ordinary Boys couldn’t be any more British if they embarked on a Bank Holiday tour of sleepy seaside venues with amps draped in Union Jacks.
Music Review | Live
9 Mar 2005
Steve Cummins
Those in attendance are leaving for home grinning from ear to ear. Some can hardly speak. Those who can are uttering the words "fuckin’" and "amazin’".
