An ‘eccentric’ rock ‘n’ roll band from France are heading over for the TT to take the island by storm.
The Adventures Of..., comprising English guitarist and singer Adam Hanington and French drummer Fred Guevel have eight gigs at venues including Bushy’s Beer Tent and Heron and Brearley’s Grandstand tent as well as several pubs.
They have been mainly performing in Brittany and are making their UK debut in Cornwall on their way to the island.
After the TT, they will be taking part in a BBC Introducing session, playing a few songs live in Plymouth, to be aired later in June.
Adam told Island Life: ‘We are really excited to be coming to the TT, we’ve been fans for years and can’t wait to see the bikes.
‘There is also a very strong link between Brittany and the Isle of Man so everyone here is very excited for us.
‘I grew up riding bikes in the fields at home, my first bike was a Yamaha PW50.’
He said audiences could expect ‘eccentrically energetic rock ‘n’ roll’.
‘We have eight gigs on the island and we’re also hoping to make a music video on Mad Sunday with loads of bikes, so if anyone would like to be in it please come and say hi, we’ll be the guys in the bowler hats.’
They will be joined for the shows by their ‘very good friend Larry’ on bass.
In its original incarnation, The Adventures Of... were signed to a record label and had success with a Top 10 single in the US radio charts. Adam said it didn’t work out and the band split, so he started working any job he could find, until he was offered the opportunity to gig in France.
‘I started out gigging alone in bars and then after about a year Fred came along, our first jam together was in our friend Alain’s kitchen and it just worked. A year later we recorded our album “Open the Charley!” in the same kitchen (Charley means Hi-Hat in French).’
Last month saw them invited to perform in Paris, at the Theatre Dejavet, for an industry showcase.
Adam is clearly enjoying being in Brittany.
‘I’d been on holiday here before and done the tourist thing, but when you stay here with the locals you get to see the real place and it’s just brilliant,’ he said.
‘Only last week I was dancing round a huge bonfire to traditional music at our friends’ fest leur, kind of like a medieval party.’
Adam said there was room for improvement in both his French and Fred’s English.
‘We have our own language, it’s a very basic mix of some English and French together with a lot of finger pointing,’ he said. ‘I’ve been told it’s like watching two cavemen trying to communicate!’
May 31, 8pm: O’Donnells, Douglas; June 1, 9pm: Highwayman, Peel; June 2 and June 6: Heron & Brearley Grandstand tent; June 3, 9pm: Mitre, Kirk Michael; June 4, 9pm: Glenlough; June 5, Bushy’s Beach Stage, Port Erin; June 7, 7.30pm: Bushy’s Beer Tent.
See www.facebook.com/theadventuresofofficial and www.theadventuresof.co.uk