Bad Boys

EAST London bad boys of pop, East 17 were the antidote to the wholesome boy band image of the 1990s.

Courting controversy in their private lives, their music was also grittier and more ‘real’ than that of their squeeky-clean counterparts. If Take That were the nice boys next door, East 17 were the bad boys from the wrong side of town... and you certainly wouldn’t trust them with your daughter or girlfriend.

Now, following the bewildering success of their rivals’ reunion, East 17 are back. And, to their many fans, the excitement is palpable.

Tomorrow Tony Mortimer, John Hendy, and Terry Coldwell play Oxford’s O2 Academy for a show designed to take original fans back to their screaming youth, and give younger admirers a chance to see a truly legendary act.

Keen observers may have noticed that one name is missing from the line-up. Arch bad-boy Brian Harvey, who departed the band in a drug-fuelled frenzy of scandal – and a few ill-advised home-truths about the popularity of Ecstasy – is notable by his absence, and the lads are joined by new member Blair Dreeclan on lead vocals.

Tony admits to missing his old mate. “He said and did the wrong things at the wrong time,” he says.

“People were waiting to shoot us down, and he gave them a bullet. And it had a massive knock-on effect. We were taken off the radio.”

Although Brian’s well-publicised demise didn't directly spell the end of East 17, it didn’t help.

“I was tired at the time," says Tony. “Everyone was; it was hard work. But I wasn’t angry at all.

“But if he wants to come back, he knows he’s welcome. We’ve asked him umpteen times.”

Tony is preparing for the band’s tour at his home near Essex’s Stansted Airport – having long moved out of Walthamstow – the London postcode area which gave them their name.

It’s impossible to overestimate East 17’s impact on the 90s music scene. From ‘92 to ‘98, they notched up 18 Top 20 singles and four Top 10 albums, and were one of the most famous acts in the world – selling 20 million records across Europe as opposed to Take That’s 19 million.

That popularity was built, in part, on their street-smart lyrics and rap-pop style – as in songs House of Love and Steam, their political references, as in Let it Rain, and their non-too-shabby looks.

Their debut album Walthamstow went straight to Number 1 and spawned such hits as Deep, while second album Steam produced Number 1 single Stay Another Day, which remained at the top for five weeks and was a Christmas Number 1. The track still remains a classic Christmas anthem.

Fans’ favourite If You Ever, meanwhile, hit Number 2, and featured a duet with soul star Gabrielle.

So, after a decade out of the spotlight, what prompted the lads to finally get back together?

“I was having a mid-life crisis, so thought ‘why not start up a boy band just as we hit 40!',” says Tony.

Terry gave me a shout and said he wanted to write again, and we carried on with a new album and new producer.

“I had tried to turn my back on music,” he goes on. “But I had a mad moment of depression, and realised I needed it again, but did it a different way by learning the classical guitar.

“I also got a diploma in psychology because I wanted to know why I was losing my mind. I love all of that.

Did it help, I ask? “Yes, it did help. We are all insane, but keep a lid on it. Studying about the mind helped me feel better. When you feel you are going mad, don’t worry, because you are already!”

He admits the problems started way before the band broke-up: “I was getting depression and anxiety attacks and was scared to go on stage,” he says. “I took tablets just so I could go on stage; just to chill me out.

“Even now, I still have panic attacks.”

So how did it feel to be part of one of the world’s most successful pop bands? “I was quite calm in the eye of the storm, among the circus of fame,” he laughs. “The touring was great... it was a good laugh. We met so many famous people – and we were famous, though we never thought we were. We did a duet with Phil Collins and he rang me at home – which was a surreal experience.

“Before that we had just been dossing around Walthamstow. My dad was a guitarist and my mum was an Irish dancer, so there was always music around me. But I dreamed of being famous. I wanted to know what it was like to have a fan club – and I found out!

“The red carpet felt great... especially as we all thought we would be chucked-out by security at any moment. I felt I was an imposter – but I was there just because I could play guitar and write a poem. It’s all about luck and fate.”

And then there was the girls! “I grew up an ugly kid at school, so never thought girls would ever be throwing themselves at me. It was a nice turnaround!

“My advice to anyone who wants to meet girls is to learn an instrument. It worked for me... and otherwise, I’d still be a virgin!”

And so, to the question we all want answering... what was the wildest moment? “Ah!” he laughs. “I can’t remember! Not sleeping?

“There was certainly a lot of alcohol. There were girls too. But I can’t tell you how many... well, it was more than one!

“We were so bad at trying to be squeeky clean and people did call us ‘bad boys’. We were a ‘bit of rough’.”

And what does he think of Take That’s ascendency? “They are up there in the stratosphere,” he says with respect. “They are doing fantastic, and are in a good state of mind... I hope to learn a lot from them!”

* East 17 play the Oxford O2 Academy tomorrow.

Doors open at 7pm. The show was rescheduled from July, and original tickets remain valid. Tickets are £15. VIP tickets – which include a chance to meet the band, and get a signed poster, are £25. The meet and greet starts at 6pm