Living In Brighton: Pete French
Amember of the rock aristocracy joins me this week in the form of Pete French, original singer with the groups Atomic Rooster and Leaf Hound. With both groups he recorded classic rock albums: Atomic Rooster’s In Hearing Of and Leaf Hound’s Growers Of Mushrooms – original copies of which are trading for over £3,000.
In 2004 Pete reformed Leaf Hound, and three years later their new album, Unleashed, met with universally good reviews, with Kerrang! calling it ‘as good a rock album as you could hope to hear.’
Leaf Hound play at the Latest Music Bar on Friday 4 September (and you can catch them again at the Eel Pie Club in Twickenham on 16 September).
We hope the roof is well nailed down for what promises to be a great evening of classic rock.
How did you get your big break?
I was asked by the late great Vincent Crane to join and help reform a new Atomic Rooster, and record the great album In Hearing Of. Later, while we were on tour in the United States, I was asked by Carmine Appice to join the successful American rock group Cactus. I decided to accept their invitation and went to the States to co-write and record the Cactus ‘Ot ‘n’ Sweaty album for Atlantic.
Why did you decide to reform Leaf Hound?
I found to my complete surprise that so many new indie rock bands were playing the songs and raving about the tunes on the Growers Of Mushrooms album which we recorded so many, many years ago. Now that album is fetching thousands of pounds on vinyl. When I got it re-released in CD format on Repertoire Records it received five-star ratings from all of the major music reviewers. I was worried if I would be able to get another Leaf Hound together that would match the former outfit – to my delight I did.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Performing with Cactus at the Mount Pocono Festival in the States in front of 90,000 or more people, and performing and recording live with Cactus for the ‘Ot ‘n’ Sweaty at the Mar y Sol festival in Puerto Rico.
Where do you eat and drink when you’re in Brighton?
I enjoyed spending an evening at the Latest Music Bar recently, It was a nice understated sort of place where I heard some excellent laid back southern American music. As for restaurants, I like the atmosphere and food at Sabai, the Thai restaurant just off North Street.
What’s the best thing about Brighton?
As a regular visitor I love its atmosphere. It seems to be so vibrant, it has its own special buzz about it.
Pete French’s Fantasy Dinner Party
Who would you invite ?
Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Izzard, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Marilyn Monroe.
What would you cook?
Marilyn Monroe could have anything she liked; honey covered burgers for Elvis; Halal meat for Mel Brooks and Woody Allen; whisky marinated ribs for Sinatra; green salad for Michael Jackson; for Eddie Izzard, some food from the Death Star canteen; and lots of desserts and plonk…
What entertainment would you have ?
The dancers from the Crazy Horse Saloon in Paris.
What would you talk about?
Music and comedy.
Is there anything you would want to ask your guests?
If they know of a good agent I could use.
Who would you go home with?
Who do you think?!
Leaf Hound play the Latest Music Bar on Friday 4 September.
Tickets cost £8/6. For more info vist thelatest.co.uk/musicbar
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 am
[...] lady came up to Jay, introduced herself, took his hand and began to tell him a story. Living In Brighton: Pete French – thelatest.co.uk 09/01/2009 Amember of the rock aristocracy joins me this week in the form of Pete [...]
September 11th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I wish Leaf Hound would come out with a new live DVD !