Going back to Boomtown was something Devon-based Rat Simon Crowe never expected to do. But 28 years after their last performance, The Boomtown Rats reformed last year and are back touring with renewed excitement and energy.
What better place to conclude their autumn tour than Exeter University's Lemon Grove on Sunday, November 9? Drummer Simon couldn't be happier because it means he won't have far to travel back home to his cottage between Totnes and Ashburton.
During a brief return to Devon, after some a couple of live shows in America, Anita Merritt catches up with Simon to find out he talked about what the future holds for the Rats.
How is the comeback going?
Great despite a certain amount of surprise – the audience's and ours! Obviously we're knocking on a bit and to play with a similar energy to when we were back in the day is harder.
I think Bob's performance is better now than it ever was, even back in the day. He just takes command of the stage more. It's that magic thing you might call charisma or stage presence. As far as I'm concerned he's the ideal front man.
What's it like being back on the road?
Touring this time around is very different. It's exhausting! Travelling is a killer but playing is an absolute joy. That moment before going on stage, when you look out and see the audience waiting, is great. You can't wait to get out there.
The refreshingly rewarding thing is we don't feel like we're going out there playing music that has no validity 20 years on.
Why did you decided to end the autumn tour in Exeter?
It was supposed to end in London but the date got added on at the end. It's just so I can get home really!
The last time we played in Exeter was the Eighties. I can't remember when, but it definitely was at the Great Hall.
Why did the band get back together again?
We all went off in different directions and came back together and discovered there was still a chemistry that makes it click.
I can honestly say I left the Boomtown Rats behind me a long time ago. For various reasons I didn't think it would happen again. We've been in touch with each other occasionally over the years without ever thinking, 'let's have another shot'.
To play music together and be able to do something you love doing with people who are just like your mates is a privilege and honour. It's not just a band of musicians getting together.
Why did the band go their separate ways?
The band had sort of run out of steam and we just felt like it was the right time to do different things. The way we parted was, 'I've got this to do and let's say it's not beyond the realm of possibility'. But many years went by and I did think that was it.
How did you plan the comeback?
Before we put the band back together we sat down and said it couldn't be old and flab – we can't make it sound like that even if we look like that!
It was serious and we had our self respect and pride. That was our attitude and we were all in agreement about that. It had to be the best it could possibly be.
Is there less pressure on the band second time around?
There isn't so much pressure, as we've had the hits and won't come back and be the next great big thing. Our first single was released in 1977, which went into the charts, and every subsequent one went higher, and then we had two number ones – and toured all around the world. We laid the groundwork for what we're doing now.
We don't have to go out there and say, 'This is our new album'. We can hand-pick the numbers we do because we had a string of hits.
In a way we don't have to prove ourselves but we have to go out and prove we are still a force to be reckoned with.
Have the Rats achieved everything they can or is there still more to come?
We never really achieved the status we felt we were capable of, even back in the day. We were labelled as a kind of a pop band but the Rats were a very good band live and always were. That's where we came from. We were not put together as a band of session players or by some businessman.
We started for musical reasons and we all came from the same part of town and listened to the same sort of music. That carries a lot of weight and is why the band is what it is. It gives us very good and valid reasons for existing.
Was the future of the band ever in doubt after the death of Bob Geldof's daughter Peaches in April this year?
We all have crap in our lives and I have nothing but sympathy for Bob. I have no idea how something like that must feel.
There was never any question the band wouldn't continue. I know Bob and what he is like and above all he is a force to be reckoned with and is totally committed to the Rats. He has a lot of strength of character and I can't say his performance or ours has suffered in any way.
What is the plan for 2015?
We have quite a few festivals lined up next year. We will probably get together to do a few recordings between now and then and get a few other gigs on the calendar.
What's is the long term plan for the Rats?
Where it goes from here it's hard to say. I don't really know. A lot depends on what everyone has got going on in their lives to bring us back down to earth. Unlike when we were 20-year-olds, we're now 60-odd and are all involved with families and things like that. Things seem to get more complicated rather than easier when you get older!
I think there is a growing will to do something more and we have done some recordings.
Do you get to come back home to Devon often?
It's very full on with the Rats. When I go home I hit the ground running. That's the way it is. It's exhausting and it would be nice to just completely chill out when I go home, but I have a family and business things to take care of.
What has been your favourite Rats gig?
Out of all the gigs we did I don't think anything could better Live Aid. The extraordinary thing about that time was you got a feeling it would be a massive event and nothing like it has been repeated and is not likely to. It was a wonderful thing to be part of and I feel humbled to have been involved.
Do you have any regrets about the Rats reforming?
I would not have missed this for the world. It's totally fulfilling which is what I want out of life. It is hard work but it's what I really want to do.
Tickets for the gig at Exeter University's Lemon Grove cost £25. Call 01392 723528 or visit www.seetickets.com
