Musical Youth's first new single in almost 20 years will be premiered at Birmingham's ArtsFest. The band, which features original members Dennis Seaton and Michael Grant, have teamed up with Pato Banton for a cover version of Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman. They will perform it live for the first time in Centenary Square on September 13. 'We're doing it for a bit of fun and the ArtsFest event will be the first of a few shows with Pato,' says 34-year-old Michael. 'On stage, he'll be joining us on Pass The Dutchie and we'll be singing Baby Come Back with him. 'We're not planning a big tour, or even a follow-up record, but we'll just see how the single sells and whether anyone's still interested in us.' After Musical Youth's 1984 release Let's Go To The Moon group members went their separate ways. Michael founded the 5am Records label and Dennis set up a car rental company. Bassist Patrick Waite tragically died in 1993. His brother, Junior, who played drums, and guitarist Kelvin Grant were not interested in reforming the band. 'We use session musicians for our live shows,' explains Michael. 'Our first gig was in Jersey last May and it felt great to be back on stage.' Following the ArtsFest show Dennis and Michael will go across town to the Hippodrome Theatre where they are performing in the Queens of Lovers Rock show. Featuring Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay, Paulette Tajah and Lorna Gee, the evening puts the spotlight on female Lovers Rock singers - so why will Musical Youth be there? Laughs Michael: 'We're old friends of Carroll Thompson and she asked us if we'd mind doing it. None of our output could be called Lovers Rock so we'll probably do Pass The Dutchie. 'A lot of us are from the 1980's and we're now in our mid 30s so we just thought we'd have a good time showing the kids how it's done.' Michael adds that he is now looking forward to launching a gospel band, New Life, on his record label. 'The label is my priority but Musical Youth is great fun,' he says. Musical Youth featuring Pato Banton
Saturday 13 September 2003
ArtsFest
Centenary Square (Stage B), 8.15pm
Birmingham
- Free. | 
