Interview: Peter Riley of Swing Commanders

4:31pm Monday 15th September 2008

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FRIENDS warned East Lancashire band The Swing Commanders that taking their western swing music to Texas was a little like trying to sell ice cream to Eskimos.

But the band weren't put off and set off for the Legends of Western Swing Festival in Wichita Falls, Texas, earlier this summer.

Luckily, their high-energy performances, superb vocal harmonies and good old-fashioned British eccentricity won the approval of the Texans in spades.

Frontman Peter Riley told us about the band's adventures in the land of big hats, big boots and big hearts.

IT would be fair to say that The Swing Commanders’ frontman Peter Riley isn’t one to do things by halves.

Five years ago he quit his job as occupational therapist and, despite only having played in pub bands before, formed a professional western swing band.

But the risk paid off and earlier this summer the band became the first ever European act to appear at one of America’s most prestigious music festivals, the Legends of Western Swing Festival, in Wichita Falls, Texas.

“Texans also have an abundance of what we might politely call self-confidence,” said Peter, 45, of St James’ Street, Clitheroe.

“Therefore, the idea of going over from Lancashire for two weeks to play western swing, the national music of Texas, was a little daunting. Friends pointed out the similarities with selling ice cream to Eskimos.

“But we immediately discovered that everyone we met was fascinated that a group of musicians from the other side of the world were having so much fun with their music.”

Peter, who plays double bass, is joined in the band by his partner Gaynor Sutcliffe, who plays the fiddle, piano and accordion. The rest of the band is made up of lead guitarist Simon Brady, from Accrington; drummer Mark Warburton; from Rawtenstall; and violinists Naomi Koop and Kathleen Ord, who both live in Manchester. Their music is described as a fusion of cowboy jazz, swing, blues, ragtime and country music.

Peter said: “We did a gig at The House of Blue Lights, a biker-friendly honky tonk in Austin — not a natural habitat for a ‘40s harmony group. We needn’t have worried though. The girls spent all night turning down ‘proposals’ and I ended up dancing on the bar. I even got a tip tucked into my waistband.

“At New Braufels, a German settlement between San Antonio and Austin, we played at Gruene Hall, the oldest dancehall in Texas.”

But the highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the festival itself.

“As soon as we walked in we were signing autographs, so there was already some excitement and curiosity about this madcap band from England,” said Peter.

“When we got on stage the crowd went crazy. The compere, without consulting us, told them we needed them to buy our airline tickets for next year. Some great guy wandered up and gave us $100 dollars each as a tip, while someone else started talking about a residency in Vegas. They don’t do things by half measures in Texas.”

As both Peter and his partner Gaynor play in the band, it has naturally had an effect on their home life.

“The music has taken over our lives in a way,” admitted Peter. “We tend to hang out with other people with the same interests and dressing up is part of the theatre of the job. You’ve got to be a bit flamboyant. We’re lucky that we can go to jive places wearing big dresses and braces. Cowboy hats and boots are fun as well. I don’t watch TV wearing a Stetson, though!”

Although the band are gaining momentum and playing increasingly bigger venues, Peter said he’s not worried about making it big.

“Being a musician there’s always that idea that you’re going to be discovered,” he said. “But for a lot of musicians that can take away the joy of what they do because they’re always thinking ‘I should be playing somewhere bigger’. I have learned that it’s such a privilege to be able to get up in front of people that I enjoy every single gig.”

For now The Swing Commanders are happy basking in memories of their transatlantic adventure.

“It was a massive journey which would never have been possible without the huge generosity of the Texan people.” said Peter.

l See The Swing Commanders at Darwen Library Theatre on Friday, September 19. Call box office on 01254 706 006.

Their album, Fiddlers on the Hoof, is available to order via the band’s website www.swingcommanderupdates.co.uk