Eddie Lundon on 30 years of China Crisis, playing at the Floral Pavilion Theatre and combining music with lecturing at LIPA

Oct 31 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

THIRTY years after their first release, China Crisis are still hitting all the right notes.

While other bands from the 1980s have split up, made up and split again, Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon are going strong and back on tour.

They are bringing their 30th anniversary tour of the UK to the Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, on Saturday, November 24, as part of the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.

And Eddie says their music is now appealing to a surprising new audience.

“We’ve done three dates so far and it’s been fantastic,” he tells Day and Night.

“And do you know what I’m noticing? The parents who grew up with our music are bringing their kids with them.

“Their dads must have rammed the records down their throat!

“It’s bizarre. Is it really 30 years? It doesn’t feel like that at all. We’re still writing, still playing. We’ve carried on when most split up.

“Gary and me grew up together, we went to school together – it was always friendship before business.”

Eddie now lectures on song writing and performance at LIPA in Liverpool and two former students – drummer Sian Monaghan and bass player Chris Nicholls – are joining China Crisis on tour alongside regulars Stuart Nisbet and Brian McNeill.

“LIPA has always been good in that respect,” Eddie notes, of combining his teaching work with music.

“It’s good for the students if their lecturers are out there doing it.

“We’ve got a great band for the tour and that includes Sian and Chris. I knew they’d be great when they were at LIPA.

“You could feel it from the way they played.You couldn’t get a heavy metal rock bass player – you need people who have the right style.”

The set list for the anniversary tour includes China Crisis hits like Wishful Thinking and some lesser-known fan favourites.

“It’s really, really good but I don’t want to give it away!” Eddie teases. “We’re playing some stuff that we haven’t played for years.

“We did a survey to see what the fans wanted to hear and there were some we’d never have thought of doing live.

“There’s everything from greatest hits to album tracks.”

The tour ends in December and there are plans for more shows in the Isle of Man, Spain and the Far East.

But, for Kirkby-born Eddie, there’s no place like home.

“The good thing is I’ve moved to New Brighton now,” he laughs.

“It’s lovely. And where I live is literally walking distance from the Floral Pavilion!”

l Tickets for China Crisis at the Floral Pavilion Theatre are £17.50.

Call 666 0000 or book at www.floralpavilion.com or www.rspromotickets.co.uk