TALK TO ROBIN: Camber Sands Scooter Rally
Camber Sands is one of the most popular rallies in the UK... no doubt about that... As far as we understand you ve been the main organiser since the very first edition... How, why and when did u decide to start such a project...
We were contacted back in 1998 by Pontin's, as were all scooter organisers, to see wether we would be interested in putting on an event at their site in Wales. I think I was the only one to contact them back and set up a meeting. I informed them that I would prefer to have the event in the South as there was a lack of quality events in the area. After visiting Camber I knew we could do something special there and build on it, but you have to get people there in the first place, so we went all out with the line up, Edwin Starr (RIP) DC Fontana, The Riffs and then new to the scooter scene Who's Who and the rest is history, although I didn't think 14 years later would still be doing it! It was always aimed from the start to be a family type weekend and it still is
Along the years u guys ve been hosting loads of great bands like The Purple Hearts and the Bad Manners alongside new up and coming bands... tell us something about some of their best performances..!
You must always have up and coming bands, that's why we always have 3 bands a night to allow for that, something that impressed me from seeing The Jam, always them plus main support plus a local band being given a chance on a big stage. Top performances, must be From The Jam, at the time with Rick Buckler still on board, and the only scooter rally ever to have them as From The Jam. Desmond Dekker, The Selecter, The Beat, Bad Manners, The Undertones, Dean Parrish and Purple Hearts, who I helped get back together and very proad of the fact they are still together now! Being as we have had over 100+ bands over the years could go on for ages.
Smodati from Milan are the first foreign band to perform at Camber Sands.. did they get a good audience response?Smodati are a great band and a great bunch of lads, at the first Camber they played they went out and had fish and chips, and a roast beef dinner before they went home! As for their performance I think most people enjoyed it even if a bit bemused as it was in Italian!
Which's been the most successful event so far and way?
All have been succesfull in one way or another, the most important thing is people go away after having a good time, wether its 700 or 2500 people, job done!
Music: your favourite 5 album of all time Favourite Albums of all time:
Quadrophenia - The Who, liked it back in the 70's even before I discovered about Mods and scooters etc The Modern World - The Jam, changed my life and still a great album! Expecting to Fly - The Bluetones , best album from the 'Brit-Pop era, never got tired of it 21st Century Breakdown - Green Day, could have been American Idiot or Dookie, but if you have seen my scooter, you would understand why best pop-punk band of all time! Paul Weller - Paul Weller, he is god, even if his halo has slipped on his last 2 albums, genius! Although my choices might be different next week, these are my faves today!
Football: We understand you re a WHU fan...do you follow your team?
West Ham for me, having been born in East London, cant beat walking down Green Street picking up a copy of Over Land and Sea from my mate Gary and the atmosphere! Currently have a season ticket with my kids in the Sir Trevor Brooking upper, just above the away fans, the banter is priceless and Big Sam is doing a great job at the moment
Future plans?
Future plans - already got most of 2012 line up in place - The Selecter, Who's Who return again doing their Quadrophenia show, Town great up and coming band from Wales, check them out on YouTube, Slim Shack who won this years Battle of the Bands, plus new line up in the Reggae Room and as always 2 Northern Soul All-nighters till 6am! Plus the Winter Warmer returns on the first weekend of November with a massive line up!
all the best - Robin