Every week we will be featuring bands and artists on the line-up for this year Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne over the August Bank Holiday weekend. This week JOHN ANSON meets Chris Britton, founder member of iconic British rock band The Troggs

HAVING toured since the mid-60s with The Troggs, guitarist Chris Britton has a very relaxed attitude to shows.

“These days we look upon our performances more as a sporting event than a gig,” said Chris, “we tend not to take anything too seriously.

“Having said that we always make sure that everyone has a good time, and that includes the band.”

Formed in 1964, The Troggs were one of the most successful British bands of the Sixties with classic hits including Wild Thing, With A Girl Like You and the much covered Love Is All Around.

There devil-may-care attitude earned the band a reputation as being one of the first garage bands and many punk acts later cited them as a major influence.

Earlier this year lead singer Reg Presley announced his retirement from the band having been diagnosed with lung cancer.

For Colne Chris, Peter Lucas on bass and drummer Dave Maggs will be joined by guest vocalist Chris Allen who has previously worked with the likes of Denny Laine and the Animals.

“We’d never actually met Chris before he came for the first rehearsal,” said Chris, although we knew of him. “When you get a new vocalist there are always subtle differences in the way they might phrase a song or treat a certain section but so far it’s all been really good. He even turned up with an ocarina (a kind of flute) for Wild Thing and he’s brought some mouth organs with him too.” The band in its new line-up had its first public outing at a low-key gig at the Aspinall Arms, Mitton, last night.

“That will give us a clue as to where we really are,” laughed Chris. “But it’s going really well. We are all looking forward to coming to Colne and the set will include all the songs which people know and maybe one or two they are less familiar with.”

This weekend The Troggs are in Germany. “Don’t ask me where,” said Chris, “I’m not even sure which airport we’re flying to but we’re only there for two days and then it’s back home.”

For a band that’s been on the road for nearly 50 years, The Troggs show no signs of slowing down.

“Once you get bitten by the bug of playing in front of an audience, you never want to lose that feeling,” said Chris.”It’s what we do.”

n The Troggs play the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne on Friday, August 24. The festival line-up also includes Booker T, The Blues Band and Joan Armatrading. Details from the festival box office on 01282 661234