FOLLOWING the recent BBC 4 documentary, interest in the duo that is Chas and Dave has increased.

And, bowing to the phenomenal demand by fans after what was supposed to be a farewell tour, they are undertaking on an extensive UK tour.

Chas Hodges (the one on the piano) and Dave Peacock (the bass guitarist), got together as Chas and Dave in 1972 after over a decade earning their living as jobbing musicians.

Dave started in a band called The Rolling Stones (no, not that one) and many others, whilst Chas had been in The Outlaws (under the producer-ship of Joe Meek), Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers and the cult band Heads Hands and Feet.

It was whilst with the latter band that he decided that he was fed up with singing in an American accent and wanted to perform songs in his own, London accent.

He contacted Dave and the duo was born.

They had a string of hits showcasing their cockney-style and jaunty music, which was labelled Rockney.

Their debut hit was Strummin, which was about Dave learning to play the guitar (in fact, a lot of their songs are stories), but it was an advert for Courage beer that have them their first big hit with Gertcha.

Other hits included Poor Old Mr Woogie, Rabbit and Ain’t No Pleasing You, which – to Chas’s pride – is a ballad sung in a Cockney accent.

Despite the fact that their image is very ‘London’, they are popular all over the country as well as Australia and America.

Chas tells me that it’s their Cockney image that has kept them popular.

“We love playing songs that people can join in with. Everybody should sing.”

“There’s honesty about our music, we enjoy it and we entertain.”

“People always leave with happy, smiling faces, and that’s how it should be.”

Despite their success and popularity, they seem to have been ignored by music historians and reference book compilers.

“I don’t know why that is,” Chas says, perplexed.

“We’ve always been respected by other musicians, as they have aleays seen what we’ve got.”

“And we’ve always been popular, but we’re sometimes seen as a novelty act.”

“But nowadays, we’re getting some respect – if anyone really thinks that we’re just a novelty act, then I don’t think they’ve got a soul.”

Following the retirement of long-time drummer Mick Burt – who worked with Chas in the Rebel Rousers, they now have a new drummer behind them.

“Yeah,” Chas says, “Mick retired about three years ago, me son’s on drums now. He’s called Nik.”

The TV documentary showed Dave indulging his spare-time passion for restoring gypsy caravans, but nothing was said about Chas.

“Well, I’m always writing songs, but I’ve also got an allotment – I’ve been growing me own veg since about 1972.”

The tour will of course feature all the hits and much more and both Chas and Dave are looking forward to it.

“We, so pleased that we’re still gigging at our age, I always say that I’m at least 50 (he is in fact 69 and Dave is 67), you’re as young as you feel.”

And when the duo isn’t working, Mr Hodges has the Chas Hodges Band with whom he’s just released an album.

“Yeah that’s right. It’s called Together We Make Music and it’s a tribute to all the people I’ve worked with: Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles et cetera.”

And his book about his career and that of Chas and Dave is about to be released again as a paperback.

Good-time music and a good laugh is guaranteed at their shows.

“It’s all very well playing good music, but you have to have fun as well.” Says Chas.

Chas and Dave will be bringing their show to Manchester’s NQ Live on Monday.