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CHAS & DAVE- SOUTH PARADE PIER, FRIDAY 6th AUGUST Chas And Dave take their roots very seriously, and bring a taste of London with them wherever they go. There was even made a brief foray into politics when the duo stood as candidates for Mayor of London. With the slogan "VOTE LANDAHN", their proposed policies included longer opening hours for pubs, tax exemptions for bearded men (except Labour candidate Frank Dobson), lager to be made illegal and more types of bitter to be available on tap. "There was no contender sort of likely to be the mayor at the time and some newspaper suggested "What about Chas and Dave?". So, we went for it for a giggle" says Chas , "but that all helped to sell the records. It was a bit of a giggle. I think everybody saw it for the fun that it was meant to be" Over the years, Chas 'n' Dave have become synonymous with beer, boots, braces, parties, massive hit records and generally having a good time! But how did it all start?Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock come from Edmonton and Ponders End respectively, and first met up in North London in the mid-sixties. At the time, Chas was playing bass with Mike Berry and the Outlaws, whilst Ritchie Blackmore (later of Deep Purple) on lead guitar. The Outlaws headlined over a very unknown band from Liverpool called The Beatles. Chas had also played guitar and bass in Cliff Bennett's Rebel Rousers. Chas first linked with Dave in 1970 in a country group called Black Claw, but lack of success brought a solo diversion to Heads Hands and Feet, a critically acclaimed but little-known British band featuring the excellent Albert Lee on guitar. Chas and Dave decided to go back to their Rock 'n' Roll roots, and sing in their own accents about subjects which they cared about. They started to play gigs in pubs in the East End and Edmonton, with Chas playing the guitar and Dave on bass, and built up a solid London following. They were soon joined by Mick Burt on drums - another ex member of Cliff Bennet And The Rebel Rousers, who was by then working as a plumber. The first Chas & Dave album was 1975's "One Fing 'n' Anuvver", and their single "Strummin'" gave them their chart debut in late 1978 - albeit at Number 52. Greater success came with 'Gertcha', that was soon amended for a jingle for Courage beer with no hiccups whatsoever! Still on an alcoholic theme, "The Sideboard Song" made Number 55 in late 1979, but it would be early 1981 before they broke into the Top 10 with the track," Rabbit" which peaked at Number 8. They climbed three places higher in May when they teamed with Tottenham Hotspur for their Cup Final single 'Ossie's Dream' - the first of four charts hits Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock would gift to their favourite football team. The year of 1982 saw a change of pace as "Ain't No Pleasing You" gave them a Number 2 hit. It was to be their most successful single ever, and the accompanying album 'Mustn't Grumble' was also a success, reaching Number 35. Chas & Dave hadn't done with football yet, and Spurs' second FA Cup Final in as many years was celebrated with the imaginatively titled 'Tottenham Tottenham'. A series of hits followed, and eight years of singles success was rounded off in style when they forged futher sporting links with the Matchroom Mob (Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor and co.) for 1986's 'Snooker Loopy'. Since then, TV appearances, live shows and running a pub have kept the boys as busy as ever. "Our first love is live performances".says Chas. "Anything else we'll have a dabble at, but we'll always be live performers at heart and that's what we'll stick at. We never get fed up touring. I just love those little country lanes and roads and houses, and then you end getting to a gig, and it's great. I never tire of it. You're still looking forward to going to work. Well, that's not bad, is it?" 'We're like pie and mash,' smiles Dave. 'Simple and very London, but if it's good stuff it travels.' And even on tour in Australia they've had Aboriginals in the bush coming up and singing 'The Sideboard Song'...... CHAS & DAVE appear at South Parade Pier, Southsea, on Friday 6th AUGUST, Doors open 7.30. p.m. Tickets available on the door.