Battle of the Bands: Eurovision Edition: Bucks Fizz VS Blue

Break out the Babycham! It’s Eurovision weekend and palatial pop palace G-A-Y is hosting one hell of a hootenanny. Eurovision 1981 victors Bucks Fizz will be gracing the stage (whether they’ll be wearing skirts is currently unknown), as well as the UK 2011 entrants, boy band Blue (whether Duncan will be wearing a shirt is currently unknown).

In preparation, James Egan caught up with Bucks Fizz’s Cheryl Baker and Blue’s Antony Costa, to see which Eurovision act truly has the edge. But don’t take our word for it, you’ll need to head to G-A-Y this weekend and watch the show before “making your mind up”! Oh please, like we were going to let this article go by and NOT make that joke?


CHERYL BAKER – BUCKS FIZZ

This is quite surreal, I used to watch you on ‘Record Breakers’ with Kriss Akabusi as a child.

[Laughs] I’m a real person!

So, for those not well versed in their Eurovision History, who are Bucks Fizz?

We won Eurovision in 1981, we only won by four points, but the song went on to be number one in nine countries around the world. It’s probably the most iconic and remembered Eurovision song. Well, that’s what other people have said.

It’s the one I always remember. If you mention Eurovision, Bucks Fizz always comes to mind.

We did a festival this weekend and the audience reaction when the skirts come off is phenomenal. The cheer that goes up is crazy! It’s funny, it’s not relevant to age at all, just nostalgia. That little clip is shown every year, so no matter if you’re old or young, you get to see it.

It’s become part of our national history really.

That’s it!

What have you got planned for your G-A-Y show?

I don’t wanna let too much out of the bag! We’re just going to do some stuff we think the audience will love. But we will be doing “Making Your Mind Up” and we will be ripping the skirts off!

That was exactly what I was about to ask you next! You’ve had a few lineup changes over the years, will you be performing as a three-piece of a four-piece?

Four-piece. Cheryl, Mike and Jay and we’ve got another Eurovision piece of royalty – can I call him a piece of royalty? – Bobby McVay, who represented the UK in 1983. He’s our special guest. We’ve been touring with him.

So, no David Van Day this time around?

Don’t talk to me about that man! Don’t even mention his name! [Laughs]

In a battle of the bands, Blue vs Bucks Fizz, who’s gonna win?

Oh, well, I think we’ll win. But I really, seriously want to watch Blue because I love ‘em! And their Eurovision entry, when they performed, I think they were scuppered. Their sound was completely different from everybody else’s.

Do you think they were sabotaged?

I do.

Who’s your favourite member of Blue?

Oh, I’m not gonna say! I know Antony very well. They’re all fabulous in their own way. I think the band as a whole is wonderful and I’m thrilled to be performing with them.

Do you have a favourite Blue song?

Errr, run me through a list of them, I can’t remember.

“All Rise”, “Fly By”, “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” with Elton John…

Yeah, see, they’re all good. You know why I love them? Because their vocals are fabulous. I love the Eurovision one as well.

In a Eurovision computer game, would the Bucks Fizz special move be Skirt Rip? Sending opponents flying by ripping off their dress?

Without question. Shouting the word ‘more’ as the skirt comes off!

Sum up Bucks Fizz in three words.

My daughter just said “Cheesy but tasteful” [laughs]. Cheesy. Colourful. Catchy. Bobby just said that sounds like a rash.

 


ANTONY COSTA – BLUE

You’re performing at the G-A-Y Eurovision Party this weekend, what have you got in store for us?

The hits! We’re gonna give the people the hits. It’s gonna be good.

And you’re performing alongside Bucks Fizz.

Yes, love a bit of Bucks, love Cheryl.

How many times have you guys played G-A-Y? You must have been to the Astoria a few times.

Loads of times, nine or ten. Astoria, that’s right! We were playing there back in the day.

So pretty much old hands now, and you’re back at G-A-Y @ Heaven this weekend!

I can’t wait, mate!

In a battle of the bands, Blue VS Bucks Fizz, who’s gonna win?

Probably Bucks Fizz, innit, they got the hits. We’re just new boys. We’re just toddlers, mate.

What would Blue’s special move be? Obviously Bucks Fizz have the skirt rip: Cheryl Baker whips hers off and comes at you.

Bloody hell, you’ve got me there mate. I don’t know, what would it be?

You could do the Fly By: drive past and sing really loudly at them.

That’s not bad actually. A bit like Grand Theft Auto.

What was your 2011 Eurovision experience like?

It was amazing. Absolutely phenomenal to go out there and represent the country. I don’t think we’ve ever worked that hard in all our lives in terms of press, interviews, conferences, photoshoots…it was just mental. It’s the World Cup of singing: all these countries coming to together, having a massive party, all wanting to win the Eurovision Crown.

Was it bigger than you expected?

We went there ten days before, working every day up until the show. I thought we’d get there a couple of days before, do a sound check, a couple of interviews and then rest and do the show. But it was so intense, man. It really shocked me. People that go out there are in for a good old treat because it’s fantastic.

They take it very seriously in Europe.

Oh, mate. Mate. They do, man.

What’s next for Blue?

We’ve got a tour at the end of the year of Europe, just finished a UK tour. That went really well. Asia next month. Then next year is 15 years of Blue, so who knows? We’ve got a few bits in the pipeline.

Happy fifteenth anniversary in advance!

Awww, thanks mate.

 

G-A-Y Eurovision Party with Bucks Fizz & Blue is at G-A-Y @ Heaven (Under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG) on Saturday 23rd May, 11pm-5am. £4 entry wristbands available at G-A-Y Bar.

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