Seahorses singer back in town for Legion date

Chris Helme will be playing at the Royal British Legion this Saturday. The former busker was plucked from obscurity by guitarist John Squire, who at that time had recently left The Stone Roses and was recruiting for a new guitar band.

In 1996 The Seahorses’ debut single Love is the Law entered the UK singles chart at number two.

The band’s one and only album, Do It Yourself, was released the following year, debuting at number two, and spawning a further three top 20 singles: You Can Talk to Me, Love Me and Leave Me and Blinded by the Sun.

After touring extensively, including a support slot with The Rolling Stones, The Seahorses parted ways in 1999.

Helme returned with another band, The Yards, who released two albums, The Yards and Imperial Measures.

The singer has continued as a solo artist, and promoter Alan McLeod says it is in a live environment that Helme is most at home: “His solo acoustic gigs have earned rave reviews due to his heartfelt vocals, interspersed with crowd-baiting banter.”

On this tour Helme will be promoting his new album, The Rookery, described as “another dynamic set of songs” set to build on the success of his solo debut Ashes.

Support for the show in Lerwick will come from local band North Country Fair and singer Chloe Robertson.