MAKING a Sixties record in 2016 isn't as crazy an idea as you might think.
Not judging by the quality of The Honeycombs' 304 Holloway Road Revisited.
Those of a certain age may remember the band who in 1964 had the multi-million selling worldwide hit Have I The Right.
Well now they're back, well lead singer and founding member Martin Murray, who, with a new line-up of musicians has written and recorded the band’s first commercial album in 50 years.
While Martin may still live in London the 'new' Honeycombs has a big local link with Colchester drummer Allan Gifford and bass player Ant Atkins, who lives in Colne Engaine.
Both have had years of experience in the music business, Ant playing with original bands from the Sixties and Seventies all over the country, and Allan performing in competitions and concert halls across Europe, including the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall.
Both are perhaps best known in the area for being one half of Fat Old Dad, who were set up in the Eighties for a one off charity gig, but then went on to play on the UK cabaret circuit and various Sixties festivals.
Ant says: "I have to say it's been a great project to be involved. I've been doing this a long time and so when the opportunity came up I jumped at the chance. Who wouldn't. If someone had said to me I was going to be in a signed band and releasing an album at the age of 67, I would have said they must be mad."
The album, which came out earlier this month on Angel Air Records, is called 304 Holloway Road Revisited as that was the place where the legendary record producer Joe Meek lived and worked.
Containing some of The Honeycombs most popular songs, each one has been re-arranged with the help of Zak Skjerdal, who produced the album at Black Cat Studios in St Neots.
Allan adds: "This was the first time I have done any recording. It was a fabulous experience and it's a privilege to be part of a band with such heritage and that was right there in the swinging Sixties."
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