Easington Colliery Brass Band have revealed that they kept their contribution to Sam Fender‘s new album ‘People Watching’ a secret for over two years.
The brass band, comprised of musicians from Stockton-on-Tees and Seaham, appeared on the track ‘Remember My Name’, which was inspired by the relationship between Fender’s grandparents.
In an interview with BBC News, band secretary Peter Lawson said that they first received the call in March 2023, and began recording with Fender a month later.
During recording sessions, Lawson said the ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ singer was a “down-to-earth lad” and was so emotional after hearing rehearsals that he asked if he could sing the song live with the band.
“He was given one of the band’s concert uniforms and he wore the uniform all day,” Lawson, who has been a member of the band for 55 years after joining when he was 11 years old, said. “It’s a great thing to be part of. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
“The band was just thrilled to be part of the whole thing,” he continued. “I think we’ve been celebrating since we got asked to do it. We’re on cloud nine all the time.”
Lawson also explained to the BBC that recruiting new members can be a challenge, saying: “We’re trying to bring the youth through all the time.”
‘People Watching’, arrived last month and landed the biggest UK opening week for a British act since Harry Styles‘ ‘Harry’s House‘. It also marked Fender’s biggest ever opening week, selling more units than 2019’s debut ‘Hypersonic Missiles‘ and 2021’s ‘Seventeen Going Under‘ combined.
In a four-star review of ‘People Watching’, NME wrote: “Reflective, analytical and vulnerable, ‘People Watching’ does exactly what the title may suggest: takes stock of the characters, friends and loved ones who have made Fender the person he is today. He approaches each track with sensitivity as he looks back on his life so far – perhaps even with an inkling of guilt – and contemplates who he may be next.”
In other Sam Fender news, the musician recently teased another new album, saying that he is “desperate” to lean into more of a punk-inspired sound going forward, and used his BRITs speech to celebrate the people of Newcastle.
