British rock icons, The Sweet will be touring the U.S. after a long absence, particularly in the Northeast. Their classic hits, “Ballroom Blitz” Fox On The Run” “Little Willy,” and the super blockbuster hit of the 70s, “Love is Like Oxygen” which many fans confuse as being a song by artists Electric Light Orchestra or Emerson Lake and Palmer; were the soundtrack of that decade and still retain airplay on classic rock radio. Tarrytown Music Hall is on their itinerary on July 11.
Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow Patch spoke with founder, Steve Priest about all the buzz and blitz of their upcoming tour.
Patch: Why are there two versions of the band?
Steve Priest: Andy lives in England and I live in Los Angeles!
P: Andy Scott’s band is touring Europe and your band is touring the states?
SP: Exactly. Although we’ve been to Germany, South America so we’re doing ok over here!
P: You still communicate with your former band mates?
SP: There’s only Andy left so no I don’t actually!
P: Sweet split up and then reunited is that what happened?
SP: Original band mate Brian left in 1979 and then we went on a three-piece for about three years but it was hard work. I moved to New York and that’s when it all fell apart. Then Andy and Mick got back together and went to Australia with Sweet with my permission because I didn’t want to go; then they kept the name and then Mick unfortunately passed away so Andy continued on his own with several different musicians by now.
P: Why did you want to reform the band and tour together again?
SP: I felt it was necessary to show the band off here like we’ve never done before!
P: Is this the first time that you’ve toured in a while?
SP: We’ve been touring now for about five years. We haven’t been to Tarrytown before.
P: Any upcoming projects for the band?
SP: We’re starting to write some songs and get them recorded in the studio.
P: You recall any fond memories of recording or touring as a member of Sweet?
SP: Oh there are many! I’ve got a book out called, “Are You Ready Steve?” but it’s out of print at the moment and I’m editing it and I’m bringing up to date. That’s one of the projects I’m involved with which isn’t easy actually!
P: What are your expectations for the tour this time around?
SP: We’re just having fun and bringing Sweet to America again we never did it properly the first time.
P: Love is Like Oxygen was a big hit for you guys in the 70s!
SP: Yeah! We get 15-50 year-olds and they’re all singing along and they know the lyrics!
P: Anything else you would like to say about the Tarrytown gig?
SP: Just come and have fun! Nothing serious! That’s the general idea!
