Keeping our Focus on music

Oct 10 2008 By Martin Hutchinson

DUTCH band Focus headline the Classic Legends Of Rock show at Dudley Concert Hall on Sunday.

Formed in 1976 by flautist Thjis Van Leer, the group recorded the stunning album Moving Waves in 1971 and scored a brace of worldwide hits with the songs Hocus Pocus and Sylvia.

“I know some rock musicians call us ‘The Godfathers of Progressive Rock’, but I describe the music as ‘songs without words’,’’ Thjis says. ‘‘It is influenced by European Classical music, R’n’B, folk and jazz. It’s very much improvisational and has a signature all of it’s own.”

The lack of lyrics has made it difficult for Focus to have hit singles.

“Probably, but we are a rarity,” concedes Thjis. “Actually, Sylvia DOES have lyrics, I wrote them about a girlfriend of mine.”

In their early days the band was fortunate as their management secured them lots of radio airplay.

“Our management was actually Radio Luxembourg so they played our music a lot!” Thjis explains.

It was Moving Waves that broke the band worldwide, followed by Focus 3.

“England did it for us and then America. And after all these years the music has the same attitude and mentality.

“Our latest album, Focus 9, released last year, has humour and earnest moments plus many elements of symphonic music, although I dislike the term ‘symphonic rock’.”

Thjis has strong memories of his debut tour of England. “The first time we came to the UK was the time of the power strikes, so we actually had two vans. One van had the instruments and the second had a generator.

“Always I think the first applause we got was not for the music, but for the fact that we had played!”

So what can we expect from the Dutch Masters this time around?

“I can’t tell you everything,” he says. “Every night will be different.”

* CLASSIC LEGENDS OF ROCK – FOCUS/ MARTIN TURNER’S WISHBONE ASH/ TONY MCPHEE’S GROUNDHOGS, Sunday, October 12: Dudley Concert Hall. Tickets: 01384 815577.