Mike Pender's Searchers

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Tue Mar 20, 2001 1:14 pm

Peter,

I think Mike and John and Frank on the same bill, as a concept, shows the beauty of the English language, where "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 8:21 am

In 1996 this did happen albeit one day apart.
Butlins a chain of what we,Brits, call Holiday Camps, held a Festival Of the Sixties at one of their camps here in England, a small resort called Minehead in the south of England.

Various groups were playing Merseybeats, Gerry,Hermans Hermits, but more importantly MP's Searchers and The Searchers were also billed in the same venue.

MP'S Searchers played on the Saturday Night with The Searchers the next night, one can imagine that for a Searcher's avid like myself this was fantastic.

Both groups went down a storm, not too difficult I suuppose when the patrons are there to relive their youth and by the time the Act's come on stage, a lot of alcohol has been consumed.

As it happens on the night MP played, a film crew were filming for a Holiday type show and MP grabbed the publicity in that respect.

My opinion is enjoy both groups while you can, being realistic, they are not going to go on forever and the time must be coming close when both groups call it a day.

edcal · Post by **edcal** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 8:47 am

Peter,
Is their a current song list(like MPS's Performances) available showing what tunes the Searchers play in concert? I've never had the pleasure seeing them or MPS in concert and just wanted to get a feel for what they do before a live audience. Thanks.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 9:47 am

Ed: I don't have a complete and official song list for you, however, on the basis of reviews of performance of MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS this is what I think you are likely to hear. My apologies to MPS should this list be way off the mark. Should it be misleading, I would ask the the MPS Fan Club set me straight. So here is my best guess and in no particular order. Also, I would gather that MPS would not play all these songs in a single performance.
Needles and Pins Don't Throw your Love Away What Have they Done to the Rain Sweets for My Sweet Sugar and Spice When you Walk in the Room Goodbye my Love Love Potion No 9 Take it or Leave It City To City You Got It Kiss You All Over That'll Be The Day Peggy Sue Heartbeat Oh Boy Rockin' All Over The World Tulsa Time Farmer John To Love Somebody Hearts In Her Eyes When You Say Nothing At All Drift Away

edcal · Post by **edcal** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 10:10 am

Peter,
Thank you very much for the information.

S.J._Dibai · Post by **S.J._Dibai** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 10:32 am

Peter: Is "You Got It" the Roy Orbison song? I think I'd have to hear that one to believe it! I don't mean to offend anyone with that comment--I just can't imagine Mike singing it.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Mar 25, 2001 9:46 am

Ed: I have modified the above MPS list to reflect comments made by fans who have been to many recent concerts.
SJ: Yes Mike Pender does sing "You Got It", an Orbison tune, and to quote a fan I am told that Mike does it "brilliantly."

S.J._Dibai · Post by **S.J._Dibai** » Wed Mar 28, 2001 11:46 am

After thinking about it, I think Mike could do a good job on that one. It's just always hard for me to imagine anyone but Roy singing Roy's songs. I think I would like to hear Mike Pender's version of "You Got It."

mps_fan_club · Post by **mps_fan_club** » Sun Apr 01, 2001 12:20 am

Other songs that are heard dependent on venue and time allowed, and demanded by popular request, are "Ain't Gonna Kiss You", "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" and Roy Orbison's "Running Scared" played with an acoustic six string. This is usually featured after "You Got It" also played with an acoustic six string. Mike used to sing "Running Scared" in the old days and has only just brought it back again. Yes a demanding song, but one that proves he still has a strong voice with considerable range.
A particular favourite of mine is "Summer of 69" - the Bryan Adams song. Mike plays this really well with the Aria 12 string and sings it with great gusto. He really likes the song and admires Bryan.

Erwin_Zerbe · Post by **Erwin_Zerbe** » Tue Apr 24, 2001 4:13 am

I have been reading some of the earlier comments concerning the on-going debate between fans of "The Searchers' and "Mike Pender's Searchers" and I wish to throw my own thoughts in. I was 13 years old when I first heard "Sweets for my Sweet" and immediately loved what I heard. As a young teenager I idiolised "The Searchers". As the hits followed, I loved the way they sounded and I also the way they looked. I know that we all loved "The Beatles' and all had our favourite group members and with me, it was no different with "The Searchers". Mike Pender was in my mind my favourite and John McNally my second favourite. I used to sing along to the Searchers songs and pretend that I was playing a guitar and always pretend that I was Mike Pender. So where is this all leading you ask?

Well frankly, I am sad that personal differences have torn the boys apart, but as the reasons (whatever they are) are none of my business, I am not going to take sides. I was loyal to "The Searchers" in the 60's and my loyalty has not changed one bit to-day, regardless of where the boys are, or whatever they are doing collectively or on their own. I support, and will always support, Mike , John, Frank, Tony & Chris in what ever capacity they choose to perform. As a dedicated, loyal "Searchers" fan from the beginning, who could expect any less from me, because you won't get it. I have had the priviledge of seeing both "The Searchers' and "Mike Pender's Searchers" perform "live" and I have thoroughly enjoyed them both. I have also had the priviledge of meeting John and Frank recently and the greatest priviledge of my life, when I met Mike Pender, when Mike's band performed here in Australia back in 1995.

So there it is. I am just greatful that the boys are still working and there is still a chance to see them and enjoy them while we can. While I do emphasise that I am sad as regards to the split, my loyalty to them all, is intact. My greatest wish would be, that perhaps one day in the near future, they could all just get to-gether one time, for perhaps a world tour, so that we as true fans could have the opportunity to see them all on the one stage to-gether. Whether this happens or not, I at least, am able to ignore this debate, and just enjoy the wonderful hours of music that all "The Searchers" have given me.

Best wishes from Australia.

Erwin Zerbe

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Apr 24, 2001 4:22 am

Erwin: Well spoken. I feel the same way and this is why I designed this Searchers' Forum and "Needles and Pins." There is much to be learned about The Searchers' music and our enjoyment of it does not have to be based on group politics. I have enjoyed their efforts, individually and collectively. Play on!

carr · Post by **carr** » Tue Apr 24, 2001 4:16 pm

Hi Erwin, From Melbourne.. We must be almost the same vintage. The Beatles were ( and still are) the band I best relate to although I do have an admiration for the Searchers post Curtis and Jackson. Personally I couldnt stand Chris and Tony and Sweets for My sweet, Sugar and Spice. What I did like tho was The rythym guitar which featured on those tracks . McNally 16ths I think. I met Mike Pender once at a club in Liverpool ( I cant remember which but it was one of three that we did in one night as part of a circuit. Scousers will know the Princess, Georgian and Domino and the Blue something or other in Wigan I think with Billy Butler).

Mike seemed like a real good guy..Shame they had to split but thats life... I never bought any Searcher albums but based onthe singles I heard I think Walk In the room/ Jackie De Shannon era was my favourite

John