Young gun's for it with Los Paciminos

5:27pm Friday 15th February 2008

FOR man who describes himself as a 'reluctant solo star', Paul Young's career is mightily impressive.

After years of playing in groups such as Streetband and the Q-Tips he hit the big time in 1982.

His version of Marvin Gaye's Wherever I lay my hat' was springboard to more than ten years of solid little commercial success with hit singles, platinum-selling albums and worldwide tours.

"I didn't go looking for a solo deal, he said. It came looking for me."

Young, who says he has always worked within a band structure is preparing to hit the road with Los Pacaminos the Tex Mex outfit he helped form almost 13 years ago.

But while he admits that his is the most recognisable face in the line-up, the 52-year-old says it is in no way just Paul Young and his backing band.

"Los Paciminos is not just about me singing," he said. "We all take turn with the songs.

Young formed Los Paciminos, with Drew Barfield, Melvyn Duffy, Steve Greetham, Matt Irving, Jamie Moses and Mark Pinder.

"It was just meant to be playing covers and to have fun," said Young. "But the first time we played we knew there could be more in it."

What started as a side project for the busy musicians, who between them have worked with acts including Robbie Williams, Roger Waters and Pete Townsend has grown and grown.

Los Paciminos album has gained good reviews from specialist Tex Mex websites in America - although, Young admits, the logistics of having a seven-piece band with other commitments means a US tour is unlikely.

"In my early days I would tour around an album, which was quite a big chunk of time" he explained.

"But with everybody doing different things, a Los Paciminos tour could be just two or three shows."

Later this year Young will give his solo work another run out on the ever popular, and unashamedly 80s nostalgic, Here and Now tour, alongside other acts such as Belinda Carlisle and Heaven 17.

Young said: "People ask if I'm fed up with playing my hits but I'm not because I have Los Paciminos. When I go back to playing my hits it's a thrill."

Young was recently seen on television as a contestant on Hell's Kitchen.

Not a fan of reality TV, he says took part in the show, with chef Marco Pierre White, because he wanted to learn something.' "I got into food when I had hits and started to travel the world," said Young.

"If I taste something that I've never had in London I'll come back and buy the recipe book."

Young is currently exploring the possibility of getting involved with a restaurant near his north London home.

He has also helped to launch music website, etopiamusic.com, where unsigned acts can feature alongside established and well-known acts.

The internet and it's affect on the music industry is something that he feels strongly about, especially when it comes to the subject of illegal downloads and piracy.

"It's becoming accepted that music should be free," he said. "We are all getting ripped off. Nobody is making the sort of money that we did in the 1980s.

"I try to appeal to people's better nature - if you like a band go out and buy their music. Musicians work hard and need something back."

But while technology has made a huge impact on music, Young says live shows are still the real deal.

"Watching something on a screen can't replace a live band, he said. "Seeing a band is still a great night out."

Los Paciminos play the Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, Edmonton on Thursday, February 21.

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