Genesis Connected is a UK tribute show celebrating the music of Genesis and the biggest selling acts connected: Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Mike & the Mechanics.
Ahead of the show at the Wyvern Theatre on Friday Pete Bultitude, lead singer talks to The Swindonian.
What inspired you into music?
I grew up within a musical family. My mum and dad were an award-winning country music
duo singing up and down the UK and it wasn’t long before I ended up playing drums with
their backing band.
Why did you turn to drums as an instrument?
Although I also play guitar and keyboards, it was hearing that amazing drum fill in Phil
Collins smash hit In The Air Tonight that captured my imagination and from that moment on I was hooked! Phil Collins to me is an icon; I even play a Premier 70s drum kit very similar to one he owned as well as using his signature drum sticks!
What are your favourite songs from each of the artists you cover?
Genesis – Fading lights. Phil Collins – Why can’t it wait till morning. Peter Gabriel – Lay your hands on me. Mike & the Mechanics – Another cup of coffee.
How did you get involved with Genesis Connected?
Keyboard player and my best mate Chris Woods and myself had this idea for years. We
loved Genesis, but also loved the biggest solo acts that came from it. Once, we were both
performing in a Phil Collins tribute show and the power cut, I grabbed an acoustic guitar and started playing Over My Shoulder by Mike and the Mechanics, the audience all sang along and me and Chris thought, time to do this!
Describe your experience on ITV’s Stars In Their Eyes in 1998?
Awesome, walking out on stage, live, in front of 15 million viewers was really cool, especially getting through to the grand final and receiving 202,000 votes.
Have you performed in any famous venues?
London Palladium would have to be one of the top ones.
What is the most unusual gig you have played?
A 200-year-old slate mine in Cornwall, cut 150m into the hillside beneath acres of woodland are 3 gigantic caverns, one of which holds live concerts.
Most stressful moments on stage?
Not really on stage but one memorable show was in Glasgow with my old band. Due to fly
up to the show, we were waiting in the departure lounge when all the outgoing flights were suddenly cancelled. Several frantic phone calls to the band (who had travelled up by road earlier in the day) had us in getting a taxi to another airport and then flying to Glasgow.
Although we arrived quite late for the show, we nevertheless played a two hour show as if
nothing had happened!
How long has the band been together?
We started putting the concept together with lots of planning and deciding which of the long list of hits the four artists play that we should do. Our first show was in February 2015 and our second in March sold-out. Good start!
Do you have a special routine or habit you carry out before going on stage?
I usually pace up and down the dressing room or backstage for about 20 minutes.
What’s been your most memorable musical moment over the years?
Aside from appearing in front of 15 million viewers on ITV, I think Genesis Connected’s first show felt amazing, a real sense of achievement.
What do you do in your free time?
I have four kids and a lovely wife; they leave little time for anything else other than the band!
If you were to invite 5 people (anyone) to form a band who would they be and why?
I’d choose Phil Collins on drums as he always had his own style, Vince Gill on guitar – my
favourite country guitarist, Leland Sklar on bass – Phil Collins bass player for many years,
Vicky Bultitude (my wife) on backing vocals (goes without saying!), and Bruce Hornsby on
keyboards – just an amazing recognizable sound.
Tickets are available for Genesis Connected playing at Wyvern Theatre on Friday 1st October here.
