A Liverpool band is constantly changing up their shows every month.
The Classic Double Band, made up of Wavertree brothers Adam and Joel Goldberg and friend Luke Heague, test their musical abilities week in and week out by putting on different tribute acts throughout the year.
You might have seen the three-piece band in action already or you may have not noticed as they have been known to alternate between showing their appreciation for rock legends like Guns N’ Roses and Jimmy Hendrix to blasting tunes from the spellbinding Pink Floyd, Oasis and Radio Head.
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Joel, a 48-year-old guitarist, told the ECHO: “Music is a massive part of our life. It’s like that for everyone in Liverpool, it's engrained into us. My dad's been in bands since he was 14 so everyone he knows, all his friends, music is a part of them and their culture. It's a way of life for us and has always been there.
“Music keeps me going especially against my health problems. I’ve had a kidney transplant and I’m on dialysis at the moment so it can get quite bleak. Staying focused on music and playing takes away that bleakness. Music always gives, it never takes. It gives you so much and is always there whenever you go and that’s what I love about it so much.”
The brothers come from a long list of artists with their uncles, cousins and dad, Dave, all being musically gifted. Joel and Adam’s dad has been playing with tribute bands in Liverpool since he was 14 years old and is best known for his stint in Rumours of Fleetwood Mac.
Joel, who learnt to play the bass as it was the “only instrument left” the family hadn't mastered, said: “My favourite act to do is Led Zeppelin – the more you do the easier it becomes and the more you have. When it's something you haven’t done before you feel the stress and pressure to get it right and it becomes hard to enjoy it then.
“You have to empty your head from everything you learned from the previous tribute and start over again. We have one rehearsal most times and then have to get on stage in front of an audience – any musician will tell you, it's hard work doing it that way.
"It's a pressurised environment but definitely worth it. The best part for me is looking down and seeing massive smiles on everyone's faces in the audience. It's what keeps me going – I love it.”
Although the band are currently permanent residents at the Baltic Triangle’s Camp and Furnace, Joel has just finished assembling a team which are working to extend the tribute nights to other venues across the city. He added: “We want to extend our wings across the country. It means all the learning, practising and pressure just won’t be for one or two nights but a lot more.”
The Classic Double Band returns to the Greenland Street venue on Saturday, January 6 2024 – when they will be celebrating all things Davie Bowie in honour of his 77th birthday.
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