Something uniquely different to the norm

PERHAPS the best way to familiarise yourself with Only Men Aloud is to imagine the stereotype of a male choir. Now think of what happens to the majority of talent show winners as they struggle to build on early promise. Got that? Good, now subvert each one!

For Only Men Aloud are definitely not your average male choir. They do not perform in churches or exclusively at religious events. Oh no, they enter singles into the UK charts, record album releases and tour huge cities. Neither are they ready to fade into the background following their victory in BBC’s Last Choir Standing.

In fact, as choir former Tim Rhys-Evans stated: “We actually are the opposite to what you would expect us to be.” Allow me to explain. Only Men Aloud, formed in 2000, consists of a gardener, a pharmacist, teachers, musicians and students; at face value they really are a child’s nightmare!

As Rhys looked to create a young male voice choir unafraid to tackle music not usually performed by traditional male voice choirs, he truly formed something uniquely different to the norm. As he himself put it: “I think we are quite peculiar!” Yet it would seem the public are rather fond of hearing modern day pop hits performed in a traditional, choir format as it was their courage to try something different that earned them the title of Britain’s Favourite Choir as they finished the show victors.

“Being on Last Choir Standing was quite a bizarre experience,” Rhys explained. “No-one quite knew whether or not the public would take to it because choirs are quite an acquired taste so with things like the X-Factor and Pop Idol going, it was an idea that could well have fallen flat on its face!”

Luckily for Rhys though, it didn’t and drew a surprising amount of viewers as it looked to compete with prime time television shows. The question still beggars though – was the viewer demographic made up of old, choir loving romantics or is their new sound and approach to choral singing attracting new people?

“It’s hard to tell who’s watching at home when you are on the television but the studio audiences were pretty vast in terms of who was there. We are seeing a similar pattern in our live shows as well. We did depict a host of older fans following us around but there is a younger following for us out there too. In fact, we may not be pop stars but between you, me and your readers, some of us have even been mobbed by teenage girls!”

For Rhys though, it was not just about the women – “no, really it wasn’t!” - but was also an excellent learning curve and a great way to get his choir noticed by the record buying public. “For us, we learnt so much on that programme so it was really invaluable. It was not a case of just coming out and singing every night. We had vocal training and practice in the day time and received tips from experts so it not only improved us as a choir but I think it also brought us closer together as a choir.

And for the first time, you realise how crazy it could get with a bunch of lads touring together. The banter, the practical jokes and no woman to keep them in check. “There is a great morale and spirit with us,” he explained. “We are a bit like a football team I suppose. It can get a bit messy at times and a bit crazy but it’s all good fun. People look at choirs and think they must go home at night and wash between their ears or something, Hopefully we are breaking down the stereotypes people have of choirs.

“We keep the traditional sound but modernise it by going a little more poppy and mainstream.” It is little wonder that the group model themselves on a football team as, when not singing or performing, what more would the lads from Wales do but play rugby?

“Well, we’re Welsh. Rugby is our thing! When you’ve been out on the road it is good to get a rugby ball in your hand and just charge your way down a rugby pitch, we like to let off a bit of steam now and again! Then, its back on the road doing what we love.”

You can catch Only Men Aloud doing what they love next year when they visit the Symphony Hall on Monday May 4. Tickets are available priced £25.00 / £20.00 / £17.50 from www.gigsandtours.com or on 0871 2200 260