Legendary British rockers The Faces have reformed with Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall on vocals.
One of the best loved groups of their generation, The Faces helped launch the career of Rod Stewart. Way before he donned spandex cat suits, Rod The Mod was the epitome of British street cool.
Now, however, the band have swapped Rod Stewart for Mick Hucknall. The Simply Red singer is due to step in for the frontman on a series of upcoming dates, with The Faces reforming to their fans’ obvious delight.
Joined by Sex Pistols star Glen Matlock on bass, the group will perform at this year’s inaugural Vintage At Greenwood festival. With tour dates due to be confirmed for January The Faces could well be playing a town near you shortly.
Speaking to The Guardian, guitarist Ronnie Wood insisted that Mick Hucknall was an able replacement for Rod Stewart. “His band aren’t but he is” explained the guitarist. “Mick’s a big Faces fan and it comes out when he sings, it’s a kind of relief for him because he can let loose. Mick’s range is like Rod’s vocal range was in the seventies.”
Rod Stewart is preparing to a lengthy solo tour, and has ruled himself out of the re-union. Meanwhile, famously boozy drive group The Faces appear to have cleaned up their act. Ronnie Wood describes himself as “clean and serene”, stating: “It makes a big difference, yes, to actually know what you’re playing.”
Drummer Kenny Jones explained that The Faces enduring popularity is a result of their stance onstage. Through being themselves, he reasons, the band endeared themselves to audiences.
“We played it like it was and people either liked it or they didn’t. The audience was on stage and we were with the audience, it was like a big party and it will be again.”
Vintage At Greenwood runs between August 13th – 15th.
