Lorraine: The Overtones discuss late bandmate Timmy Matley
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The Overtones were left in shock back in April 2018 when bandmate and friend Timothy “Timmy” Matley died, aged 36. The group exclusively revealed to Express.co.uk that they were left not knowing what would happen to the group.
We hid under a rock, we kind of didn’t know what way to turn for a while.
Darren Everest
Timmy died after falling from the balcony of a 13th floor flat in east London back in 2018, with a coroner concluding that the late singer had been under the influence of drugs.
Just two years before his tragic death, the vocalist had been diagnosed with a stage three malignant melanoma.
Now, three years on from his death, his bandmates Darren Everest, Mike Crawshaw, Mark Franks and latest member Jay James, have spoken of the pain they endured.
The harmony group are preparing to release their seventh studio album, 10, to commemorate their tenth anniversary in the music business.
Speaking of highs and lows of the business, Darren, 40, said: “Obviously, when the boys talk about real lows, you know, you don’t get much lower than losing your bandmate and your brother and friend, which is something we’ve all been through.
“I think that just comes down to kind of, you know, just being friends and helping each other through, we hid under a rock, we kind of didn’t know what way to turn for a while.”
He added: “But what we did know is that we had each other’s backs. And, and in time, we just kind of understood what we were about and what we meant to people when we have got to make people smile and feel good, you know.
“So I just think with the help of each other, you literally can get through everything, can’t you?”
Going on to speak about their genuine friendship, Darren continued: “We’re lucky to be in a band with, with genuine, like, best friends on stage.
“It’s just four lads having a laugh, like we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we believe we’re good at what we do but we’re just your boys next door that get a bit cheeky.
“Let’s make people sing, smile, and get up and dance and have a good night. So yeah, there’s no secret to it. It’s just um, feel-good music, and some cheeky chaps on stage.”
Today, the group are set to release their second single from their celebratory album – a cover of Shalimar’s 1982 hit, A Night To Remember.
Speaking of the release, Darren said: “It’s a song that we’ve wanted to do for a while. To be honest when we were thinking of this album, it was one of the first songs that we thought about.
“There’s songs on this album, from the past to the present and kind of the future where the band are going.”
He continued: “Recently with restrictions easing we just felt like it was the perfect time to release this song.”
This week marks the first time since the start of the coronavirus lockdown that people are able to eat and drink inside bars and restaurants without ordering food, as well as being able to meet up outdoors with groups of up to 30 people.
Darren continued: “People are going out again, letting their hair down, they’re able to live life in a way that they haven’t for the last year and a half, however long it’s been,
“So we just felt like it was a good time for people to get out there, create some memories, and have a night to remember. There might be a few people spending the night in each other’s house.”
Speaking further about lockdown restrictions ending and their forthcoming tour in November 2021, Jay James, who joined the group in 2019 said: “We are chomping at the bit to get out and about and start seeing people and getting out to radio stations, cafes, meeting people, that good stuff.”
Jay who initially found fame on The X Factor went on to add: “This is just another step closer to November in December, and it’s making a night to remember, you know, for other people as well as ourselves, because it’s going to be a huge one this year, it’s been two years since we toured.
“It’s going to be the 11th, or possibly 12th, the last was the 11th sell-out UK tour two years ago, so this is going to be absolutely epic.
“In many ways, a night to remember about, you know, the opening of restrictions, but also that’s closer to us being able to go and do live music as everybody else is as well.”
You can purchase tickets to see The Overtones on tour in November, here.
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