As 80’s psychedelic rock band Dr and the Medics prepare to headline Marlow’s very own ‘Rock Bottom’ festival, lead singer Clive Jackson talks about the bands ‘best ever’ line-up and the pending release of their first album in 20 years.

Created by Rev Dr Clive Jackson himself, Dr and the Medics stepped in to world of rock in 1981, grabbing their first (and only) number 1 single four years later with their world renowned cover of ‘Spirit in the Sky’.

While they may be dubbed a ‘one hit wonder’ in the eyes of some critical rock fans, the band has continued to perform passionately over the past 30 years despite continuous changes to the line-up.

He praised the current line-up, and is adamant the change has done nothing but great things for the band, while still staying true to the ‘straightforward and simple’ medics’ formula.

He said: “It is one of the best we have ever had, and they are all fantastic performers in their right. I get so much enthusiasm from their love of performing.

“The band has changed over the years but we still play some of the old stuff and we are still definitely the medics.”

And when asked about the sound of the new album, he said there was definitely a notable change to their previous releases, but a long standing fan would still identify with their classic sound.

He said: “We still like to rock and have moments of psychedelic bliss on the guitar, but I try not to spin the creative process. We start with a blank canvas, and everyone gets a say.”

Inspiration was a struggle at first for the lead singer, claiming at one point he had almost given up on the idea.

He said: “I was approached by a guy who we’d done some work with, and I’d kind of given up on it at this point.

“I didn’t know what to write about. I didn’t want to sound like this grouchy old man but I also didn’t want to sound like I’m trying to be 20 so I had to have a bit of a think about it.

“I remembered I used to tell stories about human characters, and then write songs about it. So I created this story in my head and wrote it in a song which formed the blueprint of the album. It’s a bit of a weird one, very fantasy based.”

While it may be assumed that the 80’s band would only attract older crowds, he is confident that their show will be for all ages.

He said: What’s nice is we will get old medic fans turning up who haven’t seen us in 30 years and they will enjoy it even though we’ve changed a bit, and the kids enjoy the theatrics.

“When we play festivals we go out there to entertain the youngest kids to the oldest people – two of which will be my Mum and Dad at Rock Bottom- so from eight to 88 we will be entertaining them.

“We try to be all embracing. I like to think we are sewing the seed of rock in heads of everyone.”

Although it will be the Medic’s first time at Rock Bottom, they are certainly no stranger to festivals. Mr Jackson praised their importance, not just for the music they promote but for the community as a whole.

He said: “It’s about embracing the whole experience. It’s not your show you are there to be part of something very special when you go with that head you join in with the whole event.

“You get such an overwhelming feeling of togetherness – it permeates happiness in people’s lives which is needed in this day and age.

“Festivals are a very important part of British culture. It’s so much more than just the music you celebrate being together and the happiness they bring which is needed in this day and age. I’ll say to anyone, don’t just come to Rock Bottom to see Dr and the Medics come to embrace the day.”

Marlow Rock Bottom is taking place at the Marlow Playing Fields on September 5 from 12 pm. You can buy tickets from http://marlowrockbottom.weebly.com/