An Interview with British Export

Who are British Export and how did you get together?
Jim: British Export started out in 1990 as British Import. The name was changed to British Export when the founding member, Davey Justice as Paul, left to join the Beatles tribute band Yesterday in 1995. That same year, we performed on the field for the Chicago White Sox for their "Turn Back the Clock" day. We were hired by the Vice President in charge of marketing, Rob Gallas. He was a closet John Lennon, and eventually worked his way into the band. After his departure in 1999, the current group was formed through advertisements in the local entertainment paper. Dennis Cummings as George, started out as John in 1996. Paul Lynch joined as Paul in 1998, and Frank as John joined in the fall of 1999.

What is it about the Beatles that made you want to be in a tribute band?
Jim: The Beatles have always had the perfect balance of popularity. The girl's wanted them and the boys wanted to be them. There is also that camaraderie that a band has; that group or gang bond so to speak. Then on top of that is the desire to perform music for a live audience, music I might add, that is the greatest ever written. It is also fun to play a role, dress in vintage clothes, and "escape" into this fantasy world. It is a kick.
Frank: When I was growing up, and a Beatle song came on the radio, it was always amazing, it just blew me away. Even at that young age I could remember thinking that these guys are special. Also around this time, I started seeing local Beatle bands, including British Import (later to become British Export) and I always wished I could do what those guys did. Later on I formed a band with some friends, and we weren't very good, but I started to imitate John, and I really had a knack for it. I thought if I could just find the right band, then I met Paul Lynch and the rest is history…
D ennis: Their music, their look, their style.

What is your favourite Beatles/solo album?
Jim: Tough one. "Songs, Pictures, and Stories" VJ (later issued as "Introducing the Beatles" and pretty much the same LP as the British "Please Please Me" LP. One of the first records I had, split the cost with my brother Jack.
Frank: My favorite Beatles album would have to be "A Hard Day's Night". Solo album would be John Lennon's "Imagine".
Dennis: Rubber Soul.

What is your favourite song to perform live?
Jim: 'Act Naturally'.
Frank: I enjoy performing 'Rain' a lot. I also like playing 'And Your Bird Can Sing' because it's probably the most complex guitar song we do and I like the challenge. We just added 'In My Life', another complex song that's fun to do, and the crowd reaction to it has been great.
Dennis: 'Hey Bulldog'.

What sort of places do British Export play?
Jim: British Export (Import) has performed in Liverpool at the Cavern Club and MerseyBeatle Convention (1994), Comiskey Park (1995) and the United Center (1996-2000). In the summer we perform mostly the Chicago area 'Concert-in-the-Park' and Festivals. We performed private parties, weddings, and we do play a few clubs locally as well. We are always expanding our touring area nationally, with such performances as Asheville, North Carolina for New Years Eve.
Frank: We play venues ranging from local Chicago clubs, festivals, and park districts to bigger things like the United Center and state colleges. One night we might play to 70 people, the next 7,000. Our audience is always changing, but we enjoy playing so much, we're not fussy about the venue so long as the crowd is having fun.
Dennis: Festivals, weddings, private parties and the occasional bar.

Have you ever seen/met one of the Beatles?
Jim: I saw McCartney in Concert twice and Ringo 4 times.
Frank: I've never seen them in concert, but I did shake George Harrison's hand at a Hard Rock Cafe when I was a kid!
Dennis: I've seen Ringo once and Paul twice in concert.

What has been your most Beatle-like moment?
Jim: Performing on the Cavern Club stage in 1994 for a bunch of Liverpudlians, in black leather! Also, any time you hear a collective reaction when we walk on stage and are acknowledged as an accurate portrayal.
Frank: Wow, tough question. I don't know if I can narrow it down to one moment but I can say this: every time we play in front of a huge crowd, I tend to go a bit mad like John did at Shea Stadium. I don't do it on purpose (although my band mates would argue this); it's just my natural reaction to a roaring crowd. When that happens, for a brief second I actually feel like they did onstage, it's an amazing experience!
Dennis: Winning at Chicago Beatlefest 2000 Battle Of The Bands.

What has been your most memorable performance?
Jim: The Cavern, as well as Comiskey Park 'Turn Back the Clock' game, and winning Beatlefest 2000 battle of the Beatle bands.
Frank: Winning Beatlefest in Chicago. I felt British Export was in top form that day and it showed in our performance. Looking back, I think we wanted to prove to ourselves that we could win it. The other Chicago Beatle bands that have won in the past will be the first to down play it's importance, but if you look at their websites, sure enough you'll see 'Beatlefest winners'. It is important, and it was great feeling and an honor to win.
Dennis: Same, ha ha!

Why do you think the Beatles are still so popular, 30 years after they broke up?
Jim: The Beatles were a cultural phenomenon as well as music geniuses. They changed how we looked, acted and felt about ourselves. Their music will go down in history as important as any composer whether Beethoven, Mozart, Cohan, anyone. Their music influences artists yesterday and today. They were the most widely photographed entity (entities) ever, and these pictures, as well as videos are accessible and plentiful. Or to put it more simply: They were the greatest band (entertainers) in the world!
Frank: Well, their music is so profound. It's very rare when music can crossover from generation to generation, but in the case of the Beatles, it has the same impact on an 8 year old or an 80 year old.
Dennis: Good song writing never goes out of style!

If you could be a fly on the wall at any moment in Beatles history when and where would it be?
Jim: Any time John & Paul collaborated on a song together. Any time during the first US visit.
Frank: I would have liked to see "A Day In The Life" recorded at Abbey Road.
Dennis: 1962 at Abbey Road with George Martin laying down that first album!

If you weren't in a Beatles band what would you be doing?
Jim: Some type of "Oldies" band. Or maybe I'd own a string of hairdressing salons.
Frank: Probably playing in a Monkees band!!! (kidding)
Dennis: Sleeping!

What are your ambitions and/or hopes for the next year?
Jim: Main priority is to return to the MerseyBeatle convention and the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 2001. Also to see Abbey Road studios. To win Beatlefest again. And finally, expand our touring and increase our exposure and performances.
Frank: I hope we can keep travelling and perform our show around the country. We are starting to make a name for ourselves and I'd like to keep spreading it. We have fan clubs around the country, and people know us on the East and West coast, so its not like we are just a Midwest Beatle band anymore.
Dennis: More gigs, he-he!

Have you any New Years Resolutions?
Jim: Same as before… and to get back safely from Asheville, North Carolina!
Frank: I hope to drop a few pounds and brush up on my piano playing a bit!
Dennis: I resolve to get a sitar on E-bay!!

Nina Douglas
TWIL Issue Three January 2001