IT has been 13 years since Simon ‘Spike’ Dawbarn was centre stage at an arena.
But it does not appear to be an unlucky number for the 911 star as he is back in the limelight once again.
Spike, from Warrington, said it was like going back in time when he joined with band mates Lee Brennan and Jimmy Constable for ITV’s The Big Reunion.
The trio will embark on an arena tour tomorrow, Friday, including concerts at Manchester Arena on Saturday and Liverpool Echo on Wednesday, May 8.
As the most successful English boy band since Take That, 911 racked up 10 top 10 hits, two sell out UK tours and sold millions of records worldwide, going platinum 20 times in South East Asia.
But Spike said the band were in need of a break when they split up in 2000 and it has only made the comeback that much sweeter.
The 38-year-old said: “I remember playing Wembley Arena. My adrenaline was pumping and I was so physically tired that I just wanted to go off stage.
“Our last show was in China in a stadium with 30,000 people so it was an odd feeling to stop and go back home.
“All we needed was a break, but we weren’t getting one. As soon as I recovered, I really missed it. Now I’m really enjoying everything.”
911 will be sharing the stage with Atomic Kitten, including Padgate’s Kerry Katona, FIVE, Liberty X, B*Witched and Honeyz. London’s R&B boy band Blue have also been added to the bill for the Liverpool concert.
ITV’s The Big Reunion, which aired in January, saw the 90s pop sensations bare all, from the highs and lows to the dramatic break-ups.
“It was massive back then,” said Orford-born Spike.
“People forget how big that 90s movement was. All these bands were doing arena tours left, right and centre.
“Being on the show made me feel 18 or 19 again. It was like going back in time. I think it’s the same for the audience – people want to remember their youth.
“As soon as we got in the dance studio it was as if we’d never been away. We went straight into the old routines.”
But not everything was that easy. Spike, father of five-year-old Phoenix, added: “Getting in shape was the key thing for doing the flips and everything.
“When I was young it was easy. Now I’ve had two operations on my ankle and broke a finger in rehearsals.”
Former dance teacher Spike, who set up Warrington’s Popskool in 2004, prepared for the tour by getting in shape and practicing routines five hours a day under the watchful eye of his personal trainer Andy Bretherton, of Fighting Fit.
“We’ll be playing the old classics for The Big Reunion but we’ve been in the studio working on a new album,”
said the former William Beamont High School pupil.
“I’ve wanted to make a comeback for a long time now.
We’re fresh and ready for it.
“Playing an arena is the best feeling for any artist. I feel so lucky.”
For tickets, visit livenation.co.uk/artist/the-bigreuniontickets
