The name Los Pacaminos may not mean much to music lovers, in fact it sounds like something served up in a Mexican restaurant, writes Gareth Foreman.

Yet the band, which has been on the road for more than seven years, was the brainchild of 80s chart topper Paul Young.

Paul first came to the public's attention in the band The Q-Tips, who were formed in 1979, and during the next two years played more than 700 gigs all over the UK. Not only did they win a great reputation but it gave Paul the chance to develop his unique voice and on-stage persona.

The band split at the end of 1982 and one year later Paul released Wherever I Lay My Hat, which went straight to Number One and stayed there. His album No Parlez also topped the charts and the following single Come Back And Stay turned him into an international star.

Paul then began work on his second album which spawned the single Every Time You Go Away which became his biggest hit to date.

Although he is the best-known name in the band, this will not be an evening of Paul performing his greatest hits. Los Pacaminos is a self-contained band playing a mix of their own material and arrangements of Tex-Mex classics and Spanish songs.

"The Pacaminos started more than seven years ago," says Paul.

"I had left my record company and was writing songs and looking for another record deal but I wanted to play live again. I decided on Tex-Mex music because I had always loved the style. We all agreed it would be great to play in bars and small clubs again, for the pleasure, not the success."

And the idea seems to be working, and Paul and co are having a ball.

"Everybody in the band agrees it is very therapeutic to play this kind of music, we all come off stage in good spirits and really enjoy each other's company."

So what does the name mean?

"Los Pacaminos - it means absolutely nothing! It is a nonsense phrase we chose, which is close to the term pack em in' meaning the audience. Somebody told us it is similar to an Argentine name for street boys."

p Paul Young and Los Pacaminos play the Worcester Park Club tonight. For details see the listings.

December 7, 2001 15:34