The Real People
The Real People

THE REVIEW

In that English season, known as "Madchester," where ecstasy replaced Thatcher, situations were confused not only by a lack of strict or any geographical connection, but also by things that musically had little in common with each other.

A fleeting appearance in the baggy firmament were the Real People from Liverpool. Founded in 1987, this band, made up of brothers Tony Griffiths (bass and vocals), Chris Griffiths (guitar and vocals), Martin Loppin (guitar), and Tony McGuigan (drums), can be considered the most important - along with fellow citizens The La's - for the birth of future Britpop among those of the aforementioned scene.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 1991 by Columbia Records, is, in fact, a collection of songs that decisively look at the '60s Merseyside sound without sounding old or derivative in any way, light in their electroacoustic interweavings and immortal in their harmonies.

Thanks also to the clear production of Stephen Street, "The Real People" remains a brilliant and underappreciated album that, between the Beatles' guitar pop and the Stone Roses' funk, alongside the more danceable temptations of "Window Paine" and "Open Up Your Mind (Let Me In)," optimistically reevaluates much of the British indie C-86 ("I Can't Wait," "Everybody's The Same"), ultimately anticipating sounds that would become beloved in Britpop ("The Truth").

The album did not climb past the 59th place on the charts, but today it is considered a classic by many.

Fate was even more mocking to the Real People when considering that in 1993 a young guitarist, Noel Gallagher, sought their help to record the demo needed for his band to secure their first record deal.

Later, Tony Griffiths collaborated with Oasis on the backing vocals for "Supersonic," while his brother Chris co-wrote "Rockin' Chair" with Noel Gallagher and, together with Liam Gallagher, the lyrics for "Columbia," for which he also created the melody for the chorus. But that, by now, is another story.