Fred Parsons on his time in 22 Beaches, and releasing their content 40 years on and his work as a solo artist since.
22 Beaches was a band created as an evolution of “Alone at Last” in 1978/79, based in Stirling, Scotland, UK. The band included vocalist Hugh McGregor, synthesizer and vocalist Jackie Sharkey, guitarist Stephen Hunter, bassist Simon Fildes, drummer Fred Parsons and percussionist Billy McChord.
"This indie-funky-punky band was full of fun and enthusiasm," Fred Parsons said.
The band played spotlight gigs and opened for Orange Juice just as “Rip it Up” was their current hit.
"It was just another gig at The Mayfield Center in Stirling" Parsons said, drawing similarities to their live performance with Orange Juice. "Live, Orange Juice were as scratchy and raw, like us."
Opening for a budding band with a record deal raised the possibility of being spotted or recognised.
Back in 2017, the track “Dust” was uploaded to YouTube as part of the “Another Spark” cassette compilation, gaining the attention of indie podcasts in Glasgow. This sparked the idea to the potential release of the record "Breathing" so many years later.
Parsons then told me "Party Tricks Records of Berlin are repressing and re-issuing a 12" EP, Originally released via Triumph Records." with another 12" vinyl scheduled for late summer of 2024.
Parsons' relationship with music has been very strong from a young age. Due to his dad’s and sisters' love for vinyl, Parsons would play with a dance record as a kid, listening late at night to Pirate Radio, Caroline and Luxembourg. He recalled turning the dial for best reception and then eventually making cassettes of the top-40 charts.
"By 11 years old I was making cassette-to-cassette recordings [and] incorporating flexi-disks samples, which were adverts that would come free with magazines," Parsons said.
His very own compilation radio DJ homemade cassette for personal pleasure.
He learned the guitar and then progressed to drums, which he played for 22 Beaches for over six years. He went on to work as an audio engineer doing remixing and music production, eventually teaching music in art centres, schools, prisons and finally universities. Throughout that time he has been composing music.
Photo by: Peter Ross
Since then Parsons has become a solo artist under the name “Phunky Torso” creating and publishing his own works on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.
"It's very different being a solo artist, working with a computer or a set of devices,” Parsons said. “There are no creative arguments."
Growing up with the sounds of electro, house, acid and techno, Parsons has allowed these genres to filter through to his compositions, but has a strong connection with funk specifically.
"I'm a sucker for funk music so there will always be that love of the groove," Parsons said while comparing his current music and his time in 22 Beaches.
He mentioned how stylistically they're very different.
Currently, Parsons has set up a Bandcamp profile to sell his music using his “Phunky Torso” moniker, and in late March, he released his album “Remixes,” a collection for the dancefloor with "a feel-good factor." he created the past year. He also has things lined up around the corner for a retro 22 Beaches project with Seated Records and a potential release with Supercluster Records keeping him active for the next while.
Have a listen to "The Remixes: Album" by Phunky Torso here:
And Explore his Bandcamp here:
Listen to 22 Beaches - Dust:
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