Chicken Switch are Paul Gilbert and Mike Took, one guitar, one voice, and some ambiguous references to chicken.
"I don't think we should mention chicken at all" declared Paul recently, "that way we keep the Chicken Switch mystique alive."
He's right of course.
What we have is a couple of guys making music, entertaining people and having fun. What started some years ago as a short-term project to have a crack at some cover versions has blossomed into a musically enriching duo who put a lot of thought into creating acoustic versions of familiar songs, and perform them smoothly and affably through an afternoon or evening of laid-back and great fun musical entertainment
Google "Paul Gilbert guitarist" and you will find a child protege virtuoso guitarist born in 1966 and founder of million selling bands such as Mr Big.
Just delete that.
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Instead Google "paul gilbert chicken switch" and you will find (via Facebook, (please Like us)) also born in 1966, a not-quite-so-virtuoso guitarist of the band Chicken Switch, who haven't yet sold millions but, it has to be said, have a much better band-name than Mr Big. (Eat your heart out Mr G). Cast your mind back to 1979 (the year) and a 12 year old Paul is staring intently at his brother's guitar, thinking " I want one ". By 1982 he not only owns a guitar but has mastered the fine art of tuning it. Fast forward to 1984 (again, the year), and Paul's punk band The Limits are preparing to conquer the world. It didn't happen. Too late for New Wave, too early for Grunge, it was fun while it lasted but the world remained unconquered, at least by the The Limits, which is probably for the best. Because now, 30 years later, we have Chicken Switch, which is kinda like your basic happy ending, right?
Right.
Absolutely.
Mike Took was born in London in 1968, and sang in a large church choir until the age of 11 when he was passed over for a Christmas solo so left in a mood. Round about that time he purchased his first ever 7" single - 'Toast' by the little-known and best-forgotten 'Streetband (featuring Paul Young on vocals)'.
It seemed a dubious entry into the world of popular music, but fortunately his follow-up purchase was a David Bowie classic, soon to be joined on the turntable by Joe Jackson, ELO, Eric Clapton and Supertramp - a rock fan had emerged.
Having dabbled pretty unsuccessfully with various musical instruments over the years it wasn't until later in life that he remembered he could sing. So after seeking some coaching from the eminent vocalist and voice tutor Shirley Kent he went on to sing with a variety of ensembles from heavy rock to party covers bands. In 2013 he found himself at Chicken Switch where, happily, there is virtually no danger of him being passed over for a solo ever again.
