Every year for at least the past 7 years, I have gone to see the English Beat whenever they play Toronto. It’s a spring ritual and the band, especially Dave Wakeling are always warm and welcoming to me and my friends. Over the years we have gotten to know (and love) Candy Kelii the lone woman on tour. Since, I have already interviewed Dave in the past, I thought it would be fun to interview Candy. Let me introduce her.
Briefly describe your job with the Beat?
Merch queen/keeper of the shirts.
How did you get into this situation?
I was touring with a couple of other bands before The Beat. During time off from tour I’d try to make it to as many shows of theirs that I could. Went to a show at Angel stadium in ’07. Told Dave I was a merch girl who was heading to Europe the next day. 6 months later I was hired and the rest is history.
What is it like being the only women on a tour bus with a bunch of guys?
I actually don’t notice. I have a potty mouth and a weird sense of humor so it all works out just fine.
What do your parents think about what you do?
Haha, when I first started touring I didn’t tell my dad until the day before I left. At first he thought it was a joke and I was lying. Then he got really upset. I grew up in a family that when you leave the house you call when you get to your destination. I think they were scared when they realized I’d be out in places in the world they’ve never been to. Now I’m gone so much they’re used to it. Our conversations are, “when are you leaving for tour again? Where are you going this time”. They think of it as just a normal every day job now. My grandparents actually call me more.
Does it get tiring, touring around and packing, unpacking….
I never unpack. I own 4 big suitcases and a handful of smaller ones. At least 3 of them contain clothes at all times. We do shows every weekend in California when we’re not on tour. When a tour comes back around I’m pretty much always packed.
How difficult is it to have a relationship when you are on the road so much?
Relationships are non existant. I’m gone too much. In the past I’ve gotten questions of, so when are you going to quit touring? I’ll choose touring.
What are your favorite places to play?
I like the Belly Up in Solana Beach CA. Nice room and the best staff.
Bimbo’s in San Francisco CA. There are a number of venues I really like. But I also like days off in cities or little towns that I’ve grown to love over the years.
What crazy things/bad things have happened on a tour?
Staff at a venue mistook me for someone else. I was put into a head lock while security attempted to yank me out of the venue. It ended where I had to slam a flat razor on the table to get the guy to go away.
Some random drunk dudes kept banging on the bus door because they wanted a fight for no good reason. Probably angry that they had to go home after the bar closed.
I fell in Spain and got my arm caught on a light fixture. I had to have my elbow stapled back on. There was so much blood. People at the hospital were moving away from me because they thought I had been shot.
A crowd got rowdy once in Whistler and these guys fell on me. My leg got stuck against the stage. I had to go to the hospital and have my knee put back into place.
I’m clumsy.
Future plans?
I own a merch company with my brother Jesse called Screen Dream Productions. So far everything has gone fantastic. We love it. We have great staff and clients. Our clients range from police, schools, bands, birthday parties. We make all the stuff you see at The English Beat shows.
What do you listen to when you are chilling?
My favorite band is The Monkees. I love Herman’s Hermits, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Lou Christie, Dave Clark Five, Chubby Checker. Everything 60s. My favorite while I’m pulling tshirts in the trailer is New Vaudeville Band. Then I like stuff like TSOL, The Damned, Vibrators, Blur, Squeeze. Music of my teen years, Reggie and the Full Effect, Saves The Day, Get Up Kids, Hot Rod Cirucuit, One Man Army, Throw Rag, Death By Stereo that is still a big part of my life. Still love listening to my boys in The Briefs who were the first to take me on tour.
Do you get tired of hearing the band play night after night?
I’m disappointed when a venue puts me in the lobby. I hate being in a different room from the band. Especially when the lobby has the doors closed or they’re playing different music altogether. Then I’m stuck twiddling my thumbs.
How do you all get along?
We get along just fine. We have our moments on the bus where we all laugh about stuff or watch movies. Other then that we’re all doing our own thing to try and get ready for the show. I’m always worried about setting up and finding time to take a shower.
Is it challenging to stay healthy when you are on the road so much?
It’s hard to find time to exercise. If we have a day off in a town I like then I’m able to walk around all afternoon. Other then that I’ll just hope that lifting a ton of boxes in the trailer are keeping my muscles big and strong. Or the amounts of squats I do grabbing shirts all night is keeping my bum firm. Try to stock up on salads, fruits and veggies on the start of the tour.
What are your other interests?
I like watching skateboarding and bmx. Collecting clowns, records and Monkees stuff. I have two favorite artists that make a lot of clown stuff Ron Lee and Jim Koch. My room, the spare room and my vanity are all interesting little museums of my collections. Reading books of my favorite authors Rex Stout and Robert Wilson. Jay Baruchel and Eli Roth films. Trips to Disneyland and Universal Studios with my nephews and fam. My 2 dogs and 2 cats. I’m a simple girl, haha.