The Stables is a very memorable place to perform, say Blake Mischa en Handsome men in sharp suits singing classical pop music? It's a set formula that will make women sit up and listen, while dragging theirboyfriendsandhusbandsalongtowatch. Famously formed through friends on Facebook, He adds: "It's a very memorable place to perform. I think our shows themselves are more akin to an eclectic taste. I don't want to say there's something for everyone, but there is a lot of banter, as well as being very touching. Blake have got the boy band good looks, and the voices to match. Within their first year they won a Brit award for Best Newcomer, and performed for Shirley Bassey at her 70th birthday bash. To date, they've sold more than a million albums, performed on nearly 1 50 TV shows around the world and they're back in Buckinghamshire from August 28-29 for a show at The Stables. So what is their secret? "We try and make people cry as much as possible, we're just mean like that," says Ollie (in the middle of the Blake line-up), which is completed by Humphrey (left) and Stephen (right). Speaking from a recording studio in the heart of London, the group is creating their next album, with plans to release it in the autumn. "I think we've realised how much there is to do," adds Ollie. "It feels like there is a long way to go. It's good fun being in the studio, but you chat about making an album for ages and then you realise you have to actually make it." With songs including covers of Anne Murray's You Needed Me and even one of Sling's, Ollie says the band want an acoustic sound. "I think more often than not it'swivesdragging along their husbands, but we've had men come up to us afterwards and say I didn't know you before, but it was really good." And performing live is what it's all about for Blake: "Everything else is just a means to an end, to get people to hear us live on stage. Blake is a live act and always has been." They've topped the UK Classical Charts before and won a Brit award ; Blake has a fan base all over the world. Estab shed Ne ortP e r15Years CLINIC & GYMNASIUM Leading the way in Health & Fitness Fast-tan Sunbed - "We are trying to strip it back and make it simpler, so it's more about the vocals than anythingelse.WewantlistenerstohearBlake. We've done big albums and an album of pop stuff, so it's nice to have an album that shows off our voices." Ollie says: 'We're known in the Philippines - theyareareallyfriendlybunch-andwedoa lot in Denmark. We have shows in Germany and South Africa, and we're performing in Korea soon too, as well as Eastern Europe." Blake will be supported by Camilla Kerslake from August 28-29 at The Stables. Tickets: £24 on (01908) 280800. But it will be a variety of sounds that the boys play at their two evenings at The Stables, as Ollie estimates they've been roughly 1 00 times. • BODY• LIMITs 100mins Physiotherapy • Orthotics inOlney ONLY£60 10mins ONLY £8 5 mins ONLY £5 At Olney Health & Fitness 1 O S t i / e b r o o k R o a d, Olne Bucks, MK46S Non-members welcome! • Osteopathy Full Gym Facilities • Chiropody-Homevisits available SportsMassage • Accupuncture • SportsTherapy • Massage • SaturdayAppointments • All private health • Male & Female Therapists insurances accepted • Specialists in Sports Injuries • OFFER • £5 per Week when Paying in Advance 6 Months - £130 1 2 Months - £260 Includes a Personalised Training Plan, Free Health Check and Sports Massage Tobookca uson Ring today r an appointment 01234241383 01908 615045 99 Wolve on Road, Newpo Pagnell, Bucks .body-limits.co.uk Email: bodylimits1 @btconnect.com Phonebox Magazine 39