The Proclaimers: 500 miles later

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LETTER FROM AMERICA: The Proclaimers aka as Craig and Charlie Reid perform on stage in 2002.

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Craig Reid became a household name with his brother Charlie, with hits like Letter to America and the anthemic I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).

After twenty-two years in the business the pair could be forgiven for getting a bit tired of hearing their hits played constantly at parties and in pubs.

“It gets a bit embarrassing and you go in and people see you and stick it on” Reid tells stuff.co.nz.

But he says that they wouldn’t be where they are today without those hits.

“If you have some songs that are popular and remain hits through the years it helps you to do the stuff you want to do – to keep making new records and new shows.”

The twin brothers have come a long way since they grew up in Fife with dreams of being a part of the music scene.

“We always had the ambition to get off the dole and to have a career where we could make a living playing music,” says Reid.

“It wasn't even to have a hit record, it was to maybe get a record deal and make a few records.”

The band has gone on to record eight studio albums and write the musical Sunshine on Leith.

“It’s not Mamma Mia – there’s actually a plotline to it – it’s about a couple of guys who come out of the army and go back to Edinburgh.”

The brothers didn’t get a chance to see the musical until after it had premiered because they were touring.

Reid says when they did see it, it was a surreal experience.

“It was one of the most bizarre experiences I’ve ever had, seeing actors and actresses saying your words from the stage.”

Reid says plans are in the pipeline to take the musical to the big screen and is not ruling out a cameo in the film.

Right now The Proclaimers are on tour in Australia and New Zealand with American band The B52s.

Reid says he and his brother are happy being the support act.

“Sometimes it’s really good to be the opening act sometimes because the energy level is higher, you do the sound check, with these outdoor gigs you just get a line check and you get there early and you leave early.”

Reid says the plan is to mix some of the band’s newer material with the more popular sing-a-long hits.

“I guarantee there’ll be some good vibes.”

The Proclaimers play Mudhouse Winery, Christchurch on December 11, Alana Estate Winery, Wellington on December 12 and the Villa Maria Winery in Auckland on December 13.

- © Fairfax NZ News