Ian Prowse announces anniversary celebrations for immortal hit

5 min read

Amsterdam frontman marks 20 years since the release of Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?

Marking 20 years since the immortal Amsterdam hit, Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?, Ian Prowse celebrates with a special re-release out now and an anniversary tour around the UK – which includes dates at London’s 100 Club on Sat 3rd May, Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham-By-Sea on Fri 9 May and Portsmouth’s Wedgewood Rooms on Sat 10 May

A song which famously reduced the legendary John Peel to tears live on air, this powerful single that has truly stood the test of time. With Ian Prowse’s heartfelt vocals journeying through the region’s astounding history (including the horrors of the Hillsborough disaster) and a gorgeous sweeping musicality, the track is one of the most noteworthy to originate from the ‘UK Capital of Pop’ this side of the millennium.

Now, the 2005 Amsterdam hit is being celebrated to mark its 20th anniversary, with its re-release out now and an extensive UK tour currently underway.

Prowse’s journey in music began with indie band Pele back in 1991. The band signed to Polydor and promptly had a Number 1 hit in South Africa with ‘Megalomania’. The band’s relentless touring won them a huge cult live following, with multiple successful headline UK tours. They also opened for The Pogues and Del Amitri on their respective 1992 sold out tours. Along with their acclaim won on the road, Pele saw significant radio success, with their first four singles hitting the BBC Radio 1 playlist.

“Writing Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?” saved my life,” says Prowse. “After Pele ended, I couldn't get arrested. Then this song arrived, and all the doors reopened for me, that was important.

“That it was John Peel who first recognised its power is an eternal honour. I'm so glad to put it back out there again for its 20th birthday. It's not mine anymore, it's yours.”

Ian then formed Amsterdam in 1999 - while the millennium was a slow start for the band, everything changed in 2005. Their classic hit ‘Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?’ had John Peel weeping live on air every time he played it, and the track was then covered by legend Christy Moore and taken to Number 1 in the Irish LP charts. Amsterdam signed to London independent label Beat Crazy, their first single cracking the top 40 at no.32.

In the last couple of years, Ian has sold out the 100 Club, and opened for Elvis Costello, The Wonder Stuff, the Blow Monkeys and Damien Dempsey, adding constantly to his ever expanding fan club. Ian counts The Stranglers’ Jean Jacques Burnel, the late Janice Long, presenter Gary Crowley, Mick Jones and comedian Chris Addison as huge admirers of his songwriting.

Often referred to as the 'Scouse Springsteen' Ian's incendiary live show has wowed crowds at Reading, Glastonbury, Beautiful Days and Kendal Calling. And now he’s out on the road once more, celebrating his most famous song with a explosive 6-piece band.

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