He is a wild rock star from the 1990s' complete opposite. ".
Tim Brown, the bassist for The Boo Radleys, has been a teacher at St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel for the past 19 years.
Brown's former life and his present one, however, have become increasingly entwined lately.
When Mr. Brown performs on stage this Friday at Belfast's Limelight, his students and coworkers will get a glimpse of him in a different setting.
He is on a UK and Ireland tour in support of the band's latest album with singer Simon "Sice" Rowbottom and drummer Rob Cieka, two other original members.
It's been 28 years since the Merseyside band played Glastonbury and Wake Up Boo! was a staple of every radio station's playlist.
Brown is now witnessing the convergence of his old and new lives.
It's an odd situation for coworkers.
There may be two Mr. Browns: the school Mr. Brown and the rock star Mr. Brown, according to colleague teacher Aisling McGivern, who has seen him on a few work nights out.
And Peter Rafferty concurs.
He stated, "I've only ever seen the formal, strict Mr. Brown at school.
If they knew about his past, I believe some students would be surprised. ".
After six albums, the group disbanded in 1999, and they later relocated to the Mourne Mountains.
We decided to return because my wife is from Northern Ireland and used to be a teacher.
The interview for this school was at seven o'clock in a pub, and I had to fly over to do it. So we were looking for schools.
"It was really just luck that I ended up here; I've had that job for 19 years, and 20 next year. ".
Kayden, a young guitar student, knew what his teacher had accomplished in the past.
"I was aware that they had one really big hit with numerous streams. I've heard a few of his songs, and they're really good," he remarked.
Riley, a student in his eleventh year, feels a sense of school pride in what Mr. Brown has accomplished.
"We know this person," you might think when listening to one of the most well-known songs. '.
And he has achieved great success in his teaching and music careers. ".
Also impressed is Caitlin, a classmate.
"It's great to see that he was once a major pop star, came here to teach, and will now perform once more. ".
Brown has had a long-standing desire to resume performing live and to release new music.
"About four years ago, it all began. Just before Covid struck, I went to Sice's 50th birthday party, where we started talking about doing some things together.
We had more free time because it happened at the same time that both of our sets of children started college. The urge to do so has been there.
It's been great to get together and create our own songs after all those years of writing music but not really doing much with it. ".
The new album and the tour were not played by guitarist Martin Carr.
The school's centennial celebrations, which culminate this weekend, have also been organized by Brown in addition to the tour.
This weekend at our vintage event, I've been putting together live acts and former students for the stage, he said.
On the day of the event, there will be music, bouncy castles, and family entertainment, but the identity of the special musical guest must remain a secret.
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