10.03.15
So
here’s a thing, I get invited along to be the ‘technical support’ by me old
mucker Nick Alexander for his Total Rock Radio interviews of the
three bands on tonight’s bill at Rock City Nottingham. Well I say technical
support; he needed someone to work his video camera for the interviews, an
opportunity not to be missed I’m sure you’ll agree.
First
up is the front man for Black Star Riders, however due to Ricky
Warwick not feeling on top form today we now have BSR lead guitarist
Damon Johnson instead. After settling into a small and compact office in
the bowels of Rock City Nick begins his interview. I have little to do in the
way of duties except to listen and make sure the camera is running and in focus
so I can be privy to some searching questions. I have to confess to knowing
little of Damon Johnson ok so I’ve seen him play with BSR several times but the
minute he opens his mouth to speak it’s obvious which part of the world he
comes from, Birmingham Alabama. He answers all the questions with aplomb it’s
apparent this polite and amusing Southern gentleman is over the moon with the
progress BSR have made over the last few years, they even get air time on BBC
radio 2. I look upon them as a brand new band not just ’the band that used to
be Thin Lizzy’ their second album ‘The Killer Instinct’ went on general release
last month. The tour had a day off yesterday so taking in a little sight seeing
and keeping fit seemed to be top of the agenda for Damon, other things I
learned from his dulcet tones is his favourite cheese cake is red velvet cheese
cake, we don’t have that this side of the Atlantic I’m afraid. It was a
privilege to sit in on this interview with such a cool guy it lasted the best
part of half an hour and was both amusing and informative.
Below GD & Damon Johnson
Next
we are shepherded into The Amorettes dressing room just as Gill
the lead guitarist/lead vocalist is heading the other way, still two out of
three ain’t bad. The Amorettes are a three piece all girl hard rock band from Scotland Nottingham you won’t be surprised to
hear the girls went shopping… for shoes no less, not girly high heels but tough
trainers that can stand the rigors of their first major tour of the UK.
GD With Hannah & Heather McKay
After
a few minutes wait in the black cherry lounge here at rock city we are
introduced to John Leven the bassist of Europe , the veteran Swedish
classic rock band. A quiet unassuming man John seemed a little fazed by the
more eccentric questions in the interview. Also with a brand new album ‘War of
Kings’ just released Europe grow from strength to strength as the years
go by. If he wasn’t playing bass in Europe John Leven apparently has no clue as
to what else he would be doing and his favourite cheese cake (yes that one
again) is strawberry.
I
was also interested to hear of the bands trepidation when they played
Bloodstock a few years back, ‘we could hear all that growling back stage’ John
was referring to the plethora of death metal bands on the bill before they took
to the stage. Most bass players I know tend to be extroverts; John Leven on the
other hand seemed a little more reserved.
GD & John Leven
All
the people we have interviewed today were really cool and talking of cool
people just as our Leven interview comes to a close Black Star Riders come
walking past on their way to a meet n’ greet session, the inimitable Scott
Gorham walks straight up to me and shaking my hand he introduces himself
‘Hi I’m Scott’ (no shit!) after I’ve shook Ricky Warwick’s hand it becomes
apparent they’re in the wrong place, Damon Johnson breezes past with a hail and
hearty ‘We meet again’ nice guys and great musicians to boot.
So
with all the backstage schmoozing in the can as they say it’s time for a few
beverages before the bands hit the stage and the show begins. Stay tuned for
the second part of this blog which will contain my gig review in full… GD Manofmetal
Total Rock Radio's Nick Alexander & GD
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