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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
ARTICLES
POL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW ROACHFORD
 When
you think of Andrew Roachford, groundbreaking is perhaps a word that does not
immediately spring to mind. However the driving force behind Roachford -
arguably one of the UK’s most consistent bands of the last 25 years - became
exactly that when he became the first artist to sign an astounding seven album
deal with Columbia Records in the mid 1980s. With the honour of being Columbia’s
biggest selling artist in ten years safely tucked under his arm along with
approaches from legends such as Joe Cocker and none other than the late Michael
Jackson to write songs, Andrew continues to make timeless, soulful music and is
clearly held in very high esteem by his luminaries.
Andrew Roachford was born into a musical dynasty. “My family was made up of
musicians,” he states. Indeed Andrew’s uncle Bill Roachford was a virtuoso
saxophonist who includes Ronnie Scott and Femi Kuti amongst his students. “I
started to play the piano at the age of four and by the time I was 14, I had
written my first song.” Andrew sights the Stax and Jimi Hendrix amongst his
early influences. “I got into records like Stax, Hendrix and the pop stuff that
was being played on Radio One at the time.”
At the age of 16, Andrew was playing regular gigs with his uncle. Playing mainly
jazz cover versions, Andrew, whilst appreciating that this was an important time
in his development as a musician, does not look back on all of this period
fondly. “I hated playing covers!” he laughs. “I wanted to play my own songs and
sing about how I was feeling.”
Andrew got his wish when he formed Roachford with Chris Taylor on the drums,
guitarist Hawi Gondwe and Derrick Taylor on the bass. “’Kathleen’ was the first
song to get noticed,” Andrew remembers. “That was around 1986, when Columbia sat
up and took notice. That song really was what led to signing a deal with them.”
In 1988, Roachford exploded onto the scene and into the nation’s conscience when
their second single “Cuddly Toy” became a huge Top 10 hit, reaching number four.
“I did not think about what would happen if you had a big hit. I just wanted to
play songs.” This sudden success led to the band going on UK tours with the
likes of Terence Trent D’Arby and….Bros!! “I hated all the screaming girls! It
really was like my worst nightmare!” reflects Andrew. “Having all these teenage
girls going crazy and fainting at the gigs was a really weird experience. I
guess it helped sell some records though!”
Roachford’s self titled debut album sold consistently well upon its release in
1988 and the band followed that up with “Get Ready”, “Permanent Shade Of Blue”
and “Feel”. Despite a steady success throughout the early to mid part of the
1990s with singles like “Only To Be With You” and “This Generation”, the band
decided to call it a day after 8 years together. “It was time for us all to move
on. It was all perfectly amicable,” acknowledges Andrew.
In 2007, Andrew found himself on top of the dance charts when album track “Ride
The Storm” was remixed by DJs Carl Kenny and CR2. The track became a dance floor
smash in Miami and Ibiza introducing Andrew to a whole new generation of fans.
“That was a weird time. I was singing in clubs in Ibiza to a backing tape being
played over the PA and the clubs were full of 17 year old girls.”
So how does Andrew feel about singing the old songs that his fiercely loyal
fanbase want to hear? “When I sing some of the old stuff, it really makes me
realise and appreciate how I’ve grown and evolved over time. I try and remember
how I felt when I wrote those songs. I certainly think I would express some
things differently now!” he laughs.
The future looks increasingly bright for Andrew Roachford. He is being
recognised more and more by his peers, for his talent as a songwriter and is
currently writing new material for Joe Cocker’s new album, due for release next
year. Of course, Andrew will always be remembered for and associated with
“Cuddly Toy” and rightly so. However with a back catalogue full of undoubted and
timeless quality, along with his determination and love for what he does, Andrew
Roachford must be acknowledged and applauded as here is a talented soul man with
so much more to offer.
Interview by Paul Lane.
INTERVIEW WITH NICK TANN
 Eastleigh
based independent composer – “I hate the phrase ‘singer/songwriter’!” - Nick
Tann has a musical biography that would take up the whole of this month’s
edition of Playing Out Loud and probably most of next month’s. It is fair to say
that this hugely likeable gent has enjoyed an up and down relationship with the
wonderful world of music. However he is hopeful that his current project will
finally propel him into the consciousness of the music loving public. “I am
recording a live album, just me, my guitar and my songs and will be releasing it
solely on vinyl,” Nick enthuses. “I want to do something that will encourage
interaction and will turn on real music fans.”
“I got into playing music to get girls. Anyone who says they got into it for any
other reason is lying!” states the larger than life character. Nick Tann grew up
in Shepperton which was the scene of his musical grounding. His first band was
formed at school. “We were called Extra and played mainly Beatles covers. We did
it mainly to get the girls! Plus it was something to do with my mates.” And
therein began Nick’s life in music.
Initially a bass player, Nick played in a variety of bands on the North London
pub and club circuit. He then lived in Australia for a number of years before
coming back to England 13 years ago. Nick takes up the story - “I went back to
Shepperton where I hooked up with an old friend, Dave Miles who had recently
been to India and learnt the tabla. We got friendly with a whole farm community
there and were just jamming and having some fun. I began writing my own songs at
this time and began singing. This led to us forming the band Drunk On Logic,
almost by accident.” Drunk On Logic stayed together for two years, playing live
shows in London before band member Paul Harris left to become a Buddhist Monk.
“Dave went back to India and I was left with these songs we had written,”
continues Nick. “I did a few solo gigs but wanted to get a band together.”
After a fruitless period of attempting to put a band together, Nick decided to
set himself a deadline. “I gave myself a month to get a band together. By the
time I had a week left, I had a 9 piece band!” This new project was to go under
the name of People. “We rehearsed solidly for a year and did not play any gigs
so we could get the band really tight.” For two years, People played the London
live circuit before their swan song gig at Southampton’s very own Soul Cellar.
Having moved down to the South Coast in 2006, Nick went about gigging regularly
as a solo artist. Now he is throwing himself, with typically infectious
enthusiasm, into his latest project, currently under the working title of “The
Vinyl Project”. He explained, “Originally I wanted to consolidate my work. The
idea was to record every song I had ever written. Initially I did not think that
this would be for public consumption. I liked the idea of having something that
was representative of what I do as a solo artist.”
“I thought it’d interesting and fun for me just to play live in front of a whole
host of microphones armed with my songs, my guitar and my voice,” he continues.
“I also liked the idea of putting it out solely on vinyl to really turn on
proper music fans. I am keen to encourage interaction. People can go on the
Watch With Mother website and choose the songs they would like to hear on the
album.”
The artwork for the project will be done by world renowned artist Charles Olsen.
“Exhibitions of the album artwork will be held in Southampton and Madrid. I am
really excited about the whole thing.” And so he should be. With such timeless
gems as “Love Lies” and “How Can It Be Wrong?” on his extensive musical CV, “The
Vinyl Project” promises to result in a special album.
Nick Tann has certainly paid his dues musically. Now it is time for the nice guy
to win and for this hugely likeable, hugely talented entertainer to get the
plaudits he so richly deserves.
- More details on “The Vinyl Project” including how you can get involved can be
found on www.nicktann.co.uk and
http://thevinylproject.blogspot.com . Nick
also hosts a regular “Pure Acoustica” evening at The Dolphin Hotel in
Southampton, more details of which can also be found on
www.nicktann.co.uk .
Interview by Paul Lane.
PAUL CARRERE & FRED TACKETT, CELLARS AT EASTNEY,
SOUTHSEA – FRIDAY DECEMBER 11
 Paul
Barrere plays guitar and slide guitar, and sings lead and background vocals for
Little Feat. Paul Barrere joined Little Feat for the band's third album “Dixie
Chicken,” and has been with the band ever since. During Little Feat's early 80's
hiatus, Paul led the group Chicken Legs. Since Little Feat's return with "Let it
Roll", Paul has stepped more into the spotlight. Paul's guitar, vocals, and
songwriting are now an important part of the Little Feat sound.
In addition to his work with Little Feat, Paul Barrere has also recorded and
performed with many other fine musicians including: Chicken Legs, the Blues
Busters (featuring Catfish Hodge), Valerie Carter, Chico Hamilton, Bonnie Raitt,
Robert Palmer, and Carly Simon.
Paul has a solo album out on Zoo Entertainment called ‘If the Phone Don't Ring’.
This is a compilation of material from Paul's ‘On My Own Two Feat’ and ‘Real
Lies’ albums.
Fred Tackett plays guitar, trumpet, and mandolin for Little Feat. Hailing from
Arkansas, Fred Tackett worked as a side man on many Little Feat albums before
becoming a full member of the band for Let It Roll. Along with his fine guitar
work, Fred's mandolin and trumpet have become a featured part of the Little Feat
sound. Robert Palmer writes about Fred Tackett's early years in Rock and Roll:
An Unruly History.
In addition to his work with the Feat, Fred has a very large discography of work
with other artists.
SCARLET SOHO, THE JOINERS, SOUTHAMPTON – THURSDAY
DECEMBER 17
 Electro-pop
duo Scarlet Soho are a band who have been waiting to happen for the last couple
of years. Hailed as the new millennium’s Depeche Mode, the band have just
released their debut album Divisions Of Decency which looks like accelerating
their career.
Scarlet Soho are Jim Knights on vocals, guitars, synths and programming with
Scarlet on bass, synths and programming. In October 2002 Scarlet Soho released
their low-key debut single “Disconnected” and toured the UK extensively. After
enjoying success playing alongside The Faint, Lolita Storm and The Delays they
built up a devoted fanbase and looked set to go far. But just when they had
begun planning demo sessions for their debut album, they were hit by the loss of
their guitarist Lee Kinrade. Despite this setback, Jim and Scarlet re-grouped to
begin work with Delays producer Justin Callaway in Southampton.
The outcome, “Divisions Of Decency” sways between the upbeat, theatrical,
electro rock of Magazine and the starker pop sensibilities of their
contemporaries Interpol and The Sneaker Pimps. It’s a heady mix of clinical
synth lines and sprawling guitars. Lyrically, the band have maintained a cryptic
edge, allowing the listener to interpret individual meanings and definitions for
each track. Unlike their peers, Scarlet Soho are successfully combining lyrical
originality, a sleek style and a futuristic take on electronic music. Here’s
what the music press are saying about Scarlet Soho:
"Exceedingly danceable electro-pop. There’s a one-listen-and-you’re-hooked
immediacy to it" - Drowned in Sound
"The Killers are the new Duran Duran and Scarlet Soho are the new Depeche Mode!"
- Vive Le Rock
"Scarlet Soho could soon be sparking off a whole horde of copy cats, so remember
who was doing this first!" - The Mag
THE MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG, TOWER ARTS CENTRE,
WINCHESTER – SATURDAY DECEMBER 19
 The
Men They Couldn't Hang came together, as Paul Simmonds, Philip 'Swill' Odgers
and his brother Jon, who played in the pop-punk band 'Catch 22', met Stefan Cush
in London. Their early line up was Stefan Cush (Vocals, Guitar), Paul Simmonds
(Guitar, Bouzouki, Keyboards), Philip Odgers (Vocals, Guitar, Tin Whistle,
Melodica), Jon Odgers (Drums, Percussion) and Shanne Bradley (Bass, Flute).
In the early eighties, TMTCH appeared at a number of alternative country music
festivals and released a fantastic cover version of Eric Bogle's 'Green Fields
Of France' (1984), which soon became a big hit on the UK Indie charts.
Their first album, "Night Of A Thousand Candles", was released in 1985. It
includes the singles 'Ironmasters' and 'Greenback Dollar'. The following year,
they recorded their second album, "How Green Is The Valley". Included on this
album are the singles 'Gold Rush', 'Shirt Of Blue' and 'Ghosts Of Cable Street'.
In 1987 Shanne Bradley left the band and was replaced by Ricky McGuire. With
their third release in 1988, "Waiting For Bonaparte", The Men They Couldn't Hang
were propelled to stardom in Europe. The album includes 'Island In The Rain',
'The Crest' and 'The Colours'. One year later, they followed up the success of
"Waiting For Bonaparte" with their fourth album, "Silvertown". Singles from this
album include 'Rain, Steam & Speed', 'A Place In The Sun' and 'A Map Of
Morocco'.
At the height of their career, TMTCH recorded the brilliant "Domino Club" (1990)
with 'Great Expectations', 'Kingdom Of The Blind' and 'The Lion & The Unicorn'.
Unfortunately, this appeared to be their last studio album - shortly after the
following tour, TMTCH disbanded.
In 1991, TMTCH came together for one live performance at London's Town and
Country Club. That night, they showed the world what they are - one of the best
live bands ever. This emotional gig is immortalized on the album 'Alive,
Alive-O', released later that same year.
Much to the delight of their fans, TMTCH reunited in 1996. They returned with a
new power and excitement to their music. "Never Born To Follow" is an excellent
work which includes the single, 'The Eye'. Shortly after this, they released the
"Six Pack EP" (1997), followed by their 'Best Of' collections, "Majestic Grill"
and "The Mud, The Blood And The Beer" (both 1998). Their latest release, "The
Cherry Red Jukebox" (2003), which is definately one of their best albums ever,
is the next step forward for the Men in their long and illustrious history...
THE COAL PORTERS, FOREST ARTS CENTRE, NEW MILTON –
FRIDAY DECEMBER 11
 The
Coal Porters are an acoustic act with attitude, the world’s first
“alt-bluegrass” act and the UK’s most entertaining bluegrass ensemble, one
firmly established on the European touring circuits. Their live show is polished
yet passionate and second to none, having earned them the monicker “the
bluegrass Clash.”
Their new album “Durango” is due for release in January 2010 on Prima Records
Ltd., distributed in the UK by Proper and in the USA by Burnside. The Coal
Porters previous CD is entitled “Turn The Water On, Boy!” The album received
rave four star reviews in Mojo, Uncut, The Sunday Times, Maverick and Word
magazines. Bluegrass News and Sing Out! noted its excellence as well. “Turn The
Water On, Boy!” features songs by Coal Porters’ Neil Robert Herd and Sid Griffin
as well as a startling cover of ex-Byrd Gene Clark’s classic “Silver Raven.”
Legendary Byrds’ great Chris Hillman plays mandolin on the second song on this
album, a tune called “Mr. Guthrie” in tribute to Woody.
Formed nineteen years ago in Los Angeles the Coal Porters were originally an
electric rock group centred around native Kentuckian Sid Griffin, the ex-Long
Ryder who wrote the hit single “Looking For Lewis And Clark”. Exchanging a home
in Los Angeles for one in London in February 1992 Griffin’s original Coal
Porters enjoyed indie chart success in Europe and toured frequently. But when
Griffin produced the comeback album of British folk-rock legends Lindisfarne in
1998 he was greatly inspired by that band’s acoustic instrumentation. Upon
completion of Lindisfarne’s ” Here Comes The Neighborhood” album Griffin found
himself the proud new owner of a mandolin and the acoustic, bluegrass Coal
Porters were born. Soon bluegrass music received a very real shot in the arm as
the Coal Porter’s roots in punk and rockabilly gave their music an edge and the
genre of “alt-bluegrass” was born.
Two previous Coal Porters bluegrass albums were “How Dark This Earth Will Shine”
in 2004, their first studio effort and one featuring both Peter Case and Amy
Rigby, and “The Chris Hillman Tribute Concerts” in 2001, with songs by the Byrds,
Dylan and Gram Parsons.
The Coal Porters were accurately described by one USA bluegrass festival
attendee as “a cross between the Clash and Bill Monroe”. The band loved that
description as it encapsulated how dedicated they were to updating tradition and
how passionate they are about playing from the heart. Currently performing with
noted Jacobite/guitarist Neil Robert Herd, Griffin on mandolin, banjo virtuoso
Dick Smith, Andrew Stafford on doghouse bass and ace fiddler Carly Frey, the
Coal Porters are coming your way and here to stay!
MOSTLY AUTUMN, THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON – MONDAY DECEMBER
14
 Mostly
Autumn was formed in the late 1990s. The line-up that recorded their first album
“For All We Shared in 1998 wasBryan Josh, Heather Findlay, Iain Jennings, Liam
Davison, Bob Faulds, Stuart Carver, Kev Gibbons and Allan Scott. On their second
album “The Spirit of Autumn Past, Allan Scott was replaced by Rob McNeil.
In 2000 (as a three piece - Bryan, Heather and Angela Goldthorpe) they achieved
a support slot for Blackmore’s Night on their Under a Violet Moon tour, bringing
them to a wider audience. On Mostly Autumn's third album “The Last Bright Light”
released in 2001 Rob McNeil in turn was replaced by Jonathan Blackmore (not
related to Ritchie). Andy Smith replaced Stuart Carver on bass guitar.
In 2004, shortly before the band's 'V Shows' tour, Iain's brother, Andrew
Jennings, took over on drums and percussion. Olivia Sparnenn joined the band in
2005 to provide additional backing vocals. Ben Matthews of Thunder stood in on
keyboards for Mostly Autumn's headline gig at the Baja Prog Festival in Mexico
in March 2006. ] Chris Johnson was then recruited as a permanent replacement,
with Angela Gordon (formerly Goldthorpe) also taking a more prominent role on
keyboards.
At the beginning of 2007 both guitarist Liam Davison and drummer Andrew Jennings
left the band, Liam to concentrate on his solo album and Andrew to devote his
time to his other projects. The guitar parts were shared out amongst the rest of
the group. ExKarnataka drummer Gavin Griffiths stood in on drums for most of the
2007 live shows, Andrew Jennings temporarily rejoined the group at the end of
2007, until Henry Bourne took over in 2008. Gavin Griffiths returned for the
first shows of 2009 in Manchester and London.
When Chris Johnson and Angela Gordon left in 2008, Iain Jennings and Liam
Davison returned to the group on keyboards and guitar respectively. Anne-Marie
Helder who had played support slots in the past and stood in for Angela during
her pregnancy, took over the role of flute, keyboards and backing vocals.
A new studio album, entitled “Glass Shadows” was released in 2008 and an
accompanying tour took place in spring and early of that year. A 100-minute DVD,
'The Making Of Glass Shadows', accompanied the special pre-order version of the
album.
During October 2008 Mostly Autumn performed two gigs with an alternative,
semi-acoustic line-up in support of the Bad Shepherds. The line-up consisted of
Bryan Josh, (guitar and vocals), Olivia Sparnenn (lead vocals), Andy Smith
(bass), Anne-Marie Helder (keyboards and flute) and Robbie Baxter (drums). This
tour was truncated after the Bad Shepherds cancelled many dates.
NEW YORK DOLLS, TALKING HEADS,
SOUTHAMPTON – SUNDAY DECEMBER 6
 They
may not have had hit singles or be a household name but the band once described
as ‘the Missing Link between the Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols’ have quite
a legacy. The New York Dolls have been blamed for inadvertently inventing Punk
Rock and inspiring the whole look and lifestyle of Glam Rock bands like Kiss,
Aerosmith , Motley Crue, and Guns n’ Roses. The self-appointed head of their UK
fan club in the 1970’s was one (Stephen) Morrissey. Bands like REM, The
Pretenders and The Clash all have members who are devoted Dolls fans.
Despite only releasing two studio albums in 1973 and ‘74 they have had a huge
influence rock ever since, right down to the way Pete Docherty wears his trilby
hat ; the now deceased Dolls guitarist and drug fiend Johnny Thunders wore one
on the cover of his biography.
They split in 1975 but were invited by Morrissey to play at the Meltdown
Festival in 2004, the three surviving members David Johansen (vocalist) Sylvain
Sylvain (guitarist) and Arthur ‘Killer’ Kane (bass) reformed. Kane taking leave
from his job at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which was
poignantly captured in the documentary movie New York Doll. Just weeks after the
reunion performance Kane sadly died of leukemia.
Johansen, Sylvain and new guitarist Steve Conte decided to continue and
recruited a fresh rhythm section and have since released two albums, “One Day It
Will Please Us To Remember Even This” (2006) and this year, “Cause I Sez So” and
toured the world to the delight of fans and critics.
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POL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW ROACHFORD
POL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH
NICK TANN
PAUL CARRERE & FRED TACKETT CELLARS
AT EASTNEY, SOUTHSEA
FRIDAY DEC 11
SCARLET SOHO
THE JOINERS, SOUTHAMPTON THURSDAY DEC 17
THE MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG TOWER ARTS
CENTRE, WINCHESTER SATURDAY DEC 19
THE COAL PORTERS
FOREST ARTS CENTRE,
NEW MILTON
FRIDAY DEC 11
MOSTLY AUTUMN THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON
MONDAY DEC 14
NEW YORK DOLLS TALKING HEADS,
SOUTHAMPTON SUNDAY DEC 6 |
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