| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
We have just finished the new album with Praying Mantis waiting for
feedback from Japan regarding the next tour. Also before Christmas I
set up a Promotions Company with two other partners named "Superb
Promotions" involved with all kinds of entertainment.
|
| 2. What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoints(s) of your career to
date?
|
Highpoints: Too many to mention like fulfilling most of my
ambitions, doing Top of The Pops live, recording in L.A. with
Lionheart, touring around most of the world, so many.
Lowpoints: Being told by Rod Smallwood I couldn't listen to the
Eagles, while on tour.
|
| 3.
Who have been your main musical influences? And how has your
guitar playing changed over the years?
|
Wishbone Ash "Love Harmony Gtrs" Geoff Whitehorn, Steve Lukerther.
Started learning playing blues & very melodic, playing became
slightly erratic through the N.W.O.B.H.M days then settling down
again with Mantis concentrating on thought rather than speed.
|
| 4.
Praying Mantis have a new album next month via Frontiers, 'The
Journey Goes On'. It features two very talented vocalists - ex-
Rainbow & current Malmsteen Dougie White & former Uriah Heep singer
John Sloman. How did the band hook-up with these two and what did
their vocal styles bring to the band?
|
I tried to get John Slowman to join Lionheart back in the 80's but
he was working with Gary Moore, tried again in the 90's to get John
to join Mantis, finally got hold of him to do the Mantis Album, great
voice.
Doogie toured with Mantis mid 90's also great voice. Mantis had
similar problems to Lionheart regarding singers. You have to make
sure they are dedicated to the band & not just trying to use the band
to further their own careers.
|
| 5.
What are your personal highlights on the new album and why?
|
Again too many to mention when your stuck in a studio week after
week. It's hard to listen to it without looking for improvement.
Always love the harmony gtrs with Tino & myself.
|
| 6. Why do you think Praying Mantis never made the next step-up in
the early 80's like say Saxon or Maiden? Any good rock'n'roll tales from those days?
|
|
When Praying Mantis toured with Maiden I used to watch their show.
I found them slightly tame, the material was not heavy metal but
wasn't light either. I think the heavier bands made it for their
sheer power & energy. Yes lots of tales but I don't tell tales.
|
| 7. Iron Maiden - you played on the debut album and the 'Women In
Uniform' EP. Did the band have any idea how well recieved the album would be? How did you come to leave the band?
|
I played on the Album, Single Running Free which we did on Top
of The Pops "LIVE" Women In Uniform and all recordings up to the 2nd
Album Killers I think. The record company knew the Album was gonna do
well because of advanced orders, but it was nice to get great support
everywhere we went. I never really got on with Rod Smallwood but we
made it up when we met in L.A while I was doing the Lionheart Album
in 1984.
|
| 8. Anything else you would still like to achieve musically? What
other artists would you like to work with?
|
There is always more you would like to achieve but sometimes your
fate is not always in your own hands, there are too many musicians
around that I would love to work with, and like anybody I have my
favourite musicians.
|
| 9. What was the best career move you ever made?
|
The best career move I ever made was leaving school at 15.
|
| 10. Message for your
fans... |
The Fans or Friends as I like to call them, are the most important
people in the world. Without them you are nothing, I would just like
to say "Thank You" for giving me the chance to tour and record and
play live. God Bless You.
|
