MM -
I have to start by asking you where you call home and do you secretly have some Romany blood in you? 2004 definitely seems to have been the year
of the UK, with 2 extensive tours under your belt and another one on the
way for Christmas.
AB - I live in New York City near Times Square
on 44th street & 10th.
MM -
Do you ever get tired of living out of a suitcase for long periods
of time or do you enjoy moving around from town to town, country to country,
meeting your fans and just doing your own thing?
AB -
I play music, lately I've been playing a lot & I guess you could say
that I'm happiest when I wake up & know I've got a gig to play that night.
MM -
You’ve just completed your ‘Get Animal 2004’ tour. How did
it go overall?
AB - It's not over yet, I've got
18 more UK electric shows & 4 shows in Italy, 4 in Spain & off for the Xmas Acoustic tour.
MM -
Do you find you are still winning new fans over with
each tour as more and more people get to see your live performances?
AB -
Of course, anybody in earshot of my guitar gets
infected.
MM - Do you find all this travelling around and meeting
new people inspiring to you as a song writer?
AB - It might when I decide
to record another album, I only write when I
have to make an album.
MM - The band released their latest
album ‘Boneyard’ a few months ago. What made you decide to release a compilation and how has it been received
by the fans and media?
AB -
Most people haven't heard my songs, I though Boneyard might be a chance for people to hear my work, I don't know how it has been received
but I sold all the copies I had on tour so that's a good sign.
MM - The band signed up to Z Records here in England for the release of ‘Boneyard’. How did you come to hook up with this particular label
and was it solely for that one album or for a longer term relationship?
AB - It's a one off deal, The guy Mark contacted about doing a show and suggested we put out a comp album to help promote my tour in the UK &
get to radio.
MM -
September saw you perform at the Z Rocks Festival in Liverpool
alongside such artists as Jeff Pilson and Mitch Malloy. How did you enjoy the festival?
AB -
It was fun, but we've done over 150 shows in the UK in the space of a year, I look at the whole tour or tours , not just one show.
MM -
You’re currently putting together the dates for your Christmas tour. I
believe it’s to be a semi-acoustic tour? What can your fans expect
from the Christmas shows?
AB -
Some really cool rope lights & lot of the songs from Acoustica, NY
Times & Grave New World albums, some cool covers as well.
MM -
You changed drummers between the ‘Get Animal 2004’ tour and the earlier ‘Third World Roar 2004’ tour. What happened there?
AB -
I wanted to shake things up a bit, there was too much Spanish being
spoken in my tour bus & it did my head in, so I sacked the drummer & got an American.
MM -
Two of the big talking points of your shows, other than the music and actual performance, are the fireworks and the ‘flaming guitar’.
They’re always very exciting to watch but have you ever had any accidents and
set anything, or anyone on fire before during your act?
AB -
No, I'm extremely careful & we are very concerned about the safety of everyone. Once I used to use these flame throwing flash guns but I
kept checking them to see if they were loaded & they would go off in my
face. After about the 3rd time I stopped using them, this was years ago.
MM -
Another thing that has always impressed me is that you actually take
the time to ‘dress’ the stage before you go on with rope lights and stuff.
It really does create a bit of excitement and atmosphere at the shows.
It’s a shame more bands don’t make a bit more effort.
This year alone I have seen you perform 2 gigs on each of the tours
you’ve done. I have to say it was great to watch the under 18’s really
digging your music at the recent gig at Bradford Rio’s.
Do you get much chance to listen to other bands and if so are there any you’re really digging at the moment?
AB -
I listen to whatever is on TV or Radio & I like bands with really good guitar players or really cool singers
MM -
Earlier this year you visited the Marshall factory in Milton Keynes and met Mr Marshall himself! What was that like?
AB -
It was an honour to bring my babies back home. There's a little bit on
my web site about it
MM -
You’ve led quite an extreme life with lots of highs and lows. During
this time have you ever felt like giving up on the music and turning your
back on it all, or do you find inner peace through your musical creations?
AB -
I like to listen to my albums when I finish them, that's a good
feeling, another then that I'm just a working guitar player. It's just what I do
& I do it very well. If you're going to do something in your life, you should try to do what you do best.
MM -
A number of years ago you wrote a book called “The Rain In Spain Falls Mainly On My Brain” about the rebirth of your musical career during
your time in Spain. Do you still have the manuscript and do you think
you’ll ever go as far as to publish it?
AB -
Yes I have it & there's a lot dirt in it, some people in Spain could
get arrested or police problems if it wasn't edited. I may publish this book
if a publisher was interested.
MM -
Never one to seemingly rest on your laurels, what do you have planned
for 2005?
AB -
I just might pack it in & rest on my laurels, I'll probably do 200
shows & a new record, I'll figure that one out when I get to Italy & have a few days to think it over.
MM -
Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to all your fans out
there?
AB -
I'd love for you to come to show & say hello.
All content and images
are copyright of
unless otherwise stated.
