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MM - Introduce the
band members to us.
Tikaboo Peak are:
Dale (Vocals)
Jerome (Guitars & Backing Vocals
Pat (Guitars & Backing Vocals (eventually)
Rich (Bass & Backing Vocals)
Lee (Percussion & Backing Vocals)
MM - When was the band formed and how did you all meet?
Genesis of the band was in 1997, when Jerome & Pete (original
guitarist) got together to write some material. Jerome, who knew them
both, asked Rich & Dale to join just over a year later.
Lee was recruited from an ad when original drummer Mark developed wrist
problems. But as it turned out, Lee & Jerome actually knew of each
other.
When our last second guitarist left due to domestic trouble, Lee
suggested Pat to join as they had both played together in a band before.
And there you have it…
MM - Where in the world do you call home?
We are a Sheffield based band, although Pat's a cockney geeza..
MM - How would you best describe your music and who do you think it
would most appeal to?
We play melodic rock & we would appeal most to all those who enjoy
good, solid rock with catchy melodies & hooks.
MM - Is the band signed or unsigned at present?
We are unsigned at the moment (thank you for reminding us), but you
never know.
MM - Where did the name Tikaboo Peak come from?
Originally, when the band was just three members, we were going to be
called Ghostdance.
Then when Dale joined, he didn't like this & wanted to call the band
AREA51. But there were (& probably still are) a couple of
bands going by that name.
It was Jerome who came up with the name Tikaboo Peak. It is the name of
the mountain which is the last remaining place on public land in the
Nevada desert where you can look in to AREA51. You know, the place where
all the aliens & UFOs are kept.
MM - The band appears to have quite a X-files/UFO liking to them. Who's
to blame for all this and to the best of your knowledge, have any of the
band members ever been abducted by aliens?
Well, Dale stared it all off by wanting to call the band AREA51 &
Jerome perpetuated it by suggesting the Tikaboo Peak name. The three
remaining original members have an interest in the subject, and since
Lee & Pat joined later, they cannot be blamed.
As for the abductions, Dale is still waiting for pieces to be returned,
Jerome experiences missing time (although, this could be alcohol
induced), Rich has a four inch scar on his leg that he has no
explanation for & Lee would like to know how he would know that he'd
been abducted…..
MM - Do you have any plans to do a full UK tour in the not so distant
future?
Yeah, we'd love to.
If any venues are reading this, then please get in touch.
MM - What bands/artists have influenced you the most over the years?
Dale: Past - Journey, Magnum & Queen, Present - Nu Metal.
Jerome: My biggest influence has probably been Dokken. I was always a
big Lynch fan. I was also a huge Michael Schenker fan and the first
complete song I learnt to play was (ironically) UFO's "Doctor,
Doctor".
Pat: Rush, Nirvana, Dokken, Ratt, Stone Temple Pilots, that kind of
thing.
Rich: Kiss, Danger Danger (there can never be enough songs about shaggin'!),
Billy Sheehan (if only I had a third of his talent… & half his
money), Marcel Jacob (Talisman, Human Clay) & every single glam band
from the '80s ('cause I wouldn't be the rubber t-shirt, stripy trouser
wearin' "bimbo" blonde I am today, otherwise).
Lee: Stuart Copeland (Police), Dave Grohl (Nirvana) & Eric Kretz
(Stone Temple Pilots)
MM - Which Tikaboo Peak song is your personal favourite and why?
Dale: "Restless" coz it's new & I'm not fed up of it yet!
Jerome: "Dreamland" is my favourite. I'd had the riff for
about ten years, but no lyrics for it. I also think it's a good all
round representation of what the band is about.
Pat: "Restless". It's classy, simple, consistent and I like
the way it flows.
Rich: "Survival", but Dale & Jerome don't like it so it
never made it on to the demo.
They say it's cheesy, but I think it ROCKS! It's a top down on the car,
drivin' at 90 mph & playin' it at full blast, sort of song.
Lee: "Safe And Sound". It's the closest thing to a Punk/Rock
track!
MM - What goes through your mind when you are playing live onstage? Are
you aware of the fans or are you in a little bubble oblivious to what's
going on around you?
Dale: I like to mess about & have a laugh, try to make the audience
relaxed with us.
Jerome: Oh shit! How does the bridge go? I love playing live, especially
if you can connect with someone in the audience & mess about &
have a laugh.
Pat: I like to see a band that loves its music, plays with passion &
gives it some boot & sweat. The audience usually responds to that. I
don't like watching bands that just stand there playing note perfect and
looking too cool. So when I'm playing I like to get into it.
There are places in songs where you can really let go. I'm aware of what
the audience thinks 'cause they come & tell you. And don't worry - I
know some straight talking northerners that've had some very candid
opinions in the past.
I'll take it on the chin if they can!
Rich: It goes something like this: " Christ! I need the toilet
(again!)", "How the hell does the next song start?",
"What's my next vocal line?", "What!? We've
finished!".
The bubble is only as big as the stage. I'm aware of the rest of the
guys & every single bloody mistake I make!
Lee: I feel energy between the band & audience. It's the closest
thing to heaven.
MM - The band have played a number of monumental gigs in the past, which
have included performing with Bob Catley, Kip Winger, The Bailey
Brothers, to name but a few. Is there any one gig that stands out
in your mind from the rest and why?
Dale: My favourite Tikaboo gig was, Bob Catley & Kip Winger, coz I
was a big Magnum fan.
Jerome: The first Phoenix, when we opened up for Mitch Malloy was good,
and the Gods (obviously) was great. But my favourite has to be the First
Contact gig we did at the Corporation nightclub in Sheffield, because we
ROCKED!
Pat: I'm the newest member so I've only done a brief appearance at a
benefit gig with TP. I loved it & wanted to do more!
Rich: Bailey Brothers? I think I was abducted when that gig took place!
For me there are 2.
The first ever Phoenix Rising we ever played, 'cause we surprised quite
a few people & actually getting to play the Gods '99 festival. That
was a jaw dropper for me when heard we were playin'.
Oh, & supportin' Kip Winger (another hero of mine) was a bonus.
Lee: First Contact! Played at the Corporation, there were some top class
new bands on, but we just blew them away!
MM - Who writes the songs that you perform, is it a joint effort or more
of a solo thing?
At the moment, it's Dale & Jerome who do the writing, but everyone
has input.
Rich has only been playing bass for six months longer than he's been in
the band, so is still learning stuff.
Lee & Pat are coming to terms with playing in a melodic rock band as
opposed to punk bands where playing louder & harder were all that
mattered.
MM - Have any of the band members appeared in any other bands prior to
Tikaboo Peak?
Dale: My bands were, T.T.T. - school mates, Ez Ez - briefly, Diva -
supported Fish & Saxon & Tigerzye - club band (covers).
Jerome: None that have ever really done anything. I played in a
band called Little Rascals, with John Hardman who plays on the Baileys
Comet CD.
Pat: I played bass with Mote, Blew (with our Lee), Kill Minus Nine, The
Shock Tulips (I kid you not!) & guitar with Levinson & Dove.
Most of those bands did some recording & a few gigs.
Rich: As stated earlier, I've only been playin' bass for six months
longer than I've been in Tikaboo Peak, so the answer is, er … no.
Lee: Pat & myself have played together in Blew, Off Kilter, Alphabet
Grass.
MM - What was the first rock concert you ever attended?
Dale: Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time tour.
Jerome: Gary Moore, Sheffield City Hall, 24th September 1985, with FM
supporting. I was about 12, my sister took me.
Pat: I first saw a band called 100% Proof at school. I stood next to the
speakers & my left ear rang for three days. Great gig - I was
hooked! My first "big" one was Iron Maiden at the Hammersmith
Odeon.
Rich: I saw Thunder play the Octagon Centre in Sheffield, but bein' an
all out glammie at the time, I only really went to see the Electric
Boys, who were the support.
Lee: I never got interested in rock concerts until I was about 18-19
& I saw Babes In Toyland at the Leadmill (Sheffield). They
scared the shit out of me!
MM - What instruments/equipment do you use?
Dale: Scalpels, files, screwdrivers, sockets, etc…. Oh! Cornet &
guitar in the past, but very badly!
Jerome: Hamer & Fender guitars, Marshall amps & Zoom FXs.
Pat: I use an Aria guitar, Korg effects and a Marshall amp.
Rich: I have a Yamaha BBG5S 5-string electric bass, a Washburn AB25
5-string electro-acoustic bass. I have an SWR rig comprising of BASS 350
head & a Triad cab. I also use an Alesis 3630 compressor.
Lee: Premier XPK drums, Sabian Pro, Ufip, Zilidjian cymbals (I've got a
35 year old 'K' ride).
MM - If you could take any 5 musicians, alive or dead, and create a rock
super group, who would you choose and why?
Dale: Vocals- Freddie Mercury. He's the greatest (was). Music - Any
muso's would do, as long Freddie was the frontman.
Jerome: Hmmm, tough! Steve Perry (Vocals), Randy Rhodes/Steve Vai
(Guitars), Billy Sheehan (Bass) & Cozy Powel (Drums).
Pat: Geddy Lee (no one plays bass like him), Neil Peart (best drummer
that's ever lived), Alex Lifeson (arpeggios to die for), Jeff Buckley
(the voice of an angel) & Neil Schon (truly great, soaring, simple,
emotional guitar solos). No, wait. Thinking about it, they'd probably
sound terrible!
Rich: I haven't a bleedin' clue! This is more Jerome's arena. I couldn't
tell you who was in which band or when.
I've always concentrated more on the music, but I think Billy Sheehan or
Marcel Jacob would be in there somewhere.
Lee: Stuart Copeland (Drums) - Oh come on! Mark King (Bass) - Jesus,
he's awesome! Dave Navaro (Guitar) - Great feel for dynamics. Shannon
Hoon (Vocals) - This boy could belt 'em out ala Led Zep!
MM - Are the band optimists or pessimists? Is your glass half full or
half empty?
Dale: On the basis that I have already drunk half, then I will gladly
accept that my glass is half full.
Jerome: I'm definitely an optimist, and believe me, I ALWAYS make sure
my glass is full never mind half full.
Pat: I have a glass? Coooool…….
Rich: I think, from my point of view, we're optimists. Even though we
don't seem to get the breaks others think we deserve & through all
the shit we've been through, we're still doin' it.
I think if we were pessimists, we'd've jacked it in by now. 'Ome's glass
is always half full, that's why he's always at the bar…… t-hee!
Lee: Optimists. My glass is always half full. Well…. Nearly always,
only when it's not half empty.
MM - How would you describe the bands mood right now?
The band has had a few line-up changes, which caused a loss of momentum.
Now Pat has joined there is a steady line-up once again & we are
eager to get out there & strut our stuff. You have been warned!
MM - Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to all your fans
out there?
Yeah. Dave, cheers mate!
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