What
are some of your best and worst memories of Skunkworks? Chris Dale - October 29, 2001
What
are some of your best and worst memories of Skunkworks?
It was all a good time, really. We had good fun, made some good music and got to see the World at the same time. We all got on very well together as friends as well as musically. Alex Elena and Alex Dickson are both great players and friends, we share the same musical tastes and we've gone on to do a lot of stuff together since with the Sack Trick albums. And to have Bruce Dickinson singing in the band? That's more than most people could hope for.
What the funniest, weirdest, strangest story during that time frame?
We went through a lot together on tour in Europe, the States, South America and Japan mostly fun but the wierdest and strangest story was the Bosnian tour we did. We were the only western band to play in Sarajevo during the war while it was still under siege. Words can't describe the feelings we experienced, meeting the soldiers in the front line, orphans, refugees and UN workers with the distant sound of distant gunfire. It was awful and inspiring. I've never seen anything like it.
What was the reception like in America when you toured? I think it was only 3 gigs.
We toured the Mid-West supporting Jackyl for the Balls to Picasso tour. That was a great laugh, and really receptive metal audiences. Unfortunately the follow up tour was cancelled. When we went over almost two years later with the Skunkworks record we only played three club gigs which weren't very well advertised. I'm not sure what was going on behind the scenes but the album wasn't being given much promotion in America. At least I got to play the riff from "Detroit Rock City" onstage in Detroit, that meant a lot to me.
When did you know Skunkworks was over?
After we finished touring the Skunkworks record we got together to discuss material for a new record, which Bruce already wanted to call 'Accident of Birth'. He wanted a more traditional Metal album after the dissappionting sales of Skunkworks. Us three, meanwhile wanted to do a more alternative record. There had been some musical differences along these lines before, but this one was final. Bruce said he was going to do an album with Roy Z and advised us to make our own record, which we did with the first Sack Trick album, Mystery Rabbits.
What was the reaction of the rest of the band? Any bitterness or shock?
No, we agreed with him. It was all very friendly over a pint in a pub. It was all quite expected, nobody was very surprised. Bruce went to LA to record, we went for a pizza.
What type of mood was Bruce at the start of the tour and the end of the tour. Was he frustrated?
Yes, that's exactly the word. Frustrated. We had such high hopes for the Skunkworks record, but it just didn't take off.
What did everyone do after Skunkworks that led to Sack Trick?
Alex Dickson and Alex Elena formed a short lived Rock/Pop band called Fling before Alex Dickson joined Robbie Williams band (and more recently Emma Bunton's band). Alex Elena has since moved to New York where he's involved in the session scene. I just got straight down to working on the Sack Trick material.
Favorite & Least favorite Skunkworks song?
Favourite songs would be Solar Confinement, Innerspace and Rescue Day. My least favourite would be Headswitch, we recorded two versions of that song, one fast the other very slow and Heavy. Bruce liked the fast one which is what went on the record, but I always prefered the slower one. Never mind.
What is your favorite non-skunkworks Bruce song?
I used to like Laughing in the Hiding Bush 'cos it's got a big metal riff and I got to shout along to the chorus.
How were you selected to be in Skunkworks?
I read in Kerrang magazine that he wanted a rhythm section. Me and Alex Elena were in another band that we didn't like at the time so we sent a tape and CV to Bruce's management. Then we auditioned. It's that easy.
Was this your first real touring band?
I'd been in a band called Atom Seed before who'd done a couple of records and European tours before, but not quite on the scale of Bruce's tours.
What did you learn from being in Skunkworks?
I certainly learned how to play a couple of Maiden songs!
Do you still keep in touch with Bruce?
Yes we're still friends. He's a nice guy. Sack Trick just played at his kid's birthday party the other week.
What songs did you play? Did Bruce get up and sing a few?
No it was just a Sack Trick set. We played a few tunes off both our records Mystery Rabbits and Penguins on the Moon, and we also played a couple of Kiss tunes of course. It wasn't really the type of Rock'n'Roll, drinkin' and jammin' party. Austin's only eleven, it was more ice-cream and cakes with a bit of Rock'n'Roll about penguins thrown in
Were you surprised that song your wrote, "I'm in a band with an Italian drummer," made to the Best of Bruce?
Very pleasantly surprised. That whole second disc of the Best of, should maybe be called the Strangest of... There's some wierd stuff in there!
What was it like opening for Bruce in 1998?
That was good fun too. Sack Trick is a good fun band, we won the audiences over, but it was hard work. Most of Bruce's audience just wanted to hear Maiden songs all night. And Sack Trick tends to play more Kiss songs than Maiden ones.
What is Sack Trick?
Sack Trick is a band like no other band, before or since. Go to our website at www.sacktrick.fsnet.co.uk check out an MP3 and see where we're going.
What does it mean?
Tricks with your scrotal Sacks. What little boys do in the bath.
Why are there so many musicians?
Why not? We get bored of playing with the same people each day. You get to know what they're going to do. We change our line-up almost every gig to keep things fresh and interesting. You wouldn't wear the same pair of socks all week would you?
How would you describe the sound?
It's metal, we love Kiss, but it's also a bit off the wall. We don't try to limit ourselves to any style, more just playing what's right for the theme. And playing Kiss songs too. Our new album is a Kiss tribute album, but each song played in such a new style...anyone for a Reaggae Love Gun? It sounds great.
How do you decide what guys are playing each show?
Because we've got a changing line-up it means if anyone's not up for doing a full on rock extravaganza they can stay home. We'll get someone else. All bands do gigs where the guitarist wishes he was at home with his girlfriend, or the bass player is feeling tired, or the drummer's in a bad mood, I just tell them to go home, we're here to have fun, rock and make music. Nothing elese matters today. It really keeps people on their toes too, not knowing who the drummer is tommorow. It's a good challenge.
Are you involved with any other projects?
I occasionally do bass playing sessions for other artists, but it's not really a priority for me. I've done records for Balance of Power, AntiProduct and I've just recently been recording Ace from Skunk Annansie's solo record, which is very diverse and rocking. He's got different guest singer's on each track which gives it a nice twist.
When is a new Sack Trick CD going to be released?
The new Sack Trick album "Sheep in Kiss Make-up", a tribute to Kiss is coming out in the New Year. There's different label deals being set up with different countries right now, so I'm not sure who it'll come out through finally but people can always check www.sacktrick.fsnet.co.uk for the latest details on how to get hold of it. We also do mail order for all our albums.