Hi Steve, I am really glad to chat with you. It
has been one year since your debut album. Which
are the differences between "One Step
Closer"and your debut?
Has it been a year? seems like a lifetime!!!!! it
takes so long from the conception of an album to
actually releasing it you lose all track of time.
In answer to your question, I think that
"One Step Closer" has taken a slightly
heavier direction than the first album. There is
a lot more emphasis on guitars, giving the whole
album a more roar feel, but still trying to
retain the melody. Could you tell us
something more about your mucsical career. Have
you played in any other bands?
I have played in many bands throughout my career,
some good, some not so good!! It was not having
the flexibility within a band environment that
drove me to form Newman.
I can
hear hint of many classic bands in this new cd
such as Bad english, FM, Giant... Which is your
muscial background? what around your influences
as a musician?
It is really nice to be compared to bands such as
Giant and Bad English. I was brought up listening
mainly to my brothers record collection, bands
such as Led Zeepelin, Free, and later Bad Company
as well as Pink Floyd. I got into metal for a
time, following bands such as Accept, Dokken and
Ratt (those were the days) I'd always sit down
and try to write songs like this, but they just
turned out too wimpy!!!! it wasn't until I heard
Journey's "Raised On Radio" album that
I thought to myself, "Shit, this is what I
wanna do!!!" There are a lot of songwriters
that have influenced me greatly, people such as
Michael Bolton, Stan Bush, and, for me the god of
A.O.R. Jeff Paris. Other influences would
have to be Strangeways, Alias, Nighranger, Ah, I
could go on!!!!!!!
What
about the other guys in the band? could you
please introduce and tell us something more about
them William James
Marshall (billy) Bass player. I first met William
when he was working hard in a duet playing pubs
and clubs on the South coast of England. We got
on really well, he ended up playing on the first
album, but unfortunately, due to other
commitments couldn't play on O.S.C. But he is
very much a part of Newman. As I am writing this,
we are working on Williams' first solo album
entitled "Tales From A Cold World"
which should see the light of day sometime early
next year. Mark Mulholland. What can I say about
Mark, A very talented individual, not only
contributing drums, but also some keyboards on
the first album. This man also plays a wicked
guitar. Mark has had extensive experience touring
in Europe with bands such as Truffle and Ex
Libris supporting such bands as Magnum, Shy,
Pallas and Saxon.
By the way, the
Escape promo sheet says ONE STEP CLOSER
has more band feel? Which is your
opinion?
Yes, an
interesting choice of words!!!!! Both
albums were given very different
treatments, more musicians were used on
the second album such as Mike Jones(Kick)
and Rob Kurzreiter, so there is
definately more outside influence.
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But
still you are the only one songwritting, right?
Why? I still like to keep a good eye on the
direction that things are moving in, but if
you look at the credits to O.S.C. William did
co-write one of the songs with me
"Joanne". We actually wrote about
three songs together, but unfortunately, as with
all albums, some songs have to go!!!!
Could
you tell us your favourites tune in the record?
Do you like your daughter better than your son?
Such a difficult question. I think from a
personal point of view, the title track, because
in my mind it is what A.O.R. should be. From a
musician point of view probably "Desperate
Hours" and "Judgement Day".
You had
your first cd released by Point and now the new
one it's out with ESCAPE. Why you did this label
change? There was a lot
of things that happened with the distribution of
the first album that I was not happy with. I
think that Point music done a great job on it but
due to the lack of support by my Management
company I never recieved any payments or
royalties, and still haven't!!! There are still
people making money out of it, (no names!!!!)
they will be the last on the list for any other
Newman product. Copies of the first album can
actually be obtained directly from myself.
Are you
going to tour to promote the new record?
I would love to, the band would love to, is this
an invitation?!!! Seriously though, I have been
talking to Khalil Turk about this and it really
relys on two things. Whether or not there is
enough interest in the second album and also
whether it would be financially viable to do so.
Don't get me wrong, I would quite happily tour
all around the world for no money, providing I
didn't lose any!!!!!
Ok Steve
this is the end of the interview. Thanks a lot
for answering these questions and best wishes to
you and the rest of the band memebrs Thank
you Roger, On behalf of myself and the rest of
the guys, take care and best wishes.
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