Interview: Mr. Tony Drake, Guitarist of Pilgrym
Greetings Tony, I know you guys are busy with the brand new album, web design and other endeavors to promote Pilgrimage, so a hearty thanks for taking the time to answer this e-mail interview.
No problem Lee, after the wonderful work you have done on the debut album sleeve (see "illustrations" on Lee's site), it's my pleasure.What was the first moment of realization that you wanted to be a serious musician? What bands or performers influenced you in your early youth? Who influences you now?
Probably around 1963 hearing the Shadows and the Pretty Things, although I was only singing at the time, I just loved the sounds and tones I heard from the guitar. The of course Clapton, Hendrix in 1966 changed the course of every wannabe player. Today and for 30 years, Andy Latimer has always been an inspiration to me.What guitars do you play (types, brands)? Do you customize them? What do you look for in a good guitar?
Gibson Flying V, Ibanez 'Prestige' series, Takamine acoustics, Tama drums. I don't do any work on them, Martin Chung and Marcus Johnson at G.T.R. Guitars in Huddersfield, look after and set up my guitars. A good guitar is one you can play on first handling - you'll know!
Are you self-taught on the guitar or did you receive training? Do you play any other instruments?
I'm self-taught and have no `formal' training. I learned through the blues and played along to records and put banjo strings on to lighten the gauge. I also play drums and percussion, which we may use live.It seems, Andy Wells is the catalyst for the album as he penning most of the material on the album- why the group- Pilgrym, and not just an Andy Wells solo project? Would you like to do more composing on the next album?
Why change a winning formula!? I had alot of input in "Pilgrimage". I will save any composing for my solo projects.Is there any reason for naming the band- Pilgrym?
Yes - we are all beginning a great journey, very challenging, with thousands of pitfalls, very relevant we thought to the original Pilgrim exploits.Your playing hand has two functional fingers due to a serious childhood accident at the age of five and at 10 years, when you had two fingers crushed. First of all, if you don't mind recalling these incidents, could you explain what happened? And how did you get through these physical as well as emotional setbacks? After the second accident, how did you re-invent your technique on the guitar?
At 5 I fell onto stone slabs with a glass of pop, and it smashed into my arm, hand and fingers. My bar finger had a 2" piece of plastic inserted and has never grown. At 35, I crushed my second finger flat, had it pinned and cauterized, it now does not bend. The second was more traumatic because I already had my technique sorted, and had to relearn everything, and try and get fluency in soloing. I hope you can't hear the joins or lack of fingers haha!So how did the Pilgrimage sessions turn out? What do you like most about
the album?
Excellent! everybody played with their hearts out. At this moment in time this is our best work. I like the way the album plays through, it's fresh, you can hear feeling in there.Since Pilgrym is a new band, in a paragraph or to, please explain your music to the uninitiated? What do you consider the band's strength?
Pilgrym is middle-ground Progressive Rock. The strength is the 'Family' feel to the band, no stars, just respect for each others talent. You have to have a big heart to play in Pilgrym.Andy seems to have an amazing passion for music. How was it working with him?
Andy is quite simply the best musician I have worked with, it's his feel along with technique which drives the music. Listen to the amazing 'Hammond/Leslie slow downs' in "Black Sun". Sheer goose-Pimple stuff.Can you please tell the Internet community about the other musicians on the album (Emma Louise Pearson, Mike Sizzlo and Kevin Mulvihill? (their background, how did they join the project, etc) Are they guest musicians or part of the group?
Yes, Kevin Mulvihill (Drums), and I have worked in bands together for 30 years in different bands, from his early days in the Drovers with Billy Currie (ULTRAVOX), and John McCoy (Deep Purple, Mammoth), to his current Fusion projects. Kev will amaze live - he's our "secret weapon". Unfortunately Mike had a bad accident at the beginning of recording and Andy and my son Ol played most of the bass parts. Emma has just come on board and is a fine Classical/Rock keyboard player, check out Reborn "Live". Ol will be involved as commitments permit: To augment the band live, our friend Rob Jarvis will come in on guitar/ Keyboards. This is the band, Enjoy!Rumors have it that you are interested in doing a solo album. Any hints about what you'd like to do? Besides prog, are there other musical directions you want to explore? What do you want to accomplish in the near future?
Yes, I have two tracks recorded, the album is titled "Believe in the Dream" I shall be doing all the guitars and vocals, with solos everyone can play along to. I'm quite happy in prog, because like me, it's very emotional - yes, i'm happy. The future - To play in 2004/5 and meet thousands of prog fans worldwide.What does music mean to you? What do you think of today's music in general? Is progressive music an underground movement and can it still survive in the 21st century?
Music can make you laugh and cry. It's a huge family business that crosses all ages and social barriers. Sometimes before you go live you can be sick, excited, shit yourself haha etc etc. But once you hit the stage you can't describe the feeling to anyone who has not experienced it. It's the biggest buzz on earth and it lifts your heart to hear applause. Today's Music gets better, Prog and Rock on the way up - Manufactured Pop stars on the way down - excellent. I don't think Prog is underground with Yes, Dream Theater etc filling gigs. The future is bright.The classic question. What would you listen to if you were stranded on a desert island (With a CD player and batteries), and you could have any ten albums, what would you choose and why?
Camel - Moon Madness
Gentle Giant - Octopus
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Yes - Close to the Edge
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin
Jeff Beck - Truth
Jethro Tull - Stand Up
King Crimson - The Court of the Crimson King
Pilot - Canada
Atomic Rooster - Death Walks Behind You
I could have picked 100, but I play these the most.
When you have time off from your musical endeavors, what do you like to do?
Hobbies? What is your favorite book? Movie?
When time allows, I collect 60s/70s Vinyl, reading consists of Record Collecting books. Film has got to be Ben-Hur, never tire of seeing it. Family is very important, My wife June, Boys Ol and Matt and (Both Metal guitarists) and daughter Charlotte, are my Pride and joy, and one day I hope to give them the life they deserve.Is there any person you'd love to play/jam with?
That's easy - trading solos with Andy Latimer on stage - I'd die a happy man!You have an open forum. Do you have any words to the Prog fans out there? Or to young inspiring musicians?
Keep believing in genuine live music, use the feelings in your head to bring out the best in your heart. You cannot rehearse "feelings". Listen to true musicians - Camel, Greenslade, The Enid, King Crimson, Yes, Pilgrym (had to get that one in! hehe). Come on Prog fans, this is the chance to stamp good music on the world. Hope to see you live in 2004/5.Love Tony - Always Believe.Thank you so much for this interview, Tony, I always appreciate musicians that are true to their craft and are not afraid
to take risks. Best Wishes and thank you for sharing you answers and views.
