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Alan Davey

Interviewed by Gary Hill

Interview with Alan Davey from 2017

MSJ:

While I know we did an interview for my Poetry of the Air book, I think it's actually been ten years since we interviewed you for Music Street Journal. What's been new in the world of Alan Davey?

I've released more solo albums including Sputnik Stan Vol.1 A Fistful of Junk, a live Psychedelic Warlords album (with which I did several tours including headlining Roadburn Fest in 2013). I've Released Vol.2 of the Al Chemicals collection and released a 4-CD box-set in UK and Europe with 66 demos from 1985-2004 called "Four Track Mind." I'll be releasing this box-set in the US and Canada next year as many fans there haven't or couldn't get it due to import costs. My artist Kevin M Sommers is working on new packaging for the new release as I type.

I'm presently working on three new albums, a new solo one titled "Hawkestrel" which comes from the title of an instrumental on my Captured Rotation album in 1996 with contributions from several ex Hawkwind members. So the title is very apt.

A new Bedouin album called "The Soundtrack"... this is not the usual heavy rock Bedouin fans are used to, but imagine Bedouin had been asked to do the soundtrack for a movie. So it's more dynamic and varied, and I'm using real Arabic instruments including an Oud in rock tracks and moody pieces. So it's quite an unusual mix of songs and instruments. I found a great female singer called "Michelle Jimenez-Alder" who I'd describe as an Arabic Tina Turner to sing on it, which really adds class to the songs.

The third album is a new Gunslinger one mostly from the archives of unheard songs Nigel Potter and I wrote and some new songs I've recently written. This will be recorded in the US in 2018 and released by Cleopatra. The title for that one is Amped Up!.

I also recently signed to Cleopatra Records for ten years who have been using my music in their movies, as they now have my entire back catalogue for re-issue. I'll also be writing music for a ghost town series being produced next year by Peter Sherayko who was one of the main actors in the movie Tombstone with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer.

Which leads to the biggest news of all that is, due to the amount of work and opportunities from the US I've decided to move to California.! So fans in the US and Canada will now see more of me and will be able to get my music much easier than before.

So I've been busy!

MSJ: What's the best thing that's ever been said about your music?
A recent comment from Matt Green at Cleopatra Records after I'd sent him all 18 of my solo albums to review before they signed me. He said after they'd listened to them all they said "We can honestly say there's not one filler track on any of your albums!"  That's one hell of a compliment, cause that's what I strive for, no fillers. It's an insult to the people that buy your CDs I reckon!
MSJ: What was the last CD you bought and/or what have you been listening to lately?
The last CDs I bought were two live Devo CDs. Devo and Motörhead are my two favorite bands! Bought a Stranglers best of CD recently and an Ian Drury best of, too.
MSJ: Have you read any good books lately?
No I haven't as I'm dyslexic.! I watch documentaries to learn stuff instead. Anything to do with Bigfoot. The recent one by Todd Standing is fantastic!
MSJ: What about the last concert you attended for your enjoyment?
The last concert I went to was Motörhead at Wembley Arena in 2014. I don't do concerts so much especially being so busy with the music now. You need an ear break now and then and concerts don't allow an ear break.
MSJ: Do you remember your first concert you attended?
Yeah, it was Hawklords in 1978 when I was 15. Was lucky enough to see Bob Calvert performing at his best!
MSJ: Have you come across any new gear recently that you love?
An Italian short scale custom Telecaster shaped Brandoni bass which sounds and plays great - a real find, it's an excellent instrument. It sounds just like the bass Lemmy used on the Doremi Fasol Latido album.

The next bass I'm after is a vintage Rickenbacker 4001 v63 with the toaster pick ups.
MSJ: If you could sit down to dinner with any three people, living or dead, for food and conversation, with whom would you be dining?
Charlie Parker, Lemmy, Wyatt Earp.
MSJ: What would be on the menu?
Jalapeño Poppers, Chili Verde with Hatch Chilis and chocolate ice cream drowned in Kahlua.
MSJ: Are there any closing thoughts you would like to get out there?
As I'm moving to California, USA in 2018, and I'll still be writing and releasing solo albums. I'm hoping for much needed support of the fantastic Hawkwind fans in the US.

The way the music industry is now things have changed a lot. So basically I'll be a cottage or independent industry, so the more CD sales I get the longer I can continue. Those CD sales will also help toward supporting and financing tours, which I wanna do in the US and I know the fans want me to tour. Fingers crossed they'll be there for me and visa versa.

I'll have a new website soon, too, so watch out for that announcement on my Alan Boomer Davey Facebook page.

Cheers and see ya in the US soon......

MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2018  Volume 1 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.
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