A WORD WITH ALAN DAVEY PART 2, FROM HAWKFAN 13
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BT Do you hope to introduce some of your material into the band?
AD Yes. There are two or three of my own tracks which I think Dave likes, one of which he wants to include in the next album. He heard it and it put pictures in his mind and when that happens to him he's away.
BT Do you write many songs? Is it just an occasional thing for you. Are they something that you can churn out anytime or just when the mood takes you?
AD I churn out a lot of songs but most of them arn't any good. I just get one here and there that's good. I haven't written many lately because of the pressures of getting started with the band, wondering if I'm going to fit in.
BT But by and large you keep churning them out?
AD Yes. I still keep trying. Even if nothing comes out I still keep on trying.
BT Do you keep your failures in the hope of improving them in the future or do you fling them away and have done with them?
AD Some of them have good bits in them and I keep those bits written down but most of them get thrown away the next day because I think they're awful.
BT Which comes first, the lyric or the music?
AD I write the lyrics first and then set the music to suit them, thought it's when I have a guitar in my hand (I've actually got a six string guitar) that an idea for a song comes out under it's own steam. I have to be able to get the title. Once I've got a good title the rest will come.
BT So when you're writing lyrics, you've no idea how they will sound when sung?
AD No.
BT Yiou supprise me. I take it from what you said that you can play a six string guitar...a normal guitar if you like.
AD A little bit, yes. I'm not very good with a six string because I haven't always owned one, so I've never regualrly played on one. I just picked one up now and again and played a few chords.
BT You picked up my daughter's guitar yesterday and played "Children of the Sun" in a tasty fashion.
AD Ah - well -
BT Could you stand up on stage and play "Children of the Sun"?
AD Yes, I could do that.
BT I hope you're reading this Mr Brock.
AD Yes, I'll play it and Dave can sing it.
BT I for one would like to hear that. There's a regular cry from Hawkwind fans for the occassional song like that on stage. It would provide a good contrast to the heavy rock on either side.
AD Something like The Demented Man"?
BT Yes.
AD Well, I was at Dave's a couple of weeks ago and we got talking about acoustic numbers and I think that he's actually written one which he's thinking of putting on the next album because he'd like to do another acoustic number.
BT You know he's recently brought a 12 string.
AD Yes.
BT In fact he brought it to use on the spring 84 tour but couldn't for some reason.
Ad I did play it a few times while I was at dave's. It's quite a nice guitar.
BT Oh really...I didn't know that...another string (or 12) to your bow, What else do you do aprt from bass and guitars?
AD A little bit of synthesiser.
BT What do you mean by a little bit? doodling with it or can you make music with it?
AD I can make music with it. In fact I think I can write better when I'm playing with a synth. I had a synth for a little while and I wrote about 12 songs in a week or so. With a new synthesiser you cam get new sounds and new melodies coming out, like the one I played you yesterday.. Dave left me with his keyboards one day and I messed around with them and came up with the piece you've heard.
BT What kin of synth do you have?
AD Just a Korg. It was a polyphonic, but a very cheap one - about a £100 job, though I got it for £40. It wasn't very good but it was good to learn on because I didn't kmow how to play the synth at all, or keyboards, so I learned the basics on that.
BT Would you like to mess around with synths some more? are you, as Harvey says of all bass players "a frustrated keyboard player"?
AD No, not really. I wouldn't like to play keyboards on stage there's not enough agression. I like to thrash my bass and run some energy off, but with keyboards you can't do that, so I don't think I'd like to play much on keyboards. Maybe one number, but no more.
BT Are you a lurch around the stage in all directions player or do you stand still?
AD I jump around a bit and get around - off to see Huw and back and jump up and down.
BT Not muchfear of you being mistaken for bill Wyman then.
AD Not really, no.
BT Is it your goal to be the Hawkwind bass player or would you like to be in a band that is regularly in the charts and popular with a wider audience?
AD No, I just want to play in Hawkwind.
BT Ah, you enjoy poverty then.
AD Oh yes, I love it.
BT Is it the hawkwind sound or the image that attracts you?
AD Everything about the Hawkwind show really. Mostly the sound. I mean, there are some songs where I litterally stand still on stage, shut my eyes and listen, take it all in - the sound is so incredible.
BT Best not to leap about in those songs then - you don't know where you might land.
AD I did at Amsterdam, actually, during "Motorway City". Everyone noticed because I stood really still during the lead break. in Motorway City and I was standing there with my head down, hair in my face and playing while listening to Huw, with my eyes shut, just taking in the sound.
BT Which are your favourite Hawkwind songs?
AD My all time favourite is "Magnu". That's always been my favourite, ever since I first heard it. That one really appeals to me.
BT Any other strong contenders?
AD "Assault and Battery".."Angels of Death".."You'd Better Believe it".."It's so Easy".."Nuclear Drive" (I think that's really dood BT).
BT Yes, it suits Dave Brock's voice too. He needs songs which force him to put all he's got into the vocals.
AD Yes, well there my main favourites.
BT how about your favourite albums. I appreciate that this is a hard one becuase the albums vary in style and your mood changes from day to day, but which ones are regularly the favourites?
AD Hawkwind albums?
BT Your favourite Hawkwind albums.
AD Warrior on the Edge of Time...Levitation. I think the band hit a peak on those 2 albums. I also like In search of space.
BT Is there a Hawkwind album you don't like?
AD It's not that I don't like it, but the one I think I play the least is Hawklords.
BT Why that one?
AD Hawkwind lost all their punch on that one and went very mellow.
BT Yes, Dave calls that one the armchair Hawkwind album because it sounds as though they are all lazing back in armchairs or rocking chairs, relaxing and quietly strumming their instruments - and, of course playing their guitars.
BT Any particular songs you don't like or songs you simply don't think Hawkwind should have bothered to record?
AD The one I don't like at all is "Adjust Me". I don't like that one at all. I don't know why...I just don't like it. It's a very odd number. Another one that I didn't like is "Uncle sam's on Mars".
BT Really!
AD I don't like that one on record at all, but when I'm playing it ('cause I've played it every time I've played with Hawkwind) I've noticed it's quite enjoyable to play. It just sort of steams along. I like it now but I never used to.
BT You didn't like the recorded version, but then that was considerably different to the currant stage version.
AD Yes, the recorded version is a bit "urgh".
BT What would you like to see Hawkwind do in the not to distant future?
AD I think I'd like to see hawkwind do a world tour and take in places they haven't played before, like Japan. Japan has never tasted Hawkwind live.
BT And you of course have never tasted Japan.
AD No.
BT So maybe Hawkwind should go there and take you with them.
AD Definately. Well, I think it's what the band needs now, a world tour to spread the name again. I mean, when they did the Space Ritual they got about a bit and I think it ought to be done again. It woyld be good for the band.
BT Do you think Hawkwind should carry on with independant releases or do you feel that a major record deal is needed?
AD Definately a major record deal. If you've got a major record deal, you get the major tours and the major publicity. It's what Hawkwind needs.
BT Which bands \ performers do you like outside the Hawkwind circle?
AD I like Joni Mitchell, Tangerine Dream and Chuck Berry but the only records I regulary play, apart from Hawkwind are those by ate Bush. I've got every record she's made.
BT Is that because you like looking at her pictures on the sleeve and thinking disgusting thoughts or that you just like her music?
AD I'm not sure why I like her. I think it's because she's a bit weird. I mean, her singles are fairly normal but her album stuff is highly original.
BT So you don't buy that many records at all?
AD No, I don't. In fact I don't like rock music at all...Led zep, Deep purple, etc. I just don't like rock music except for Hawkwind.
BT That seems very strange since Hawkwind play heavy rock music. It just seems to me that the main difference between Hawkwind and the other other heavy rock bands is that hawkwind tend to let solo pieces blend in with the rythm, while other bands play a rythm intended to support solo pieces. Hawkwind present themselves as a unit of equals instead of some of them acting as background for central figures.
AD Yes...and I think that's good because if there's on thing I don't like it's the lead guitar hero image. I mean most of them are just big ego-trippers. they just get up on stage, see how fast they can play, how aggressive they can seem and they think they are wonderful.. Not all lead guitarists are like that. I like Huw lloyd Langton because he's very tasty...if you know what I mean.
BT Yes dear.
AD ...Yes...and his guitar playing. e's very melodic and nice to listen to. I think he's the only lead guitarist I listen to.
BT Do you feel your bass playing is going to fit in with hawkwind and that you'll be able to meet Dave Brocks exacting demands?
AD Well, Dave seems to think so. He says he enjoys playing with me.
BT Oh does he now!?
AD Ho, ho. Yes. He saidhe was happy with the amsterdam gigs and the practice sessions at his house. I put a bass track on "Earthed to the Ground" when he left me in his studio and he was well pleased, I think I can fit in okay.
BT Do you think as a new and very young member of the band you can breathe added life into the band?
AD Yes, I believe so. I've got ideas to offer and perhaps a blend of my enthusiasm and their experience will produce good things.
BT What equipment do you use...on stage?
AD A 100w graphic equaliser bass amp which is a dan Armstrong, an old custom job, about 12 years old. One 4x12 200w cabinet and one 2x12 200w cabinet and that's it.
BT What make are they? someone will want to know.
AD The 4x12 is a Laney cabinet with Celestian speakers in it and the 2x12 is one I made myself with Celestian speakers in it.
(Since then alan has toured with hawkwind and had to change his stage gear in order to bring it up to the standard required for a Hawkwind tour. The revised list follows..)
One 4x12 200w
Laney cabinet
One 4x12 280w Marshall cabinet
One Dan Armstrong 100w, 8 band graphic equaliser amplifier
One H/H 100w slave amplifier
BT And you've got your ickenbacker bass, what sort of plectrum?
AD Jim Dunlop '88 nylon plectrum.
BT What sort of strings?
AD Rotosound heavy gauge. The heaviest gauge you can get.
BT Is that so you can get a deeper tone?
AD No, a louder one. Also they don't break so easily. I used to break 4 strings a week when I used a medium gauge but on the heavy gauge I've only broken one so far, so they save me a lot of money too.
BT Is it harder work playing a heavier gauge?
AD Not really. There's not that much diference in size...only '01mm...so you don't really notice it at all. Maybe they're a little bit tighter, so when you bend a string it's a bit harder.
BT How many pickups on your Rickenbacker?
AD Two.
BT Is that standard?
AD No. It's a 4001 model. The 400 model just has the one pickup.
BT Is there anything about it customised by yourself?
AD No, nothing. I left it just as it was and is. Just a plain Rickenbacker. The other one, my old big one, that one is customised. It's got DiMazario Humbuckers (type of pickup which boosts the sound and distrorts it), actually Rickenbacker shape, though the bass wasn't supposed to be sold with those in it. They weren't on the market, Rickenbacker style, but 2 managed to get on to my old bass.
BT What's a Humbucker?
AD A pickup which boosts the sound and distorts it a lot. That's why I don't think I can use that bass. I dare'nt on my own gear because it's so loud. It's got twice the output of any other bass I've picked up, so I dare'nt use it. I'd like lemmy to have a go on it and see what he thinks of it.
BT I see... so he can mess up his gear instead of yours.
AD Yes, good idea. I think he'd be quite into it since it's rather powerful.
BT Clearly Lemmy is your ideal bass player. Are there any others that you rate highly?
AD Chris Squire, of yes, and I've got a stanley Clarke album - I don't knoe if you've ever heard of him...
BT No. (Ihave since then, but not brought a stanley Clark album).
AD He's the fastest guitarist I've ever heard - even faster than Jimmy Page - yet he's playing bass. Quite incredible. You listen to people like that and learn things.
BT Do you practice very much?
AD Two or three hours per day.
BT Every day, without fail?
AD Yes, more or less. I've got nothing else to do.
BT I didn't hear you practice today.
AD Yes, okay...I reckon I practice every day except when I'm around Brian's.
BT Do you think all this practice is essential or do you just enjoy doing it?
AD Both. You've got to practice. I've only been playing for five and a half years so I've got a lot to learn.
BT What other jobs have you had prior to being a bass player?
AD I'm a qualified carpenter. I've got a City and Guilds for that. That's all I did. I didn't do any other jobs.
BT Did you actually work as a carpenter?
AD Yes. I had two or three years with a building firm. Pretty boring though.
BT Nice to have a day time job to fall back on if you need it though, is'nt it?
AD Yes. Dave used to be a painter so we could start our own firm - Hawkwind Builders Ltd (oh no, I feel another "Exclusive" coming on, Dave)
BT Yes...I can see Dave getting into that in his spare time.
AD Well, a carpenter and a painter is a start.
BT Dave would probably want to put a few scrap cars in the yard too. Were you working as a carpenter when you started to play bass?
AD Yes. I was working during the day and playing in the evening.
BT How did you come to switch to bass full time?
AD I just decided that enough was enough. I wasn't progresing enough. After 9 1/2 hours at work I came home too tired to feel like playing so I decided that the only way to become really good on bass was to play it full time so I gave up my job.
BT But what did your parents think when you gave up what would seem like a good job in order to do what would look like nothing more than amusing yourself?
BT My father was very annoyed but my mother didn't mind because she knew I wanted to do it and she told me to go ahead and do it while I was young. Now I've got it my father keeps asking questions about the band.
BT He's glad you did it now?
AD He's glad I'm there because he thought it's a chance in a million, which it was.
BT It's quite a bold step I suppose, throwing up a steady job in order to learn to play a musical instrument in the hope that you'll be able to earn a living from it. Do you think that taking that step gave you added drive to make sure you made it work out?
AD Well, yes, because I had to make it work out. I knew I wouldnt be able to get another job after giving one up for what would look like a trivial reason. I had to succeed or I'd be stuck on the dole and that would be boring.
BT No it wouldn't, you'd stay at home and play your bass and have a wonderful time.
AD Yes, I suppose I would.
BT How long did it take you to become reasonably proficcient, from when you brought it and didn't know one end from the other to when you were able to make music with it?
AD After about 2 years I started picking it up. I started working on scales and different notes on E, in E minor. It takes about 2 years to pick those sort of things up, to get it right. You can do a bass run but if you don't use the right scale it can sound awful. It took about 2 years to pick up which notes to use in each of the 12 basic scales and to play them smoothly.
BT You are self taught then?
AD Yes, self taught.
BT Have you ever had any kind of lessons at all?
AD No.
BT Can you read music?
AD No.
BT You'll do well in hawkwind then.
AD It can be a bad thing, reading music. I think that when music is written down, the musician feels duty bound to follow those notes instead of improvising and being inventive. It can limit you.
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At that point, I decided enough was enough, as Alan's voice got steadily weaker and he had to keep reaching for the tablets to sooth his sore throat. I had intended a further interview after the November tour, to see how he gad coped with it, but I reckon you know the answer to that if you were at any of the gigs. If you weren't, take it from me that he slotted in very well and there was no denying his enthusiasm.
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