Interviews

Back with a New Band, John Bush Talks Category 7, Plans for a Rockabilly Album & the Ever-Lingering Busthrax Question.

19/7/2024

With veteran musicians from bands as Anthrax, Armored Saint, Adrenaline Mob, Machine Head, Overkill, Exodus, and Shadows Fall, it’s hard not to think of Category 7 as metal's newest a supergroup. Releasing their self-titled debut album in July 2024, they're ready to unleash a new era of heaviness; "It's really heavy and powerful", says front man John Bush as we sit down for a chat. Talking how the new band came about, the creation of the album, and giving an update on his plans to tour his Anthrax era, as well as an unlikely rockabilly collaboration, we caught up with the nicest man in metal. In a zone; Eamon O'Neill.

"A Blessed Trip": Billy Ocean Talks the Songs that Shaped his Career.

18/7/2024

Billy Ocean is a musical treasure. Decorated for his work with an MBE, a Lifetime Achievement Award from MOBO, an Oscar, and countless other accolades, the Trinidadian-born British singer and songwriter has more than made his mark on music. Scoring his biggest hits in the 1980s, he's preparing to hit the stage at this summer's celebration of that most colourful decade, Rewind Festival. Talking his fascinating career, recording with one of rock's biggest producers, and working with some of the world's biggest movie stars, we sat down with Billy for a chat. On the run; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Press.

Tony Hadley Talks Summer, Swing, Spandau & Supergroups.

8/7/2024

With a voice as towering as the man himself, 6 ft 4 in Tony Hadley made his mark on a string of hits with Spandau Ballet in the 1980s. From 'True' to 'Gold' to 'Only When You Leave', the Londoner gave the new romantic act a classy edge that he's now carried forward into his latest swing and big band projects; "Sometimes I put my swing head on, and other times I put my rock head on", he tells us as we sit down for a chat. Talking this summer's touring plans, his love of hard rock, and a tantalising supergroup featuring members of Toto and Blondie, we caught up with Tony Hadley. Through the barricades; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Press.

Clare Grogan On Reclaiming Altered Images & Playing Father Ted's Most Infamous Feminist.

5/7/2024

Clare Grogan has worn many hats; actor, author, presenter, but music is her first love. "Nothing quite compares to walking on stage in front of those crowds.", she says as we sit down for a chat. Looking forward to her appearance at Rewind Festival this summer, the Altered Images star chats the return of the band, their album first album in four decades 'Mascara Streaks', and playing Craggy Island's Niamh Connolly. In the land of Tír na nÓg; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Ed Fielding.

'80s Sensation Katrina Looks Forward to Rewind 2024 & Discusses the Massive Success of 'Walking on Sunshine'.

7/6/2024

With over 750 million plays on Spotify at the time of writing, Katrina and the Waves' 'Walking on Sunshine' is among the biggest songs of the 1980s. Featuring the vocals and guitar of Katrina Leskanich, it's the perfect distillation of happiness. "It's an occasion song, so when the sun shines, or it's a party, it's a feel-good thing", says the singer as we sit down for a chat. Previewing her appearance at Rewind Festival in August, we caught up with the American-born, UK resident for a chat about the recording of the monster track, her unlikely connection to Ozzy Osbourne, and nostalgia for "ugly dad dancing". Back for the weekend; Eamon O'Neill.

Thin Lizzy Gunslinger Scott Gorham Discusses His Artwork, 21 Guns & Some Lesser Known Lizzy Gems.

22/5/2024

Best known for his incredible work as "the man on the left" with Thin Lizzy, Scott Gorham has put down the Les Paul and picked up the paint brush for the launch of his first ever art collection. Featuring a series of surrealistic images conceived as far back as the 1980s, the guitarist is showcasing a new side to his talent; "I hadn't even shown my wife anything until three and a half years ago", he says, as we sit down for a chat over Zoom. Talking the collection, some lost Lizzy gems, the failure of 21 Guns, and how he's putting pen to paper to tell his life story, we sat down with the one and only Scott Gorham. Waiting for an alibi; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Jimmy Little Jnr.

Billy Idol Guitarist Billy Morrison Steps Out With Star-Studded Solo Set.

10/4/2024

London-born guitarist Billy Morrison has worked with the best. Spending the last 15 years as co-gunslinger to Steve Stevens in Billy Idol's band, he's also worked with The Cult, and was a key player in Camp Freddy; the legendary jam collective that featured some of the biggest names in music. Releasing a new album under his own name, for 'The Morrison Project' - released 19th April 2024 - he's even roped in best mate Ozzy Osbourne, as well as a number of others from his impressive phone book. Chatting the album, as well as his storied career, we caught up with Billy via Zoom.

Photo: Jane Stuart.

From the Vault: Fish Discusses 'A Feast of Consequences', Highlander & Reuniting with Marillion at the Hobble on the Cobbles.

12/3/2024

Continuing our 'From the Vault' series, we're going back to 2014, where we caught up with Fish about his 'A Feast of Consequences' album and plans for his final album. What's more, we learned that the singer had ben offered a part in the 'Highlander' movie, while Marillion were in line to compose the soundtrack, something which subsequently went to Queen. There's also the matter of the single-song Marillion reunion of 2007 in Aylesbury which led to "people slavering and drooling at a possible reunion."

From the Vault: Joe Elliott Discusses his Down 'n' Outz Side Project.

9/3/2024

Back in 2014, we caught up with Joe Elliott to chat about Down 'n' Outz, his rock and roll outfit away from his day job fronting Def Leppard. Speaking on the phone from his Dublin home, Joe was his usual self; a confident, informed encyclopaedia of all things related to his musical career. Delving back into our vault, we're reproducing this chat for the first time. Here Joe talks the band, his love of '70s glam rock, the gaffs in the Def Leppard biopic, and some of the band's deepest cuts.

Photo: Darren McLoughlin.

Foo Fighters' Chris Shiflett Chats Guitars, Going Solo & His Love of Thin Lizzy.

15/2/2024

When he's not busy with his day job in the biggest band in the world the Foo Fighters, Chris Shiflett is a prolific solo artist. Swapping hard rock anthems with Dave Grohl and company for his own rootsy Americana style, the guitarist and singer released his latest album 'Lost at Sea' in 2023. He's also a popular podcaster, with his 'Shred with Shifty' series proving hugely popular on YouTube. Back on tour in the U.K. and Ireland, we sat down with Chris to talk all of the above. Times like these; Eamon O’Neill.

Photo: Press.