BANGALORE CHOIR
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 30th April 2010.
Bangalore Choir was a well regarded group that released On Target back in 1992, then promptly broke apart. The band is now back together, the debut album is re-released, and they are recording new material and playing live dates.
We caught up with singer David Reece to get the lowdown.
Hi David, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
David: I am Jon, and many thanks for the chance to share my story with you and your readers!!!
Most obvious question first, I suppose... Why is it the time right now to re-issue the debut Bangalore Choir album “On Target”?
David: The time for the re-release, to me at least, has been long overdue. I've always wanted to give it the proper treatment because when we originally finished the tracks, I never liked them! They just sounded weak and weren't given the punch they deserved.
Also, you might remember, I played Sweden Rock in 2007 and before I went on stage there were a bunch of Bangalore Choir fans holding the original copy of "On Target" for me at the signing. I was shocked; I'd been told that it was all over for that album shortly after it's release, yet the people were asking when we would do another!
How did AOR Heaven get involved in the release?
David: Well, Georg Siegl (the label owner), and I have been regularly in touch since my solo album; we’ve been actively discussing the new record which B.C. are currently doing, and, I kept mentioning it to him that I'd like to re-release “On Target”, possibly even with a new B.C. record in a sort of a double CD package.
Who actually instigated the release?
David: I did, I believe, but Georg was all over it and is a huge fan of the first one!
Is this the original album re-mastered, a complete re-working...does it have new tracks? Tell us about it...
David: Well, the re-release has been re-mastered by Martin Kronlund for starters; I've worked with him for a few years and he's so very good at what he does! We did the Gypsy Rose record “Another World” together in 2007 at his studio in Sweden and there I realised his talent. I wanted some more tracks… There were other tracks floating around in my old sound man’s hands and I made repeated attempts to get some of those for bonus tracks, but he flaked on me, so I just had the video of "Loaded Gun" digitally enhanced and added that as the bonus track.
The general consensus is that this was a great album that never made it as big as it should have back in 1992. Why do you think that was? The onset of Grunge?
David: Well, it certainly didn't help matters that music was changing that’s for certain… But the timing was really not that good either. Had it been released, say 2-3 years earlier, I think it would have done much better. We were one of the most requested radio artists in the States for 3 weeks, had very powerful management and a decent label, as well as writing with some wonderful people. But you know what they say about timing?!
What caused the band to drift apart back then? Was it the under-achievement of the album, or something else?
David: Well, to be honest, we were shocked we were dropped only a few weeks after the record came out!!! It seemed that all the A&R folk were just running for the hills, blaming every one else for the decline in sales and it was like a plague! Loads of people got dropped! Being told that maybe we should all find different careers really took us down. And, as with every group, there’s inside-friction, which sadly just all became exaggerated. We called it a day.
What we should have done was stick it out, jump on a plane to Europe and slug it out over there – it worked for some! That’s always been one of my biggest regrets!
Have you been asked / reminded about Bangalore Choir a lot over the years, or did the band and album almost get forgotten?
David: Well, you know, it’s always been a topic of discussion whilst doing interviews or speaking with fans and friends; when will ya’ do another, will you ever tour again? etc.. But, somehow Georg’s input and that show at Sweden Rocks just kick started something I couldn’t put down…!
What is the current state / line-up of Bangalore Choir?
David: OK…It’s really pretty cool right now! I knew if we were going to do this, I needed as many original members as possible so I contacted guitarist Curt Mitchell and we chatted over the phone first… We both expressed our respect and love for each other and he climbed on-board straight away with the proviso that bassist Danny Greenberg would have to agree too. Thankfully, he did.
I’d originally contacted Ian Mayo and Jackie Ramos (our original bass player and drummer) but they are involved with other projects and to be honest they were just touring members, Curt and Danny were there at the most important time and a huge part of our songwriting and production, so that was the main core. I also contacted John Kirk (our other guitar player back then…) but John is now a reggae artist and doing quite well, so he declined.
As you know, I’ve worked with Andy Susemihl now for a few years and he and I really understand each other musically - he's just such a brilliant writer, player and producer, so he was my obvious choice to join in, which the other guys were ok with. On drums now we have Hans In't Zandt! He's a monster player and a great guy, so things are coming together!
How progressed is a new album?
David: All the tracks are written and recorded and they’re now being mixed by Andy Susemihl! I’m really excited by this; there are 15 recorded tracks (not sure how many will be on the finished album). Martin Kronlund will master this one. Curt Mitchell does the majority of the solos on it, but I also had Andy do a couple, as well as our friend Christian Tolle from the group Cooper Inc. and an old friend from England, Chris Voysey who incidentally did the re-working of the cover for "On Target" and will be doing the artwork for the new record…
The title at the moment will be "Cadence"!
Could you tell us how you think the new sound will compare to the original?
David: Well, I knew that for this to be a new release from Bangalore Choir and carry that name, we had to follow some of the same formulae we have done in the past, but obviously we have all changed and I hope for the better, so there’s a lot of the new ‘us’ on there too!! I love the big choruses and layers of harmonies as well as the killer guitar work all over it so, yes, I can assure people there’ll be some old, some new!
The first album had people like Jon Bon Jovi writing on it. Are you looking to external writers again, or is this going to be a purely internal project?
David: It did that’s right..! I've written two songs with Tommy Denander on this one, who I believe is an amazing artist. I've also co-written lyrics with a guy named Kyle Roberts on a couple of tracks and one with a woman named Dee Jukes…. The remainder of the music and lyrics where written by Andy Susemihl and I.
Are you looking forward to playing Firefest in October this year?
David: Oh, can't bloody wait!!! When Kieran and his team called me and asked us, I was all too happy to do it!!! You know; it will be the first ever Bangalore Choir show in England, so we are pumped!!!
Are you already rehearsing? Have you played any live dates yet?
David: Well, right now, no; I'm still doing live dates in support of my solo record "Universal Language" and Bangalore Choir will begin touring in October, so we’re looking at that as soon as we can. We’ll get on it as soon as possible… I'm going to front an American group called Tango Down live at the South Dakota Rockfest in July, as well as doing some East Coast dates opening for Y&T (I'm singing on their new record this fall, which is really cool…), and it’ll all fall into place, no problem!
What sort of show is a Bangalore Choir live gig? Do you really rock out, or do you try to recreate the album experience?
David: Both, really!! We always prided ourselves on real live harmonies and giving everything possible on stage!! We’d spend hours in rehearsals working on the tunes so what you'd see is the real deal, and I don’t foresee us changing a thing in that department!!
Do you still have plans to carry on your solo career alongside B.C.?
David: Yes. Actually, I've written some 5 or so new songs for another CD and would love to record a new record sometime this year, for an early 2011 release. I'm meeting with the powers that be, and one or two different artists soon to discuss a game plan!
Do you still keep in touch with the guys from Accept, and were you approached to sing on latest album “Blood Of The Nations”?
David: No; the only one from that whole era I speak to is Udo. He came out to see me play on April 10th, as his son Sven was opening with his band Damaged; we spoke of the new line up a bit….
Gaby Hoffman did contact me last August, while I was in Sweden, which was weird ‘cause we hadn't spoken for 20 years. Of course, she just wanted to keep things cool and thank me for speaking well of the new line-up and stuff….! No problem! I have been asked by fans why I'm not doing it, but to be honest, it's not my thing!
What is your opinion on the present state of rock, and the music industry in general?
David: You know, it’s pretty piss poor really!!! It's tough for everyone including the fans! I mean, 10 years ago, I was turning down shows; now I'm fighting daily for the gigs. To me, what with all the downloading etc. the economy is crazy!!!
When Lars Ulrich went to Congress over in the US and complained about Napster, nobody cared…. They all said, “Well, you’re a little, rich, spoiled Rock Star, why do you care?”…. Hence, totally missing the point that without control of piracy, this is where we'd end up? It’s just insane!
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
David: Not really, but one I do get asked is why I retired for all those years? And the answer; I needed to get some air and realise who I was! What it is I want. And, to finally say no and not be led around by the nose by so-called managers and labels, you know?
Now, I'm able to do so much better than before and speak my mind!
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
David: Having a lovely salmon dinner with my girl, and drinking some beer… Wanna join me?
Anything else you would like to mention?
David: Yes… Just to say thank you to all of you folks who have supported Bangalore Choir with your kind words and to thank you for your love of Rock and Roll. I’m hoping the new record will be out as soon as possible – I know we can’t wait to get over and see you all at Firefest, so we hope to see you soon!!
Yours, in voice… David!!
Thanks for your time!
David: My pleasure!!
Thanks again to David for his time. The re-release of Bangalore Choir's On Target is out now.
http://www.myspace.com/david.reece
http://www.myspace.com/andysusemihl
