DENNIS WARD
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 14th December 2010.
Dennis Ward is not only one of THE top producers in the rock community, he plays bass and/or sings in several highly rated bands including Pink Cream 69, Khymera and more. Normally we have an immense (jealous) dislike of people this darn talented, but for Dennis we'll make an exception.
He very generously took a chunk out of one his incredibly busy days to answers a few questions for us...
Hi Dennis, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
DW: All’s well here!
How has 2010 been for you? Busy, quiet, good, bad...how does this year rank in the general scheme of things?
DW: As usual, quite busy. It’s been a good year!
Going back, what sparked your interest in music in the first place? Do you come from a musical family?
DW: My family was quite musical, at least on my fathers’ side. My father, Bill Ward (no, not the Bill Ward of Black Sabbath) played drums in High School My sister had a great voice and she could have been a great artist but she had other interests at the end of the day. My Grandmother could play a variety of instruments and she had a Farfisa Organ in her guest room where I often stayed. My Grandmother also SWEARS that she taught Elvis Presley his first guitar chords at the age of 13. I have a school photo showing my oldest uncle (Tom) and, surely enough, Elvis is present on the photo as well so I tend to believe there might be some truth to the whole thing. And yes, my family is from Memphis :)
My interest in music came early. I had my first electric guitar at the age of 10 and shortly afterward I got a Goya Classical guitar and took lessons for it. At the age of 12 I started playing in the school band, the trombone. I played a few other instruments, including percussion, and after awhile I found myself playing the Contra bass. At the age of 14 I was in the band room (we were rehearsing for a Christmas show if I remember right) and I had leaned my contra bass against the wall for a second so I could go to the bathroom. I took 3 steps in that direction and heard a loud “crash” behind me. Needless to say the bass was lying on the floor with the neck separated from the body. I was sweating bullets as my band director gave me his “look of death”. So, there were no other contrabasses to be used in the school, just a fairly new Yamaha BB bass and an old Rosac amplifier. And that was the beginning of my journey into the unknown.
When did singing get added to repertoire?
DW: My singing actually started around the age of 16, but mainly because I couldn’t find a singer. I loved bands like Rush and Triumph and the concept of a 3 piece band always appealed to me.
Have you had formal training in all the skills you possess?
DW: I studied music in High school quite intensely. I was really into music theory and always wanted to understand what music was “all” about. After you learn one instrument, by the way, it’s pretty easy to teach yourself the rest.
Who were your early heroes?
DW: I loved the Eagles, Rush, Triumph a lot but there were so many bands I liked. If I have any one hero then it would have to be Geddy Lee. He simply “had it” in my opinion. In the early 80’s I was also a fan of New Wave music. When I first started playing bass I loved Disco, mainly because the bass guitar was so prominent in this kind of music. So Earth Wind and Fire were also on my mix tape :)
What’s the current situation with Pink Cream 69? There is a tour coming early next year, does this mean there’s a new album on the way?
DW: An album is indeed on the way. I’ve been pretty bogged down with work and my son is one and a half years old. Needless to say a small child takes a lot of time away from my work but things will get easier and more relaxed soon enough. Then I’ll concentrate more on it.
It has been more than 3 years since the last one. It's literally just that you (and the other guys) have been busy too busy?
DW: Yes! :)
How about Khymera? Is there anything on the horizon there? Obviously the other guys from the band have Prime Suspect to play with now. It would be great to have another album with you singing as we utterly loved “The Greatest Wonder”!
DW: I can officially say there will be another Khymera, produced by myself. To be released probably around summer next year.
...and Sunstorm, Place Vendome? Are they still active, on hold, or are they now history?
DW: Sunstorm will also be coming out next year. I’ve already got the demos together. Place Vendome is on hold for a while, at least for me.
Is there anything else performance-wise on the horizon, or are you mainly focusing on production nowadays?
DW: I’m working with Michael Kiske on new songs for our Unisonic project. Looking forward to getting this out!
How do you actually get involved with the production of an album? Is it simply a case of a band or record company approaching you with your fee, or do you have to have a real passion for the music you are working with?
DW: Well, I’ve got to be realistic. I have a passion for music but I’ve got to pay the rent as well so I simply have to put a time limit on my jobs. Of course I take each and every production seriously to heart and want to get the most out of it regardless of the budget.
Do you only work on rock and metal, or do you get involved with pop, dance etc.?
DW: I’ve done other kinds of projects as well but I’m usually doing the rock thing.
Any other production projects you are particularly excited about, either upcoming or just completed?
DW: Just the new Unisonic. It’s taking up a lot of my time.
What work do you actually prefer... production, the more technical aspects of mixing/mastering, performing, or do they all have equal but different appeal?
DW: I like them all and need them all. I’m fortunate that I often have 3 or 4 jobs overlapping so I can jump back and forth as I please or am in the mood for.
Is there a master plan to the path your life takes, or do you take each day as it comes?
DW: Live progressively; don’t get stuck with your wheels spinning. You are never too old to take chances.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
DW: None that I can think of! You were quite thorough.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
DW: I’m working part time at HOFA studios for HOFA training making video tutorials for audio engineering classes. It’s fun and I’ve got a lot of freedom.
Anything else you would like to mention?
DW: I’m hungry and want to go to lunch now :)
Thanks again to Dennis for his time. Keep an eye out for all those projects mentioned above. To be fair you won't go too far wrong if you buy anything this man touches. Oh, and thanks to Nicky at TSM for organising the interview.
