INTERVIEW MONSTRE: MICK CLARKE: "My memories are mainly of colour, laughter and music."
Mick Clarke fréquente avec sa guitare les scènes britanniques et mondiales depuis les années 60 et continue à sortir des disques portant haut la flamme du blues. Il fait partie de ses musiciens qui font la gloire de la scène blues et rock du Royaume Uni. Il a accepté avec enthousiasme et modestie de répondre à nos questions. Dire que nous en sommes honorés est un euphémisme.
Taste question: Which artists have influenced you the most, and what examples can you tell us about this influence? Who is the artist you dislike and why will he/she never influence you?
When I was first starting as a musician I was lucky because it was the 1960s in London and I was able to see some of the great British blues guitarists in small clubs.. Clapton, Green and Jeff Beck. And then I got to tour with the great Freddie King, so I learned the American blues first hand. And I also loved the playing of BB King, Albert King and particularly Otis Rush. Those guys have never been bettered.
But I listen and learn from everyone. I really don't dislike any blues artist if they are playing from their hearts. I suppose if you are playing just for the fame I don't have much time for you, but there aren't many like that.
Intellectual question: Which non-musical artist (filmmaker, writer, painter...) played an important role in the way you evolved…
I don't watch movies much, apart from the obvious greats like Spinal Tap! I read all the time but I don't think my books have influenced me musically that much. I enjoy great paintings but what I really like are good cartoons.. I'm thinking of Don Martin in Mad Magazine or Robert Crumb - 'Mister Natural' and so on. Maybe some of that eccentric humour creeps into my music.
History question: Can you sum up the life of your career?
It's a long one! My first band 'Killing Floor' was formed in the 'blues boom' of the late 60s. We toured with Freddie King, played dates with everyone from Howlin' Wolf to Captain Beefheart and put out two albums which have become cult items. In the 70s I had a band called SALT who packed out all the London clubs and played the Reading Festival in 1977, and then I formed the Mick Clarke Band in the 80s. We got to tour all over Europe, parts of the USA and even got as far as India.. right up to 2019. Since then I've been mainly recording from my home studio and continuing to put out music on Spotify, Deezer etc.
Selfish question: Why did you prefer a solo career than being in a band?
I like being in control of my own destiny rather than relying on others too much. So it was exciting when I finally formed my own band in the 80s. The problem was that I had to learn to sing and front the band, which was terrifying. But I got the hang of it after a while.
Buddy question: Who has helped you most in your adventure and without whom you wouldn't have had the same evolution?
That would be my wife Linda. She decided early on that she wasn't going to be left at home, so became part of the band, originally doing merchandise but later working as my 'on stage' guitar roadie, tuning the guitars, changing strings etc. And in those I played really hard and broke a lot of strings! So Linda's contribution was invaluable, as well as keeping me sane (or insane) on the road.
Spinal Tap question: What's the most stupid thing that's ever happened to you?
Hah. In the early days everything we did was stupid. You have to learn from your mistakes. One example was when we drove all the way from London to Munich to do a ten day tour, only to be told by the promoter 'sorry, I couldn't get you any gigs!'. We had to stay at a hippy commune while he rushed around and fixed a few things up - total insanity. Of course there was no internet then, everything was done by snail mail or expensive phone calls.. it's a wonder we managed to organise anything.
It's a long one! My first band 'Killing Floor' was formed in the 'blues boom' of the late 60s. We toured with Freddie King, played dates with everyone from Howlin' Wolf to Captain Beefheart and put out two albums which have become cult items. In the 70s I had a band called SALT who packed out all the London clubs and played the Reading Festival in 1977, and then I formed the Mick Clarke Band in the 80s. We got to tour all over Europe, parts of the USA and even got as far as India.. right up to 2019. Since then I've been mainly recording from my home studio and continuing to put out music on Spotify, Deezer etc.
Selfish question: Why did you prefer a solo career than being in a band?
I like being in control of my own destiny rather than relying on others too much. So it was exciting when I finally formed my own band in the 80s. The problem was that I had to learn to sing and front the band, which was terrifying. But I got the hang of it after a while.
Buddy question: Who has helped you most in your adventure and without whom you wouldn't have had the same evolution?
That would be my wife Linda. She decided early on that she wasn't going to be left at home, so became part of the band, originally doing merchandise but later working as my 'on stage' guitar roadie, tuning the guitars, changing strings etc. And in those I played really hard and broke a lot of strings! So Linda's contribution was invaluable, as well as keeping me sane (or insane) on the road.
Spinal Tap question: What's the most stupid thing that's ever happened to you?
Hah. In the early days everything we did was stupid. You have to learn from your mistakes. One example was when we drove all the way from London to Munich to do a ten day tour, only to be told by the promoter 'sorry, I couldn't get you any gigs!'. We had to stay at a hippy commune while he rushed around and fixed a few things up - total insanity. Of course there was no internet then, everything was done by snail mail or expensive phone calls.. it's a wonder we managed to organise anything.
Question Happy Few: What's the biggest benefit you've derived from your career, and can you tell us about it?
I can look back and know that I got the chance to express myself and fullfill most of my ambitions. My memories are mainly of colour, laughter and music. I've forgotten the hard times! And hopefully entertained a few people along the way - so I feel that my life wasn't wasted.
Art question: What book, film, record and current band do you really like?
I'm currently reading 'Blues With A Feeling' - the life of the great blues harp player Little Walter, which is really fascinating. And also re-reading Gerald Durrell's 'Corfu Trilogy' which just makes me feel happy and takes me back to our trips to Corfu. As I said, I don't watch a lot of movies. Given the option I will go back to the classic British comedies of the 50s and 60s. they're still the best for me.
Current bands.. There's a whole new generation of blues bands out there and I wish them all the best. It was always a hard way to make a living and I don't suppose it's got easier. Bands like the Cinelli Brothers or guitarists like James Oliver or Mississippi McDonald. All fine players.
Funny question. What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?
Well we always had a lot of laughs on the road.. much of which I've forgotten, but I always seem to be smiling in the photos.
Our bass player Mick Hawksworth (Alvin Lee's Ten Years Later and others) used to crack me up. One time he decided to write on his passport photo 'give us a kiss' as the passport was getting old and he thought he was finished with it. Unfortunately we had a last minute European tour come up.. the expression on the young lady custom officer's face was priceless.
There was always stuff going on on the road, but a lot of the time the band didn't tell the boss!
Camembert question: What's France to you, apart from the land of wine and cheese? (you're allowed to Google it, the theme is rock and underground culture).
We played some great gigs in France, from Lille down to Marseille. The French have a style of their own.Very artisitic. It's amazing the difference between us with just that little strip of water. But I have to say the wine and cheese is very important! Vive La France.
Sponsorship question: Who can you sponsor for Les Monstres Sacrés, and how can you convince us to talk about them?
Not sure I can help with is.. I don't get out much these days, and not much happens in our little village. But the blues is still alive and well out there - plenty of new talent.
Patriotic question: Make the list (between 5 & 10) of the top records made par artists of our country.
France? That's tough - I don't know French artists.. I like the old stuff, and especially if you go back to the manouche style - Stéphane Grappelli.. Django (was he French)?
Patriotic question 2 : Make the list (between 5 & 10) of the top records made by artists of your country
That's a lot easier.. of course 'Bluesbreakers' with Clapton was incredibly important, as was Jeff Beck's 'Truth' or anything by Cream. I'll throw in Killing Floor's first two albums.. 'Killing Floor' and 'Out of Uranus' - they were top records for me! Actually 'Uranus' is being reissued by RidingEasy Records in LA.. we're still rocking!
Thanks for giving me the chance to chat on your webzine - I wish you every success with it in the future.
We thank you a lot, Mick. It was an honor and a pleasure.
Commentaires