1. It’s been a couple of years since you headed back to the States after rockin` the U.K. with a full electric band and some killer tracks. How close were you to securing a deal when you returned to the U.S.?

Dave#: How close? Damn close! It was fairly tragic. We'd macheted our way through the bullshit for about five months solid after getting tracks in the studio real close. Everybody was feeling great about the material and the direction of the writing. There was a lot of crap to cut through, as the mergers had pretty much put the kibosh on things. Even so, radio was still sounding like it might have some life in it. So we plowed ahead, knowing that it was going to be a fairly hard sell. After a few months, we started to get calls back wanting to know more, so we were all feeling pretty good about getting a shot. In the face of all of this though, it was becoming more and more obvious as time went on that the feeling on the street was beginning to turn away from company bands and radio. The extent to which stations would focus their marketing was becoming more and more ridiculous.

Then one quiet Tuesday morning in September, everything changed. There was an immediate freeze put on everything. Couple of months later, news started to filter back about a serious festival being planned for the following July in Tennessee--Bonnaroo. The vibe was totally cool--completely different to everything. And that pretty much was the defining moment for me right there. Suddenly, the idea of being signed to a record company was beginning to feel decidedly uncool. I figured it was time to pack bags and head to the U.K. The time felt totally right to get all this material out there—screw the companies; screw the radio. The whole way along the vibe was, ''If the stuff’s good enough, it'll go all the way.'' And with that in mind, here we are! It's the Summer of Love.

2. The four songs that you released as MP3 files were obviously going to feature strongly on any planned release. What were the other songs that were demoed and ready to go, and will they be a feature of the up and coming tour?

Dave#: Yeah, those songs at one stage were fairly heavily in the program. Having said that though, once we decided to make the leap, I suddenly found myself writing two or three songs a day—something that hasn’t happened in a long time. I immediately went back into the studio and got busy. And it was round about then that the whole project began to take shape for a new electric band. All the pieces were beginning to fall into place, coinciding with a gig in New York City, where I got a chance to play the very latest material. I must admit I was kind of crappin’ it, ‘cause I had a lot ridin’ on everything. Thankfully, everything worked out real good and I knew I definitely had something serious on my hands.

When we started planning the Summer of Love, it was pretty much a no-brainer that a few of these new electric songs would feature acoustically to see if they would stand up in that format. The results are on the Summer of Love CDs.

3. So, you were holed up in the Kerry, playing a couple of nights a week right?—At the same time demoing songs and trying to get this deal done. It must have been some pretty tough times both mentally and financially?

Dave#: No shit! it was so bad that it kinda got funny. I had two cars out there--both complete wrecks--The Creepy Coupe and The Silver Bullet--both of which every week without fail would break down for one reason or another--usually something totally stupid. But we were so broke we couldn’t do anything about it. The Bullet would go down, so we’d be in the Coupe, totally unroadworthy and breaking the law. We’d get stopped by plod, get a ticket, get a fine, run home, dump the Coupe, fix the Bullet, take it out, get pulled over--this went on for months! I reckon I spent more time in traffic court than onstage at the Kerry. As a matter of fact, most of the crowd from the Kerry passed through traffic court once or twice. I was beginning to think that it might pay off to bring the guitar with me to traffic court--help out with the fines! I’d’ve probably got a ticket for that, too, when I think about it.

4. I guess when folk would make the journey from the UK or across the States to New Orleans to take in a Kerry show, it must have given you a tremendous buzz to realise that there was still a great deal of interest in what you were up to?

How would the folks at the Kerry, and yourself for that matter, react to people travellin’ 5000 miles to take in a show?

Dave#: Oh, we were all blown away! I mean, I’m miles away from anywhere off the beaten track, away from all the buzz, workin’ things out and getting’ it together. I’d get word that folks were headin’ across, and everybody would be so excited. It was especially good for me seein’ old friends again and catchin’ up on the news. One of the best times was when Mike made it across. He was able to cut loose off one of his tours, and we had a chance to hang out for a day or two. But, yeah, seein’ everybody, Barney, Lily, Joan, Graham, Rachel, John, Caroline--all the folks--was a real shot in the arm. Can’t wait to see the rest of you guys here in the UK! Thanks to all who travelled hard.

5. You have been aware of the work Mike has been doing over the past few years, and one of the outcomes of that is that everyone who has had a previous interest in the band are all suddenly coming together again via the internet. It must be a massive plus for an artiste to know that his tour dates etc are instantly available to a fan base instead of having to rely on the likes of fanzines, media and the likes to spread the word?

Dave#: Dead right. It’s unbelievable. I mean until four or five years ago, I hadn’t even heard of the internet--until Andy Doyle suggested to me at one point that I should have a website. I said, --What’s that?-- Don’t reckon the Summer of Love would be happening without it.

6. So, you’re back in the U.K., the word is out, what have you got in store for us?

Dave#: Well I’m real excited. From what I can see, things over here are kinda like how they are in the States. It does feel totally right to be kickin’ off over here. I’m gonna get a chance to get around the country, get a feel for what’s going on, while I put the electric band together for September.

I’m going out on this tour with a lot to say. But I’ve got a really relaxed attitude towards it all, too. I mean it’s not the big sell or nuthin’. With the climate out there, and the feelin’ for the tour, I’m gonna really be able to get into the music--let all the bullshit fall away. And I reckon that’s what folks are in the mood to see. There’s not gonna be a whole lotta hype goin’ on, ‘cause everything is right there in front of you. Kind of cuts out the middle man. I wanna get it all over--one on one. And right now I reckon that’s the way it should be--raw, bare bones, mean, lean, and straight to the point. If ya don’t like it, you can leave me alone. I hope you enjoy the spirit.

7. You have produced the two CDs to accompany the tour, but later in the year, once the band is ready to hit the road, a full blown electric CD release of the new material would be up there at the top of the priority list--right?

Dave#: Yeah, no kidding! But even so, I’m still writin’ as we go. It don’t stop. Once the chemistry of the band begins to come together, we’ll probably cut a CD live in rehearsals to introduce the sound of the new band. It’s gonna be a bit different this time ‘round. Since Hard Travellin’ and Downtown America, I’ve pretty much had a big band which kept things very loose with a ramblin’ feel in terms of performance.

For the Summer of Love and the new CD and even onwards from there, I’m gonna strip things down a hell of a lot. Gonna have a four-piece band--kind of traditional lineup--bass, drums, myself on electric guitar and vocals, and one extra guitar. Gonna be relying a lot more heavily on the onboard chemistry of the band--communication, spirit, feel. It’s gonna give everything a real stripped-down dangerous edge, and it’s gonna allow us to be extremely spontaneous. So we’re gonna let people in a little before we go and cut the studio album. It should give the band a chance to grow, and we’ll be out there giggin’ in the meantime, playin’ most of the brand new stuff and workin’ things out. When we feel good, we’ll hit the studio and cut the CD in the U.K.

8. You have previously mentioned the state of radio and media in the U.K. It’s a sad fact that any real music loving fan understands and agrees with. With this in mind, do you accept that no matter how good a release you come up with, it will be a massive struggle to get the music out there and heard?

Dave#: I think by the time the new album is cut and ready to be released, the temperature out there will be just right. I really believe in the timing on this project. I think you’ll see a massive turnaround by the time we’re ready to get out there. There’s so much change about to take place in the industry, and it's high time. Of course there’ll still be the usual nonsense happening. But things will really start to open up. It’s gonna be great watchin’ it all happen and bein’ right at the front end when it all goes down. Shit, ya never know. If we all get it together, we might even be able to have a British invasion in the U.S. in time for next year’s Bonnaroo. Put old Blighty back on the map. Be about time!

9. Finally, the dates are rolling, and many slightly older Hard Travellers are ready to hit the road once again in pursuit of that magic medicine! Are you ready for the miles that lie ahead, and what’s your pre-tour message to the folks who will be joining you along the way?

Dave#: Make sure you got enough shit-soul on your shoes to walk sand into a rat hole. It’s gonna be a ten-ticket ride. Keep the faith, and I’ll see ya there.

Dave Sharp
Online Interview with John Ramsay