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Guitars, Martin Turner, and the
Royal Family:
Dr. Music Talks With Wishbone Ash Legend Andy
Powell
by Scott "Dr. Music"
Itter
I
was recently given the honor of asking legendary guitarist and
Wishbone Ash member, Andy Powell, a few questions about everything
from life on the road to his ongoing conflict with former bandmate
Martin Turner. As you will hear, Andy Powell is a confident man that
knows where he's going as well as where he's been. And, by
playing more than 200 dates a year, there are not a whole
lot of places Andy Powell and Wishbone Ash haven't been. The
challenge of asking questions that haven't already been asked of
this well-traveled man was tremendous, and as you will read
there were still some discoveries to be made.
Dr. Music: Hello Andy, and
thank you for giving me a piece of your time - it is truly
an honor. Now, it is not only my opinion, but the opinion
of countless fans and critics alike, that "Argus" is the
definitive Wishbone Ash record. Would you agree, and what are your
feelings about calling any particular album a "definitive Wishbone
Ash record?" Are you comfortable with that?
Andy Powell: "I am actually. There is much more to Wishbone
Ash, but this is the album in which we pulled it all
together and defined our style which was truly unique. In
many ways I believe we made a big mistake in abandoning this vision
when we recorded "Wishbone Four," which was a hastily put together
record done under duress. You know, a big part of the creative
process is reflection, and we could've used a bit more at that
time; but, we were under the gun - story of my
life!
DM: There has been talk for
many years about doing an orchestral version of the "Argus" record.
Is this idea still "in the wings," or has it been forgotten about?
AP: Yes,
it could work, and I've benefited by investigating the process; but
it's huge, and requires a lot of the above. I've already learned a
lot about the pitfalls of using the wrong orchestrator, and have
indeed found a wonderfully talented German arranger/composer who I
believe would be tres sympathique to the
project.
DM: If you wanted to
introduce someone to Wishbone Ash music, what album or song would
you suggest they start with?
AP: "Argus" or "Pilgrimage."
DM: I have heard many
artists, from The Flyin' Ryan Brothers to Judas Priest, site
Wishbone Ash as a major influence. In your opinion, is there any one
band in particular that you feel has captured the essence of the
Wishbone Ash sound?
AP: Not
really. These bands use us and our technique as an influence, but
they often miss the pastoral, whimsical side - the blues and
emotion. There's a lot of English melancholy in our music. Just
listen to "Sometime World" or "Leaf And Stream."
DM: It has been over 35 years
since Wishbone Ash got started. What factor do you feel contributes
most to the lasting power of this band? Do you think you'd still be
playing if the band had decided on Jesus Duck instead of
Wishbone Ash?
AP: Well,
to call the band Jesus Duck, which was one of the names put forth by
our manager, Miles Copeland at the time, would have had certain
limitations. I think the main factors contributing to our/my
longevity are a certain "under the radar" approach. We were never a
big singles band, which tends to date you, and we've always been a
player's band. Also, we have an eclectic musical style which often
requires a bit of digging into or an open-mindedness, but then it
can be really rewarding for the listener.
DM: How much has the World
Wide Web and the internet impacted the longevity of Wishbone
Ash?
AP: Huge. We don't
really need labels, magazines and radio so much. The web enables us
to get right to our fans with no "BS."
DM: Wishbone Ash has used
many producers over the years, from Bill Szymczyk to Tom Dowd. Which
producer do you feel was the most beneficial to the band and
its sound? Is there anyone that you wish you would have had as
a producer (Martin Birch, George Martin perhaps)? And lastly, if you
could work with any of the big producers of today (Rick Rubin,
Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Steve Lillywhite, etc.), who would it be?
AP: Bill
Szymczyk was tops - great with people, great ears, and an ability to
get the job done. Cool. Rick Rubin would be someone I would love to work with. He
seems to me to know his onions - thinks like a true muse and
producer, but is able to bring out the best in these artists, their
true colors.
DM: You're going off to that
proverbial desert island, and you have room in the suitcase for one
album (from any artist). What would it be?
AP: A
Beatles album - maybe "Abbey Road."
DM: Are there any young bands
out today that have really impressed you? If so, which ones?
AP: A lot
do, but sadly they have a short shelf life. I'm currently listening
to The Cardigans, who I rate; but also I've checked out Franz
Ferdinand, and the Arctic Monkeys, whose singer is extraordinary.
I'm addicted to songwriters these days. Ray Davies' new CD is good,
but the production is a bit naïf.
DM: With the new album, "Clan
Destiny," there seems to be a renewed creativity within the
songwriting process. A song like "Surfin' A Slow Wave" has
a much different sound than anything Wishbone Ash has ever done. Do
you feel that the current lineup is the most flexible and diverse
Ash lineup yet?
AP: Pretty darned flexible.We can go heavy, bluesy or
retro. We all listen to a lot of music and have deep
knowledge.
DM: You have mentioned in
other interviews that you have used an old 1952 Telecaster (that
used to belong to Roy Buchanan) since the mid-70's for much of the
recording you do in the studio. You have also pointed out that
you do not bring this guitar on the road. My questions are: How much
of "Clan Destiny" was recorded with this guitar? And, why not
use this versatile, fat sounding guitar for the stage?
AP: A
good 75% of the guitar work on "Clan Destiny" was using this axe. In
addition I used my Chilcott Angel V, and a cheap Mexican strat. I
don't use it on the tours because it's valuable, but also the Flying
V has a lot more head room on big stages, and it's also a
performer's guitar. I've adapted my whole stage style around this
instrument.
DM: I have also heard that
the intro to "Throw Down The Sword" is also your warm-up exercise.
Is this a fact?
AP: I had
been listening to Fairport Convention and some other jigs and reels,
and so wanted to make my own one up. It's at a little slower pace
than one of theirs
though!
DM: And are you still warming up with
it?
AP: Not
these days!
DM: Your signature red Flying
V has become a trademark image for you, and you have mentioned in
the past that it is a comfortable fit for you and your style of
playing. If you had to choose one guitar, and donate the rest to me,
which one would you keep?
AP: I'd
keep the 1967 Gibson Flying V. I can do most things with this
guitar, including catch snakes or impale nasty security men with it.
This actually happened at a gig in the Soviet Union when the
security was getting out of hand.
DM: Wishbone Ash just might
be the hardest working band in the history of rock 'n' roll. With a
tour schedule that has you playing over 200 dates every year,
all around the world, when did you find time to write and arrange
the songs on "Clan Destiny?" Is there a set formula or scheduling
technique that you use for getting new material written?
AP: Well,
I've bought so much into the lifestyle that I don't differentiate
between being on the road or at home. My best songwriting ideas come
on long, solitary American road trips like the one I just completed
from Vancouver to Boston. I feel as free as the wind and really get
inspired. Also, yard work works for me - digging in the dirt
and walking in the woods. The song "Mountainside" was written while
working on a farm at harvest time, for example. Nature is the
best.
DM: Being knighted and given
the title of Sir Andy Powell by the Queen of England - do you ACCEPT
like Elton, or DECLINE like Bowie?
AP: Oh, I
don't know. I feel like a world citizen these days. England feels a
little claustrophobic, but I still love it and it's my true home. So
yes, why not accept one? I've been a good ambassador for the U.K.
music industry. Kinda quaint idea these days. Even though the lustre
has gone off the Royal Family, they still hold a lot of weight. Did
you know that Brits are not true citizens of their country? They are
subjects. Makes me a little uncomfortable, that
one.
DM: If you could pick any
band or artist in today's music market to collaborate with
musically, who would it be?
AP: I'm
currently digging Gabriel Gordon, and Doyle Bramhall II. He rocks!
Respect!
DM: Will we ever again see a
reunion of Ash alumni like we saw in the late 80's when you signed
with Miles Copeland's I.R.S. Records?
AP: I
never say "never" to reunions, but I have grown rather tired of
trying to galvanize some former members into action over the
years. I guess, these days, everyone wants to do things on their own
terms - me included. I had always been the "fall guy" when it
came to initiating these reunions, and also making
the invitations to a successive number of new players. Then, as
band members left piecemeal, I just continued in the role that had
been pre-described for me.
Martin Turner has
made things difficult lately in that regard, deciding after a 15
year hiatus to get a band together - nothing wrong there - but
to rather cheesily call it "Martin Turner's Wishbone
Ash." Prior to this, we'd had a gentleman's agreement that he
would not go down this road, but obviously it was not working for
him commercially. Having rescinded his role in the band all those
years ago, it's not doing much for his credibility with former band
members and the larger fan community to reclaim something that he
gave up on. Why now? Why not back then? Fortunately, I've never had
to deal with this dilemma, since I never quit the band. Can you
imagine Roger Water's Pink Floyd, Mick Abraham's Jethro Tull, or
Ritchie Blackmore's Deep Purple?
Now, in addition to
falsely claiming that he alone actually formed the band,
invented the twin lead guitar concept, and even invented the name -
he falsely claims he was sacked (by me) instead of leaving. So,
despite all my respect and admiration for all he's achieved in the
early days, it obviously makes things a tad tricky with respect to a
bona fide reunion and an ongoing relationship with him. At the
moment, there's a kind of "he said/she said" thing going on with
erroneous info flying everywhere - like the current myth that I
tried to shut down the website his people started. Not true. I
merely asked, could they use a different name other than "Wishbone
Ash - The Official Site," since it was obviously becoming really
confusing with journalists, radio stations, our record labels, and
the venues we work with. Of course, Martin's manager and advisors
are eminently aware of this and are trying to strategically
capitalize on the last 15 years work that has been put in by our
team, which has unquestionably raised the profile of the band on a
worldwide basis. It's all about money and trying to rewrite
history...very Spinal Tap! It would have been of no interest to them
10 or 15 years ago, because they assumed the whole thing had
ended.
 
DM: You've been asked the
same questions over and over again while sitting through what has
probably been thousands upon thousands of interviews. Has there ever
been a particular question that you always hoped would get
asked but never has?
AP: Yes.
My true role in the construction, production, and writing of much of
the classic music of this great band. It would take a detailed
analysis and much verbiage.
DM: With a little research,
we can hear you answer just about any Wishbone Ash related question
you can think of, but hearing you talk about your personal life is
rare. For instance, I don't know if you are married to a man or a
woman, if you have kids or if you are single. Do you make a
concerted effort to separate your personal life from your career?
AP: My
married partner is a woman actually. We have three wonderful sons
who are all in the visual or musical arts. I've done a really good
job of separating my personal life from my musical life, which I
believe has been important for my family's development - but of
late, I'm seeing a blurring of reality.
DM: What do you think of
"Queen Of Torture" being on a compilation called "Metal Age: The
Roots Of Heavy Metal?" Do you feel that Wishbone Ash contributed to
the beginning of Heavy Metal?
AP: I
think that it's a definite! We were at times punky as well as really
heavy. Listen to the aforementioned track, as well as "Lady
Whiskey," and then "Runaway" from "New England" - righteously heavy,
I'd say.
DM: Who is Andy Powell?
AP: I've
been called a saint, a sinner, even in an outburst from one
individual, "the Devil." I just do what I do with a lot of momentum,
energy, and impatience. I'm not always the most sensitive to others
needs, but I can also be a real pushover at times. I'm a good
leader, hard worker, and I play guitar and sing with passion -
which, thank God, I still have.
DM: Okay, Andy, just give me
the first thing that comes to mind within a few seconds. Try not to
give these too much thought.
BLOSSOM TOES...
AP: First
twin lead band I witnessed
DM: PETER
GREEN...
AP: The
Governor - He wrote the book on tone and emotion
DM: RITCHIE
BLACKMORE...
AP: Dark
DM: MILES
COPELAND...
AP: He
who dares, wins
DM: RAP
MUSIC...
AP: The
French variety is best.
DM: HEAVY
METAL...
AP: If it
includes King's X, then it's cool in my book.
DM:
FANS...
AP: Short
for fanatics.
DM:
TOURING...
AP: Love
it, love it!
DM:
RETIREMENT...
AP: Nah.
My
overall impression of Andy Powell was of a restless soul in total
control. A comfortable man that can't sit still for very long
without being creative in some way. A man that appreciates and
craves the intimate fan relationship. A man that has led a
complete life, and is always excited to be starting another
one.
Extra special thanks to
Andy Powell and Wishbone Ash headquarters for providing me with the
opportunity, and taking the time to answer each question so
explicitly. Thank
you. | 
