Please give a brief history of the band, including current line up.
There have been so many changes to the HK's lineup over
the years that it would take several pages to list all the changes but briefly
I formed the band in Hastings UK in 1976 and in the early 80's moved to London.
The only musician that has really survive the various transitions has been
Neil 'Chilli Willi' Aplin although he hasn't worked with me on the Groovy
Music Project as he lives in Tenerife these days; he may well work with me
again in 2004 though. Probably the best known players have been 'Kid' Reid & Jack
Black from The Boys, the late Charlie Tumahai ex-Be Bop Deluxe, Lino Robinson & Paul
Tully who were with me through the late 80's. The musicians who appear on
Million Miles & Groovy Music may well form the backbone to a new line-up
in mid-04 but I must complete the project first!
Discography.
The easiest way to answer this to direct interested parties
to the FAQ icon on the HK's site and look at the cdbaby link on our Merchandise
icon.
The band must of gone through so many stages through the years, what is the
highlight and what has been the worst stage of the Hollywood Killers careers?
Playing regularly at the major rock clubs in London (headlining
the Venue in front of 1000 people) but the disappointments must be the failed
record deals that I've gone through. Now I'm in 100% control thanks to the
Internet. By god though there have been some fun times in the 700 + gigs
I've done.
What are the main changes you have noticed in the music scene
over the years and what era's do you think have been most inspiring?
The biggest changes have been the various style changes
that we've seen since Rock'n'Roll evolved with Bill Hailey & Elvis. Flower
Power in the 60's, GlamRock in the early 70's and for me the rebellious moments
within the industry per se that became Punk and then New Wave. The 80's & 90's
were in the main very uninspiring with the 70's rebels rejecting their roots
and becoming capitalist rockers and would you believe it, gaining status
in the Establishment (Sir Mick, Sir Elton- What a cop out?). Interesting
though that the same backslapping hasn't effected The Who and Rod! More recently
the technical aspects of music distribution are having a major impact on
the buying power and influences of the Younger Generation whose tastes appear
to be more diverse than ever (Hip Hop, Grunge, Garage, New Generation Punk,Rap).
One good sign is that musicianship and the appreciation thereof is gaining
momentum and this is very encouraging. I'm looking forward to the Isle of
Wight Festival in June 04 which should be entertaining with The Who, Bowie & Stereophonics
headlining. My biggest inspiration has been the Beatles 'White Album'; I'm
hoping Groovy Music's 1 & 2 can recreate a bit of the magic that was on the
White Album. Ram too was a major influence because it's a happy album! Bands
as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Roxy Music, Alice Cooper, Cockney Rebel,Beach
Boys, T Rex, Bowie, Doors and more recently Blur & World Party have influenced
me immensely.
I have yet to hear your new single 'Million Miles' - what is the song about
and how would you describe it musically?
Hopefully you've had a chance to listen to it by now but
I'm afraid it's the usual stuff, love, distance, that kind of thing. I rarely
get too hateful in my songwriting but there have been a few punkish songs
written over the years which should appear later on the compilation cd's.
Currently I'm into Peace and Love with the Groovy Music Project. The world
could do with a bit more of it these days!
Is there any news when your cd album is coming out? What track
would you particularly recommend off it and what can people expect from the
release?
Jon Sweet & I are finalising it in the New Year. Each
album will be around 12 tracks. I think they're all quite memorable and leave
it to the old fans and hopefully many more new one's to decide. Let's just
say there will be something for everyone. I never expect anything from releases
as it's all in the marketing and the radio plays. This time around the Sloopy
Box team believe in the music so we want people to look at that first and
foremost. The HK's are no longer about hype! As someone has already pointed
out we don't feel we need to compete with Boy Bands...we're a rock'n'roll
combo! At long last I'm able to record myself in the way I want the music
to sound!
Why did you choose the name Hollywood Killers?
People have asked me that many times. I've always dreamed
of Hollywood and in the 70's detected some aggression bubbling under with
disillusionment with the record companies, etc. Hence Stiff and what has
followed! The Killers part is more '...you're killing me' with your jokes/kindness
rather any Mansonesque connotations. Just seen that a band has come out of
Las Vegas called "The Killers". Hopefully we can get some momentum from them
and them from us too.
What songs by other bands do you wish you had written and
why?
Any of the Beatles stuff, Doors, Otis Redding, Bowie,
Bolan....too many to mention. Great entertainers all of them.
Plans, gigs and releases planned for 2003/04.
Watch this space!
Any final comments?
Yeah! Thanks for your interest Rebecca....best of luck
with Punk & Oi! Have a Groovy time!
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