By Nick Ashton.
Andy Blade’s marks his return to the fray with a new album set for a September release, along with accompanying touring schedule that will see him performing not just all over the UK, but for the first time ever, in Japan and the US towards the end of the year, and into 2017.
Whilst sales of Eater records continue to grow into an ever expanding market, Blade’s much vaunted ‘artistic rebirth’ has also benefitted, with every subsequent solo album performing better than the last – ‘which makes me an established artist, doesn’t it?’ – he tells me disbelievingly as we sit waiting for a sound check for tonights gig in Brighton.
‘I’m even beginning to feel like one – although you’d think there’s be less waiting around nowadays, not having a band.’ He adds ‘But although it’s definitely less hassle, it’s not really true – playing gigs means plenty of hanging about, and I must admit, it’s less fun on your own. I really used to enjoy the camaraderie of pissing about with your bandmates – like a gang. That was Eater – a proper gang. I have to enjoy my own company these days – fortunately, we get on okay, most of the time.’
Despite the longevity of his career, Blade is far from a traditionalist when it comes to performing or recording his songs – writing and playing everything himself these days – ‘Until I can afford to pay the musicians I want to play with, I see no reason at this stage to invite musicians to come onboard and dilute my ideas.’
‘Is it not possible to find a few like-minded collaborators?’ I timidly ask, prepared to have my head bitten off.
‘No! It’s not! At least not right now. Until I can afford to pay for the people I want to work with, I refuse to compromise by forming a band with people who effectively cannot comprehend what I am trying to do – therefore can have no useful input. Fortunately I am patient enough, and 100% confident, that things are about to change.
The one person he does trust is long time collaborator – Rhys Downing, who also worked on 2011’s Let’s Burn The Internet Down as well as 2008’s remarkable Life Affirming Songs For Those With a Bad Attitude (both Cherry Red)
‘I’d be fucked without him. He’s one of a new breed of engineers who knows all the traditional schools of thought when it comes to the studio, whilst being unafraid to throw the rule book out of the window when necessary – and with the files of hieroglyphics I give him to mix – he probably needs to, regularly!”
Plastic Penny & The Strange Wooden Horse is due for release by Cherry Red Records on September 26th 2016.
