The Baker's Dozen #43 Dave Foster

May 18, 2023 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Interview, Pop, Prog Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Rock, The Bakers Dozen

Fans of Big Big Train and the Steve Rothery Band will need no introduction to Dave Foster. The guitarist and songwriter has been heavily involved with both in the last few years but dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover Dave’s solo career and his work with vocalist Dinet Poortman. ‘Glimmer’ is the second album from the duo and does a wonderful job of utilizing progressive instrumentation, including plenty of fluid, yet punchy, guitar playing from Dave, on a bunch of songs with striking pop sensibilities. Fans of the aforementioned acts, and a band we recently championed here at Red Guitar Music, League Of Lights will surely enjoy ‘Glimmer’ immensely. The album was released on CD/LP in April, with a digital release on May 19th, so go check it out. We caught up with Dave for a wide-ranging chat (anyone who starts out by mentioning Bob Seger’s Nine Tonight is alright in my book) about his musical tastes, career and choice in film (Wes Anderson is another big tick here at RGMHQ). Now if we can get him to elaborate on that Steve Vai story…

The Baker's Dozen #34 Bob Madsen (The Grafenberg Disciples)

October 08, 2021 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Interview, Melodic Rock, Prog Rock, The Bakers Dozen

For the latest edition of the Baker’s Dozen here at RGM we caught up with Bob Madsen. Bob is a songwriter and bassist with a long list of musical ventures under his belt including 41POINT9 (with Brian Cline) and a project entitled Operation Paperclip with Tony Carey (Planet P Project/Rainbow). Bob’s latest release is The Grafenberg Disciples with singer Hans Eberbach that enables Bob to explore a host of pop, rock, jazz and funk influences. The first single from the album ‘No Words’ is a tribute to the late Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart with proceeds going to Cedar Sinai Special Research Program For Glioblastoma. Needless to say it seemed like an ideal time to discuss the record and get Bob’s thoughts on a host of other things including an exciting upcoming project with an artist who’ll always get the RGM team to sit up and take notice.

The Baker's Dozen #32 John Fiddler (Medicine Head)

September 22, 2021 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Interview, Blues

John Fiddler co-founded Medicine Head back in 1968 and signed to John Peel’s Dandelion label. So that’s a place in rock history right there, but they also had the likes of John Lennon, Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton singing their praises (not a bad list). I could also mention their 1972 album was entitled ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ a year before Waters, Gilmour and co. It’s been a decade since John released an album, but with ‘Warriors of Love’ set for release on September 24th 2021, RGM thought the time was right to catch up with John to find out a little more about what influences the “labour of love” that is Medicine Head, the state of the music business, Bob Dylan and guitars.

The Baker's Dozen #31 Al Ross

September 07, 2021 by David Vousden in Interview, Classic Rock, Blues, Country, Soul, The Bakers Dozen

The latest edition of the Baker’s Dozen finds Al Ross chatting to RGM about his earliest musical memories, the demands, frustrations and opportunities that came to light recording the ‘Blue Crystal’ album during the pandemic and his love of vinyl and classic film. Al Ross & The Planets can be a little tough to categorize with blues, classic rock and country influences delivered with a dash of soul that makes for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. You can check out their second album, ‘Blue Crystal’ on September 10th 2021, via Wienerworld on CD and download.

The Baker's Dozen #21 Nick D'Virgilio

June 17, 2020 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Prog Rock

It’s hard to believe that the Baker’s Dozen here at RGM has turned 21. It seems like only yesterday we were trying to stop it from peeing on the rug but those pesky kids sure do grow up fast. The artist who kindly agreed to be our twenty-first entry in the series is Nick D’Virgilio. The vocalist, drummer and multi-instrumentalist, probably best known for his time with progressive rock act Spock’s Beard, has enjoyed a varied career that has included long associations with Tears For Fears, the Cirque Du Soleil organisation and Big Big Train. Nick will release his second solo album ‘Invisible’ on June 26th and he kindly found time for a chat about his earliest musical memories, the current health situation, the joys of playing live and Lawrence Welk.

The Baker's Dozen #10 Laurie Mansworth (Airrace).

August 15, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Interview, The Bakers Dozen

Laurie Mansworth has been at the helm of UK Melodic Rock/AOR act Airrace since they formed in 1982. The band recently released their excellent third album 'Untold Stories' and we caught up with Laurie for a chat about guitars, songwriting, early attempts at punk rock and Billy Bragg...

The Baker's Dozen #8 Nick Workman (Vega)

April 27, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Interview, Melodic Rock, The Bakers Dozen

For the latest in The Baker's Dozen feature at RGM Nick Workman from British AOR/Melodic Rock act Vega is in the chair. The band will release their fifth album 'Only Human' on May 11th via Frontiers. The album was mixed and mastered by Harry Hess of Harem Scarem fame and you can catch the band live on their UK tour in June 2018. So please read on as Nick discusses Star Wars, True Detective and the mysterious Bootleg Snake:

The Baker's Dozen #7 Phil Poole (Doomsday Outlaw).

April 19, 2018 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Interview, The Bakers Dozen

For the latest in our Baker's Dozen feature, RGM caught up with Phil Poole vocalist for Doomsday Outlaw the UK bluesy hard rock act who'll be releasing their new album 'Hard Times' via Frontiers on May 11th. The band will also be supporting the release with their own shows and dates with Jizzy Pearl of Love/Hate fame. So please join us for Phil's thoughts on Elton John, Chris Cornell, 'The Devil Wears Prada' and his reason for being.

The Baker's Dozen #6 Tino Troy (Praying Mantis)

April 04, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Interview, Melodic Rock, The Bakers Dozen, NWOBHM, Hard Rock

For the latest in The Baker's Dozen series, RGM caught up with Tino Troy of Praying Mantis. Tino and his brother Chris formed Praying Mantis back in 1974 and would become a prominent band in the NWOBHM movement (The new wave of British Heavy Metal) that sprang up in the late 70's alongside Iron Maiden, Saxon and Def Leppard. Praying Mantis differed from many of their contemporaries thanks to an obvious love of a good melody which added an almost AOR sheen to much of their material. In 2018 Mantis are about to release their latest album 'Gravity' via the Frontiers label. So join us as Tino Troy discusses his Greek heritage, an early love of reggae and the perils of playing music very loudly.

The Baker's Dozen #5 Eamon Nancarrow (No Hot Ashes).

March 21, 2018 by David Vousden in The Bakers Dozen, Interview, AOR, Melodic Rock, Classic Rock

For the fifth instalment of The Baker's Dozen, we thought we'd see what a rock act might have to say for themselves so RGM caught up with Eamon Nancarrow vocalist for Irish rockers No Hot Ashes. Perseverance is always to be applauded and on March 23rd, 2018 NHA will release their debut album, 34 years after they first formed, via the Frontiers label.