ROCK NEWSLETTER

Clive Rogers

Clive Rogers is the guitarist for British blues-based rock band COBRA. Clive has just issued his debut solo disc "Journey's End" - a brilliant instrumental collection of diverse and emotive pieces that flow together smoothly, from straight ahead rock numbers, to bluesy ballads, and into more jazz and cabaret influences. Something that must be heard! For more info check out www.cliverogers.uk.co or www.cobrarocks.uk.co

Q: What's the story behind the solo album? what influenced the whole concept?
CR: I have been thinking about doing something like this for about ten years. Mainly because trying to find other playings that are in my league when you have no money to offer is HARD ;-) I had composed a couple of tunes and the concept came to me to me out of the blue. It's about a girl who is sucked into her PC and goes on a trip. Meets a guy with a guitar falls in love with him only to find he loves his guitar more than her. It is also a tribute to some of the great guitar players I have listened to and admired.

Q: Why an instrumental album ?
CR: 'Cos I can't sing :-)

Q: What's with the story in the liner notes about 'Alison' and title ?
CR: (See above) ALLISON with two L's (haha) is my Partner; the title is about the Journey that I took through most of my life to get to the point I am at.

Q: A number of the tracks [such as the first 2] are good rock oriented numbers, [or even "Joshua"], and could possibly pass as Cobra tracks in the making. Were any of these tracks considered to be used on a Cobra release, or possibly accompanied by vocals ?
CR: Well I guess the COBRA side of things comes out because it's me and I write 99 percent of the original music COBRA play. But no none of the songs where ever vocal songs.

Q: There is quite a diverse mix of music here. What can you tell me about the experience of using such different instruments [trumpet, sax, trombone, fiddle....] ? Have you ever played using these sort of musicians before? And how did this whole side of the project evolve or come about ?
CR: Yeah well I like a lot of different music from rock to jazz. I have never worked with any other instruments before except Bass guitar and Drums. So it was a blast to here it all go down. Of course it was double whammy because I composed ALL the parts for the other instruments except for a couple of solos by the Brass guys and a solo by the Fiddle. When I started this CD I was determined to make it the best I could. So if a track called for Brass then it would be real brass. I even tried to get an Orchestra in to do the strings but this was far to much cash as you can imagine, maybe next time.

Q: What can you tell me about the guys you used on this CD - Neil Kavanagh. and Dave Avery. ? I know Neil is a part of GUNHILL, how did you get him to do this project? and what do you think of his contributions ?
CR: Neil is a good friend of mine we work on things all the time. His contribution to JE is a huge one. Not only did he play all the bass guitar ('cept one track) he helped me produce it and enginered it as well. He also found all the other musicians for me. Dave Avery was the drummer for CUTTING CREW. He now plays in a band called LA TOUR, and he is a very very good drummer.

Q: Can you give me a few words [lines] on some of the tracks on Journey's End ? [Maybe about half, including some of the unique ones like "Blue Jug", "Summer Day", "Jobin", etc...... ]
CR: BLUE JIG is about two bands LED ZEP and the DUBLINERS they get double booked to a gig and decide to fight it out on stage. I got the Idea from duelling banjos but the track is not like that. SUMMER DAY is a lazy relaxing Jazz track done in the style of JOE PASS sort of. They is three old rockers and two Jazz guys on it but I think it sounds jazzy. JOBIM is a kind of tribute to Carlos Santana Jobim is the guy who influenced him. CRAZINESS IS LIKE HEAVEN well this is a tribute track to the man HENDRIX. If I say so myself, one of the best your likely to hear. JOURNEYS END is a mixture of PINK FLOYD and LED ZEP slow start with great Sax solo leads to big riff via Kashmir nuff said.

Q: What's your promo plan for this release ? Recieved any rave reviews ? Plan on doing any of this stuff live ?
CR: Well I am going to MIDEM next year to sell it. As far as reviews are concerned I haven't sent it to anybody (except you) for a review. All those who have it think it is great . COBRA might do a couple of tracks live soon.

Q: One thing that also stands out here is the beautiful CD artwork. What can you tell me about it and the person who drew it all ?
CR: The person that did the art work is STEVE ANDREWS who is the lead singer in COBRA ;-)) and yes it is beautiful. He will also be doing the art work for the new COBRA CD "HUNGRY FOR VENGEANCE" as well.

Q: Do you intend to do another solo project down the road ? anything you'd like to try ?
CR: Well at this point I have plans to do another at some point. But when you consider that it took three years to get JE out ha ha don't hold your breath. I will have to think of a concept first and then start writing I guess.

Q: What's up with the forthcoming Cobra disc ? any release date, tracks done, etc... ??
CR: OK the new COBRA CD is called HUNGRY FOR VENGEANCE it has a concept loosly based on the fact that the band where abducted by Aliens in 1972 and return to earth 25 years later to rid the world of evil and bad music ha ha. All the tracks have been recorded and I am going into the studio on Monday to re mix four of the tracks. Next I am in the mastering studio in October and then it's out. It will be released in NOVEMBER 2000.

Q: What's your current listening faves these days ? [albums, guitarists, ... ]
CR: I have just bought the BLACK SABBETH remasters and it's great ha ha. I love Glenn Hughes and have bought his last three CD's. I think I like Addiction beat. As far as guitarists are concerned I like all the usual suspects, Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Page etc. But I also listen a lot to Miles Davis (a guitar player with a Trumpet) and a guy called TERGE RYPDAL his CD THE HIT COLLECTION is ace. I also listen to the new guys such as Satch and Via but my main Influences from my early days were WISHBONE ASH's ANDY POWELL plus MEL GALLEY from TRAPEZE. Listening to DREAM THEATRE SFAM and QUEENSRYCHE Y2K. Also SHANIA TWAIN, and ABBA. JOE PASS nad HUMBLE PIE.

Q: How's the live gigs coming along? Ever plan on playing outside of the UK - like NORTH AMERICA!? :-))
CR: Between now and the end of November COBRA have 18 gigs !!! Playing outside the UK would be nice but every time I ask someone to set it up they bottle it so what can I do. We will do it one day though and soon I hope.

Interview conducted by Kevin J. Julie, October 2000.
Copyright KJJ