Who are you? Michael Eric Dowey,
What can I say? [anything you want Michael]
How would you describe your music? Definitely
and unashamedly Pop!
What are your releases so far? One self financed
Demo CD and Obvious
Can you give a short history of your band? I have
been writing songs and playing Guitar or Bass in bands since my
late teens. I always wanted to pursue song writing but I have never
really been in a band that was free enough from egos and politics
to commit to just doing the work. I find that working on my own
allows me to develop ideas further and I've learnt a great deal
but I do miss the feed back from other people and I would love the
opportunity to play live again.
What's the success story so far? Near misses mostly
I'm afraid!
Have you played any important gigs? I have to
admit to being unsure as to whether using a backing track would
work in the sort of venue that caters for bands playing original
material. I guess I'll have to gather my courage and give it a go!
What do you consider the high point of your career?
This is a bit sad but one of the first bands I ever played in had
a support gig at a local community centre in Wales (where I lived
at the time.) I had written a song (based on a very simple riff
but catchy) and we were running through it as part of our sound
check. The thing about this venue was that the bar was in a totally
separate room from the stage and you were not allowed to bring drinks
into the main hall. Obviously early on in the evening everybody
made for the bar and the main hall was almost completely empty.
As we played this song we could see people gathering at the door
to the hall and then actually coming in. I was such an amazing feeling
seeing these people drawn in by the music we were playing. As it
happens when we actually played our set somebody (by accident?)
unplugged the power half way through the first song and the whole
thing went pear shaped. I have never forgotten that feeling though.
What do you think about the current UK music scene and
do you think you will change it's face? Not unless I get
off my arse and do some more work (and Gigs I guess!)
Which bands influence your sound? It's hard to
be objective about 'My Sound' but artists I admire include:- The
Beatles, The Who, The Police, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Don Maclean,
U2, Buddy Holly, Oasis, Blur, Prince, Michael Jackson, old soul
and Motown stuff, Bee Gees, ZZ Top, AC/DC........ I could go on.
I don't like the 'Cat in the hat' or Mark Morrison or Whitney 'I've
got a great voice so stuff the song' Houston and her ilk.
What’s your fave record of all time and why did you
choose it? It changes but at this moment maybe 'She's Always
A Woman' by Billy Joel it's tender and angry at the same time really
bitter sweet. Brilliant!
What are your plans for the future? I am working
an recording an album worth of songs at the moment. I'd like to
be able to get them to master quality, get some CD's pressed up
and DO SOME GIGS!!! . I've still got a lot to learn about recording
so we will have to see how it goes.
Strange but true: I have a nasty habit of writing
a song then deciding that the chorus and verse, although good alone,
don't fit together. I then split the song into two new songs and
so on. Waste not want not.
The first Gig I ever played was for a group of kids at a youth
club. We were supporting a disco and when we started playing the
DJ thought it would be cool to turn on his strobe light. Unfortunately
we could barely play anyway and in the dark, light, dark, light
it was chaos. Still the kids loved us. Just goes to show we could
have been the spice boys!
The Local Punk Band nicknamed me 'Speed Metal Mike' after turning
up to a pub gig that had a decidedly Country and Western flavour
to it.
I have three dogs one has only three legs but none of them can
play three to the bar on the drums. Yea I know I'm reaching now.
I'll quit while I'm behind.
Feel free to contact the band at 25 Records anytime for interviews/Band
features/ gig info etc. at: 25 Records PO Box 3006, Poole, Dorset,
BH12 2HU. or Phone/Fax on (01202) 749244.
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Meanwhile you can hear a song by
Michael Eric Dowey called 'turnaround' and 'i don't believe'
on a 25 Records compilation CD 'Onion fresh', priced at only
£5 including post.
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