The 'lost' interview, for many many
months, this interview has been hiding in a dark corner of our computer,
only found by accident!
How did you all meet? The band
met through various ads in newspapers and through friends of friends.
How long have you been together?
We have been together a little over three years.
Has it been a long hard road to
fame? I would say it has been along hard road to making a good
album.
Who is the main song writer?
I am the main song writer, Norman Collins.
Are there any band squabbles?
Yes, for instance when we are practising and take a break and I
leave the practice room to purchase a snack, when I come back I
often find money missing from my jacket. I am afraid of accusing
anyone because everyone in the band can beat me up. Also I am the
songwriter and singer in the band, yet I seem to have less say so
than anyone in the band. This cause me some consternation but the
rest of the band is quite happy with the situation.
What is the scene like in your area?
The music scene in San Francisco encompasses just about every style.
Lately there have been some very good swing and rhythm bands pop
up similar to Cab Calloway and Lovie Prima. A lot of places for
Jazz trios to play. Quite a few good blues clubs. Local original
rock groups play about once a week in clubs. There are no good clubs
for country music in San Francisco, but the surrounding area supplies
your twang needs.
Who or what inspired you to become
a musician? I guess a lot of different people have inspired
me to become a musician from Howlin Wolf to the Kinks. In my first
year of college at Southern Illinois University I formed a band
that played all of the protest rallies that were going on then.
I quit school and moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attempt a music
career, then to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Who are your favourite bands at
the moment? Favourite bands are the Derialers, Ignitors and
the Old 97’s.
What are highs and lows of being
in a band? The highs are when the band is cooking on stage and
the lows are almost to numerous to go into, but what the heck, how
about low pay, no status, constant rejection, dashed hopes and lets
not forget odd club owners.
Do you reper recording in the studio
or playing live shows? I like recording in the studio if it
can be done very quickly. Heres a tip. Don’t listen back to
everything at the end of every session. It results in dyspepsia.
Don’t look it up it means indigestion.
Do you have any advice for bands
just starting out?My advice for bands just starting out is to at
least try and show up to rehearsal on time. I’ve been in bands
where it was poor form to be less than 2 hours late. Show enthusiasm
and be on time.
Sum up your music in three words?
Pick, Plunk +Plucked
The band members are Michael Tosse
drums, Gino polio Keyboards, Gil Roman Bass + Vocals,
Todd Falk Acoustic 12 string, Chuck Kayaian Percussion,
Norman Collins Vocals + electric guitar.
The band history is that we have been
together a little over 3 years and have done many clubs, a few street
festivals and 6 outdoor Bar-B-Q’s along with some local TV
shows.
Norman Collins, a transplanted Midwesterner,
singer, songwriter, and guitarist started his professional career
in Nashville. While pitching his songs and occasionally working
as a session player, Collins continued working on his songwriting
and performed in Nashville clubs.
After meeting Hank Ballard and recording
in the Chess Studios in Chicago, Collins toured with Ballard, John
Hiatt, and various other bands in the U.S. He finally ended up in
Los Angeles, playing Top 40-funk music in Watts.
A friend's need for a guitarist brought
Norman up north to San Francisco. After leading various original
band formations, Norman attracted the interest of the multi-talented
musician and producer Scott Mathews. The result of their collaboration
is "The Man About Town," a timeless, entertaining, and
highly acclaimed CD.
Norman Collins and his band are currently
performing around the Bay Area, in clubs, at music festivals, and
on local television.
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.
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