Post by classic rock revival on Oct 22, 2011 15:42:39 GMT -6
Classic Rock Revival
Ian Lloyd Interview
Here's an interview I did with Stories, bandleader/lead vocalist, Ian Lloyd in 2011.
Jim: Stories was formed by you and Michael Brown, is that correct? Can you tell us how the band came about?
Ian: Michael was working on an instrumental rock piano project for Buddah Records when we crossed paths....what a concept!
Jim: Who came up with the name, Stories? Is there a story behind that?
Ian: Michael & I came up with the name. The story behind Stories are the stories. That is to say that all the songs, both melodically and lyrically were telling mystical ["Winter Scenes" & "Words"], cosmic ["Darling"], slice O life ["Top Of The City "] and lots of times just down home ["I'm Coming Home"] Stories.
Jim: Was your original idea for Stories to become a pop oriented, early Beatles-type band?
Ian: I am a huge Beatles fan and my melodies and harmonies are definitely Beatles influenced. I don't think we tried to be pop but our songs just came out heavy on the Melody & Hook.
Jim: Stories self titled debut album scored a top 40 single with, "I'm Coming Home." Can you tell us a bit about that period?
Ian: First off in the beginning we were a 4 piece rock unit, which means I was playing bass and singing lead which made for an interesting live performance. We limited our live shows to the northeast and spent some time doing shows in Memphis and Nashville. Having our very first 45rpm release hit the Billboard 100 was quite a thrill and really gave us positive momentum to get back into the studio to record "About Us."
Jim: How did Eddie Kramer come to produce the band's second album, "About Us?"
Ian: The record company and my desire to record "About Us," in the UK brought Eddie into the project. What a thrill to work with a genius & a legend.
Jim: "About Us," initially didn't include "Brother Louie," when it was released, but it was later added. Can you tell us about that?
Ian: Buddah Records wanted a stoned cold hit and asked me to spend some time in the A & R department to find one....I did and look what I found. The first pressing of "About Us," did not include "Brother..." but was stickered as it being on the record. I actually toured with boxes of "Brother Louie" 45rpms and handed them out to fans. I remember throwing them out to the audience, live on stage during an outdoor show in Tulsa. Crazy!
Jim: Is it true that you and the other band members didn't really want to record "Brother Louie?"
Ian: I would say that it was more a conflict in style and direction for us. It can be seen on "Traveling Underground," with charted singles like "Mammy Blue" & "If It Feels Good Do It" standing side by side with progrock tracks like "Bridges"; "T.U.." and "Earthbound Freefall".
Jim: Michael Brown left Stories after the release of "About Us." What made him decide to leave the band at that point?
Ian: There were personal issues involved, nothing pertaining to the band. We simply had to carry on without him and finish the project.
Jim: "About Us," sold very well and "Brother Louie," hit the #1 spot on Billboard and rode the charts for 18 weeks. Looking back now on that album and that song, a classic song that everybody knows, aren't you just a little bit proud?
Ian: We were blown away by it all and enjoyed every minute of our success. I keep thinking about opening for IKE & TINA at Candlestick park [stage was set up on the mound]...WOW! I perform "Brolou" every chance I get and really enjoy making my "Brother Louie" appearances...so watch "Louie" and hear me sing a new version of "Brolou" for Louis C.K.'s theme song... That's how proud!
Jim: Stories, became, Ian Lloyd & Stories, on the third album, "Traveling Underground." How did the name change come about?
Ian: If I gave you 1 guess I'm sure you'd get the correct answer.....the record company.... After Mike departed the spotlight was centered completely on me. I stopped playing bass live and became the typical Rock Front man, which was OK by me. No gear, no set-up... you know.. a lead singer!
Jim: I really liked "Traveling Underground," I thought it was a great followup album. It featured two powerhouse tunes, "Mammy Blue," and "If It Feels Good, Do It." But, the band broke up afterwards. What happened?
Ian: Basically the fan base that we developed from the first album through "About Us" felt that we had 'sold out' and betrayed their trust by adding "Brother Louie" to "About Us". With "Traveling Underground" we had reached a point where although we played all those great tunes live, our new [very Large] fan base were confused by our prog tunes ["You Told Me","Bridges", "Stories Untold",etc.]. We tried to head in that direction but "Mammy Blue" & "...Feels Good Do It' pretty much signaled the end for STORIES.....remember, If Michael had not left the band, we would have NEVER EVER recorded "Brother Louie" or "Mammy Blue" - Ironic, isn't it?
Jim: Since Stories demise in 1973, you've done a lot of studio work with a lot of big names in the business like, Foreigner, Billy Joel, Yes, and Peter Frampton, just to name a few. Can you tell us a bit about that?
Ian: WOW - so much to say. Here's the basic breakdown.
FOREIGNER: I introduced my friends, Mick Jones [Spooky Tooth] and Ian McDonald [King Crimson] to each other, to play on my first solo records. They went on to form FOREIGNER. I ended up not being the lead singer but obviously was very much a part of the bands creation, and can be heard singing their classic backup vocal sounds on all their music. [not the current reincarnation].
YES, was a trip. I felt like I'd died and woken up in R 'n' R HEAVEN. I love YES and always have. Jon Anderson's wonderful vocal style had a big effect on everything I did after working on those "Union" sessions. I mean, listen to "Dangerous". That's me singing the HOOK - w. over the radio effect., and then give "The Dream" and "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark" a listen [found on the "Planet -X" solo CD], and you will hear what I'm speaking of. Quite an honor for me. YES - I can sound like Jon Anderson.
I got to go back to the top of the charts with Billy Joel's "I Go To Extremes". You can hear my hi - backing vocals on that track as well as the title song "Storm Front".
For those interested go to www.machinedreamrecords.com for a complete discography.
Jim: You've also remained active as a solo artist, releasing several solo albums and doing gigs as the Ian Lloyd Band. Are you still writing and recording? Can we expect a new Ian Lloyd CD anytime in the near future?
Ian: Here's a short breakdown of "Things To Come":
Christmas is coming and everyone should give a listen to IAN LLOYD's "Everybody's Happy Cause It's Christmas Time" [go to: www.IanLloydChristmasTime.bandcamp.com
and see where I live!]
I'm currently working on the second SOCIAL HERO CD - which should help to break this "hidden rock gem". The lads are for real. Listen here: www.socialhero.com and Help Spread The Word!
2012 will bring a FORD/LLOYD [STORIES/STRAWBS] project release, which is going to be lot's of fun and will surprise a lot of people!
Beyond The Beyond will bring another solo project that I've got songs already in the works for [with lots of "Mellotron Sounds" in the mix]. This probably won't see the light of day until 2013!
Jim: Your son, David, has a great band, Social Hero. They don't sound much like the newer bands of the day, they have more of a 70's sound, I like that. I love their song, "Gone," and you do killer background vocals on it. How active are you in working with Social Hero?
Ian: I am a full member of the group. I participate in all aspects of the band and perform live as well. Our influences range from 60's Brit-Rock through AIC / PEARL JAM 90's music. Of course I bring a certain FOREIGNER /YES influence to the table. We're in the studio right now working with Jason Corsora [Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun" engineer+] co-producing our sophomore endevour. It gonna ROCK's HARD!
Jim: Ian, I have to ask you one more Stories question. Any chance Ian Lloyd & Stories might do a reunion tour and/or a new studio or live CD?
Ian: Anything is possible and yet I really don't think Michael would want to be a part of it, and that would be an important part of any STORIES reunion. I have recently reconnected with Steve Love, and spoken to Ken Bichel about doing a 'long distance' singles recording project but it's just in the 'idea mode'. Kenny Aaronson jumped up to join IAN LLOYD's STORIES [ILS] at Kenny's Castaways this past summer and the joint was rockin', and so was the club. Just a few weeks ago SOCIAL HERO and ILS played together in Boston and Bryan Madey stopped by. So anything could happen?!?!?!
[BTW : Give a listen to the Brown/ Lloyd composition "Sensetize" for a 3 minute mini reunion. It can be found on my current CD "In The Land Of O-de-PO". It's included as a 'bonus track' on the CD - no mp3 available].
Jim: Ian, Thank you so much for doing this interview with, Classic Rock Revival. Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans?
Ian: Go to www.machinedreamrecords.com and SPREAD THE WORD~ROCK LIVES!!!
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