Post by classic rock revival on Jun 6, 2011 15:10:45 GMT -6
CLASSIC ROCK REVIVAL INTERVIEW
DAN McCAFFERTY
This is an interview I did with Dan McCafferty in 2011. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Jim: The new Nazareth album, "Big Dogz," is getting rave reviews and rightfully so, it's an excellent new release. I hear the band has a no-frills approach to recording, meaning you don't spend months on end in the studio and "Big Dogz," was actually recorded in only 6 weeks, is that right?
Dan: Thats correct, well near enough. The approch was really down to Yann Rouiller, who produced The Newz, and Jimmy Murrison our guitar player. After seeing us play live, Jimmy tried to get Yann to record us like we were playing live, we loved the idea and it worked out well.
Jim: There's a UK version available on vinyl lp with a free CD copy. With this be released in the U.S. as well?
Dan: I really hope so, its a great idea.
Jim: I love the opening song, "Big Dogz Gonna Howl," this song is classic Nazareth. Tell us a bit about it.
Dan: Its a bout a man who's passed his sell by date, however he's going to give it one last blast..!
Jim: "When Jesus Comes To Save The World Again," is a surprisingly different style for Nazareth. How did it come about?
Dan: It was a song Lee, our drummer wrote, it was about snake oil salesmen selling religion to the naive and we thought it was a great tune, and very relevent today and thats why its on the album.
Jim: I really like "Claimed." Tell us about it.
Dan: Its about a pesron who's not being completely honest, and gets caught in a lie, because 'claimed' is a Scottish slang for a 'challange'
Jim: How about "Butterfly." It's a hauntingly beautiful ballad.
Dan: Again this song was written by Lee, and its about his Grandmother, but it's fitting for anyone thats lost a parent or loved one.
Jim: Have you released a single yet? If not, I'd like to recommend "Radio."
Dan: I agree..!
Jim: The band's last album, "The Newz," sold very well. I think "Big Dogz," will surpass it in sales. What do you think?
Dan: Yes I hope so, I think alot more Naz fans will relate to it.
Jim: Nazareth has always been a bluesy-hard rock band, and you have the perfect voice for that style of music. How much of an influence has the blues been to you?
Dan: Blues and early rock and roll have always been a major influence in my career, and I still listen to them fondly.
Jim: I'm a huge blues fan myself. The first concert I ever attended was the Allman Brothers Band, with special guest, Muddy Waters. Muddy was just as good as the Allmans. Are you a Muddy Waters fan?
Dan: Yes, I am and many of his contemporaries, plus the Allmans ain't to tacky...!
Jim: The current lineup in Nazareth has remained the same for the last 10+ years. Jimmy Murrison is an excellent guitarist and Pete Agnew's son, Lee, on drums has complimented the band's style and legacy. How did Jimmy and Lee come to join the band?
Dan: Jimmy and Lee went to Rock College together, and Jimmy joined Naz 17 years ago and Lee Joined when Darell died 12 years ago. We had seen Jimmy playing in different bands with Lee and others. When Billy left, Jimmy was top of the list. Lee when he wasn't working in a band, used to be the drum tech for Darell on the road, so when Darell passed away, again he was the natural choice.
Jim: You and Pete Agnew have been the heart & soul of Nazareth for the last 40 years. You kept the band going in a business that's hard to keep up with, releasing new albums, and touring your butt's off. How have you managed to keep up the pace?
Dan: I really don't know, still thinking about that..!
Jim: To date, Nazareth has sold over 60 million records/CD's worldwide, that's quite an accomplishment. How good does that make you feel?
Dan: Fabulous, wish I had the cash, instead of two ex managements...!!
Jim: What's your opinion of Guns & Roses version of "Hair Of The Dog?"
Dan: I think its a great version.
Jim: Is it true that Axl Rose wanted Nazareth to play at his wedding but the band turned him down? Can you tell us about that?
Dan: Yes Axl did ask us, we would have been happy to do it, however we were on tour in Europe at the time.
Jim: Dan, thank you so much for doing this interview with Classic Rock Revival. Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans?
Dan: Thanks for hanging in there, and Rock on..!!!
© 2011. classic rock revival. all rights reserved.
DAN McCAFFERTY
This is an interview I did with Dan McCafferty in 2011. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Jim: The new Nazareth album, "Big Dogz," is getting rave reviews and rightfully so, it's an excellent new release. I hear the band has a no-frills approach to recording, meaning you don't spend months on end in the studio and "Big Dogz," was actually recorded in only 6 weeks, is that right?
Dan: Thats correct, well near enough. The approch was really down to Yann Rouiller, who produced The Newz, and Jimmy Murrison our guitar player. After seeing us play live, Jimmy tried to get Yann to record us like we were playing live, we loved the idea and it worked out well.
Jim: There's a UK version available on vinyl lp with a free CD copy. With this be released in the U.S. as well?
Dan: I really hope so, its a great idea.
Jim: I love the opening song, "Big Dogz Gonna Howl," this song is classic Nazareth. Tell us a bit about it.
Dan: Its a bout a man who's passed his sell by date, however he's going to give it one last blast..!
Jim: "When Jesus Comes To Save The World Again," is a surprisingly different style for Nazareth. How did it come about?
Dan: It was a song Lee, our drummer wrote, it was about snake oil salesmen selling religion to the naive and we thought it was a great tune, and very relevent today and thats why its on the album.
Jim: I really like "Claimed." Tell us about it.
Dan: Its about a pesron who's not being completely honest, and gets caught in a lie, because 'claimed' is a Scottish slang for a 'challange'
Jim: How about "Butterfly." It's a hauntingly beautiful ballad.
Dan: Again this song was written by Lee, and its about his Grandmother, but it's fitting for anyone thats lost a parent or loved one.
Jim: Have you released a single yet? If not, I'd like to recommend "Radio."
Dan: I agree..!
Jim: The band's last album, "The Newz," sold very well. I think "Big Dogz," will surpass it in sales. What do you think?
Dan: Yes I hope so, I think alot more Naz fans will relate to it.
Jim: Nazareth has always been a bluesy-hard rock band, and you have the perfect voice for that style of music. How much of an influence has the blues been to you?
Dan: Blues and early rock and roll have always been a major influence in my career, and I still listen to them fondly.
Jim: I'm a huge blues fan myself. The first concert I ever attended was the Allman Brothers Band, with special guest, Muddy Waters. Muddy was just as good as the Allmans. Are you a Muddy Waters fan?
Dan: Yes, I am and many of his contemporaries, plus the Allmans ain't to tacky...!
Jim: The current lineup in Nazareth has remained the same for the last 10+ years. Jimmy Murrison is an excellent guitarist and Pete Agnew's son, Lee, on drums has complimented the band's style and legacy. How did Jimmy and Lee come to join the band?
Dan: Jimmy and Lee went to Rock College together, and Jimmy joined Naz 17 years ago and Lee Joined when Darell died 12 years ago. We had seen Jimmy playing in different bands with Lee and others. When Billy left, Jimmy was top of the list. Lee when he wasn't working in a band, used to be the drum tech for Darell on the road, so when Darell passed away, again he was the natural choice.
Jim: You and Pete Agnew have been the heart & soul of Nazareth for the last 40 years. You kept the band going in a business that's hard to keep up with, releasing new albums, and touring your butt's off. How have you managed to keep up the pace?
Dan: I really don't know, still thinking about that..!
Jim: To date, Nazareth has sold over 60 million records/CD's worldwide, that's quite an accomplishment. How good does that make you feel?
Dan: Fabulous, wish I had the cash, instead of two ex managements...!!
Jim: What's your opinion of Guns & Roses version of "Hair Of The Dog?"
Dan: I think its a great version.
Jim: Is it true that Axl Rose wanted Nazareth to play at his wedding but the band turned him down? Can you tell us about that?
Dan: Yes Axl did ask us, we would have been happy to do it, however we were on tour in Europe at the time.
Jim: Dan, thank you so much for doing this interview with Classic Rock Revival. Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans?
Dan: Thanks for hanging in there, and Rock on..!!!
© 2011. classic rock revival. all rights reserved.