Interview
of Allan Holdsworth by Guitar Magazine (July 2001)
Interview
by TzTom Krihara (E.G.Q. - see at bottom of page )
Q: Did
you change the members from last year?
A: I've
been playing with these members for a few years in California. I played with
Gary Husband on drums and Jimmy Johnson on bass last year. But this time Dave
Carpenter on bass and Joel Taylor on drums.
Q: Have
you recorded with this new trio?
A: No,
but I'm going to do it, and I can't say when it's going to start because I
don't make any contract with record companies. Recently I recorded a new solo
album using only Synthaxe. I recorded it besides the band and itís almost
finished,though recording the bass and mix the tracks aren't done. The album
constitutes with Synthaxe and bass, no drums. Most numbers are like orchestra.
Q: So,
can we hear the new album soon?
A: The
album will be finish within a few months. But the release depends on record
companies.
Q: About
the Synthaxe, I saw you are using Roland VG-8 last time. Did you quit that?
A: Yes,
I still use it sometimes.
Q: Please
tell us about studio materials. What about computers?
A: I
have old ATARI STACY. The format is the same with ATARI 1040, but its version
is lower, laptop type. Itís really old one! About 20 years before.
Q: What
about software?
A: Cubase.
Q: What
do you use for sound module of Synthaxe?
A: I
used to use Oberheim. I had Oberheim Matrix12 and Oberheim Expander. But I
sold them all because Synthaxe went bunkrupt. So, I donít have so many synthesizers.
Usually I use old YAMAHA DX7 and two TX816,five TX7 and YAMAHA VL70.
Q: What
is your favorite album on your own, as a member and solo project?
A: First
of all, the newest one. And others are solo albums; ìWardenclyffe towerîîI.O.U.îîAtavacronîîSandî
and ìSecretsî.
Q: And
you devote yourself on solo project after 80ís.
A: Yes.
I've played at someoneís bands during 70ís, and it was fun in a sence. Especially
Soft machine was good. But I was tired of it and I became want to make my
own. Till then, I composed many numbers but I had no chance to show them.
At that time I met Gary Husband(d), Paul Carmicheal(b) then I recorded ìI.O.Uî
with them, solo debut work. I began the band work but it was tough, it was
difficult to find someone who were interested in our album release. So, I
decided to make the album by ourselves. We recorded and mixed it in two days,
from midnight to early mornning. My second album was the same. It took only
3~4days for recording, but the cost was at my own. Nicolas powell from Virgin
records rent us a recording studio but I had to sell my two guitars for mixing.
After that I had a chance to play at the U.S., it was succesful compared with
U.K. activity, then I decided to emigrate to the U.S. and I havenít go back
to the U.K.
Q: Tell
me about the story of Eddie Van Halen with you who admires you the most as
a guitarist.
A: I
met him at the band U.K. tour at the first time, I played with Van Halen when
he was not so popular. He was a good guy, he treated me nicely. He helped
me to contract Warner Brothers for ìRoad Gamesî. He pursuade the WBS. A problem
was that the company didnít let me free. It was the big matter and I had a
quarrel with them. It seems that all of ìRoad Gamesî were war. Therefore the
album was not the work I intend.
Q: What
have you been doing for a year?
A: I
had a private problem and I didnít do so much about music. I did Europe tour
with Gary Husband and Jimmy Johnson last year and we recorded after that.
But I donít have any contract with record company and the material is not
still finished. I have no maney to finish the work. Itís so sad. I welcome
any Japanese company for money.
Q: We
really want to hear the sound.
A: I
think it is good job.
Q: Don't
you join other musiciansí albums or session lately?
A: No.
I had recorded with Andreas Marcelli three years ago, but itís also not completed.
90% was already recorded, mix and contract is the subject. There are many
works in a such situation.
Q: Do
you have any project from now on?
A: First
of all, I want to finish the solo album and the work with Jimmy and Gary.
Also, I want to make an album with Dave and Joel. And I want to finish the
project with Andreas. So, I have four albums must be finished. Donít surprise
if I release them at the same time!