David Readman

David Readman's first solo album is the hot pick for this year's summer. Fresh, 'hard' and passionate, the CD's been spinning a lot in my CD player the last days. The man behind the PINK CREAM 69 mic was more than eager to answer a couple (or dozen?) of questions and - by the way - we did 'unearth' his relation to Adrian Smith. Wow...

By Grigoris Chronis

• August 27, 2007

Hi David, greetings from Metal Temple magazine! First of all, it is essential to say your first solo effort is really remarkable. How did you come up with the decision to record a solo CD?

Thanks, that's great to hear! Well, to be honest, I've been wanting to do a solo album for a long time, the main thing that really stopped me was experience and not having my studio.

Does the album feature only newly 'penned' tunes? Or, some of them do date back to earlier years? In addition, did you write these songs all by yourself or someone else contributed ideas?

Basically, I wrote all the songs and I wrote two songs with Paul Logue, Gentle Touch and Don't Let It Slip Away. A big part of the songs were written over the last two years. There are a few tracks that were on the demo I used to join PC69.

I read on your official website you (mostly) thank the Internet for this album seeing the light of day. A really rare credit, I have to say...(laughs!).

I know it sounds crazy but it gave me the chance to work with so many great musicians; I know you can send tracks with the post, but sending mp3s is just too easy. I guess everybody works this way these days...

As for the musicians helping you out: Dennis Ward - your PINK CREAM 69 partner - participates, along with...who else? What was the motive for choosing these specific gentlemen to accompany you in your first solo work?

As far as Dennis is concerned, it was clear from the start that he would mix my album. It would be stupid to go somewhere else. He is also a good friend of mine and he knows what I want. He basically recorded the drums and I did all the rest of the recording at my studio, Emerald Studios. And of course the other guys, in their studios, in Germany, Sweden and the USA.

I had Dirk Bruinenberg on drums, who I had worked with on the ADAGIO albums. I was very impressed back then in the studio, and I knew he was the man for the job. Great guy too! Chris Schmidt had just recorded with Dennis the SUNSTORM album with Joe Lynn Turner and he had been a good friend of the band for years. Guitars was not so easy. I had worked with Uwe but I didn't want too much involvement with the guys from the band, as it was to be my solo effort. So, after a moment of clarity I sent an E-mail to Alex Beyrodt, he loved the idea and started working right away.

Next stop was Tommy Denander, recommended by Paul Logue after he had played a solo on Love In Vain; I just knew he had to play a solo on Long Way To Heaven. As for keys, Gunter Werno would have to be there and Eric Ragno had sent me a mail that we had met at the Progpower (fest) in Atlanta and he would love to jam some songs.

Many songs off David Readman do not fall that far away from the PINK CREAM 69 sound. Was it something you did want to happen? Does the production (Dennis' case?) made me feel this way, even if enough of the songlist does seem to have a more personal 'vibe'?

I never wanted to make a PINK CREAM album, but the fact is it's me singing and my writing became a part of the band and - let's be honest - if you listen to In10sity and my album they are both very different. As far as the mix, I gave Dennis my DVDs with all the arrangements from my studio and he mixed it. I trusted him to give me a great sound and that's what he did.

Did you have in mind, at any stage while making the album, that you could also experiment in other forms of Rock/Metal music? You know, something more 'aggressive' or something more e.g. 'gothic'?

To a point, but fact is I decided to stick to what I do good. I'm more a 'bluesy' kind of guy and I also like groovy riffs. What I did with ADAGIO was cool and I enjoyed it. It was very different, but I wouldn't make an album like that, it's not me...

Really, what's the lyrics concept in the song featured in your first solo album? Where do you draw influence from?

Mainly it's how I feel at the time. If I'm angry about something then I try to get it on paper. Evil combination...is how the people continue to abuse others, selling sex on the streets, drugs...whatever. New Messiah is a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, a guitar player I grew up listening to, and still enjoy today. I wasn't alive then, but I believe his music taught me about how to feel the music as well as hear it.

Do you believe lyrics still is an important part of a Rock/Metal album? Many bands/artists seem to write lyrics only because there must be something to accompany the music, huh?

Sure it is important, but it's still not that easy to create cool sounding lyrics with a great theme, that takes talent!

You have already shot a video for Don't Let it Slip Away: a wonderful song, really. Was this song the first one you thought was worth making a video clip for?

No, I had considered Without You, but after asking friends we decided to go for Don't Let it Slip Away. I thought it as the best song to represent the album. I would like to make more videos, but that's not possible.

Related (and out of curiosity): you think videos are worth the money in our days?

In the genre it's almost impossible to fund making a video. Luckily, a friend of mine - Marco Muller from www.starfotographie.de - who had done the photo session for the album was interested in getting into the video business. I had asked him if I could bring my camera and film me and the guys in his studio. It would be cool for the fans as I had not been on a video since Shame, around 10 years ago. He called me and said man, we should get a HD camera and do it for real! and that's what we did over two days.

Do you think (in particular) Rock/Metal music is still revolutionary? Did you see the Live Earth gigs taking place all over the world the other day? I was watching METALLICA's set and was sad to feel Rock/Metal artists may be another part of the machine. Do you feel Rock/Metal music can get young people out on the streets in our era?

Not anymore, a lot of things have already been done. We move so fast these days and people are not as naive as back then. People were more free, the government has made sure that there will be not so many outbreaks as in the past.

Born in England, singing for a German band (our greetings to Kostas!), having sung for a French band, too (ADAGIO) and traveling all over the world, do you think the 'globalisation' term applies to what the planet is going through all these years (climate abnormality, poverty, wars etc)? Furthermore, does music still unite people from different countries/cultures?

I'm very sure of that, music is one of the only things left to help free our minds. It doesn't matter who you are, rich or poor, you can still listen to great music.

Back to music: I was surprised to read - at your official website, again - that you have worked with IRON MAIDEN's Adrian Smith. How did this happen?

Well, I was sending a lot of tapes about at that time, looking for a chance to join a great band. Basically, I got a call one day and it was Adrian Smith. I was very surprised but the magazine I used for the adverts was very cool and had always big bands in there. So, off I went down London to do an audition. Not long after I had moved to Germany he called me again, but I had joined PC69. We met again on the (Bruce) Dickinson tour.

As for PINK CREAM 69: do you feel albums like Change and Food for Thought were a unlucky 'intermission' in the band's career? You know, from Electrified and onwards PC69 seems to enjoy a second (and better, maybe) youth!

I know what you mean, those were the times. Grunge was all the rage and we just made a album that fitted the time. We are still not happy with the sound of Change but Food For Thought I consider to be a good album with good songs. Fact is we came back with Electrified. After that album we went to Japan, Brazil; it marked our return.

In between of your program with PC69, do you plan any live dates in support of your first solo album? Have you fixed any dates yet?

Yes, I'm hoping to get some dates sorted out. I'm gonna see what the album does, but I really want to get out there live. After all that's why I wanted to be a singer!

David, thanks for your time to do this interview. Hope all the best for your new solo album!

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