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Welcome!
August 2005
In 1980 John Wicks was looking for a male,
high tenor vocalist capable of harmonizing, and taking the lead when necessary.
Producer Craig Leon played him a Moon Martin track. John asked "Who is
that singing those soaring high harmonies?!" A precocious 19 year old Molene,
Illinois native named Jude Cole. John immediately told Craig this is the
guy! Turns out Jude had heard "Starry Eyes" and was a huge "Records" fan.
Craig called Jude, who thought it was all a humongous joke! Jude
flew from LA to Virgin's London "Townhouse Studios," (g/f in tow) where
he was given one of the guest rooms, which he constantly complained about!
LOL! Things were looking up for the Records.
However the US tour support ran out, even after
playing great shows, partying, and sounding particularly hot vocally,
courtesy of Jude. After trying, unsuccessfully to persuade the Records
to stay and tour in a van, Jude returned to LA while they, flew home to
England. Due to dwindling resources, they had to make the tough decision
to continue on without Jude.
Now, 25 years later, OPEN
ROAD gets to play "catch up" with John
Wicks.
Tim: You're back on the music scene
with a new CD titled “Rotate.” Available in September 2005 at www.koolkatmusik.com
Tell us about this recording. Where did it take place? How long did it
take to put together? Who's on the CD?
John: Well
Tim, that's in fact a very good question! It's been a long road,
fraught with all sorts of obstacles, way too complex to go into here, hence
my extensive liner notes, to be posted in installments on my website, entitled:
- The Long, Strange Journey That Led This
Former "Record" To "Rotate"!
The CD is actually an anthology, containing songs
written and recorded over the years, plus some very new material.
This somewhat eclectic collection, recorded at
different periods of time, in various locations, is all the more interesting,
in my opinion, because it covers more than just one particular area of
my work. Due to the various events that took place, (or sometimes
didn't! LOL!) over the course of trying to record a new album, it
was fate that really led me to the anthology approach. A kind of organic
evolution, if you will! For example, many of the songs were written
about some very dramatic scenarios that I experienced, after the demise
of the original band. Accordingly, for those interested in such things,
there are detailed track notes, by way of explanation, for each and every
song.
(Due to space limitations, lyrics won't appear
in the CD booklet,
unfortunately, but will be posted on my website.)
Tim: I've listened to MP3 clips
of Rotate and hear a mix of the old Records sound and a new John Wicks
sound from songs like “So Close to Home” and “Different Shades of Green.”
What do you want to accomplish with this new CD?
John: Another
good one! LOL! Well, whilst working on these two tracks, although
from different time periods, I was acutely aware of the stories related
to them. Songs such as "So Close To Home" and "That Girl Is Emily"
for instance, have particularly dramatic tales to tell, relating to the
human condition - and my hope - in this ever-evolving - "short attention
span" - "million songs on my ipod" - "soundbite world" - we live in, is
that people will slow down and take the time to really listen in depth.
Stop and smell the roses, so to speak! Of course, on the down side,
one could be accused of harboring idealistic notions! Having said that,
we're all ombarded with so much information, that everything has become
kind of shallow cheap and superficial. Call me old-fashioned, but
perhaps - sometimes at least - "less" - really is more...!
Tim: How do you see the Internet playing
a roll in the success of “John Wicks and The Records” and “Rotate?” And
is it critical for the success? |
John: Basically,
although I have a love-hate relationship with the internet, I realize that
without it, someone like me would be pretty much dead in the water, as
it were! The internet definitely levels the playing field somewhat,
assuming people looking for quality music are able to find you of course!
Bottom line is, if people like what they hear, then they will more than
likely buy your music, hopefully becoming an avid fan in the process.
At the same time, I still see value in the traditional methods of promotion,
and I most certainly think one should take full advantage of all available
options. That said, with all the content out there - good, bad, or
indifferent - it's definitely no easy sell whichever way you slice it.
To quote the "AC/DC" song - "It's A Long Way To
The Top... (If You
Wanna Rock 'n' Roll"!!)
Tim: Back in the years of The Records
(1978-1982) what were your hopes and dreams for the band?
John: Oh boy!
Fame and fortune and all the good stuff that goes with it!! LOL!!
However, like everything else in life, you have to take the rough with
the smooth! Still, it's no secret that almost everyone - if the truth
be told - wants their band to be the "biggest and the best"! To be
perfectly honest, I'm no exception, sure I would like to have achieved
far greater success - initially I admit, probably for rather obvious, superficial
reasons! However, looking beyond the shallow aspects of fame, being
very serious about the business of songwriting, greater success would have
given me a more stable platform on which to practice my art, making it
- I think - all the more gratifying. I also would have traveled the solo
path, at some point, as opposed to remaining in a band.
Just a shame one can't put one's life into "rewind"!
Erase - and start again! LOL!!
Tim: In four years The Records released
three albums. Not a very successful career by today's standards, however
you did reach #41 on the Billboard charts. And, almost 30 years later,
people still recognize your name and your songs. Do you feel Virgin made
mistakes in marketing The Records? Or do you think you were the victim
of the industry's shift to get away from the Punk/Brit Pop sound as we
moved into the Duran Duran, Culture Club, Hall & Oates era?
John: Yes,
I think we were all pretty psyched that the first album reached #41.
Not earth-shattering I know, but not too shabby either! Indeed, considering
we never quite achieved major mainstream success, I have to admit that
I'm constantly, pleasantly surprised by just how many folks still remember
the band, all over the world in fact. Very flattering and definitely
a source of gratification, or perhaps I should say, more aptly - validation!
As for Virgin, yes I do think that they made some
mistakes in certain areas, as all concerned did. However, this is
an objective observation, rather than a criticism. I think they did
everything to the very best of their abilities, but being a British company,
were a little naive with their approach to the US market. They had
a deal with Atlantic Records, here in the States and the folks at Atlantic
- taking into consideration the vast
differences between our respective countries
- would put forward promotional suggestions and advice, that Virgin - who
had their own ideas - would not always follow! However, it would be very
unfair of me to blame them for our fate, since they did really get behind
us and - for a short time, anyway, we were a priority act. In fact,
I place the blame firmly on our shoulders, not forgetting the management!
LOL!
Again, an objective observation, not a criticism.
We were young, headstrong and perhaps more importantly, unlike many bands
that have stood the test of time and stayed the course - weren't exactly
a - "happy family". All bands go through troubling times, trials
and tribulations, but it's the ones' who pull together that ultimately
seem to stay together.
(If you happen to be a member of - "The Rolling
Stones" - the money's a strong incentive too, of course! LOL!!!)
Tim: You have played quite a few
dates in the past ten years. Does touring ever get old? How do you
keep it fresh, keep yourself into it?
John: Yes,
since I came to the US my life has changed drastically, for the better
I'm pleased to say! I went from almost never playing live back in
the UK - to playing anywhere anyone would book me!
Not always a good thing, but I needed to regain
my confidence and see if I still had the goods, if you will.
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John: Accordingly,
rather than feeling jaded, I felt a great sense of invigoration and excitement,
kind of like a new lease of life. However, at times I often wonder
about the wisdom of touring, since it's extremely tiring when you're in
your prime, never mind when you're older and supposedly wiser! As
for keeping myself - 'into it' - not being a natural born performer - as
it were - I'm somewhat mercurial about that aspect of things. For
instance, after suffering through the logistical problems of putting together
different line-ups for various shows, I'm always vowing that I'll never
play out live again...
Until the next time...!! LOL!!!
Having said all this, I'm presently engaged in
talks about going to Japan to promote - "Rotate" - once it finally comes
out!
Ultimately, when all is said and done, I'm a sucker
when it comes to playing live, there's really nothing better than connecting
with the fans and it stops me from getting too introverted! LOL!!
Tim: In 1980 you brought in a green
kid to share vocals. What did you see in a young Jude Cole?
John: Are
you kidding me!?! More like what didn't I see in him!! Our
producer, at the time, Craig Leon turned us on
to him. I heard his vocals on a Moon Martin record and immediately knew
the potential. We flew him over from LA to London, I gave him a top
harmony line to sing, from - "Rumour Sets The Woods Alight" - and he just
nailed it like a veteran!! He was simply incredible! I'm not sure
if he realized, at the tender age of nineteen, just how talented he was,
but I was completely blown away! He brought so much to the band,
not just vocally and musically, but he kind of brought the rest of us closer
somehow. It was very sad when we had to part ways with him, due to
financial constraints. Still, I have extremely fond memories of the
"Jude" period and I'm sure the other guys' do too. Very cool!
Tim: Are you surprise by the success
Jude has obtained? Things like the solo career, the resurgence as a producer
and now as a prime time TV music critic?
John: Not
at all. In fact I was way more surprised that he didn't attain even
bigger success as a solo artist. Then again, that so often has more
to do with the machinations of the music business, as opposed to his talent.
Tim: Outside of your
musical career and ambitions, what things interest you? Any hobbies or
things you like to do?
John: Well,
you could say that music is my hobby! That aside, I've always had
a very keen interest in astronomy, it accords me endless fascination.
I don't follow it quite as closely as I'd like
to, but I do endeavour to read the latest news of discoveries and such,
whenever possible. I feel the answers to everything can be found somewhere
out in Space and I frequently find myself trying to figure these "answers"
out, an exercise in futility if ever there was one!! LOL!!
Nothing like a bit of "stargazing" to put things in perspective...
Tim: After the release of “Rotate”
what things are in store for “John Wicks and The Records?”
John: Oooh...
Well, these days I don't really plan ahead in quite the same way as I did
in my younger days. Although I still have my hopes and dreams, I
tend to be more philosophical, more "Zen" like about things. I guess
with age and experience comes wisdom!
However, I am very concerned and sad about the
awful events and tragedies that are presently consuming our planet.
Like many of us, I'm sure, I just wish I could fix everything and make
it better.
All in all though, despite our worldly woes, I
have to say that, personally speaking, I do feel very optimistic about
my musical future and my life in general.
I have wonderful friends, plenty of ambition and
because of the state of this world - much, much more to write about...
Tim: John I want to thank you for
taking the time to answer my questions. Best of luck to you in the future.
John: My pleasure.
Thank you for having me!
Interviews
(Photos courtesy of Johnwicksandtherecords.com)
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