RRI has a chat with Paul Raymond UFO MSG and Savoy Brown
Todd Houston : The Chicago area has always been a hot spot for UFO to play over the years. Different incarnations of the band have come through Rockford Il. more than once and shared billing with locals Cheap Trick a few times. You guys released the album “A Conspiracy of Stars” recently and are starting another US tour March 2nd in Akron Ohio. What keeps UFO rolling and what do you attribute the bands longevity to?
Paul Raymond: Recently, there seems to be a wave of nostalgia rising, perhaps as a consequence of a few bands of our era ceasing to exist in the last few years, such as Thin Lizzy, Dio, and now Motorhead. Particularly in the UK, we sold out the majority of venues on our tour there last year. I think a lot of people are thinking along the lines of “is this the last chance I have to see this band?” and to hear the original band play the music live. Remarkably, all members of UFO past and present are still alive and I hope it remains that way!
TH You’ve also been busy with the Paul Raymond Project. What can you tell us about that?
PR There has been a Paul Raymond Project in existence since the late 80’s in various incarnations. Initially in Japan and for a while in the UK it only existed as a studio project, but back in 2013 I put a band together for the album launch of “Terms & Conditions Apply” and subsequently with a line-up change we did a mini tour in early 2015 and a couple of shows in September to promote the “Rewind 50” album which celebrated the anniversary of my 50 years as a professional musician. I’d love to do more, but the band are scattered to the 4 corners of the UK so it’s really difficult to arrange rehearsal time in between my UFO commitments. It’s an ongoing project and there will be more albums and perhaps more live shows in the future.
TH You play the guitar upside down ala Albert King. Was it difficult figuring out songs like that early on?
PR It has had its problems technically, but generally I think I get a brighter sound by strumming upwards. Michael Schenker once paid me a huge compliment back in 1998 by saying “I have played in a 2 guitar band with many different people, but I think your sound complements me the best” Sometimes when Vinnie writes songs that have complex riffs, I think to myself, how am I going to play this? But I’ve never yet been defeated and always find a way!
TH In recent years I’ve seen the epic UFO song “Try me” (Lights Out) included in some of the live shows. What inspired you to write the classic opening piano intro?
PR Try Me started out life as just a guitar solo (which you hear in the middle of the song) Phil said “We can make a song out of this, have you any ideas for a vocal melody for the verse?” He already had the very strong chorus (the Try Me bit) so I came up with the vocal melody and we wrote the lyrics together in a rehearsal room in London while the other guys went to the pub. The only missing element was the introduction – so I drew on my classical training and with the essence of the song in mind – created the intro you are referring to. Ron Nevison seemed very pleased with it.
TH Many here in the states don’t know that you were a member of the band Savoy Brown after most of the other members jumped ship to form Foghat. Thoughts?
PR Hmm! Yes, Savoy Brown did have (and continued to have) a very high turnover of musicians, I’ll leave that to your imagination to figure out why. I had just spent 2 years in Chicken Shack which was another great British blues band and we had the same manager, Harry Simmonds who was Kim Simmond’s brother – it made sense for me to join them and bring the rhythm section with me! It was a really great line-up and within a month of Kim and I working together we came up with “Tell Mama” (from the Street Corner Talking album) which has really endured and we knew we had something really special.
TH According to former UFO bass player Paul Gray and Cheap Trick’s Bun E. Carlos UFO had a reputation as a hard rocking band that liked their drink and loved to have fun on the road. Would this be a fair assessment of the early days?
PR Yes – I could write a novel about it, but then again, most of it would be unprintable!
TH Speaking of Cheap Trick do you have any memories of playing Rockford’s Coronado with Rick Derringer or Alpine Valley (East Troy) Wisconsin with Cheap Trick?
PR None at all
TH Last time you spoke to Paul Chapman (Ex-UFO guitarist)?
PR I last saw Paul in Orlando back in 1995. I’ve had no direct contact with him since then, but a relative of his came to one of my PRP shows at The Borderline in London and said that Paul had recently been in London and he wished he could have brought him to the show, but he’d just returned to the States. He said he was really healthy and doing well. It would have been really great to see him again.
TH Last time you had a request for the song “Getting Ready” off of Lights Out?
PR Never in my recollection. I always thought this one was the one that got away – I don’t think it’s ever been played live by UFO (we rehearsed it, but I don’t think it ever made it into the set) but it’s a great song. Maybe Paul Raymond Project will do it in the near future – we already played Born to Lose and You Don’t Fool Me – the really devoted fans love to hear the deeper cuts played live.
TH Favorite song to play live?
PR I’m a Loser – it’s so beautifully constructed. A simple verse, a nice middle section, great chorus and an incredible solo section.
TH Who would win in an arm wrestling contest, Pete Way or Fast Phil Mogg?
PR Funny you should mention that! Phil always prided himself on his arm wrestling prowess – until around 10 years ago when we had a guitar tech named Oskar who reluctantly took Phil on. On numerous occasions, spurred on by Pete Way, shouting from the background “Come on Champ, you can do it” and with money on the table, he beat him every time, much to Phil’s distress. Surprisingly, there hasn’t been much talk of arm wrestling in recent years!
Thanks Paul!