Sensational Alex Harvey , Nazareth guitarist Zal Cleminson checks in with new project Orphans of Ash

Born Alistair Macdonald Cleminson May 4th 1949 in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland

A self-taught guitarist, Zal played and recorded with the Glasgow-based band Tear Gas early on whom incidentally became The Sensational Alex Harvey bands backup band. They released eight albums on Vertigo Records respectively. In 1978 Cleminson joined Nazareth and recorded two albums with them, 1979's No Mean City and 1980's Malice in Wonderland.

During the 1990s Cleminson played with The Party Boys, a casual band that, at various times, featured former Marillion vocalist Fish and Nazareth's Dan McCafferty as well as Billy Rankin on vocals. This band became a reformed SAHB (Sensational Alex Harvey Band), in 1993, with Zero Zero vocalist Stevie Doherty; A live album titled "Live in Glasgow" was released in 1993.

Cleminson decided to come out of retirement in 2017 and form his own band /sin'dogs/, with keyboardist David Cowan.

Also, Zal has since been working on the music project "Orphans of the Ash". Read on:

Todd Houston: Hi Zal. So glad you could take a few minutes to chat with us here in good ol' Rockford Il.

As a self-taught guitarist, who were you trying to emulate starting off? Who were your favorites?

Zal Cleminson: Thanks Todd. Well, when I was about eleven years old, I heard Elvis Presley and Bill Hayley for the first time. It was a noise I liked (laughs) In my early teens I heard Wes Montgomery, then Chuck Berry and Steve Cropper. They all influenced my approach to playing the guitar. Later it was Hendrix, Richie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Pete Townsend. But mostly I have been influenced by Frank Zappa.

RRI: Back in the SAHB you seemed to favor a Gibson SG Special. What is it about the SG that made you gravitate towards it instead of a Les Paul or Stratocaster?

Zal Cleminson: Early on in the band "Tear Gas" I actually used a Stratocaster. Perhaps because of Hendrix? The Les Paul I found to heavy, and the neck to thick. The SG was the perfect fit for me and sounded great as well.

Which guitars are you favoring these days?

Zal Cleminson: I’m currently recording mainly with a Strat and an Ibanez Prestige. I prefer the Strat right now though.

Alex Harvey was a character onstage but little is known about his personal life offstage. What's one of your favorite memories about Alex that really sticks out in your mind among the rest?

Zal Cleminson: Alex was a complex man, often conflicted and misunderstood. My favorite image of Alex is when we first rehearsed together in Glasgow. He asked if we could play the riff to Midnight Moses. We (Tear Gas) instantly beat the shit out of it! (laughs) Alex started bouncing up and down on a pair of brothel-creepers and turned to give me his characteristic grin. He knew he had found the right band.

After much success with SAHB you then joined the band Nazareth for a couple of albums. In a previous conversation with Manny Charleton (former Nazareth guitarist) he said, "When Zal joined the band it really took the load off of me as the sole guitarist." Was working with another guitar player awkward at all when you first joined?

Zal Cleminson: I joined to add another dimension to the songwriting. It worked for a couple of albums, but I never really felt I was included in the bigger picture, so I left to form "Tandoori Cassette" with Barrymore Barlow of Jethro Tull.

In all honesty, how much do you think former AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott owed to Alex Harvey as far as overall onstage appeal?

Zal Cleminson: A great deal. (laughs)

What do your children think about their dad being a rock star? Are they aware that you are probably responsible for the genesis of many garage bands and guitarist around the world?

Zal Cleminson: They have always been mildly amused as they have seen me driving a mini-cab and reading gas meters to make a living, but the rock-star persona is something I’m sure they are proud of.

Favorite meal?

Zal Cleminson: Poulet Basques

When was the last time you spoke with former bandmate, Nazareth vocalist Dan McCafferty?

Zal Cleminson: At a concert for Frankie Miller at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow in 2002.

SAHB toured with Rockford's Cheap Trick in the mid 70's. Thoughts?

Zal Cleminson: I never really heard much of their music or his guitar playing. Really not my style of music.

Tell us really quick about your project "Orphans of the Ash"

Zal Cleminson: Orphans of the Ash is the ongoing collaboration of myself and guitarist Billy McGonagle. We are currently in the studio finishing the album, Ellipsis, which is due out soon.

What's next for Zal Cleminson?

Zal Cleminson: Orphans of the Ash.

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