Music / Interview
Interview: Alan Nimmo, King King
There’s no doubt been a resurgence in the blues rock scene with plenty of superb bands out there, all touring and releasing great albums. There’s loads of variety within the scene, much to please all tastes and whilst the bands are influenced by the great artists of the past they’re not in thrall to them but rather are confident enough to provide fresh new sounds. King King are arguably top of the pile having spent more than a few years honing their craft in front of audiences across the country and overseas. They’re making a welcome return to town on 1st July and we recently grabbed Alan Nimmo (guitars / vox) from the band and left him to the tender mercies of the vinyl enquirer.
What was the first record you ever bought and where did you buy it?
The first record I ever bought was Hysteria by Def Leopard… I think! I would’ve been around 11 years old and I got it from our local Woolworths.
is needed now More than ever
What was the most recent record you bought and where did you buy it?
The most recent album I bought was from iTunes and it was the Marcus King Band. He’s a great young singer / guitarist and the band are great, very soulful.
What record do you stick on the deck to sooth your soul?
That tends to change from time to time but at the moment when I’m looking for a little chill time or I need something to relax to I put on Chris Stapleton’s Traveller album. Just about any of the songs on that one will find its way in to your soul but in particular Whiskey and You is a beauty!
Have you bought a record on the basis of a great single and then been disappointed by the rest of the album? If so, tell us all about it…
Yes I have I’m afraid, but I wouldn’t like to name them! Everyone in this business does their own thing and we all make music that makes us happy. You can’t please everyone all of the time and everyone is entitled to their opinion but that’s all it is…an opinion, so I’ll keep mine to myself!
Alan Nimmo on guitar & vocals
What record do you turn up to maximum to get in to that party mood?
There was a song on the so-called B side of Prince’s Gold single when it came out in the early 90’s called Rock n Roll Is Alive (And It Lives In Minneapolis), this was a bit of a show case for the fantastic musicianship of his band and is a great song, tend to turn that one up full blast when I’m getting in the mood for a night out.
If we had the ability to land you at the recording of one classic LP so you could witness the whole recording process, what would you choose and why?
It would’ve been really cool to have been a fly on the wall when Steve Vai was recording his famous Passion & Warfare album. The level of musicianship from him and the band is phenomenal and as a guitarist it would’ve been amazing to sit and watch Steve playing, just sat on a chair without the audience and the posing moves and also to see how many times it took him to get it right (probably one take and home for dinner).
Ever bought a record solely because you liked the sleeve? If so, what was it and did it delight you or disappoint you?
Ha Ha…Yes…and it was the aforementioned Passion & Warfare. What an amazing picture disc…I was so lucky, it’s still one of my all-time favourite records today.
Oh no, your house is burning down and you can only rescue one record! What would it be and why?
Free, Live! Free are my biggest influence and my favourite band and I was introduced to this music by my family (brother & mother) so not only is it a great album by a great band…there’s sentimental value too.
What’s your favourite record sleeve? Tell us all about it (and whether or not the music gives you as much pleasure as the sleeve).
There’s an old picture disc of Paul Kossoff’s Backstreet Crawler and on the front is a great picture of Koss just doing what he did best – playing guitar. For me that famous Kossoff stance was everything I liked about being a guitarist when I was young, I wanted to look like that when I was on stage and more importantly…I wanted to sound like that! RIP wee man.
Morbidity alert: what record would you like played at your funeral?
The song is like played at my funeral would have to be…Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be by AC/DC.
Pix by Laurence Harvey and Rob Blackham
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