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Band page - The Oliver Wakeman Band
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What is your name and your current position in the band?
Oliver Wakeman. Writer, Piano & Keyboard Player
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
I have now released 9 albums and decided that for the release of my latest album, "Mother's Ruin" I would put a band together to support the album and to work on future ones. Only two of the original members of the studio album were available for the live work (David Mark Pearce - Guitars + Dave Wagstaffe - Drums) and the other two were replaced by Paul Manzi - Vocals + Paul Brown - Bass, Both have fitted in superbly and are ideal for the music I write.
We started rehearsing as a band in late 2004 and have plans for shows throughout the coming year. The highest points so far for the band must be either the launch concert for the album or the support slot for Arjen Lucassen's Stream of Passion show which was great fun!
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
I have always had the drive to do more than just play locally and the band now plays all across the UK with ventures into Europe planned for later in the year if all goes to plan!
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Mother's Ruin is a collection of hard rock, keyboard & guitar driven music with a strong emphasis on melody, something I always strive for in anything I write. I have written a lot of music throughout my career and this is a further development, one of which I am very proud, and Mother's Ruin has to be the favourite album I've written so far! If well written music with great musicians is your thing then give it a go!
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
A difficult one to answer really as I've always written in lots of different styles, rock, progressive, ballads, blues, classical, piano music etc but this band is primarily rock. Although I'm sure as I start writing for the band again it will develop. That's what's fun about working with a great bunch of musicians it gives you the freedom to try new things.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
They are all a really nice bunch of guys who I'm proud to call my friends as well as musicians I work with and so generally whenever we get together it's good fun. Possible the first time we all met and played through a few tracks together was particularly exciting as I could hear just how good this band was going to be!
How is the writing process in the band?
I write all the music for the band. It's something I have always done and something I really enjoy.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
My father is a musician and so it was in my blood from a very early age. I currently work in IT as a day job to support my wife and son of whom I'm very proud but I'd love to be in a position to do music as a full time career.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
I don't really have idols as such as I've worked with some great people who have become friends. I do however have immense respect for people such as Steve Howe who has been a great friend and musician to work with (he appeared on my 3 Ages of Magick album).
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
I have always been very proud of every album I've released and often when I've been commissioned to write music I've always been very aware that I wanted to make sure the music stood up to my other work.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
Not really, there are a few songs that I've played so many times that I'd quite happily drop from the set but they have to stay for the time being as people always ask for them. As to what they are - I'm not telling!
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Very important, I write all the lyrics and always spend a long time making sure they say what I want them to say. I like telling short stories in my songs and hope that people enjoy the words as much as the music.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
It's a shame that the industry seems to be so media focussed. It's very difficult for musicians who do something slightly different to get a look in on the mainstream media channels. It makes it hard for the musicians and a shame for the public as I'm pretty sure there are lots of people who would enjoy the music I have to offer if they just got the chance to hear it. However, we'll keep going and play to as many people are prepared to come to the shows.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I'm not really sure, it's a shame that lots of people nowadays don't see a CD as a nice object/package to own. I always loved looking through album/CD sleeves and seeing who was on this album and which studios were used etc but unfortunately that aspect of music buying seems to have become lost which is a bit of a shame. I try to make my albums visually appealing with nice covers and artwork to try and encourage people to buy the CD and have something they're pleased to own. To some people though it's just disposable...
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
To leave meaningful work behind after I'm gone. It's lovely to think that my music can be entertaining someone hundreds of miles away and I'm no-where near.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Get up and go to the day job. Come home, spend some time with my family and then work in my studio until I get tired and have to go to bed!
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
My wife and son. We don't get as much time together as I'd like so the time we spend together as a family is very important to me.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
I remember years ago when I was at school. I joined a band that gigged heavily. I'd finish school - jump in the van and play in all sorts of strange places. One time we ended up in a big pub overlooking the sea. In this pub the ceilings were very high and the lights were very ornate and hung down a fair distance. The guitarist had a habit during the last number of jumping on tables and playing a solo. Unfortunately he wasn't the tallest guy in the world and mid solo decided to throw the guitar upright into a 'rock' pose. The guitar neck got caught in the light and he hung on as he fell off the table - still soloing to his credit - swinging from the light whilst knocking tables and drinks over...We were never asked back strangely enough...
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
That's a really tough one and would probably change by tomorrow but here and now I'd say..
Books
Dark Rivers of the Heart - Dean Koontz
Magician - Raymond Feist
The Collective Short Stories of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (I have read this book so many times that it's falling apart!)
Movies
Spinal Tap,
Star Wars
Best in Show (Spinal tap guys doing a dog show)
CD's
Who Do You Think You Are - Deep Purple
Images & Words - Dream Theater
Eat Me in St Louis - It Bites
What is your favourite joke?
Too many to think of, but I am quite fond of the line I heard the other day which was - "Everyone in this room is so self centred - Am I the only one thinking about me?".
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
To keep playing live and to work on the new album for a release next year if possible.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Thanks for listening to the music we musicians write, if it wasn't for people like you who listen to music away from the mainstream I'm pretty sure the majority of us musicians would go crazy!
Added by Steen - 3/20/2006
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Album Review - Mother´s Ruin
(Steen)
Band Information - Band Information
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