INTERVIEW WITH STEVE THORNE
February 2005.
IF YOU WOULD DESCRIBE YOURSELF, HOW WOULD IT BE?
[st]:I would say that I am a man obsessed with music! WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU MAKE?
[st]: I guess my music is the sum total of all the influences of all the musicians and albums that I have loved over the years. The official description is Genre: Rock.. progressive/folk. WHAT KIND OF INSTRUMENTS DO YOU PLAY, DID YOU HAVE LESSONS?
[st]: I play the guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and percussion. I am self taught in everything including song writing. I used to pick up a guitar and try to play along to my favourite albums, it went on from there. ARE YOU MARRIED? KIDS? PETS?
[st]: I have a girlfriend (more as 15 years), two daughters and a Cocker Spaniel called Gomez, my daughter named him after the band of the same name. IS GOMEZ THE DOG THAT LIKES PLAYING WITH LAPTOPS?
[st]:Yes, Gomez does like chewing laptops! what a pain. ANY OCCUPATIONS OTHER THEN MUSIC?
[st]: I do not have time for anything other then music, if I am not writing or recording then I am listening to other peoples, on headphones in bed or on minidisc when I walk the dog. SURPRISING FACTS?
[st]: Emotional Creatures Part One was written and roughed in my garden shed! FAVOURITE MUSIC?
[st]: That includes Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, Pink Floyd, Rush, Camel and Jethro Tull, there are so many I could list another 100 or so. BEST ALBUMS BOUGHT OR HEARD IN THE LAST YEAR?
[st]: Feel Euphoria-Spocks Beard, More Then Meets The Eye remix- Jadis, Dark Matter-I.Q. and the new Kino album. BEST ALBUM EVER?
[st]: My favourite album ever is Selling England By The Pound, closely followed by Wind And Wuthering, both by Genesis. BEST LIVE ACT?
[st]: Until recently I would probably named one of my favourites listed above but I recently went to a TUBES gig down here on the South Coast and I was blown away, they were incredible, I have never seen them before but I would definitely go again, best live gig I have ever seen. FAVOURITE MOVIE?
[st]: My favourite ever is the black and white "PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY" but I also rate The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and Trainspotting.
favourite FOOD?
[st]: It has to be Indian curry, I love it and it always tastes better when you are eating it with friends.
In fact he invited Geoff Downes for a curry and so he got the chance to ask him for playing on his new album.
FAVOURITE QUOTE
[st]: Yes I do, in fact I have written so much material that it is frustrating to think I may never get to record it all, the thing is I write new stuff all the time, so I don't know when I will ever catch up with myself. I think unfortunately some things may never be heard. ARE THE LYRICS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
[st]: Yes, very. The lyrics are what conjours up the picture in your head or they take you on the journey of the subject.
It was due for release on the 7th March but unfortunately due to schedule setbacks it will now be 25th April HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO GET TONY LEVIN, GEOFF DOWNES AND NICK D'VIRGILIO ON YOUR ALBUM.
[st]: Geoff Downes- A top bloke who was recording his album with John Wetton at Aubitt Studios with my producer Rob Aubrey. He came out with us one night for a curry and we got talking, that's how it came about.
Nick D'Virgilio- Rob Aubrey is the live sound tech for Spock's Beard when they go out on tour, so I have him to thank for setting that up. We had a brilliant day at Rob's studio, Nick is a really nice guy.
Tony Levin- Agreed to do the bass on a couple of tracks when he heard them. We didn't think it would be possible to organize as Tony has a very hectic schedule as you can imagine, but thanks to the wonders odf technology we worked it out okay. Rob and I went to see him at Real World Studios (owned by Peter Gabriel) and enjoyed a coffee and the best fruit cake ever made. Tony Levin is a thoroughly genuine guy and I can't thank him enough for his contribution.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS?
[st]: Geoff Downes- Contributed an electrifying Hammond organ solo on the outro of the track "Last Line" The song had to be extended twice from it's original length, once for Nick D'Virgilio's superb drumming, then again to accommodate Geoffs blinding performance. Nick D'Virgilio- played drums on three tracks... "Ten Years", "Julia" and "Last Line", his unique way of playing injected a real energy into the tracks, they pack a real punch. Tony Levin- played 5 string bass on "Well Outta That" his style of playing is so distinctive, he also played stick bass on the instrumental "Every Second Counts" This track is a must for all bass fans as I have featured the bass as the main instrument, it's a real blinder! YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH GARY CHANDLER AND MARTIN ORFORD, WHERE DID YOU MEET THOSE TWO?
[st]: I have always been a fan of Martin Orford and IQ, but I only really got to know him well when I joined the guys on tour a couple of years ago. I have known Gary Chandler for many years as we are both musicians from Southampton UK. Our paths have crossed many times, but since going on tour with him to support Jadis, he has become a valued friend of mine. DO YOU HELP GARY CHANDLER WITH WRITING FOR HIS ALBUMS?
[st]:I don't write with Gary or help him with his albums but we do get together occasionally for a strum. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO GO ON TOUR WITH THEM?
[st]: It's great fun, everyone has a great time, not just the band but the crew also, it's like being on holiday with a great bunch of people and I would say that it was one of the best experiences of my life. DO YOU REMEMBER THE LAST GIG YOU WERE IN THE SPIRIT OF 66?
[st]: yes I do remember it well. It was snowing, and I remember Frances treating us to a magnificent Chinese meal before we went on. Everyone in the venue was friendly and helpful. They made us all feel so welcome and the audience was fantastic. A brilliant place to play. WHAT'S LIKE PERFORMING AS SOLO ACT WITH JUST AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND ONE TAPE?
[st]: Very scary!!! It is nice to play with a band, other people around you give you a little more confidence, however, every time I have performed that way I have had good reception from the audience and pretty good reviews afterwards. It is my intention, sometime in the not too distant future, to go out with a full band again. WHEN IS YOUR ALBUM COMING OUT, WILL IT BE AVAIABLE ON TOUR?
[st]: The album is finished and at this very moment is being printed and pressed, G.E.P. have assured me that I will have a few pre-release copies to sell on the tour so fingers crossed.... that someone wants to buy one!
Okay Nick, I hope that this is what you were wanting, if you need to know anything else you can call me at home, you have my number, or send an e-mail.
See you soon!
Kind regards,
Steve Thorne
Looking forward to see you again in the Famous Spirit of 66.
Steve's girlfriend, Jennie, bought a book with the picture of this wonderful drawing. And Steve
fel in love with it. A few years later when he was shopping he run into the original
painting, 1000 quid was to much on that moment. A few years past. When his
manager Bonny asked what he liked on the cover he mentioned the painting. And yes
this is a small world; Bonny knew Danny Flynn very well and so this album got a real
eye-cathing cover.
5. Last Line
The contributions of the guest musicians, such as Tony Levin, Geoff Downes and Nick D'Virgilio
are superb and they're not just an added solo, now they're fitting in the songs perfectly. The
other top-guys and girls are giving room to this man ideas and filling in the gabs. 
Home again.