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INTERVIEW
Suburbia Magazine
 irst of all, Damon, I would like to congratulate with you for "Money Machine". I've read a lot of reviews, all extremely positive. Did you expect a success like this?
Thank you. I think you always hope for that kind of response, but you never know with the critics?? I think they dig our trip because they know it's real and not fabricated.
Would you like to introduce the band shortly?
Damon Fox: Lead vocals/keyboards
A.H.M. Butler-Jones: Lead vocals/guitar
Duffy Snowhill: Bass guitar
Froth: Drums
You've been really appreciated by critics, what about the response of the fans?
I think that their reactions are even better. People seem to really want something raw and uncompromised. Rock fans need rock music, "classic rock" doesn't exist in today's music scene…we are the messengers.
What do you expect from "Money Machine" in terms of sells?
I really don't know, we are still growing tremendously…so anything is possible.
Would you say that the emotions you were feeling at the time gave you an added edge of creativity? And, what kind of emotions did you feel during the recording session and the writing?
Absolutely, frustration can be a strong tool. I think the lyrics/titles of the songs sum up that question.
What kind of reaction/emotion do you expect from a listener? Do you try to provoke a specific reaction/emotion?
I don't expect anything. I hope they relate to it in some way, whether it's the lyrics on a personal level or a specific hook in a song, it could be the sonics of the album or sometimes people just want to rock out and they don't think about the other elements. Basically as long as we connect with the listener on some level, we're pleased.
What's your best moment for writing?
Probably late at night…I write chord progressions and riffs all the time though, things just come out. Sometimes, I sit down to finish a song that I've been working on and I end up writing another one in 10 minutes. Some songs, I'll just keep working on for 3 years until there're right…I like to let them age, like wine.
And where do you take inspiration for the lyrics, so '70's oriented?
I, like most artists, write songs about my life and the effects around it. If they come off 70's, I guess I've done alot of careful listening to The Beatles, Roger Waters and Mr. Osbourne…of course.
Why did u choose to make a cover of "Death Walks Behind You"? Will you play other covers in the future albums/shows?
We were a trio without a bass player, like Atomic Rooster (I was playing bass with my left hand at the time). It felt natural for us to do that song, sort of like an homage, not to mention that it's great song and has the darkest vibe in it. I still remember the first time I heard it, I looked over to my friend and said…this song is so sick, in a good way. It still sounds scary to me. As far as other covers on future albums…probably not. On the live front, we've been toying with the idea of doing one side of "Paranoid" or "Masters of Reality"…just for fun, I think the our fans would love it.
Would you like to spend some words on the production of the album, that is so unusual for a band nowadays, even if I think that it's the weapon in the pocket for Bigelf. I mean, you guys, really sound like a band from the glorious seventies scene!
Our albums…our vibe, is a combination of so many things, I could go on and on, what we used on that…analog studio equipment, instruments from the…as you said "glorious" 70's era, along with songs in that style and genre, but mostly above all, is the will to go all the way with all of it…and that's what we are known for.
This is a difficult question for a musician: which one of the songs of "MM" do you think is the best to show Bigelf? The most representative?
That's not to hard…Money Machine!
If you have to tell how Bigelf does sound to a guy who never listened to you, what would you like to say?
How about…Black Sabbath buying a Mellotron from the Pretty Things at a sidewalk sale outside of Abbey Road.
Are you planning a tour to support the album?
Yes we are supporting the album, but unfortunately we haven't made it to Italy yet. We will have to do something about that.
If yes, is there is a band that you would like to tour with?
I think Bigelf as a support act for Black Sabbath works for me. We are planning to do some touring with The Hellacopters and Soundtrack of Our Lives this summer… we will have to see?
Why should a guy buy your album? Just to make you rich?
I wish. If you are sick of today's bullshit…tired of wanna-be rock stars, mediocre songwriting, albums recorded on pro tools, music that is so produced it sounds as flat as a piece of paper, all too safe/ over-marketed / prepackaged / flash in the pan / one-hit wonders? …Well then, maybe it's time you find yourself a Bigelf CD.
Is there any band who recently caught your attention?
I like alot of new things…Lollipop Factory from Ohio, Tim Christensen (Denmark) and Italy's own The London Underground.
What about the American scene?
What scene? It sucks.
Are you satisfied of the work of the guys at Record Heaven?
They do a fine job. Nice chaps.
Do you think that there's still space for this kind of hard rock?
It doesn't matter if there is or not, we will still get in and do our thing.
Give me a definition of psychedelic, please.
S.F. Sorrow
And one for progressive.
In the Court of the Crimson King
I saw your website. What's your opinion on the new technologies? Mp3, Napster and so on?
I'm so old fashioned…I still like to go to the record store to look around and buy new things. MP3's are very useful so potential fans can snoop around websites and check stuff out before buying it. I do that sometimes to hear a band I can't find in stores.
Who's Duffy Snowhill? What do you mean with "a true space cowboy"?
He's our bass player. He looks like he's from outer space but he loves Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, I really don't know what I meant……he's just cool.
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