Trespass is the first band of all NWOBHM
legends who has released a new album in 2018. This is also the first all-new
album of the band since the album “Head” which came out 25 years ago
(yeah-yeah, the 90’s were more that 10 years ago!). And “Footprints In The Rock” rocks! Despite the drastic
line-up change, Trespass with its founder Mark Sutcliffe have delivered the
good! “Footprints On the Rock” has all the crucial points of the band from the
80’s with some new elements here and there. So we’ve contacted Trespass’
mastermind to discuss both the new album and old stories.
The “Footprints In The Rock” is your first
proper studio album with all new album in many years. Tell me a bit of its
creation. Were you influenced by a warm response on the previous release?
The 2015
album went down well considering they were new versions of older songs like “One
Of These Days” and “Stormchild”. To be honest I would have rather recorded
brand new songs then but I could not get the other original members to agree.
The album has very contradictive and
interesting title as you can’t leave footprints in
rocks. Can you comment on what’s your idea with this
title?
Actually
you can leave footprints in the rock. The idea came from both my love of
dinosaurs and paleontology and my love of rock/metal music. They have found
dinosaur footprints in the rock where what was a muddy shore where a creature
walked has become rock over millions of years! I guess musicians leave their
footprints in the “rock” also. A song or album that changes the course of rock
and roll. I guess trespass have all bet it a small one!
The songs on the album are very diverse — from melodic “Mighty Love” to very heavy “Be
Brave” and proggy “Little Star”. Did you try to summarize everything that
Trespass has been known for since the beginning?
I just
tried to stay true to my own tastes really. I like a bit of diversity in an
album. I think this is because I started to get into rock in the late 70’s when
albums from rock bands tended to show a more diverse set of songs. I prefer
slightly heavier stuff but with melody and light and shade.
Some of the songs are related to myths and epos
stuff (“Beowulf And Grendel”, “Prometheus”). Was it dictated by the music or do
they show your interest to historical themes?
I love
history and the myths and legends. I am also a big science fiction fan! I do
enjoy creating a picture not only with the lyrics but the music too! I would
love to get into film music!
Can you also explain your ideas (both musical
and lyrical) in the songs “Weed”, “Green Man” and “Music Of The Waves”?
“Weed” is
an anti drug song but also anti hate and aggression. The weed growing in the
garden of your mind is choking off new ideas and ways of thinking. I don’t mind
people taking drugs as long as it does not interfere with the music.
“Green Man”
was a story inspired by our drummer Jason. He was telling me about the legend
of the green man which dates back to pre-Christian times. He is the spirit of
the forest. It is also a reference to the people and scientists warning us that
we are destroying our beautiful planet. If we don’t start listening soon it
will be too late!
“Music Of
The Waves” is a reminder that the human race are just passing through. I wrote
it on the beach in Kos, Greece. I was letting the sand run through my fingers
and thinking. ‘This was a mountain once’ The earth was here long before we came
and will be here long after we have gone.
A lot of the songs off the album were played
before you recorded them. Did you take into account reaction from fans on the
songs?
Yes where
possible. I write from the heart so I guess not everyone can like everything.
The new album was recorded with the new
line-up. Firstly, why did Dave Crawte and all others leave? Did you ever think
of calling it quits after that?
Not for a
second. Trespass is something I really believe in, and is the vehicle that
allows me to share my music with the world. I wish I had not let myself be
distracted by other projects and name changes and had ‘stuck to my guns!!’ As
for the others time moves on and everyone had other things they wanted to do
that were more important to them I guess.
Danny B. is the most well known guy among the
new members. How did you get to know him? Isn’t it a problem that he also plays
with bands like Anihilated, Criminal, Pentagram Chile and more?
I got to
know Dan when we used his studio. He is a great guy of many talents. He can’t
help being so popular!
Please introduce Jason Roberts and Joe Fawcett.
How substantial was their contribution to the songwriting process?
I have been
working on and off with Jason on various projects going back decades. He is a
great solid drummer and a great solid bloke! I have known Joe since he was a
child as his parents ran a music store in my home town. He is such a talented
guitarist and writer. We will be writing together for any further albums we
record. The guys helped me to fulfill my dream of a Trespass studio album that
truly reflected my style and passion. I cannot thank them enough.
How did you get a deal with Mighty Music?
Joe had had
dealing with them in the past and said they were a good label. They have been
most supportive. To Trespass and to music in general.
It seems that NWOBHM-related bands still have a
lot of loyal followers but big time magazines tend to ignore such bands. Do you
care at all about it?
No, At the
end of the day it is the fans that matter. As soon as you start making music to
please the ‘industry’ you’ve had it.
James Hetfield wears Trespass’ patch on his denim vest. Does it mean that
much for you and does it help you to get some new fans?
I have met
James several times. He is a great guy and extremely talented. The thought that
Trespass music influenced a colossus like Metallica at all fills me with pride.
I hope everyone will give us a listen.
Do you keep an eye on young and upcoming bands
from the UK? Which bands deserve to be heard in your opinion?
I can’t say
I do. I am too set in my ways I guess. I should do more to encourage new bands
though and so should the industry in general.
Let’s get back to the time when you decided to be a guitar player. I believe
it was your father Alan who encouraged you and your brother Paul to become
musicians. Tell me a bit of your father and his role as a manager of Trespass.
My Father
Allan was so supportive of our music. He made me a triangular guitar when I was
a kid! It wasn’t until I started work aged 16 that I got my first real guitar.
I realized pretty soon that something fundamental had happened in my life.
Eventually Paul took up the drums. Dad bought him a drum kit and off we went!
Dad drove us all over the country lugging amps and gear around. My poor Mum was
left behind! She probably enjoyed the peace and quiet! When Dad died suddenly
in 1982 our world was ripped apart.
Tell me please the story behind the name
Trespass. Was it influenced by the same-titled album of Genesis?
Paul was a
big Genesis fan. Me less so. The name did come from the Genesis album.
How did you end up having two songs on the
“Metal For Muthas Vol. II” compilation? Why didn’t’t you capitalize something more off it (like a
record deal with EMI or other major label)?
We had two
tracks on Vol II.: “Stormchild” and “One Of These Days”. Iron Maiden had had
two tracks on Vol I. As you can imagine we thought we were going places with
EMI. We did a session for them at the EMI studios in London. EMI was going
through a lot of personnel changes at the time but basically they wanted to
concentrate on Maiden I think. Who knows what would have happened if we had put
out an album in 1981??
What’s the story with the bootlegged cassette album?
We helped
to create the demand for that bootleg as we, (and the people around us) were
stupid and short sighted not to release an album on our own label if necessary.
That is common now but not so back then.
How do you view the album “Head” these days? Do
you think it was underrated at the time it came out?
“Head” had
some good songs on it which I am proud of. I think it was a musical reaction to
the more commercial stuff we had, with hindsight mistakenly done with Blue
Blud. It came out very dark sounding. We will be playing some of those songs
live though!
You played at Wacken Open Air back in the 90’s. Would you say it was your biggest gig ever?
What other live shows you can mark as big, important or memorable?
That was
probably the biggest! The concert in Tokyo in 1999 was fantastic. And, the
shows at the Marquee club in London in 1980!!
Do you still stay in touch with Robert Eckland and
other old members? Sorry for asking but I heard that some of your ex-bandmates
committed suicide. Is it really like that?
I
occasionally hear from old members. Bob Irving did tragically take his own
life. He was a talented and gentle soul and I will always miss him.
Feel free to use the space below for any kind
of promotion, message to your fans and whatever!
I just want
to say thanks form my heart to anyone and everyone who has bought an album or
merch or come to a Trespass show. You’re helping to keep the music alive!! See you out there in 2018/19.
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