"BOMBJOUR!" interview with Kevin Ridley (SKYCLAD) - 1999
"Bombjour!" : How have you become Skyclad's second guitarist?
Kevin Ridley : In 1997, Skyclad had no more drummer or second guitarists. So, following the split of my former band Forgodsake, the band has asked me to join as permanent second guitarist for 'the answer machine?" promo tour. I've been glad to accept and my place in the band has become permanent with time, as you have been able to see on the different tours since then. Moreover, if you see the credits on skyclad's last album 'vintage whine', you will see that i have coproduced it as i've done before with all the other releases of the band. This is the opportunity for me to play guitar and producing the band.
"Bombjour!" : Before Skyclad you were the leader of another band "Forgodsake". What style of music was it?
Kevin Ridley : My former band, Forgodsake has released two albums "Blasthead" in 1993, and "Gunk" in 1996 for Bleeding Heart/Music for Nations. Our music was a kind of modern version of melodic hard rock with many influences such as faith no more and alice in chains.
"Bombjour!" : What's your opinion on musical business?
Kevin Ridley : People seems not willing to recognize that musical business is only a matter of business. Like any other job, working in musical business is full of hard realities but it can be extremely fun and pleasant.
"Bombjour!" : You're doing backing vocals in Skyclad as well. How long have you been practising singing?
Kevin Ridley : I've practise singing and backing vocals for more than 20 years. There's no secret, just studying much, thinking, training and then studying, thinking, training more and more
"Bombjour!" : What do you prefer? Producing the band or playing guitar as a member?
Kevin Ridley : Another hard question to answer cause both of them have good and bad sides. Being producer is a rewarding intellectual activity but a very tiring one while playing live with skyclad can be something really great but you have to go with long tiring boring bus trips.
"Bombjour!" : What's your musical course?
Kevin Ridley : When i was young i've taken private guitar lessons and even took lessons by mail although i've learnt almost everything i know by myself. My two former bands : "Screen Idols" ( "follow your heart" 1988- Trax Records Moments c118 ) and "Forgodsake".
"Bombjour!" : What's your role in skyclad management?
Kevin Ridley : I have many tasks to do for the band. In studio, i'm the boss (lol) and i think i'm really lucky to have gained the respect of the other members which allow us to work together.
On the road, things are different, i try to fade in the band. Generally there's a good and friendly atmostphere in the band (obviously, beer and wine are helping for that, lol).
"Bombjour!" : Do you think about having a greater grasp on the composition of the songs?
Kevin Ridley : As i told you already, i've got many tasks to do in skyclad, but composing isn't one of them. Steve, "Bean" and Martin are the one who make skyclad what it is and i think it has to remain this way. More compositors would dissolve the essence of the band or turn it into something different (prog rock for instance).
"Bombjour!" : What are your personal musical influences?
Kevin Ridley : Like many musicians they are too many to list they them all. Mainly they are centered around singers/compositors or bands carrying a strong message (in opposition to technical ability). I think my influences are more oriented folk rock than metal, with of course "Lindisfame" - HOWAY THE LADS! '
"Bombjour!" : Are you always drunk?
Kevin Ridley : I'm not always drunk, just sometimes i'm intoxicated, paralysed or facing ebriety. (lol)
"Bombjour!" : How have you become Skyclad's second guitarist?
Kevin Ridley : In 1997, Skyclad had no more drummer or second guitarists. So, following the split of my former band Forgodsake, the band has asked me to join as permanent second guitarist for 'the answer machine?" promo tour. I've been glad to accept and my place in the band has become permanent with time, as you have been able to see on the different tours since then. Moreover, if you see the credits on skyclad's last album 'vintage whine', you will see that i have coproduced it as i've done before with all the other releases of the band. This is the opportunity for me to play guitar and producing the band.
"Bombjour!" : Before Skyclad you were the leader of another band "Forgodsake". What style of music was it?
Kevin Ridley : My former band, Forgodsake has released two albums "Blasthead" in 1993, and "Gunk" in 1996 for Bleeding Heart/Music for Nations. Our music was a kind of modern version of melodic hard rock with many influences such as faith no more and alice in chains.
"Bombjour!" : What's your opinion on musical business?
Kevin Ridley : People seems not willing to recognize that musical business is only a matter of business. Like any other job, working in musical business is full of hard realities but it can be extremely fun and pleasant.
"Bombjour!" : You're doing backing vocals in Skyclad as well. How long have you been practising singing?
Kevin Ridley : I've practise singing and backing vocals for more than 20 years. There's no secret, just studying much, thinking, training and then studying, thinking, training more and more
"Bombjour!" : What do you prefer? Producing the band or playing guitar as a member?
Kevin Ridley : Another hard question to answer cause both of them have good and bad sides. Being producer is a rewarding intellectual activity but a very tiring one while playing live with skyclad can be something really great but you have to go with long tiring boring bus trips.
"Bombjour!" : What's your musical course?
Kevin Ridley : When i was young i've taken private guitar lessons and even took lessons by mail although i've learnt almost everything i know by myself. My two former bands : "Screen Idols" ( "follow your heart" 1988- Trax Records Moments c118 ) and "Forgodsake".
"Bombjour!" : What's your role in skyclad management?
Kevin Ridley : I have many tasks to do for the band. In studio, i'm the boss (lol) and i think i'm really lucky to have gained the respect of the other members which allow us to work together.
On the road, things are different, i try to fade in the band. Generally there's a good and friendly atmostphere in the band (obviously, beer and wine are helping for that, lol).
"Bombjour!" : Do you think about having a greater grasp on the composition of the songs?
Kevin Ridley : As i told you already, i've got many tasks to do in skyclad, but composing isn't one of them. Steve, "Bean" and Martin are the one who make skyclad what it is and i think it has to remain this way. More compositors would dissolve the essence of the band or turn it into something different (prog rock for instance).
"Bombjour!" : What are your personal musical influences?
Kevin Ridley : Like many musicians they are too many to list they them all. Mainly they are centered around singers/compositors or bands carrying a strong message (in opposition to technical ability). I think my influences are more oriented folk rock than metal, with of course "Lindisfame" - HOWAY THE LADS! '
"Bombjour!" : Are you always drunk?
Kevin Ridley : I'm not always drunk, just sometimes i'm intoxicated, paralysed or facing ebriety. (lol)
