– First off, thank you so much for answering our interview. You have just released a new album: how have the recording sessions been? And are you guys satisfied with the final outcome?

We approached the recording in a similar way to our last album ‘War Machine’. We wrote the songs and finalised the arrangements before going into the studio to save time and money. We chose a new young producer called Phil Kinman to work with who wasn’t really a fan of the band and didn’t know much about our music. We wanted a new and more up to date production with a different feel to our previous albums. Phil really captured the energy of the band and gave us the sound we were looking for. This album stands up against many of the big budget releases out there now. We are very happy with the final result.

– Listening to this new opus I notice that, since Doogie White joined the band, both vocals and the overall sound, seem to be more Hard Rock oriented still without loosing the Metal essence; how was your intention having a vocalist more into this style?

This is the direction we’ve wanted to approach for some time. The last albums we were making when Algy was still with the band started sounding very dated and uninspiring. Mick Tucker and myself had always wanted to work with another vocalist so we could experiment musically and move the band forward. Our song writing style really suits this line up and we feel we’re producing our best music so far. Doogie has a great voice for this style of music and he’s recording some of his best performances on our albums.

 

– This time the album is entitled “War Nation”. “War” is a word that you usually use in your records. What does it deal with this time around? What’s the message behind this new CD by TANK?

We were determined not to include war in the title for this album. We came up with other titles but we couldn’t agree on any one title. Then we realised that every time we looked at TV and newspapers we were constantly faced with pictures of war somewhere in the world. We decided we are all just a war nation. The name stuck. This will definitely be the very last time that war will be in the title of a Tank album.

 

– You were part of the so called NWOBHM. You joined the band in 1984, with “Honour & Blood”; what ere those beginnings in the band for you? And how was like that period in the NWOBHM’s England?

It was a great time for rock and metal music in the UK. There were so many new bands forming and you could see a live band every night in any of the legendary clubs such as the Marquee or the Ruskin Arms. I would regularly go and watch Iron Maiden, Angelwitch and Samson plus many other bands in the small pubs around London. I was a big fan of Tank before joining the band in 1984 so it was a real honour to be asked to join them. We recorded the Honour and Blood album and then went out on the road supporting Metallica across Europe on the “Ride the Lightning tour”. It was a great experience. You could just tell that those guys were going to be a huge band. They had an amazing sound, great management and label and a fantastic live show. We shared many beers with them on the road.

 

– Nowadays people get to know more bands thanks to Internet, and a cult band like you can now get more recognition; have you noticed this within your crowd? Have you realized now more people know the band and want to see you on stage?

The internet has really helped us to promote our music and expose it to a new young audience around the world. We have a large back catalog that people can access through many different sites and they can listen to everything we’ve ever recorded. We find that a lot of people have heard of Tank but hadn’t checked out our music. They weren’t aware that we still existed and are continuing to release great albums. The online promotion that went with the “War Machine” album and now with “War Nation” has really raised our profile. www.tankofficial.com

 

– During the 90’s you were almost inactive in studio; what happened during that era?

After we recorded and released the “Tank” album in 1987 we had problems with our management and record label plus some personal problems within the band. Algy went into hiding and didn’t want to tour so we took a break for a while. I moved to New York and formed the band Killers with ex Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Dianno. In 1987 we got back together and recorded the “Filthhounds Live” album and then toured Europe with Hammerfall.

 

– In 2002 you recorded again; how was that return and why did Algy stop singing after this reunion?

We recorded the “Still at War” album but once again we didn’t have a good label behind us and the album sounded very dated so it didn’t make much impact. We did a few shows around that time but Algy had started to lose interest and had some serious health problems to deal with. That’s really the last time we worked with him and he hasn’t done much since. I hope we can work with him again sometime in the future.

 

– Coming back to your present and after two releases in two years, the band seems to be more solid than ever so, what are your near-future touring plans?

We are really enjoying playing and making music together and I think the quality of the music we are producing is the best we’ve ever done. We will continue to record and release new material in the future. We would love to be on the road and tour as much as possible but it’s very difficult at the moment getting the right tour and conditions. We’re looking for a new agent at the moment who can get us on suitable tours. We’re a live band and need to be playing to our fans. That’s what we do best.

 

– Last years you played in Spain, at the Martohell festival. What are your memories from the experience? Were you happy with the whole thing

It was great to play in Spain again. I can’t remember the last time we had played there. We‘ve always had a solid fanbase there so it was exciting for us to bring this line up over and play all our classic songs plus a couple from the “War Machine” album. It was a good feeling to hear the fans singing along to all the songs. Especially the new ones “Phoenix Rising” and “Judgement Day”. I hope we can come back soon.

 

– So that has been everything from our side, our best wished and hope to see you in Spain. Thank you so much.

Thank’s very much

CLIFF EVANS

www.tankofficial.com

 

Paco Gómez

paco@queensofsteel.com

 

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