Can you say legendary? Nothing else could sum up the career and respect garnered for Tank. Emerging from the UK in the height of the NWOBHM scene (although not a NWOBHM band, read below) Tank have unleashed one napalm blast after another of searing metal. And today, with a new album out, War Machine, the band is still going just as strong.
Cliff Evans joins us today on the red leather Ripple couch, ale in hand, venom in spirit, ready to shed some light on all that is Tank
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
We usually start with a guitar riff and pass the idea between us and build the song. We all have home studios so it’s easy to email ideas to each other and work on the songs until they’re at the stage where we can record the tracks in a pro studio.
What makes a great song?
That’s a difficult question. I think a song either works or it doesn’t. There’s no rules.
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
To be honest there aren’t many bands around at the moment that really do much for me in the way of song writing. I prefer to listen to my old albums from the 70’s and early 80’s when so many great songs were born and the quality of production has made them timeless rock anthems. Too many bands are relying on over produced and fake studio techniques which results in music without any soul or substance. We worked very hard under the guidance of our producer Pedro Ferreira (The Darkness, Meat Loaf, Therapy) to give ‘War Machine’ the sound and vibe we were looking for and we’re very pleased with the result we got.
Any plans for a U.S. tour?
It’s been a long, long time since we last toured the US and it would be a real privilege to come over and play for our ever growing army of US fans. Hopefully we can arrange something for 2011.
Any good stories of playing with Metallica in 1984?
We gave them a master class in the fine art of beer drinking.
Many NWOBHM bands are finding a spike in interest these days? Why do you think that is?
Not to be disrespectful to the nwobhm, but we have never considered ourselves as part of that movement and never will. We’ve been trying to lose that tag for a long time. Nobody refers to Iron Maiden as a nwobhm band. We’re just a British rock band moving forwards and creating great new music and not living off the past.
Which 3 headed beast would win in a dog fight - the one on the cover of Filth Hounds Of Hades or the one on the cover of Wild Dogs by The Rods?
No contest. Filth Hounds every time.
How's your hearing?
I’m hearing a lot of crap music on my radio at the moment.
What do you have to say to skeptics that are reluctant to accept Tank without Algy Ward?
We decided that if the fans weren’t happy with our decision then we wouldn’t carry on as Tank.
Last year we performed at several festivals around Europe to showcase the new line-up and the reaction from the fans was great. To our surprise nobody even asked why Algy wasn’t there. They were just happy to see the band and hear their favourite songs. We now intend to tour as much as possible and give the fans what they deserve.
Algy had a habit of disappearing for several years at a time. He also seemed to have lost interest in the band and had some health problems to deal with. We were constantly receiving emails from fans all over the world asking what was going on with the band. This became very frustrating for Mick and me so we made the decision to move Tank forwards into a new era with a great new line-up and record an album that we could be proud of and give the fans what they want
Hopefully we can work with Algy again sometime in the future.
How's the music changed over the years?
Tank has been constantly evolving since the very beginning. Starting with the punk influenced sound of ‘Filth Hounds’ and ‘Power of the Hunter’ then with the addition of Mick Tucker on guitar for the next album ‘This Means War’, the band headed into a more classic rock direction with the big guitar riffs. When I joined for the ‘Honour and Blood’ album we were starting to gain a more metal edge. Now ‘ War Machine’ is the next generation. A new era of Tank. We had to come back with something very special and put Tank back up to the forefront of British rock.
What's the craziest thing you've ever seen from the stage?
When I was playing in the band Killers with Paul Dianno, we would often see him leave the stage and head towards the mixing desk to have a fight with the sound guy because his voice sounded shit. Nothing to do with the two bottles of Jack and six grams of Charlie every day.
Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice.
We drink British real ale for it’s life giving properties and anti ageing effect. It also gets you really fucked up and doubles as a laxative. Our current favourite ales are – Old Speckled Hen, Hobgoblin and Bishops Finger.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
No matter what kind of rock/metal you’re into, have a listen to ‘War Machine’. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed with what you hear.
Hopefully we’ll see you all somewhere on tour in 2011.
Buy new album here: War Machine (Limited)
www.tankofficial.com
photos care of 658creative.