Dealer
Boogie, Booze & Birds

10.11.2010

This interview can be called a caprice or fancy of its author, as Britain’s Dealer, which only has one album out, is not a big name even in their home country. However these guys were among the founders of NWOBHM, and this style still enjoys quite a lot of interest. The history of the movement’s big bands is thoroughly documented, such bands as Iron Maiden and Saxons are loved and honored by numerous fans. This interview aims at shading some light on more obscure pages in British metal’s history book. Our webzine is assisted in this by guitarist / vocalist Trevor Short with some contributions by bassist Pete Gentil.

Recently Dealer had a reunion gig. How was it? Where did you play and how many people came to this show?

An awesome sellout show in our home town was awesome. Unfortunately at the last minute we were let down with the company who were going to record the evenings events. Some audience recordings have surfaced and can be viewed on U-tube (dealer 1285) or go to u-tube, better things to do.

Your MySpace page reads that “original drummer Malcolm is unable to play due to injury”. What happened to him?

A sad thing to have happened – a very bad car crash had caused extensive injuries to Malcolm’s legs.

By the way, why did you call this show “The Final show”? Don’t you want to continue doing music with Dealer?

At the time of inception the gig was intended to be a one off – we did not think that the evening would create such interest. Continuing with Dealer? Never say never!

Let’s speak about your whole career, if you don’t mind. Please, tell me when and why you decided to become a rock musician? What were your main influences at that time?

Rock first raised its head in my world at the age of 14… I heard Black Sabbath and decided that that was what I wanted to do –it’s as simple as that! Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC, Judas Priest – they were my influences. The first song I ever auditioned was for a band called Stone Ferry, the song was “Smoke On The Water” – a classic! Got the gig!

Please, tell us about Axe Victim-era. How did you record the demo with three tracks? What can you say now about such songs as “Rock In Peace” and “Coachtrip To Hell”? Why did you decide to change name to Lone Wolf and then to Dealer?

Axe Victim was a five-piece who recorded their demo locally. “Rock In Peace” and “Coachtrip To Hell” were my first tracks both written and recorded, we all have to start somewhere. I felt that Axe Victim was a shit name and Lone Wolf was decided as the successor. Following the discovery that Paul Di’Anno (Iron Maiden) had subsequently made claim to the name (following legal consultation) we were forced to discuss an alternative… Dealer was chosen.

The booklet of the “Bootleged” CD reads that your manager Chris Gentil was the biggest part of your development as a band. Please, tell us about him.

Chris had an endless energy for all things Dealer – without his forcefulness and dedication we would still be in the pub arguing about whose round it was!

Why did you release “Better Things to Do” only in 1983 and not early? What are your best memories about the recording of this single?

We had a blast recording this one! Although this was written earlier we felt that 1983 was the right time for us to make the recording. Originally called “All Work No Play”, “Better Things To Do” was considered a better title. Recorded in a little barn in Windrush, a little village not far from where we lived, it took some time as we were too busy enjoying ourselves to rush the process. The most exciting bit about the whole process is that it was mastered in Abbey Road (Beatle-famed) in London.

Dealer was a part of NWOBHM. What you can say about that time? Do you agree that it was a golden age of British metal? What NWOBHM bands did you like or respect at that time?

We did not set out to become part of the NWOBHM genre – we just played rock in our own way. It seemed that at the time so many bands were producing good music that the press pigeonholed all under one title. So many great bands came out of this era – it truly was a good time for British rock. Def Leppard, Saxon, Diamond Head, Girlschool to name just a few were respected by all metal fans at the time.

Do you remember your appearance on HTV's “Best Band West”? What did give this appearance to the band?

The TV appearance gave us great coverage and got us the supporting slots with Motorhead and Gary Moore tours that followed shortly after.

Why did Andy Dunne (guitar) leave the band? Did you have some professional or personal differences? And how did you get to know Ashley Jon Limer? Do you agree that he brought a big contribution to the band?

We had a few personal issues with Andy and things did not really work out! We auditioned Ashley at the same time as Andy, but did not choose him as we thought that Andy would bring more to the band than Ashley. However, a lesson learnt, we then perused Ashley to the extent of driving to his home town, not knowing his address, and scoured the town until we found him – not returning to our hometown until he was with us! Ashley changed the band!!!

You signed a deal with Ebony Records but did you have any other offers? What you can say about your relationship with Ebony Records?

Ebony provided an attractive proposition at the time. We were given no time to record the album and had a producer who, given the time constraints, was unable to bring out the best for us – in short we had 5 days with 8 hours a day (40 hours for an album!!!). Not enough for the polished result we had hoped for. And don’t get us started on the artwork!!!

“First Strike” (1986) shows the great evolution of the band from boogie stuff to rough hard rock/heavy metal. What you can say about the album? When and where did you record it? Who was the producer? Do you remember any funny stories from the record-session?

The choice of material was more geared to keeping Ebony happy. Recordings took place in the summer of 1986 in a mansion house in hull. As for funny stories – we were kicked out of our accommodation for having a party during which it was considered that the owner’s 14-year-old daughter was “spending too much time with the band”.

Not only music but the lyrics on “First Strike” changed too. What did inspire you to write such lyrics?

Natural evolution of the band and the rock scene coupled with the introduction of Ashley Jon Lymer gave way to the new sound and lyrical content.

Please, tell us about the song “Choose Your Weapon”. It sounds very aggressive and I think it was one of the heaviest songs at that time. How did you get an idea to write such song?

Born from absolute frustration and increasingly intangible requests from the producer of “First Strike” (Ebony Records), we scripted a rapid “piss take” on their perception of what a metal track was. We soon dropped this from our live set as it was not typical of Dealer material.

You toured a lot in supporting of “First Strike”. What are your best memories about that time? What were the responses from the crowd? And again – do you remember any funny stories about these shows?   

We played loads of gigs seeming to be on the road for most of the time – Trev loved the novelty of saying “here’s one from our album”. Our American Chevrolet school bus, kitted out for the tour, complete with leather sofas and sleeping accommodation seemed to attract police attention on a regular basis. With this bus we have experiences everything from marathon games of monopoly to strip searches by the Cornish police on Christmas Eve.

There is a very cool bootleg recording called “One More Time” floating around. Why didn’t you release this recording?

This was recorded at Trev’s studio after Dealer had folded. Trev recorded these just for old times sake never thinking that anyone would ever listen to them, it was more a personal thing really.

There is also one compilation called “For Old Times Sake”. It contains such songs like “’Ow Ya Doin’”, “Eastern Promise” and live recordings of “Shadow Play”, “Egors Boogie” and “KC 135”. Is it an official release? And when did you record all these songs?

It was recorded at the Kingsdown Swindon (always a good gig for us!) in 1984-1985. Again this was done just for the blast – as a memento really.

When did you decide to leave Dealer? How do you think – what were the main reasons of the band’s break-up?

Dealer disbanded as a way to get out of the Ebony contract.

After Dealer’s break-up you formed Vandamne together with Ashley Jon Limer. But why did you release your first album only in 1994?

Having toured extensively and re-establishing ourselves as Vandamne we felt that this time was right to release our new and improved material. We had evolved during this period musically and at this time the music industry was ready for us. It takes time to get the right deal!

I think both Vandamne albums are very nice – good songwriting, catchy melodies and beautiful guitar solos. Why didn’t the band get a big success?

Being a very American-influenced band we were not necessarily what an English record company was looking for. Maybe selling out to grunge would have given success but that was never to be Vandamne!

You also had your own studio and worked as a producer. What do you like most in this work? What bands that you recorded impressed you?

I have recorded with hundreds of bands. I guess that the most notable of these would have been Incubus Succubus and Whole Lotta Lead (world famous Led Zep tribute band). The whole process of recording and engineering, mixing really floats my boat.

Now you play with Just To Anno Ray band. Tell us please about this band. Why did you decide to play bass and not to sing?

Born from a side project, Just To Anno Ray became a band that I have greatly enjoyed being a part of. An amalgamation of musicians, one of which being my girlfriend, gave me the opportunity to stand back from the front man lead and enjoy playing bass – an instrument that I have for many years loved.

Did you have any responses about this band from the Dealer or Vandamne fans?

Just To Anno Ray happened 13 years after Vandamne had finished and were long gone and forgotten. A few die-hard fans from the Dealer/Vandamne kept in touch and enjoyed coming to our gigs.

Thank you for an interview! Please, tell a few words to Russian fans and readers.

We want to say that it is fantastic to know that we have great fans all over the world and we hope one day to come and play for you. Keep rock’in!

Dealer on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dealeruk

Konstantin “Hirax” Chilikin
September 26, 2010
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