Interview With Del Amitri's Andy Alston - March 24th 2015

Hi Andy, thank you for agreeing to do this interview with us today.

 

What age did you first learn to play the piano and why did this particular instrument appeal to you the most?

AA - I started playing around 9 or 10. I saw it as the instrument that the great composers need to know how to play- and it was also good for Jazz.

As a young musician in your early years who were your musical influences?

AA - When I started really getting into the piano, I wanted to figure out how to play Jazz. People like Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington I liked. It was only later that I got into rock and pop music

What were you doing before your involvement with the band in 1989?

AA - I studied Maths and Physics and then did a postgraduate in Philosophy. I played in cabaret settings with a few female singers at this point. Also I was in various bands in Glasgow during these years including one “Strangers and Brothers” that had a record deal and released a few things.

How did you first get involved with Del Amitri and how did it come about you joining the band?

AA - I met Justin around 1986 in a restaurant we both worked in called the Spaghetti Factory (which was quite well known as a place musicians where hung out at the time). I was playing the piano and he was a waiter- this was after the Chrysalis Del Amitri album and subsequent American Tour. We got on well and he introduced me to Iain. They asked me to join the band then but I wanted to do my postgraduate first. I started playing with them- sessions and gigs around then but was also in other bands.

The band has toured all over the world. Apart from it sounding fantastic fun - what in reality is touring really like?

AA -In reality it was great fun. It must depend on the band you are in. I wouldn’t want to tour with the wrong people. Going on holiday with the wrong bunch of guys would be hell. It is pretty much like that. If it is with your mates then everyone just gets on. For a lot of years there was a lot of partying. It did calm down towards the end, when we were no longer going to America or Europe and you just end up in a hotel bar in Hull or somewhere which you recognise from the last time.

Where was your favourite country to tour?

 
AA - Australia- we arrived there with a platinum album already sold so were pretty well known. So there was an air of excitement when we arrived on the other side of the world. The gigs were all busy and great, the hotels were classy and the record company and promoters made sure we had a good time. The sun shined

What's your favourite venue?

AA -The Barrowlands in Glasgow. There are other good ones- in Liverpool, Leeds Manchester etc but the Barrowlands is the right size, standing, good sound & sightlines and the best atmosphere

Any particular stand out memory on the road during those early years with the band?

AA - Where do you start? Christmas at the Barrowlands with Santa abseiling on stage, a bingo machine and 11 pipers. Justin getting left behind at a late night truck stop in the Midwest. Night swimming at Laguna Beach in Southern California….

A lot of people's perception of Del Amitri is that they are a duo of Currie & Harvie with added session musicians. As the 3rd longest member in the bands history did you and the other musicians in the band feel part of a band unit or did you feel more like a session musicians who were used when needed?

AA - Well it stared in that way which suited me, but eventually it didn’t

Why in your opinion did the band lose so many drummers?!

AA - It started in the late 80s when drummers had to play along with machines and producers would often insist that the drummer couldn’t play well enough in time. This was a factor with the early drummers. With Ash it was different- it was more his decision. He is a great drummer and was the right guy for last year’s tour 

What do you consider the best album The Dels ever released?

 
AA - Probably Twisted

Urban Myth is that it was your girlfriend at that time who sung vocals on “A Better Man" if true how did that come about?

AA - Yes that was Jerry Burns who is still a recording artist (and a friend). She was the only girl who ever sang on a Dels record. I can’t remember how it came about.

Did you enjoy the last tour after a 12 year break and were there any particular highlights during that tour?

AA - Yes it was magic. The Hydro was amazing and the Hammersmith Apollo (or whatever it’s called now). Everyone standing from the first song. I liked the Colston Hall in Bristol for the vibe I had with Justin

Can you ever see a time when the Dels would tour again and would you yourself be up for another tour in the future?

 AA - I’d be up for it but there would have to be a reason for the tour. You can’t do the same shit too soon.

When the Dels are not being active which let’s be honest that’s most of the time!! What is your day job?

AA - I lecture in college where I teach sound production. I also work in a high security prison where I record songs written by the inmates. And do quite a lot of gigs. I am performing at the Scottish Parliament tonight as part of a culture 2014 retrospective.

When “Resting” Do you miss not playing in the band?

AA - You move on and don’t look back to much

And lastly, how would you describe your time in the band since you joined in 1989.

AA - Ensorcelling, disconcerting, fernweh