In the mid Eighties here in the UK AOR seemed to be the genre of choice for most bands setting out on their quest for world domination. The trouble was most of them really weren’t that good at it, with most of simply copying the big boys over in the US…albeit very badly. There were however a few bands that were a huge cut above the rest, not only in their songwriting but also in their relative successes, FM immediately springs to mind as do Shy, and with the acquisition of Terry Brock as vocalist, Strangeways were the band any betting man would have put his money on being the ones most ready for the big breakthrough, but as with all of these bands their time in the AOR spotlight sadly never did come….

 

 

Another band that could be to that list of UK AOR elite who almost had it all is the hugely underrated After Hours. After Hours were a band that exuded class back in the mid to late Eighties releasing two super slick studio albums in their relatively short time together as a band.  Three members of the Eighties line up, namely vocalist John Francis, guitarist Tim Payne and Martin Walls bass got back together recently to write and record together for the first time in decades, and earlier this year they released perhaps one of their best pieces of work to date, in the shape of ‘Against The Grain’, an album that saw the light of day via the aptly named ‘AOR Heaven’ label.

 

Our man behind the banks of keyboards, Dave Prince, having always been a fan of After Hours, rejoiced at this reformation giving the band a glowing review for ‘Against The Grain’ (which you can read here). So, you can only imagine his utter delight when the band happened upon said review and contacted him for an interview, requesting he meet up with the band’s guitarist Tim Payne to get the job done.

 

Dave Prince picks up the story of After Hours as only he can….

 

Hi Tim, many thanks for taking the time to speak with Uber Rock, let’s not waste any time here and get straight into the questions shall we? After, what can be considered a lifetime After Hours is back on the AOR scene? What were the reasons and situations present behind the reunion?

 

Well, bizarrely Dave, I bumped into bassist Martin Walls first and after the shock of not seeing each other for nineteen years, we promised we would catch up for a beer. I don’t think we expected the rest; but, before we knew it, we were ‘on the blower’ to John Francis to see if he fancied a reminisce? And when he then agreed, and over way too many bottles of wine, beer and ultimately Babycham, got everyone else together, we agreed to go and record a song for the hell of it! We had no idea that it would develop into a full blown assault on the rock listening public.

 

There was genuinely a great feeling of affection for each other, in as much as we had shared a lot, back in the day, so we agreed to return to Rob Aubrey’s studio to remix a song John and I had written (and in fact demo-ed for the 2nd album) back in ’91; and to cut a long story short, this song was ‘Against The Grain’ and had actually been rejected by the original record company…

 

We struggled to remix it though, as the tape – yes that’s tape, (laughing loudly) had deteriorated to such a sorry state that it was simply not fixable …So, Martin suggest we re-record the whole song again.

 

At this point, I felt like making an excuse to leave, as I simply couldn’t remember the altered, acoustic tuning I’d used on the original, but I looked at John and wondered to myself, can I, in fact, can he still do it too? That particular song asks a lot of any vocalist and 19 years later you wonder? Then, he probably thought the same about the guitar parts and my input too! It was surreal! We stood there for a long time, but after a good cry, some group therapy, and tea and biscuits, we did it and its probably one of the best experiences we’ve ever had recording any song ever. Even when he put the guide vocal down, I felt the hairs on the palms of my hands tingle… There was no doubt; the bloke could still belt it out.

 

Now, I’m sure you know about my love affair with the voice of one Mr John Francis – Can you tell me about the first time you heard THAT voice though?

 

Yes, it is a memorable voice isn’t it?? I think I first heard John singing on some demos his old band had done on an old Fostex reel to reel, when he first came down from Wales?? The band was ok, but his voice simply left them all way behind, and I kept thinking, “if only I could find a vocalist like that?” That was about 4 years before we all got together…

 

You know, John deserved, if anyone of us did, to make and earn a living solely from his voice. It is simply that good. Many incredible vocalists have come and gone, and made a lot of money, and not many of them have really been close to him, quality and vocal texture-wise; but, still, that’s the nature of the industry I suppose? It’s a bit like the Miss World competition? Yeah, they’re surely great lookers, but you will see prettier girls walking in your local street; it’s about who gets the breaks and who represents you! You need a fair dose of luck too.

 

What can After Hours fans expect from your guys in the near future, will there be another album and/or any live shows?

 

Well, we’ve decided to work on some stuff for a live show, but we have had no offers as yet to do any live work with it. It’s gonna cost to put a show on, unless it’s a festival thing, but we do want to do a live show, because we want to demonstrate that this band is still a working, well-oiled machine.

 

As far as another album is concerned, that really is down to how this one sells? If it does well enough, and people want another, then we can hopefully go back and do some more! It’s down to the music loving, ethical types to support us by buying it and not just downloading it.

 

I understood that the band – now consisting of John Francis – vocals, Tim Payne- lead guitar, Martin Walls – bass, Chris Pope – drums, and Sean McMenemy – keys and guitars – did actually do a live show though recently? How did that go?

 

Well, yes, we did do an acoustic set, that’s true and it went very well!! John’s voice got better and better the longer it went on! Enough said! It certainly encouraged me to want to do some live work again! But, the inhibiting factor in this are the work commitments all the guys have, you know how it is.

 

I’d love to be able to say that we get together regularly, but the fact is it’s very difficult! All the guys, apart from me, have regular jobs and demands to fulfil; work/ family obligations, and everything, and it’s hard to bring everything together.

 

 

With the history of you and the band being somewhat unknown, except to a few people – can you give the readers of Uber Rock the high/low points of your career?

 

The low points were definitely being dropped in ’92 after the lukewarm reception to the 2nd album. By this time there was only John and I left, everyone had departed, and although it was frustrating to have got very close, it was a relief to walk when the day came somehow!”

 

High points? Recording and getting together again after all these years, especially the fun we had making the last album! I’ve never stopped playing live and performing – I did the ‘Cropredy Festival’ a couple of years ago, albeit with a guy from the folk scene… there’s really nothing like playing to 25,000 people, it makes everything else seem mundane! But, I’d love to do it now with these guys! For Sean, Martin and John, there’s been a long hiatus as far as live work goes … But Chris Pope and I go out and play regularly, with a blues rock outfit and Martin has started to help us out with some of the gigs, so it should be possible that Sean and John can be out there with us before too long? Hopefully we can rectify this situation in time.

 

Was the album made in a more relaxed atmosphere – due to less outside interference/pressure (apart from the pressure you put on yourselves, of course)?

 

Completely Dave, and as you know, the whole project was a very rewarding process. We are blokes! And, when you get five blokes, who are essentially shackled to the treadmill for the best part of their earthly lives, away from that pressure, in a room, recording songs and drinking beer with their mates, making the music they love, what’s not to like there?

 

Thanks to you, I got to hear some demos of the new album quite early on in the process. To my ears they sounded fantastic, even back then! And, I even told you so.  Even back then, you were rather coy about them? How do you feel now, with the finished product out and digested?

 

Yes I remember, you were really positive and it was much appreciated, because after so long out we needed to know what you guys thought? It’s important to have the support and approval of guys who really listen; and let’s face it, today Rock Music really does demand a listener who knows a bit more than say, Simon Cowell about Art and Music, right.

 

As far as the finished product is concerned, we’re very happy with it! Bearing in mind the budget we had to work with, it’s a great record!

 

It’s a fact that you get what you pay for, and in this case, we paid less than a fortune to get ‘Against The Grain’ to a standard we could live with. I believe, the more you prepare for something, the better it can be expedited when you reach the point of impact! So we worked out many of the parts and had a very good idea about how we intended to arrange the songs before we even got to the studio. With the exception of a couple of tunes that lack something lyrically, I’m certainly happy.

 

I guess, if you asked the other guys, there are areas they would all feel could’ve been better? But, that’s the wonderful thing about hindsight. Personally, I’m happy.

 

 

Do you believe the Internet has changed the music business, for better or worse?

 

Well, it’s here and it’s a fact! Personally, I don’t think its all good. Those “in the know” say, “hey, you don’t need record companies anymore; you can promote, sell, distribute your own music without having to pay anyone for these services, right? But, you can also download the product for free now too so; all it does is reduce the odds of success, unless of course, you’re a long established name. Art is no longer a commodity in the music world! Anyone can take what you make for free.

 

Are there any bands you rate from the new crop of AOR bands?

 

Oh, way too many to list here.

 

Thank you again Tim for your time and all the great music you’ve given me over the years. Before we call it a day is there anything you’d like to add?

 

Thank you for your continued encouragement and support Dave, and all the best to all Uber Rock readers!!

 

http://www.afterhoursrocks.com/