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BUY THESE DISCOUNTED RELEASES
 
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Richard Black & Spencer Sercombe - Interview
Shark Island |
THEY WERE THE NUMBER 1 CLUB GIG IN L.A. THROUGH THE LATE 80’S, AND BUILT A LEGENDARY CULT FOLLOWING. HOWEVER, AFTER THE RELEASE OF THEIR ACCLAIMED LAW OF THE ORDER AND RICHARD BLACKS A SHORT STINT WITH SUPER GROUP CONTRABAND (RICHARD BLACK (Shark Island), MICHAEL SCHENKER, TRACII GUNS (L.A. Guns), BOBBY BLOTZER (RATT), SHARE PEDERSEN (Vixen), THE GUYS JUST DISSPAEARED INTO THE 90’S.
HOWEVER, THE 15 YEAR WAIT WAS OVER WHEN ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED HARD ROCK ALBUMS FINALLY CAME OUT LAST YEAR, WITH GATHERING OF THE FAITHFUL. I CAUGHT UP WITH SINGER RICHARD BLACK AND GUITARIST SPENCER SECOMBE TO FIND OUT IF WE’LL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 15. |
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June 2007
HOW ARE YOU GUYS AND WHATS IN THE WORKS FOR YOU AT THE MOMENT ?
Spencer: I’m doing great, thanks. I’m busy making music and teaching and raising a family.
Richard: Very fine, thank you, I like your site. I had a few months off; it gave me some time to catch up with my work. You know I’ve been working with antiques and metal sculpture and a working ranch with lots of animals. Kind of a departure from music I know, but like I say “dirty work for honest pay”. On the music front; I have one more trip to Europe next month then we’ll be breaking ground for the new album.
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YOU GUYS HAVE LONG BEEN KNOWN AS THE MOST ILLUSIVE BAND FROM YOUR ERA. YOU GUYS ARE FAMOUS DESPITE YOURSELVES?
Richard: Yeah, I suppose we have become a bit of a cult band. I think illusive because of our personalities and who we’ve become. We never reached “super status” and alone with that not the mass amount of money that goes along with it, sure we made a living, but we still had to do other things to supplement.. You know somewhere along the line I had a moment of clarity where I found the entire celebrity thing kind of silly, I mean the hires one has to put on to promote oneself. I feel bizarre behaving “holier than thou.” I suppose I’m just too idealistic thinking this business is only about music.
Spencer: Were we illusive? During the late eighties and early ninties we played in LA so much it was hard not to see us. Outside LA we were maybe a little too illusive. As for famous, we have and have had some very dedicated fans.
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Back in the day
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95% OF PEOPLE ANSWER SHARK ISLAND WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE MOST UNDERATED BAND OF THAT TIME, HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?
Richard: More frustrated
Spencer: Better than being overrated. We had a great time playing, and it’s nice to know that other people were that excited about the band.
NOT TO MENTION LAW & ORDER CD’S GOING FOR A HUGE AMOUNT AT ONE TIME?
Spencer: Sorry, my copy is not for sale.
Richard: Yep, there is more to this than good music, if the physical arts are any indication I need to go broke and die before the great success is realized
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Law Of The Order |
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SO AFTER ALL THIS TIME, GATHERING OF THE FAITHFUL WAS ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIAPTED RELEASES EVER. HOW DO YOU THINK IT FAIRED?
Richard: Well it depends what you mean by “faired” I quite like it. Will everyone else like it? Beats me. Will it sell big time? Don’t know yet. Hope so, but this was largely for us, and the people who already like our music, there are a lot of memories and great stories that I am glad we got to share in The Gathering.
Spencer: I think it’s a really good record. It was a gas making it, and I’m very happy with the end result.
I FOR ONE COULDN’T BEIEVE HOW GOOD THE PRODUCTION WAS. THE ARTWORK, THE WEBSITE. EVERYTHING JUST SEEMED TOP NOTCH?
Richard: Thanks, I think it came out really nice too. It was great answering only to yourself an not an uptight producer. Not to mention the vehicle for creativity was wide open. For instance; I always wondered what I would do with my photographs!
Spencer: have to say I agree. The sound, the artwork - it all came together very well.
MANIFEST REALLY SEEMED TO MAKE A GOOD PUSH ON THE ALBUM?
Richard: Are you kidding? They have been great. Without |
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Gathering Of The Faithful
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Spencer: Yes, they have been, and remain, very excited about the whole project.
TALKING OF MANIFEST. WHO ARE THEY? WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO DO WITH THEM?
Spencer: I met Robert Marshall, the head of Manifest Music, many years ago in another branch of the entertainment industry. We became friends and have remained in contact ever since. It was his relentless prodding which got the band back into the studio to record GOTF.
Richard: Yeah, we've known Robert, of Manifest Music for ages but had lost track of him for many years. One day he found me with this great idea and here we are. |
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SO AFTER ALL THIS TIME, HOW DO YOU THINK IT WENT?
Spencer: Hey, what can I say? I had a good time doing it. And you seem to really like the record. I see that as success.
Richard: Like I said, I think it went great, and when you consider the time gap, exceptional, plus I had a great time doing it too!
IM NOT SURE HOW IT SOLD, BUT FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT MUST’VE LOOKED LIKE A HUGE BACKING FOR A BAND WITH ONLY ONE ALBUM FROM 15 YEARS AGO?
Richard: I don’t know, I don’t really think about it on those terms. Art is so subjective |
The whole gang |
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Spencer: We only had the one major label release plus the two soundtracks, but the band was out there doing it on the street for a long time. We get bonus points for that. I think a little huge backing is acceptable.
WELL, I WAS PERSONALLY BLOWN AWAY, AND I COULDN’T BELIEVE MY EYES WHEN I HAPPENED TO COME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE, AND IT HAD GO WEST PLAYING AND A NEW ALBUM COMING SOON!?
Spencer: Yeah, how about that. I was pretty impressed myself.
Richard: Yes it blows me away too, Remember, the Internet was only in its infancy when we started. |
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ALL THOSE SHARK ISLAND FANS NEVER EVEN DREAMED IT WOULD HAPPEN?
Spencer: Always keep them guessing. Always keep the faith.
Richard: To tell you the truth, I had my doubts too! Just goes to show you how ones life can change in an instant.
TELL ME, WE WONT HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 15+ YEARS FOR ANOTHER!??Richard: I hope not, I’ll be dead
Spencer: I don’t think so. Probably more like another 15 months.
WHAT ABOUT TOURING?
Spencer: Could happen. No immediate plans, however.
Richard: We are certainly there if the demand is. Touring is an expensive hobby…kidding. |
Classic shot of Spencer, doing what he does best |
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A LOT OF FANS FOUND YOU FROM 2 OF THE BEST SOUNDTRACKS TO COME FROM THAT TIME. POINT BREAK AND BILL & TEDS EXCELLENT ADVENTURE. YOU HAD 3 KILLER SONGS FROM THOSE?
Richard: Father Time is still one of my favorites. You know Spencer and I wrote that in less than an hour!
Spencer: Yeah, the films are pretty cool too. Good stuff.
ONE SONG I WAS SHATTERED DIDN’T APPEAR ON GATHERING WAS TELL ME WHY?
Richard: Good memory. We had to draw the line somewhere; it’s still there, perhaps another time..
Spencer: We actually have two songs with that title in our archives, but I think I know which one you mean. Could show up on the next record – keep the faith.
GO WEST DID APPEAR THOUGH. MANY WERE HAPPY ABOUT THAT?
Richard: Me too.
Spencer: Yes, that one was overdue.
AND HEAVEN AS WELL, WHICH IS AS HARD AND ROCKING AS YOU EVER WERE?
Spencer: Fun to play. Rockin’ solo…
ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITES FROM THE ALBUM IS I HAD A DREAM?
Spencer: A very subdued version, but nice. That song can also rock. |
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Go West young man, Go West...
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Richard: That is a good one, it was one of the hardest songs to capture, I’d like to do it again sometime, with just vocals and acoustic guitar, that’s it!.
YOU GUYS STRUGGLED FOR SO LONG TO GET YOUR BREAK, THEN SHARK ISLAND JUST DISSAPEARED AFTER LAW?
Richard: Those are the breaks, imagine how we felt.
Spencer: We didn’t have much luck with the music industry. |
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THEN YOU SHOWED UP IN CONTRABAND, WHICH JUST SHOWED HOW MUCH BIGGER YOU WERE THAN A SINGLE ALBUM?
Richard: It’s all an illusion.
OBVIOUSLY CONTRABAND CAUSED A PROBLEM?
Spencer: The problems were already brewing – but Contraband did sort of push things over the edge.
THAT BAND WAS A FAMOUS BOTCH?
Spencer:You said it. Too many egos spoil the soup.
Richard: I like calling it a debacle.
ACTUALY, I TALKED TO MICHAEL SCHENKER (WHO WAS ALO IN CONTRABAND) NOT LONG AGO?
Richard:He is a very interesting guy, tell him I said hello next time you talk to him. |
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supergroup Contraband
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YOU HAVE AN IMMEDIATLEY RECOGNISABLE VOICE, HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO KEEP IT TOGETHER SO WELL?
Richard: Thank you, I have no idea, God gave me this voice, I just warm up and step up to the plate.
AXL ROSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ACUSED OF STEALING STAGE MOVES FROM YOU ?
Richard: Whatever, water under the bridge.
SO WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY LIVES?
Richard:My Wife and 23 creatures, I am the omega man.
Spencer: I’m settled down in Germany and have three sons. I have my hands full in that department.
AM I RIGHT IN THINKING YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN?
Richard: Yes you are right, however my views are very dogmatic and compared to most |
Classic shot of Richard, doing what HE does best |
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Christians.... unorthodox.I have the greatest arguments on the subject. I am however thankful every time I get to play around with music. Writing a song and having anyone interested in it is pure grace. Perhaps some day we should get together J.L, over a Glen Levit Rocks and bury myths on the subject.
YES, ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARGUMENT SUBJECTS! SO DO YOU GUYS FIND IT HARD TO JUGGLE IT ALL?
Richard: Yes I am very busy; Action is the enemy of thought. If I stop, I get too caught up and angry at all the things that are wrong with this world.
Spencer: No problem - throw me a few more balls. It’s not always easy. Life sets its own priorities sometimes. I just try to stay flexible. |
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YOU HAVE A VERY COOL GUITAR STYLE AND SOUND. IT SEEMS TO HAVE ONLY MATURED OVER THE YEARS?
Spencer: Thanks for saying so. I suppose that’s a natural process. I think less about technique now and play more from my gut.
YOU’VE ALWAYS HAD YOUR UNIQUE BC RICH. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR GEAR, AND TOURING RIG ETC?
Spencer: You mean my flaming yellow BC Rich Warlock. That’s a great guitar. I’m a big BC Rich fan. I also have a beautiful Fender Custom Shop guitar which I love. And I have a beat up no-name Telecaster which I play every day. I still play Randall amps and also have a Peavey Classic 2x12 combo which sounds great. Right now my pedal board consists of an Ernie Ball volume pedal, a Boss Delay with a Tap-tempo pedal, an MXR Phase 90, a Rat distortion pedal, a Boss TU-12 Tuner and a channel switch for the amp. Pretty basic stuff.
SO WHAT IS NEXT FOR SHARK ISLAND AND RICHARD BLACK & SPENCER SERCOMBE?
Richard: I’d like to do this next album, it may quite possibly be my Swan Song, and I suspect it may be quite different.
Spencer: I’m going to hook up with the guys in LA this summer to talk about the next record. We’ll probably start recording in the fall. Meanwhile I’m working on some secret plans with a new musical instrument manufacturer. Keep an eye out for the “Alternative Guitar and Amp Company”…
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Spencer with one of his prized Warlock's
(photo: James Chatary) |
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WELL IT’S BEEN A PLEASURE; YOU GUYS ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE BANDS. GOODLUCK IN THE FUTURE?
Richard: The pleasure is all mine don’t be silly. May God give you grace and good fortune.
Spencer: Thank you, J.L. I wish you well.
My personal thanks to Shark Island fans old and new for keeping the faith and for supporting this band and other bands by purchasing original CD’s and not bootlegs or illegal copies. Until next time…
Richard: Take care.
THANKS TO THE GUYS FOR TALKING WITH SAVIOURS OF ROCK. WE WISH THEM ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE. GO CHECK THEM OUT AT:
www.sharkislandmusic.com/
or www.myspace.com/sharkisland
- Interview by Jarrah Loh |
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