PAGE 19...John Fisher Fansite Interview

Hi John thanks for doing the interview for the Audience Fansite. JF."Dear Peter, Here we go............."

FS. 1) I believe you’re from Buxton, what music did you listen to when growing up there, did you see many live groups, and who influenced you as a teenager ?

JF. " You are in the right part of the world but I grew up in a village called Birch Vale which is between Buxton and Glossop. My father had a fine collection of big band records and took me to see/hear Syd Lawrence and his Orchestra ( Syd's drummer at the time was Geoff Myers who subsequently taught me for a while a good few years later) and Count Basie and his band with Ella Fitzgerald. Both of these concerts were before I had reached the age of ten and had a huge effect on me. In fact it is most likely that seeing Sonny Payne with the Basie band was the biggest factor in my wanting to play the drums."

FS. 2) What made you take up the drums, was it you’re 1st choice of musical instrument, did you have formal training,+ what other musical instrument's can you play ?

JF." I had percussion lessons throughout my teens and was much more a percussionist than a drummer until I was about twenty. I spent two years on the jazz course at the City of Leeds College of music in the late seventies and am currently two thirds of the way through a music degree course at Canterbury Christchurch University. I play a bit of keyboard and own a trombone and guitar."

FS. 3) Can you tell us you’re previous band history, what groups ect did you play in prior to joining Audience ?

JF."Musical history is wide a varied. I did lengthy stints with The New Millionaires and Jack Hawkins and his Orchestra, both big function bands.On the more rocky side of things,I was with Eric and the Frantics in the Manchester area for six years in the eighties ( I have to say that playing with those guys was the most fun you could have with your clothes on)and later on spent six years with the Blue Bishops.In between and along side all that I have been involved in several big bands over the years, played small group jazz, alot of blues, done some function work and occasionally if I am lucky get a chance to play orchestral percussion from time to time."

FS. 4) Had you heard of Audience prior to joining them ?

JF." I had not heard of the band BUT I was only eleven when they split up."

FS. 5) Did you have any reservations about joining the band ?

JF. "Having met the guys and being reassured by Trevor in particular that they were more than happy for me to play as I do and not to try and reproduce Tony's drum parts then reservations were non existent."

FS. 6) How long does it take you to learn a new song, what is the sequence of events from 1st hearing to playing a new song live on stage ?

JF. "Learning new material can be quick or not. Since the band's material involves some complicated arrangements, I always map out a song via an idiot sheet which renders mistakes less likely. Sequence of events is variable but normally rehearse it for a while and when everyone is comfortable with it, gig it."

FS. 7) Do you write material, and if so can we expect to hear some of you’re songs in the future ?

JF." Yes I write stuff. Whether any of it makes it into the public domain via the band has yet to be seen".

FS. 8) Have you a particular favourite drum kit you prefer to play or like the sound of ?

JF." I am very comfortable with the sound of my current drums. Yamaha custom maple bass drum and toms and a Pearl free floating maple snare. I would love to play British drums but at the time I bought the Yam none were in the same league. It is different now so if if anyone in Leicester reads this................?"

FS. 9) Is there something that really annoys you presently ,apart from questions ?

JF."Very little annoys me except when I am very tired and then absolutely everything does".

FS. 10) Who are you’re icon's in the music world nowadays, what cd's do you listen to ?

JF. "I listen to everything pretty much from the present day ( not Radio 1 type stuff ) back through the last four hundred years. If I had to pick a couple of favourites then I would have to say that I admire Vinnie Colaiuta's drumming, I love the music of Edward Elgar and that the Stan Kenton Band of the early seventies was "roaring".

FS. 11) What types of movies do you like, can you name the last film you went to see ?

JF." Movies ............ can't remember."

FS. 12) Do you enjoy life on the road when touring, do you enjoy driving ?

JF "Yes I enjoy driving and getting around a bit is fun."

FS. 13) What are you’re hopes and expectations of being in Audience ?

JF. "I hope to enjoy making music with these chaps for as long as it suits us all and as far as expectations go is that I don't do expectations, it's one way to avoid disappointment."

A very big thank you to John Fisher for taking time out to do this Q + A for the Fansite