You are in for a real treat here. This is an extensive interview with
Loz actually happened into a solo career quite by accident. In fact an accident is what caused it. I’ll clear that up in the interview, but let’s just say that being a solo act was only the start of great things he’d accomplish.
Everyone from the 80’s music scene had been through some trials and Loz was no exception. You’ll find that he too is just as mortal as the rest of us and he’s drawn inspiration in music to show for it.
Lastly I’d like to comment that Loz’s sound has evolved. He has finely tuned his own sound and he has crafted some amazing instrumental music as well. He’s been through various sounds from blues, pop, 80’s alternative, instrumental to chill out music and more.
Loz: No the guitar hook was Mick Dyche, I must learn to lie.
Loz: I think it was 1979
Loz: Unbelievable, we toured for 3 months. First gig was Indianapolis, then we played every major City in the U.S starting with colleges supporting Kenny Rodgers who was a real pro, then on the second half of the tour we supported the band Kansas playing football stadiums. The whole tour was amazing and a real learning experience.
Loz: I had been rehearsing with Sniff 'n' the Tears at Sheperden Film studios on the big sound stage for two weeks preparing for a long European tour. We had just finished recording the second album 'The Games Up' and were about to promote it. The day before the tour was about to begin we had a day off. So I went out for a ride in the country side on my motorbike. So It's the middle of summer and I'm going down a little English country lane, wind in my hair, or at least over my helmet, trees whizzing by. Then I chanced upon a dirt track, so of course had to investigate. Rode down to the end of this long dusty dirt track, turned right and found myself in a gypsy campsite figured not the place for a picnic so I turned around and headed back down 
the dirt track. I couldn't resist it; I had to open up the throttle for a bit of fun. Fantastic the engine roared and I felt G force as I hurled down the track, then I hit a pot hole the bike went up into the air and threw me backwards but I held on. When the bike hit the ground the throttle was wide open and the machine shot forward like a bullet, out of control. I could see the end of the track coming into view fast. At the end of the track and across the other side of the road was a little picture book English cottage. And I was hurtling towards it hanging on for dear life slung so back in the saddle that I couldn’t even grip the brakes. The double bay front windows of the cottage came nearer and I had a thought that behind those windows sat a little old lady. I had two choices. A: Send the bike through the front windows of the cottage or. B: Swing the bike left into the road and hope for the best. I opted for choice B. I swung the bike left into the road leaning heavily hoping that if I couldn’t control it I may just be able to make a reasonably soft landing in the bushes opposite. And then a VW beetle hit me from my right side, and every thing went black. When I woke up a little old lady was leaning over me. She said 'Would you like a cup of tee dear.' I remember I replied. 'No thank you I think I'll just go home.' The ambulance team scraped me off the road and rushed me to hospital. I had concussion and a broken arm. Needles to say I didn’t make the tour with the band. Instead I had a plaster cast on my right arm up to the shoulder and it took six months to recover. The doctors told me I probably wouldn’t be able to play guitar again, or do sports etc. Well as normal they were totally wrong. In my six month recovery period mainly due to boredom I started writing songs again, then a friend of mine loaned me his four track tape recorder and I started recording basic demos. One of those basic demos got me my first publishing deal with ATV music. Then a record deal etc.
Lars: So that is why you quit Sniff N' The Tears?
Loz: Yes.
Loz: Yea! There were contacts made, and some came in useful at times. It does help to have been a member of a name band, it helps to open up doors but if your product isn't good enough those doors close very quickly.
Loz: Not sure I should answer this question, may just have a lawsuit on my hands.
Loz: Not the first or the last raw deal I have had over the years. But I have to say it is the nature of the business, the business side of things is nothing to do with music it is all about money. If you don't have your wits about you, you will be shafted up the bum every time, so you soon learn to wear iron clad pants.
Lars
Loz: Very good.
Loz: I had a few, some were chasing me because while dating them I was dating other woman also. Four was the most I managed that became very complicated.. Sorry ladies I was young and foolish, I'm all grown up know and a good boy, honest.
Loz: It is “Here comes the action man.”
Loz: Pretty cool, and lot's of fun. I never liked the make up artistes ideas of make up, I always ended up looking like some kind of mad fairground mannequin. So I used to do my own make up, I thought it was bit more subtle. I thought budgets were good for vids in those days, but seeing some of the promo vids today they must cost a fortune.
Loz: I had total artistic control on my vids. I wanted to push the boundaries visually and sexually but my directors were brits and sexually repressed so it was always a battle and a compromise.
Loz: Two vids, Fade Away from my first album for PolyGram and We Touch from my third album for Atlantic records.
Loz: I have both. Fade Away is only on video and the quality is not so good, We Touch I have managed to get on DVD and hope to have that on my website soon.
Loz: Cool! But I am trying to track down the company that did the Fade Away vid. To see if they still have a good quality copy. I will keep you informed.
Loz: I have no idea other than I got a call one day from my publishers EMI/Screen Gems saying it had been used in the episode Noon Plane The song was also used throughout the movie remake of And God Created Woman staring Rebecca De Mornay who I met at the Hollywood premiere reception, very desirable lady. Another one of my songs Any Fool was also used in the movie.
Loz: I prefer the original version which was only a demo recording but it captured the original idea a bit like a photograph. I think sometimes demo's are the original art coming out of the artist. When that original idea is thought about to much sometimes the spark is lost and it becomes something else.
Loz: Writing, recording, producing, myself and others, gigging, through the 90's mainly avoiding my ex wife’s lawyers. The last couple of years lot's of gigs and recording.
Loz: I have re-mastered all the old albums myself at my home studio and also scanned in and digitized the original covers. Not an easy task in either case, the original recordings were taken from vinyl and I had to eliminate loads of crackles & pops. The covers were in a pretty bad state but once in photoshop and many man hours later they scrubbed up pretty well. I'm not sure if the U.S & U.K releases were different to each other I think probably the same.
Loz: Interesting to hear about this, I was certainly never informed of re-mixes for the U.S not that it would have been a problem just nice to know what is going on with your own material.
Loz: Well the Chill Out Music ended up being shelved as I got work in to record an instrumental album for T.V which is out on DeWolfe music. Type in
Loz: I am very pleased to hear about this and that my music can be part of an intimate moment or two. I am very honoured.
Loz: Just finished another instrumental album called 'Nightwalk' for T.V the concept being detective music. Sort of gumshoe and raincoat collar up, guy following a pretty blonde as they pass under street lights somewhere downtown on a rainy night. But now that is complete, I have promised myself I will finish a blues solo album which I've been saying I would do for ages, I think the time is right, depending on how much other work I get in.
Loz: Glad you like the idea. The Nightwalk album came very easy to me, just rolled out. Posibly because it's always been inside me. I grew up watching late night
Loz: Not married but engaged, have two sons from a previous marriage,
Loz: Very true, very true. But also I think the mind covets what it thinks it wants and makes various chess like moves towards that end. Then when the mind gets what it wants, it no longer wants it. It wants something else. Perhaps this is what keeps us alive and kicking.
Loz: The song We Touch chordally is very basic and any appeal has a lot to do with the production, it was also conceived on keyboards so was never a guitar piece, however after saying that your comment made me have another look at it and I've approached it from another angle so may play it in my set after all.
Loz: My fee is usually $15,000.00 for guesting backing vocalists. But I will do you a deal $14,950.00 No you don't need to thank me it's the least I can do. Joking aside the gigs this year are coming in, I'm trying to keep them few, and lo-keyed, so I can get on with recording and sessions. Hoping to do radio this year and maybe some festivals. Again I will keep you informed and if you want to come over and sit in on a gig not a problem. You will have to play some guitar as well though. Or alternatively find me some gigs in the U.S we could do a duo thing.
Loz: Very interesting. The album I did with him he recorded at my studio. He then copied every track from the master 2" tape separately onto DAT tapes then flew himself and the DAT tapes over to L.A and resumed recording. A very technically minded and innovative talented guy, he was so easy to work with, no ego or attitude.
Loz: Like a shot, very talented cool dude.
Loz: Totally depends on the mood, but would have to say usually the music.
Loz: Good music, good musicians, good movies and soundtracks, good food & vino, great locations like
Loz: I own all my songs and music except for more recent instrumental albums which were sold to Carlin Music and DeWolfe music. And yes I get royalties every time one of my songs is played on the radio, including work recently sold to other companies.
Loz: Loz is a nickname from school, we all had nicknames like Bim,
Loz:I can't comment on the U.S music industry, but the U.K industry is shot to bit's. The breeding ground for young bands has always been pubs over here, but the pubs have a hard time putting on bands because the local councils of each City have imposed a license fee, which means if you have more than two people play a pub you have to purchase a license which is very expensive. Even if you play music in your pub/club or wherever you have to purchase a music license. Re-Payola, I have a friend in the industry who is one of the top managers of some very big bands & artists, his company bought a load of shares in one of the big radio stations in London they in turn bought shares in his management company. Every time a single from one of his bands is released he is guaranteed heavy airplay. Draw your own conclusions.
Loz: No I don't think there is a fix. The only political front it's hit so far is that any political figures want a piece of the action. As always it's called greed. So thank God for the internet. This is the only thing that has broken the corporate strangle hold, and given artists and individuals the opportunity to do it for themselves. I believe it is the way forward.
Lars
Loz: Say thanks to your dear wife she has good taste. The Italian link has been mentioned many times, unfortunately as much as I wish I had the Latino connection I have to confess that I do not. The name Netto I have been told by my Father originates from
Loz: Yeah! I think they were, although being essentially working class they were a little resentful I think, in as much as I embraced a life that they saw as free, and they were shackled to the post war grind of the work ethic. They expected me to end up working at a factory and married to someone down the road. But God bless them, they did their best for me. They both passed away this year within months of each other, followed by my girlfriends step Dad also dying at 62. This year has not been the best regarding family.
Loz: Thanks for the words I appreciate it. 2005 is over and 2006 I intend to be a very good year. I think probably many people feel the same. Shit happens, you deal with it and move on.
Loz: Are we still on the Italian thing. No not Italian, refer to previous question. I now live in
Loz: No originally from a place called
Loz: My ideal environment would be a log cabin surrounded by forestry, peaceful, no cars, or car alarms, or builders, or lunatics. Why? because I love nothing better than to go on long walks in a huge forest, for two, three hours among the trees and wildlife up to my knees in mud. Good for the soul, rejuvenating. Also good for lyrics.
Loz: I think you did the right thing. But I did not, much to my regret. However when he was smaller, my youngest son said that when he became a millionaire he would bye me a
Loz: Yes! Martial Arts, Taekondo, Hapkido, Aikido. Also like Badminton, and weight training. Last four years concentrating on weapons training, mainly Sword, staff,
Loz: Well, er, I have been looking again at some bikes. maybe not a good idea but I cant resist.
Loz: My Chilli & Chicken Balti.
Loz: Yes definately! Also I have just discovered a fantastic fish chowder.
Loz: You have asked me a very big question, and I'm not sure this is a question that should be asked in an interview, as it encompasses politics and religion. Both topics invoke feelings of deep rooted beliefs and the more extreme of us, i.e fundamentalists, can take these beliefs to extremes. So in the light of the terrible turmoil that the U.S, the U.K,
Loz: Yes & No, thanks for the CD by the way, I was into the band in the 80's but did not keep up with what they were doing until your CD. It's a good album, I liked it not particularly what I'm upto at the mo but I liked it all the same. Also good to see they are still working.
Loz: Have been for the last couple of years, at this moment in time taking a well deserved break, So far next gig Feb 2006, at The Ram Folk club,
Loz: Like to think so but need someone to want me over there, how sad is that. Guess I need an agent.
Loz: I will do my best.
Loz: No! Oh go on then. Actually at the mo not doing any production work for other artist's just concentrating on myself, very selfish. But I have found the lack of good talent in the U.K just isn't worth the effort. And also if you spend that time and NRG the brits want everything for nothing. After saying all that
Loz: Oh yea! Mick the other guitar player from Sniff 'n' the Tears I am still in contact with from time to time. Lui the drummer is a good friend although we have had our fall outs and ins over the years.
Loz: Usually they phone me up and I say how much you paying, then they put the phone down. (Make note to self, must work on phone patter.)
Loz: O.K not true. I do not get much production work these days as I keep myself to myself pretty much and just work on my own things. I cant be bothered with all the business bullshit. However I do get session work occasionally, one band in particular is the band Eyetalk from Phoenix, U.S.A www.eyetalk.droznet.com They made contact through my website and asked me if I would play guitar on one of there albums. They sent me the album, I liked what I heard so they then sent me the backing track on CD. I then recorded my guitar parts in my studio onto CD mailed them back and they put the parts into the final mix. I am this year 2006 about to start work on the third album for them. They have more than three albums recorded it's just the third album I will be doing for them.
Loz: My advice always is keep gigging and build up a fan base, doesn’t matter if your in a record deal or not, you will always have a fan base and be able to sell records and make money from gigs. Also get into self merchandise, T.Shirts, caps, posters etc.
Loz: Absolutely! Thanks for the reminder. Yes get a website up and running and work it
Loz: Porn star, Porn film Director, Oil canvas artist, Photographer, Forester, driving a lawnmower that sort of thing.
Loz: Not to sure I'm in shape after Christmas but I'm working at it. Give it some thought for later in the year. Yea! I should be so lucky.
Loz: 5 of my albums then if somebody else turned up I may be able to sell them.
Loz: O.K I always find this difficult as I have diverse tastes and find it hard to find good albums. Albums that work all the way through are so hard to come by these days, usually only the occasional good track. However I have a handfull I would not like to do without.
They are : 1)
2) Little Feat: '
3) Massive Attack: 'Protection'
4)
5) 1 Giant Leap: www.1giantleap.tv
The last album being an adventureous project by a couple of guys who set out to be the first to record an album entirely on a Mac laptop. They set off around the world recording Ethnic gatherings/songs etc. Came back to
Loz: Methinks the verdict is out on this one.
Loz: Verdict still out. Is this a U.S TV sitcom or something? If so we don’t get it in the U.K
Loz: Thanks for the kind words. No I did not study writing in school, my early mentors lyrically were,
Loz: I little while back I did a an instrumental album that was purely acoustic, first ever for me and I enjoyed it so much I thought what about recording with a nylon guitar so I tried it, the sound was incredible and it worked in a rock/blues concept. The odd thing is the nylon guitar sound was instant not a case of endlessly setting up a sound as can be the case with electric, I use a Yamaha APX 5NA, nylon guitar with an onboard preamp, I just plug it in, add a bit of comp and reverb and it's a done deal, very nice.
Loz: Thanks again! High demand as a producer nice thought but over in
Loz: Oh yea! Bonnie Rait, Ry Cooder, Little Feat, but mainly
Loz: Yes! Please do not download music without paying the artist. As they tend to end up busking on the street. Try to buy from the artists website as Amazon or the Record labels or any organisation like the above pays the artist a pittance. But more importantly. From this day on refuse to purchace any music from any other source other than my website. Tell yourself you will do this in bed before you go to sleep, in fact leave yourselfs little notes in the kitchen to wake up to at breakfast. Honestly in the end you will thank me for saving you from something or other.
I’ve got to know him and can tell you that he has many more years of music in him. He does more than remain relevant in the music world he evolves at a level only a true artist could. So if you are thinking about chasing Loz down, be careful. He’s someone that I realized early on wants his personal life respected. So I’m telling you now that he is approachable but you gotta know there are limits. Hopefully you understand what I’m saying.
Loz’s most recent effort is a Blues album “Replay” that I’ve had a chance to preview before anyone this spring of 2007. If you are a modern day blue’s enthusiast I think you’d Replay refreshing and clearly it has that
