OKEJ interview with
GIRLSCHOOL
Girlschool's new LP "Play Dirty" is here and
-The group has just started their big US tour. Just before the kick-off, OKEJ got an interview with guitarist Kelly Johnson in London.
-We are completely satisfied with our new album, she told us. This is what we sound like when we are at our best.
-The group has just started their big US tour. Just before the kick-off, OKEJ got an interview with guitarist Kelly Johnson in London.
-We are completely satisfied with our new album, she told us. This is what we sound like when we are at our best.
Just a few years ago, there were probably quite a few of us who thought that the beautiful saga of Girlschool was quickly coming to an end. "Screaming Blue Murder" was far from a good LP, there were rumors that the group's harmony wasn't the best and some time before that, bassist Enid Williams had left and been replaced by Gil Weston.
-I know, says guitarist Kelly Johnson when OKEJ reminds us of such unpleasantness. It was hard and "Screaming Blue Murder" was in many ways a lousy album. The sound was bad and the material was not sufficiently worked out. If you compare it to our new one, there is a huge difference - it's almost as if two different bands were playing.
We have developed. Things have happened with Girlschool - now everything feels good again!
GIRLS SCHOOL AT BEST
OKEJ: Your new album was released in Sweden a few weeks ago - can you tell us a little about that album and explain the title and the song "Play Dirty"?
KELLY: Well, "Play Dirty," the title track, is basically about playing fake, being deceived, being dishonest. That's what the song is about and it's also my favorite track on the record, by the way. We recorded the LP in London, worked in the studio for a little over five weeks, and it was Jimmy Lea and Noddy Holder, the guys in Slade, you know, who produced.
OKEJ: What did Jimmy and Noddy mean to your sound and style on the album?
KELLY: Quite a lot, I think. They did a tremendous job and they wrote a couple of the songs, by the way.
OKAY: Are you happy with the album?
KELLY: Yes, we are. Very happy. "Play Dirty" is Girlschool at our very best!
THE GIRLS DON'T DARE
OK: Girlschool is four girls who play hard rock, and that's still quite unusual in this industry. Has it been hard to prove that girls can also play good rock'n'roll?
KELLY: Personally, I don't think it's even proven yet. You know, there aren't many groups like Girlschool - there's us and Rock Goddess and then there's no more. You can hardly accuse the Go-Go's of playing hard rock (giggles!). The girls don't dare, and that's a shame. But who knows - in ten years the picture will maybe be completely different.
KELLY: Well, "Play Dirty," the title track, is basically about playing fake, being deceived, being dishonest. That's what the song is about and it's also my favorite track on the record, by the way. We recorded the LP in London, worked in the studio for a little over five weeks, and it was Jimmy Lea and Noddy Holder, the guys in Slade, you know, who produced.
OKEJ: What did Jimmy and Noddy mean to your sound and style on the album?
KELLY: Quite a lot, I think. They did a tremendous job and they wrote a couple of the songs, by the way.
OKAY: Are you happy with the album?
KELLY: Yes, we are. Very happy. "Play Dirty" is Girlschool at our very best!
THE GIRLS DON'T DARE
OK: Girlschool is four girls who play hard rock, and that's still quite unusual in this industry. Has it been hard to prove that girls can also play good rock'n'roll?
KELLY: Personally, I don't think it's even proven yet. You know, there aren't many groups like Girlschool - there's us and Rock Goddess and then there's no more. You can hardly accuse the Go-Go's of playing hard rock (giggles!). The girls don't dare, and that's a shame. But who knows - in ten years the picture will maybe be completely different.
OK: How old were you when you startedplay guitar?
KELLY: Eleven, twelve years old or something. I don't remember exactly. I started practicing on my dad's old acoustic, it was mostly ballads and the slightly simpler favorite melodies.
OK: And then it became rock?
KELLY: Yes, then it became rock. We started practicing different solos and trying to make our own songs and stuff. I started in Girlschool when I was nineteen.
KELLY: Eleven, twelve years old or something. I don't remember exactly. I started practicing on my dad's old acoustic, it was mostly ballads and the slightly simpler favorite melodies.
OK: And then it became rock?
KELLY: Yes, then it became rock. We started practicing different solos and trying to make our own songs and stuff. I started in Girlschool when I was nineteen.
OK: Do you play any other instruments?
KELLY: Yes, bass and piano. But I compose everything on guitar, it's the easiest and it also gives it a rockier feel, more feeling. Piano is good when you have to pick out harmonies.
LIKES DEF LEPPARD
OK: Musicians often listen to a lot of music themselves - do you have any particular favorites?
KELLY: Oh, I listen to most things. Glitter rock is a particular passion, of course. David Bowie, T. Rex and those others from the first half of the 70s. Contemporary? Well, I like Prince and Def Leppard - and a lot of other things.
OKAY: Which LP do you think is the best of all time - you can't answer "Play Dirty"!
KELLY: No? That was a shame. Well, then it's "Abbey Road" with the Beatles - it's absolutely outstanding!
OK: Can you briefly describe the music Girlschool plays?
KELLY: It's hard, it would have been easier if you had asked a few years ago! Back then we were part of "the new wave of heavy metal", but that's kind of a past stage. Today we play hard rock'n'roll, but at the same time we don't want to play just one style. We are a rock band, simply put.
OKEJ: You have relatively recently finished recording your fourth LP - what do you like best, working in the studio or touring?
KELLY: It's more fun to tour - you travel, see new places and meet lots of nice people. And meeting the audience - it's wonderful! But I don't dislike being in the studio - working on a new album, making songs and arranging is of course also hugely stimulating.
OK: You like concerts and touring - is audience contact important for Girlschool? KELLY: Yes, very important. I know there are many groups that look down on their fans, but we definitely don't. We love our audience! It's the fans that make this life what it is!
POSITIVE AND SPONTANEOUS
OK: What do you do in your free time?
KELLY: Listening to music, playing guitar and writing songs, not much else. Well, by the way, I like to cook. Indian food, especially, and preferably something vegetarian.
OK: Can you describe yourself as a person?
KELLY: Well, I'm quite positive and I think I'm quite spontaneous, am I? Otherwise, I'm quite balanced and like most people, I'm mostly happy when things are going well and sad when things are going badly.
OK: So now you're happy?
OK: You like concerts and touring - is audience contact important for Girlschool? KELLY: Yes, very important. I know there are many groups that look down on their fans, but we definitely don't. We love our audience! It's the fans that make this life what it is!
POSITIVE AND SPONTANEOUS
OK: What do you do in your free time?
KELLY: Listening to music, playing guitar and writing songs, not much else. Well, by the way, I like to cook. Indian food, especially, and preferably something vegetarian.
OK: Can you describe yourself as a person?
KELLY: Well, I'm quite positive and I think I'm quite spontaneous, am I? Otherwise, I'm quite balanced and like most people, I'm mostly happy when things are going well and sad when things are going badly.
OK: So now you're happy?
KELLY: Yes! (Laughter).
OK: You're going on a big US tour soon. How many concerts will there be in total?
KELLY: I don't actually know the exact number, but it's definitely a lot. We'll be driving around the states until well into spring, it's a huge country, so if you want to cover the most important places, it'll take time.
OK: And when is the next European tour?
KELLY: Probably as soon as we're done with the US. It's possible there will be a single in between, I don't know yet.
OK: You're going on a big US tour soon. How many concerts will there be in total?
KELLY: I don't actually know the exact number, but it's definitely a lot. We'll be driving around the states until well into spring, it's a huge country, so if you want to cover the most important places, it'll take time.
OK: And when is the next European tour?
KELLY: Probably as soon as we're done with the US. It's possible there will be a single in between, I don't know yet.
OK: So maybe we'll see you in Sweden in May or June?
KELLY: I hope so.
OKEJ: Then you will have the chance to send a special greeting to your fans in Sweden through OKEJ.
KELLY: Don't forget us - you mean a lot to us and we'll come as soon as we get a chance! And one more thing - buy the LP "Play Dirty"!
KELLY: I hope so.
OKEJ: Then you will have the chance to send a special greeting to your fans in Sweden through OKEJ.
KELLY: Don't forget us - you mean a lot to us and we'll come as soon as we get a chance! And one more thing - buy the LP "Play Dirty"!
/ LARS BRANDER