CUTTY SARK
CUTTY SARK from our beautiful capital city of Bonn has long since moved beyond the status of a scene tip. Further proof of this was recently released with the album "Die Tonight," the band's second vinyl release, following a self-produced 4-track EP. Reason enough, then, to learn a little more about the group. Guitarist Uwe Cossmann answered our questions regarding the band and, of course, his own career.
R.T.D.: UWE, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH CUTTY SARK?
U.C.: I've been playing with CUTTY SARK since May '81.
R.T.D.: WHICH BANDS DID YOU PLAY IN BEFORE?
U.C.: In 1976, I founded my first band called ACID (the name is relevant again today; back then we got into trouble—people thought it was LSD!!!). It was a power trio (guitar, bass, drums), very blues-influenced and with hints of Hendrix/Trlower/Beck.... After graduating from high school and completing my military service (ugh), I joined the band Watchtower here in Bonn at the end of '78. Also a small group, but with an additional singer, we played quite a lot of rock 'n' roll and also some New Wave-influenced tracks. I felt I had to engage with these new trends. The group also had a record deal with Eigelstein Productions in Cologne in the works, but then broke up due to internal difficulties. During this time, I first heard Tony Jasper's Hard Rock Show on BFBS, and it drew me back to the heavier side. So I seamlessly transitioned to Cutty Sark, where I've remained ever since.
R.T.D.: YOUR FIRST LP WAS THE MINI-LP "HARD ROCK POWER". WHAT WERE THE REACTIONS TO THIS DEBUT?
U.C.: We produced "Hard Rock Power" in three days in July '83 at Dierks Studios in Cologne. Considering the extremely stressful recording situation, the result is still satisfactory to me today. We sold the 1,000 copies we pressed ourselves (with a black cover) within four months. Corona later took over the remaining stock. The reactions were generally positive and encouraging. The airplay on BFBS (Jasper/Benett) and Deutschlandfunk was particularly helpful. The rights to "Hard Rock Power" have been held by Corona/Ed. Moviethek in Hamburg since December 1983; approximately 3,500 copies have been sold so far. The number of gigs could have been a bit better, but Bochum/Zeche, Hamburg/Sounds, Pinocchio, Cologne/Basement, Dortmund... are worth mentioning. I just remembered that the best reviews for the record came from English-speaking countries.
R.T.D.: THE RECORD WAS PROBABLY THE DECISION FOR MAUSOLEUM TO SIGN YOU.
U.C.: The EP, along with demo recordings of unreleased tracks, was initially the deciding factor for Corona/Hamburg in signing you. Today, like the LP, it's distributed by Mausoleum/Belgium.
R.T.D.: HOW'S THE COLLABORATION WITH THE LABEL GOING?
U.C.: Mausoleum's distribution of both the EP and the LP "Die Tonight" could be significantly better. We've received a lot of mail from people who couldn't get the records in their area; southern Germany is particularly problematic in that regard. Lately, the collaboration with Alfie has been working somewhat better in the merchandising and advertising sector.
R.T.D.: HOW'S THE COLLABORATION WITH THE LABEL GOING?
U.C.: Mausoleum's distribution of both the EP and the LP "Die Tonight" could be significantly better. We've received a lot of mail from people who couldn't get the records in their area; southern Germany is particularly problematic in that regard. Lately, the collaboration with Alfie has been working somewhat better in the merchandising and advertising sector.
R.T.D.: HOW IS YOUR LP "DIE TONIGHT" SELLING?
U.C.: The LP is selling quite well, considering the minimal advertising effort. We're convinced it could sell significantly better with targeted promotion and improved distribution. Nevertheless, we've sold about 10,000 copies so far.
R.T.D.: YOU'VE RECEIVED CONSISTENTLY GOOD REVIEWS OF THE LP. YOUR GUITAR PLAYING HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY PRAISED. WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?
U.C.: I truly believe that "Die Tonight" is a good debut album, especially when you compare our production time of 1 1/2 weeks with the studio time of other top bands. Regarding the guitar work: I'm not satisfied with the sound on all the tracks. Furthermore, I think I haven't yet represented my style clearly enough on "Die Tonight." However, I'm very happy with my instrumental track "October Holidays." The next LP should (and probably will) bring both a sonic improvement and a more coherent and mature presentation of my personal style.
R.T.D.: YOUR FUTURE PLANS? U.C.: Right now, we're busy composing again in CUTTY SARK! We're also checking out the studio scene to find the right studio and, above all, the right mixer for the next record. We'll then record and mix around November/December. To finally achieve a widespread breakthrough with the next LP, we will have to personally focus more on promotion, single releases, airplay, etc. this time. All in all, then a lot of work for CUTTY SARK!!
U.C.: The LP is selling quite well, considering the minimal advertising effort. We're convinced it could sell significantly better with targeted promotion and improved distribution. Nevertheless, we've sold about 10,000 copies so far.
R.T.D.: YOU'VE RECEIVED CONSISTENTLY GOOD REVIEWS OF THE LP. YOUR GUITAR PLAYING HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY PRAISED. WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?
U.C.: I truly believe that "Die Tonight" is a good debut album, especially when you compare our production time of 1 1/2 weeks with the studio time of other top bands. Regarding the guitar work: I'm not satisfied with the sound on all the tracks. Furthermore, I think I haven't yet represented my style clearly enough on "Die Tonight." However, I'm very happy with my instrumental track "October Holidays." The next LP should (and probably will) bring both a sonic improvement and a more coherent and mature presentation of my personal style.
R.T.D.: YOUR FUTURE PLANS? U.C.: Right now, we're busy composing again in CUTTY SARK! We're also checking out the studio scene to find the right studio and, above all, the right mixer for the next record. We'll then record and mix around November/December. To finally achieve a widespread breakthrough with the next LP, we will have to personally focus more on promotion, single releases, airplay, etc. this time. All in all, then a lot of work for CUTTY SARK!!