A Dirty Dozen with LEE SMALL from LIONHEART – July 2020

According to a recent press release: “Today, British hard rock legends Lionheart reveal a new video for “Widows.” The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated new album, The Reality of Miracles, set for international release on July 31st via Metalville Records. The clip was directed by Neil Griffiths and is exceptional in its creation: With the help of green screens, it was possible to create a band video, even though at no point during the recordings were two or more musicians in the same room. See & hear Lionheart’s “Widows” video in its entirety at the band’s official YouTube channel.” We get singer Lee to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The new album is called The Reality of Miracles. It’s a solid melodic rock album hopefully with something to offer everyone, it has a mixture of songs from Radio friendly stuff, to Rock ballads & some great Hard Rockers too.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I got really into music in the late 70’s & early 80’s, first came the Post Punk New Wave scene, then the New Wave of British Heavy Metal hit the UK, I think I connected with the energy & loud guitars, that’s when I decided this was for me.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Watching the Woodstock festival for the first time when I was around 14 years old I think was a defining factor followed by Arlo Guthrie in Alice’s Restaurant, I think I’ve always been a Hippy at heart.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Here’s seven for you! Stevie Wonder, Tom Johnston, Steve Walsh, Brad Delp, Glenn Hughes, Steve Marriott & Steve Perry.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

That’s a great question & a hard one. Maybe Neal Schon, he is my favorite guitar player & he plays with so much emotion & feel & expression.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say we are a great melodic rock band with big harmony vocals & big guitars. I once got called the “Aldi” Glenn Hughes, that made me cringe.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Rocky is up making tea & toast for us, Steve would be the first to pick up the acoustic, Den would book the Indian Restaurant! Clive would be last to go to bed most likely with a G & T.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I don’t often get too starstruck but meeting Tony Iommi really had that effect on me.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I am so lucky to be doing what I love for a living, its not easy, I have had it tough many times, the days we live in at the moment come into that bracket, If I wasn’t a musician, I’ve always wanted to work with people with Down syndrome, they have so much to give.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Maybe “what inspires you as a writer/lyricist?” I would say places I’ve been, books & movies, anything that I can get my teeth into. I never get tired of answering questions, as I am grateful of the interest & support in music I’m involved in.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I’ve made too many project style albums to keep the wolves from the door, maybe I would’ve cut down on some.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I actually got asked this recently, I think I would love to have been at Ridge Farm while the first Ozzy Osbourne album was being recorded, watching Randy Rhoads layer his guitars I think would’ve been quite something, I was so influenced by that album as a teen.

BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?

I’m really missing playing gigs, but now I’ve managed to stop, I’m also enjoying the downtime now, as I had recording stuff to complete early lock down, I didn’t get to shut down for a month or so, but it makes me realize I so needed a break from work, to take time out to re charge.

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Category: Interviews