A Dirty Dozen with ROBBY THOMAS WALSH from PURPENDICULAR – September 2022

According to a recent press release: “Today, Purpendicular feat. Ian Paice release the official lyric video for “Four Stone Walls.” The song is the third single off the upcoming new studio album, Human Mechanic, which will be released on September 23rd by Metalville Records. Purpendicular was founded in October 2007 by Irish singer Robby Thomas Walsh. With over 25 years of experience, he played in several semi-pro bands before becoming a full professional with Purpendicular. Purpendicular’s success story is astonishing. In their first year on tour, the band already completed a short European tour with Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice. In 2020, the band began work on the third studio album, Human Mechanic. Robby Walsh and Ian Paice made important decisions regarding the lineup to move forward. Unfortunately, the album itself was delayed by almost two years because of Covid. Musically, Human Mechanic offers the typical Ian Paice grooves and funky bass lines, but without neglecting the heavy hard rock sound. You won’t find a copy of Deep Purple here, but many influences. But Hammonds and guitars are still strongly in the foreground.” We get Robby to discuss new music, influences, and 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 latest release is called Human Mechanic. Thats based around a loose concept of the mental state of the world at the moment, whether it be from a domestic situation right up to full scale wars. People can grab all sorts of situations from it, but I would suggest not to expect a direct copy of DP. Hidden nuggets are Herbs guitar solo in “Ghost” and “Human Mechanic” tracks, and a fine jazzy Hammond solo in “Magical,” not to mention Ian’s phenomenal outro shuffle on “Four Stone Walls.” Good thing about the lyrical aspect is it can be taken seriously or tongue in cheek.

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

I guess listening to all sorts of music as a kid. There was always music in the family. I started as a drummer. Hearing Led Zeppelin , Deep Purple, and Pink Floyd made my mind up.

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

Not one in particular but a few. Growing up I started to listen to all kinds of music, Hard rock, pop, soul, jazz, blues, funk, reggae. Led Zeppelin’s Maddison Square Garden’s gig in the early 70’s, Deep Purple California Jam, Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii, we’re all iconic shows that caught my attention in a big way.

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

I don’t really think like that anymore but if I had to choose one it probably would be Roger Waters.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m a huge fan of Deutsche Touring masters championship especially BMW motorsport GT3 racing cars. I go when I can, and I hobby race BMW’s when I can. I have a full simulator in my house to learn tracks and terrains etc. I guess that doesn’t sound like unwinding (laughs). I adore cooking. It’s a huge hobby of mine, especially accompanied by a nice glass of red.

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?

It’s modern produced dynamical rock n roll with swinging grooves. Played live it oozes energy. I cringe when they say we are just a Deep Purple cover band or something degrading after 2 decades of hard work touring the length and breath of Europe.

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?

When we hang out together over dinner or drinks we prefer silence. We rarely talk about music probably because we work so much on tour or in studio. If someone took out a guitar it would be smashed over his head (laughs). Ian, Nick and myself adore cooking, so it would be one of us, but we mainly dine out. Nick is into making proper coffees in a big way. He brought me for a Bolivian coffee in Olomouc on the last Czech Republic tour and it’s changed the way I see and approach coffee now.

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

That’s easy – it was the first time my legs went to jelly, I got butterflies literally everywhere, I was speechless… overwhelmed with emotion. It was when I saw my new born daughter.

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?

Best part is being pampered and waited on. Wherever we are we are greeted as guests, whether it would be boarding an airplane, arriving at hotel, being seated in top class restaurants. The perks are high but that comes at a price (laughs), then that feeling of emotional energy as we enter the stage, or leave it! The hours are kind as I get to have good time off in between tours to be a good father. It’s dogmatically different to any other job I know. If I couldn’t do what I do, I would adore to be a BMW Motorsport works driver. Simple as that.

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?

That’s a tough one. How about, what are you drinking, answer Jameson. Questions vary and even if they are the same I usually have a story to connect with it in different ways.

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?

Mistakes are a huge factor in learning, you succeed or you learn through mistakes. Lots were made on the way. There’s probably a few musicians I regret working with or giving opportunities to, but that would be it. But there again, that thought me a lesson also!

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?

Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd. It encapsulates everything of how good something can be crafted on a ridiculously high level of genius. That album means a lot to me.

PURPENDICULAR LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

Category: Interviews