Dreamtide Music are utterly pleased to announce the signing of OLIVER/DAWSON SAXON for a booking deal covering Scandinavia (Sweden, Denmark, Norway) + EU festivals.
OLIVER DAWSON SAXON is an English heavy metal band formed in 1995 by guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson, both members of Saxon during their classic era 1976 – 1986.
The bands live set consists of own material plus all those golden hits (“And the Bands Played On”, “Dallas 1 PM”, “747 (Strangers in the Night)”, “Crusader” etc) from the million selling albums released during the heydays of NWOBHM.
Steve ‘Dobby’ Dawson is the legendary ex-SAXON bass player, one of the originators of the Yorkshire band who rose to fame during the NWOBHM period. He has since formed OLIVER DAWSON SAXON with Graham Oliver and earlier this year they released their album ‘Motorbiker’ through Angel Air Records.
I recently had a chat with Steve, where he discussed everything from the band, touring tales and snow, to his and Graham’s new book, soon to be released – ‘Saxon, Drugs And Rock ‘N’ Roll – The Real Spinal Tap.’
Steve Dawson Oliver Dawson Saxon 2011
You can listen to the full interview on the player below. Here are a couple of excerpts from our chat:
When discussing new material and releases, Steve had this to say:
‘Myself, Graham, Haydn Conway, Pete Gill and Ted Bullet made a record called ‘Victim You‘ under the name ‘SON OF A BITCH‘. It has just been re-mastered and re-packaged and will be released on Angel Air Records on Monday 17th September. There may be a follow up too.’
Talking about music being available on the internet, Steve expressed:
‘The internet has been good and bad for rock music. It’s great to get your music out there, you don’t have to ask anybody, any band can record some music and put it out there. The only bad side has been pirating CD’s and DVD’s – it’s ok if you’re the one bootlegging it, but if you’re the person who created it, you’re not getting any money to create another one. Now Pirate Bay has gone it might get better for bands like us. We don’t spend our money on drugs, champagne or hookers, we actually put money into making more music.’
Mohsen Fayyazi of Metal Shock Finlandrecently conducted an interview with British guitarist Graham Oliver (OLIVER DAWSON SAXON, SAXON). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metal Shock Finland: You’re one of those musicians who has had an important role in the NWOBHM movement. How do you feel that genre of metal music is placed in the industry today?
Graham: It is so cool that the music we created in the period of the NWOBHM is regarded as influential 30 years later and we never imagined we could inspire bands like METALLICA, who in turn inspire bands, too, so it goes round and round. The music of today is so diverse and influences of NWOBHM can be heard even in Lady Gaga [“Edge Of Glory”]. Rock has a longevity like no other — just look at AC/DC. Simple, straight and great songs rock will never die.
Metal Shock Finland: The [OLIVER DAWSON SAXON] album seems to be a returning point to the roots of old-school heavy metal, by including issues about drugs, motorcycles, women … Are we going to have some old-school songs produced by new technology?
Graham: The style of writing is the same as we always have done, as all SAXON classics were co-written by myself and Steve Dawson and we will always write the same and sound like us, as we are us and never could try to be a German metal band, for example.
Metal Shock Finland: John Schaffer of ICED EARTH has recently said, “The music industry has changed and everything is different.” I’d like to know your opinion as a musician and guitarist who has produced music for the metal industry for a long time.
Graham: Modern times see the decline of sales of CDs and more tickets sold for live shows. It’s just the changing times, but I like to own a CD — no downloads for me. Imagine if THE [ROLLING] STONES sold as many CDs as concert tickets; [they] would sell millions.
Metal Shock Finland: You are one of those musicians who had that experience sharing a stage with the legendary Ronnie James Dio. Would you like to tell us more about that experience and share some memories of him? And how did you see Ronnie as a musician and rocker? Graham: I first saw Ronnie in 1976 with RAINBOW and it was a great show and jumping forwards to SAXON‘s first tour of the USA in September 1980, we played some shows on the [BLACK SABBATH] “Heaven And Hell” tour where we met Ronnie and our paths crossed a few times. When OLIVER DAWSON SAXON were promoting Angel Air‘s “It’s Alive” CD, we were on the same show as ronnie in Italy and chatted a lot about all things music, etc., and to our delight, Ronnie asked for OLIVER DAWSON SAXON to be the guest band on the U.K. leg of [the DIO] “Killing The Dragon” tour. It started in London and finished in Portsmouth all the shows were great and sellouts and on the last show after our set, I was asked to join the band on stage for “Rainbow In The Dark”. How great was that?! Steve Dawson videoed it, thank goodness, and introduced me as a legend. And coming from one of my legends, that was the best. He was always so nice with friends and fans after the shows and was one of the greatest rock singers of all time.
Graham Oliver is a legend – he is one of those musicians who rocked the NWOBHM’s flag and spread this genre of METAL music. He was one of the 5 musicians who formed SAXON in 1976. Now and after leaving SAXON, he formed another great band that perhaps you know – it’s OLIVER/DAWSON SAXON and as a front-runner of NWOBHM he has released 19 studio albums to date. He is also one of those guitarists who had the chance to share a stage with legendary singer and voice of METAL, Ronnie James Dio.
I feel so lucky to have had my chance to have an interview with him and believe me brothers and sisters, he is AWESOME and so down to earth.
Hi Graham, how are you doing today?
Hi Thanks.
You’re one of those musicians who has had an important role in the NWOBHM movement, how do you feel that genre of Metal music is placed in the industry today?
It is so cool that the Music we created in the period of THE NWOBHM is regarded as influential 30 years later and we never imagined we could inspire bands like METALLICA who in turn inspire bands too so it goes round and round. The music of to day is so diverse and influences of NWOBHM can be heard even in Lady GA GA [EDGE OF GLORY] rock has a longevity like no other just look at ACDC simple straight and great songs ROCK WILL NEVER DIE.
Let’s talk about and introduce your upcoming book, “SAXON Drugs & Rock N’ Roll: The Real Spinal Tap”, how would you describe this book for people who like to read it?
The new book is not out until later this year but will be a great read with archive pics etc about SAXON in its most golden era.
Ok, cool, can’t wait to read that book but now let’s talk about the “Motorbiker” album, can you tell me how the recording process worked and the length of time it took? And why you chose “Bikers” for the name?
When we wrote the new CD MOTORBIKER the song Motorbiker was the last song along with HELL IN HELSINKI to be finished and it felt perfect to use as the Title to the Album.
OLIVER/DAWSON SAXON, Bulldog Bash
The album seems to be a returning point to the roots of old school heavy metal, by including issues about drugs, motorcycles, women … are we going to have some old school songs produced by new technology?
The style of writing is the same as we always have done as all SAXON classics were co wrote by myself and Steve Dawson and we will always write the same and sound like us as we are us and never could try to be a GERMAN METAL band for example.
Have you any plans to do a supporting tour for “Motorbikers” with some particular bands in 2012?
The shows live so far started in Scandinavia in December and we finished in Germany recently with more live shows an fests to come.
John Schaffer of Iced Earth has recently said “The music industry has changed and everything is different”, I’d like to know your opinion as a musician and guitarist, who has produced music for the Metal industry for a long time.
Modern times sees the decline of sales of CD,s and more tickets sold for live shows its just the changing times but i like to own a CD no downloads for me imagine if the STONES sold as many CD,s as CONCERT TICKETS would sell millions,,,,,,,,,.
Right, To continue that question i wanted to mention about the departure of Bill Ward from Black Sabbath. Do you think this is one of those changes as some people believe that is just about money, or did these kind of things happen in the past too?
You can tell who is in it just for the money they have no passion you have to play from the heart.
Graham Oliver and Doug Aldritch
You are one of those musicians who had that experience sharing a stage with the legendary Ronnie James Dio, R.I.P. Would you like to tell us more about that experience and share some memories of him? And how did you see Ronnie as a musician and Rocker?
I first saw Ronnie in 1976 with RAINBOW and it was a great show and jumping forwards to SAXON,s first tour of the USA in September 1980 we played some show on the HEAVEN AND HELL tour where we met Ronnie and our paths crossed a few times.
When ODS were promoting Angel Airs ITS ALIVE CD we were on the same show as RONNIE in ITALY and chatted a lot about all things music ect and to our delight Ronnie asked for ODS to be the guest band on the UK leg of KILLING THE DRAGON tour ,it started in LONDON and finished in PORTSMOUTH all the shows were great and sellouts and on the last show after our set i was asked to join the band on stage for RAINBOW IN THE DARK how great was that Steve Dawson videoed it thank goodness and introduced me as a legend. And coming from one of my legends that was the best ,he was always so nice with friends and fans after the shows and was one of the greatest rock singers of all time.
Graham Oliver and Ronnie James Dio
Today most of the young guitarists like to play guitar faster and faster and more technical and singers use a growling style more often. But some people and critics believe that we don’t have a such great music like we had in old school Metal-Era – I also had an interview with Steve “Lips” Kudlow of ANVIL and he said “metal needs good singing….cookie monster yelling is not singing!!”. I’d like to know your opinion, how do you see metal music today?
I am a little tired of Drop D bands they seem to all be doing it with no songs ,the most important thing great songs and great vocals will always shine thru.
Graham Oliver with his left hand 63’s Stratocaster, 1975
Are there any young rock or metal bands who impressed you recently?
I like all music from Bonamasa to TRIVIUM new band I SPIT ASHES are cool and INFLAMES rock.
Thanks Graham for giving me your time, feel free to leave a message for your die hard fans and our readers.
Listen to MOTORBIKER NOW in IRAN if we could come and play we would ROCK ON. Thanks for questions Mohsen.
If you like to know more about OLIVER DAWSON SAXON follow these links:
OLIVER DAWSON SAXON, the British heavy metal band featuring founding SAXON members Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson, will release its long-awaited album, “Motorbiker”, on February 27 via Angel Air Records. The CD was described by Dawson in a recent interview as “what me and Graham do best . . . a hard rock album, maybe metal . . . in that classic SAXON tradition.”
“Motorbiker” track listing:
01. Chemical Romance
02. Motorbiker
03. Whippin Boy
04. No Way Out
05. Just Another Suicide
06. Sinternet
07. Ghost
08. Nevada Beach
09. Screaming Eagles
10. World’s Gone Crazy
11. Hell In Helsinki
12. Nursery Crimes
After spending a few years battling with Biff Byford and Paul Quinn over the SAXON name, Oliver and Dawson reached a settlement in 2003 with the members of the original band SAXON over the usage of the name and logos belonging to the original partnership.
OLIVER DAWSON SAXON, consisting of Oliver and Dawson, acknowledged that the band featuring Byford and Quinn will continue to be known as “SAXON“, and have use of the logo. In return Byford and Quinn acknowledged that OLIVER DAWSON SAXON has a legitimate use of the name in that form.
In a January 2011 interview with the “Talking Metal” podcast, Graham Oliver revealed that he was writing a book called “Saxon, Drugs, And Rock ‘N’ Roll: The Real Spinal Tap”, which will include a foreword by Harry Shearer (whose character in SPINAL TAP was based on SAXON member Steve Dawson).
Speaking to SouthYorkshireTimes.co.uk, Graham said about the upcoming book, “It promises to be a who’s who of the metal scene of the late ’70s/early 80s. It’s taking a lot of writing and getting quotes off people — like Lemmy from MOTÖRHEAD and Ozzy Osbourne.”
He added, “My biggest memory of the Hollywood gig we played with METALLICA was that Ozzy Osbourne was in our dressing room. It was just after his ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ guitarist Randy Rhoads had died and he was inconsolable. We were trying to give him some support, but you just felt helpless and we had to psych ourselves up to go onstage for what was one of our biggest U.S. gigs at the time. I remember spending all night in our dressing room with Ozzy and Sharon when he supported SAXON on one of our European tours and Randy borrowed my Gibson Flying V guitar for his performance. We had jammed together for hours earlier playing Jimi Hendrix stuff. I’ll never part with that guitar.”
Formed in the late ’90s, OLIVER DAWSON SAXON previously recorded and released an album called “Re-Landed”, which got a limited release on a local label before being reissued via Angel Air as “Re-Landed..Plus”.
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Ads
Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi's Ancient Streaming Assembly - 'Perpetuae Memoriae', ft. Tuomas Rounakari + Steve Di Giorgio - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 