A web-interview with Mr. Housden

April 4th, 1998

www.lrb.net	Stephen
1.) Thinking of the time you joined LITTLE RIVER BAND, how did you feel stepping into DAVID BRIGGS' shoes? Did you consider it a special challenge?	It caught me off guard at the time. My band THE IMPORTS had been LRB's support band on The Australian 'Summer Jam' tour of 1980. I had never been a big LRB fan before that. I was into the New Wave English bands of the time. e.g. POLICE and XTC. During the mid '70's I was into Jazz and Funk. I didn't really know whether LRB would be my scene. After the first rehearsal I knew that I was going to have a great time with these guys. The harmonies blew me away and every one could really play well. Now that we have been rehearsing the songs with the new members I have been listening once again to David Briggs' on the original recordings. His playing is really fabulous. His solos are really nice and melodic and stand the test of time. I would say that David and I have pretty much the same philosophy in our approach to soloing in a Pop song.
2.) Obviously, your guitar technique is very innovative and impressive. Some people even compared you with JOE SATRIANI or ERICH JHOHNSON ... an unusual situation playing with a band like LITTLE RIVER BAND. Do you think of yourself playing a 'shredding' guitar style?	I don't think of myself as a 'shredder'. When I'm playing live it can be fun to go crazy but I wouldn't like to listen to that stuff myself so I try not to inflict it on others. I guess ´Spanish Castles on my New World Groove album has an element of what people would call shredding on it but overall I tried to make a CD that I would like to listen to myself. I guess I would consider it more of a compliment to be described as 'Melodic and Soulful'
3.) You're with the band from 1981 now. What memories with LRB do you think of most fondly, so far?	The first tour was very exciting. It was my first time in the USA. I've always been very proud of how good the band sounds doing live Television especially when the pressure is on. Things that come to mind are Australia's segment of the Aid for Africa back in the mid 80's with John Farnham on lead vocals. In 1988 we opened the World Expo in Brisbane with special guest Glenn Frey from The Eagles (this was also Glenn Shorrock debut return gig). On Steve Wade's first tour in 1996 we played three songs live in the streets of Manhattan for 'The Today Show'. All the above shows were shown worldwide which added to the excitement of doing them. Most of my memories though are not the shows. It's the good and sometimes crazy times on the road with my musical 'Family'.
4.) When I had contacts with DEREK in the last year he talked about new releases, that 'plans were still too sketchy' ...? Now that you're amazed about the new line up of the band, do you think there will be a LRB record in the future?	We did the first show on Saturday 4 April with this particular line-up. The reaction was incredible and the band sounded fantastic. It was great that we were able to rehearse for a month and get a new show together. We are really looking to the North American tour with the band. I definitely would like to record with this line up. Now that the whole band is situated in Melbourne I see it actually happening.
5.) In our interview with TONY SCIUTO, he said "... they would never let anyone in the sacred door. Almost as if 'the book is already written' ...". Do you agree that LRB is not going in a direction where new compositions will be considered and new releases are out of the question? And who is the composer of Some People Never Learn?	When I now look back at the situation I can see why the motivation to record wasn't there. My experience recording with LRB is that a good creative album cannot be made overnight. It takes many months of writing and arranging. With the band scattered across the world I could never really see it happening. Not only was it economically difficult but the time away from families becomes another stress. Especially after those four month tours. Steve Wade is the composer of 'Some People Never Learn'.
6.) Have you ever played something from your great solo CD 'New World Groove' live, or are you planning to do so in the future? And ... last year there were rumors you're planning on a new solo recording again. Can you fill us in on your plans about that?	Yes I have played many solo gigs and the band I have been using is 'Roger', 'Kevin' and 'Steve Wade' on 2nd Guitar - all members of the new LRB. The gigs have always gone really well so Roger and Kevin were my first choices for LRB. It is a bonus that Roger was the first bass player with LRB. I always use him because he is an incredible bass player. Kevin is not only a great drummer, he has a fantastic voice and personality to match. I think I will have to postpone the next solo CD until the next LRB record is finished.
7.) In the past two years ('96/'97) many appreciated members left the group and a lot of rumble was going on in the band ... GLENN, WAYNE NELSON, PETER BECKETT, TONY SCIUTO, DEREK ... any comments on their leaving LRB?	I have been proud of every LRB incarnation. That is why I've stuck around so long. (17 years - I think that is the longest anyone has been in the band). The band has always had members come and go - Glenn, Wayne, Derek and now Roger have all been in the band twice - and I think that the ever-changing line-up has kept the band fresh. When Derek said he was leaving I decided the only way to keep the band alive would be to make it all Australian once again. I knew that if we were to put out a CD of the quality our fans have come to expect it would need extensive rehearsal. I also knew that it just wouldn't happen with people members living so far apart. It has always been a frustration with me that we couldn't just get together for a play or a photo session. It was a difficult decision to say goodbye to Tony and Peter, who after 8 years together, had become my good friend, however, I believe it is the only way the band could move forward.
8.) You played six live sets with BROKEN VOICES in 1989/1990 ... now the album is released on 'Thoughtscape Sounds' ... looking back at it, what do you think of this project with SUSIE AHERN and GRAEHAM GOBLE?	I think we were a little ahead of our time. The Celtic influence in Pop music came a little later and by then we had given up trying to get a deal. Susie is an amazing singer and we had some really creative times making the CD. Listening to it now I think it sounds great especially with the remastering.
9.) You and DEREK are the only members, who played with all the three lead singers that LRB ever had, GLENN SHORROCK, JOHN FARNHAM and STEVE WADE ... what is your personal impression, thinking back of situations where a lead singer had to be replaced?	I have enjoyed working with all three singers. They all have their own special vocal qualities and each has a different approach to live performance. I am really having a great time at the moment working with Steve because he is also a really good guitar player. Steve, Paul and myself have been working on the guitar blend for the guitar harmony parts. It's the best they have ever sounded since I have been in the band.
10.) Since 1990 you also recorded with GRAEHAM GOBLE, one of the most successful composers of LITTLE RIVER BAND'S hits, playing on his solo recordings. In the year of 2000 it would be LITTLE RIVER BAND'S 25th anniversary, the year of the Sydney Olympics. Do you feel that a reunion tour, concert or album etc. with founding members like GRAEHAM, BEEB BIRTLES or GLENN SHORROCK is out of the question? And do you think that LRB would need a catalyst on any project like this?	I have always thought it would be incredible to do a concert that featured all the various LRB line-ups. The Olympics would be the perfect situation. Let's wait and see what develops.

[ Stephen Housden ]

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