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Tell me about starting out solo?Well I was trying stuff out myself towards the end of The Rose, and I always felt I could sing, but I never really tried, as we never even had any backing vocal parts. In 1994 I booked some studio time, and cut my first demo, and my first gig was at the Mean Fiddler club in London. Were you shitting yourself?No, not really I knew what it was like getting up on stage, I knew I’d only get better by working at it. The more work I got the better I’d get as a performer. I supported the Cranberries and Belly in Leeds in front of my first large crowd, and loved very minute of it. I need the experience to give me the confidence to control the stage, and get peoples attention. I traveled around Europe by train just with my guitar playing every dive, and East German Squats. I kinda developed a cult name in Germany for turning up at gigs and getting myself on the bill on the spur of the moment. It was just a case of taking it to that next level, having a product to sell, so I had to take various day jobs to finance the CD. What inspires you now?It’s the freedom I now have, I really truly feel I can do anything that I want, being out of a band frees you of the different personalities, I only have myself to please. I wanted to get to a level where I could entertain people. Are you there now?Just about. Are we going to see you playing in England?It’s difficult. In Germany people will let you play your own stuff, if I wanted to play in England they expect you to play cover versions, or play a club where you don’t get paid. I love the attitude of the English people, but promoters aren’t really interested. When I started playing in Germany I was billed as "ex Rose Of Avalanche", but I don’t think it brought any more through the door, as old Rose fans didn’t really give a fuck. I’d never play any old Rose songs, as I don’t really want to cling on to the past, even though I never did anything I’m ashamed of, I wanted a new start. However if it ever does help to mention the band then of course I will, I’ve met a few people that remember seeing me playing with the Rose. Life as a solo artist?I did a big support tour with the American band Giant Sand, but my main problem was having no product to promote. So even though it was great, and I was playing in front of a 1,000 people per night I had nothing to sell. Now I make most of my money selling CD’s at my gigs. So at the end of the tour it was a little flat. I needed to get to the next level, either my own headline tour or record an album. I have also played support to German band Salavdos, we got in contact via a German music paper, and by me writing one of my cheeky letters to them. What next?I’m thinking about a change, maybe brining in some more people, adding some more instruments, but I want to be careful. Getting the business side of things sorted out is the key, and I’ve got my own company, Eggtete Records. Finding some finical backing would be nice! You can find details of Paul James Berry’s current activity by visting http://www.pauljamesberry.com/ (c) www.roseofavalanche.com, 1997 |
