Alan
Griffiths *Bio provided by Alan
Griffiths - Photos by Dave Harwood
Background:
Born and raised in Bristol, England. Started learning the
guitar around 1974, later inspired by the new wave/punk scene, starts
writing songs around this time.
Early Bands:
"Apartment" (1978-80)
"Apartment"
were very influenced by the New York CBGB's scene,
bands like; Television, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, etc. "Apartment"
was
a three piece; vocal/guitar (Alan) & bass & drums. Released
single
and tracks on local Bristol label "Heartbeat Records".
"The
Escape" (1981-84)
Also a three
piece, but a much darker gothic affair... (Well
to begin with anyway). Released single on their own "Volatile Records"
label,
played lots of gigs around the U.K. Signed to Phonogram (Mercury
Records)1993,
by the same A&R guy who had signed TFF. Around this time Alan &
Roland became friends. Two
tracks released
and work started on tracks for the first album, then Phonogram decided
to pull the plug.
1984-85 - Alan
starts getting work as a session musician playing guitar & doing
TV/Promos with bands "Vitamin Z" and "Talk Talk". In early 1985 Alan is
asked by TFF to replace
a guitarist and joins them for the rest of "Songs From The Big Chair"
world
tour. He quickly learns the songs, packs a suitcase and gets on a
plane. First
show, Tokyo, Japan. After the tour has ended Alan starts getting back
into
song writing, also learning the "then" new midi keyboards / sequencers
that
had arrived on the market.
1987-90
Alan teams up
with Bristol singer/songwriterJohn Kelly and together they form "White
Hotel"
. They write and demo lots of songs. At this time Alan is getting more
involved
with the production side of things. Alan keeps in contact with Roland
and
they would at times both play and listen to each others new emerging
songs.
1990 - After failing to get a major
record deal, "White Hotel" decided to call it a day. September
'90, Alan met up with Roland in Bristol just after the TFF
"Seeds of Love" tour had ended. At this stage Curt Smith had decided to
leave TFF. Alan and Roland talk about trying out some song writing
together. They start a few weeks later in Roland's house in London. The
new songs written form many of the starting points for the
"Elemental" album. Also at this time Roland's new home studio, to be
called "Neptune's Kitchen" is finished.
1991-92 - "Elemental" album was recorded
and finished at Neptune’s
Kitchen, with Alan involved in playing and co-producing with Roland and
Tim Palmer.
1993 - "Elemental" album released.
Alan plays guitar / keyboards on "Elemental" world tour.
1994-95 - Writing
and recording songs for "Raoul And The Kings Of Spain" in Los Angeles,
South of
France and finishing up back in "Neptune's Kitchen". Again involved in
playing
and co-producing with Roland and Time.
1995 - 1996 - "RATKOS" album released - world tour begins. Alan plays
guitar/keyboards.
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Linda Dalziel
(Back-up singer for the RATKOS tour)
Many fans may remember the lovely Linda
Dalziel from the RATKOS concert tour! Personally picked by Roland,
Linda is not only a talented singer but an artist as well.
Linda had left the band "Berlin" and is with a new band called, "Aquabox". Visit their site for photos, info and mp3 samples of their songs...
Interview With Linda (2000):
Q: How did
you get choosen to sing with TFF?
A: I had
just finished touring in Al Jarreau's all star band as a backing
vocalist, and was told TFF could not find a girl to do the parts
needed, particularly, Oleta's songs.(We actually did Me and
My Big Ideas at soundchecks, and it sounded absolutely
phenomenal, but our set wasn't long enough to ever include it.) I
was SUPER excited at the thought of the opportunity of working
with Roland, and called their management the next day, on a Friday. I
said that I had heard they needed a girl, and I boldly said, "I'm
your Girl!!!" I read my resume over the phone, and they were
extremely interested. I got a package to them in an hour, they
messengered it to England. Monday, I was on a plane, Tuesday, I was
staring into Roland's face at rehearsal!!
Q: What was
it like touring with TFF?
A: It was a
huge amount of
fun!! I've been on the road with Prince, Rick James, Al Jarreau, Cameo,
the
Gap Band, Mtume, Atlantic Star, Ashford and Simpson, Donna
Summer, George
Duke, Randy Crawford, Boz Scaggs...(those are the ones I can remember
right
now)...and I had the BEST time with Roland. Obviously, he contributed a
great
deal to the music industry, hit after hit. But he also has a great dry
sense
of humor, and he's brilliant and fascinating.
Q: How did
you find the interaction
with TFF fans?
A: I
absolutely adore the TFF fans. I feel great and genuine love for them.
I found myself getting attached
to fans that actually followed us around. Every gig, I began to
look
for familiar faces in the crowd. The TFF fans are the best. Very loyal,
and
very cool. Also very supportive!
Q: What was
your favorite TFF songs you sang on tour?
A: I must
say, I of course had several, for different reasons.
First of
all, Shout and Everybody Wants To Rule The World would
get me super excited everynight! There was always a huge surge of
energy that would come from the audience, and it was always such a
happy time of unity.
But, of
course, Woman In Chains. What a brilliant piece of work this
is. Everynight, when the music would start, my heart would be in my
throat, for many reasons! I had alot going on there! First and
foremost, I'll give you two powerful words: Oleta Adams! They were huge
shoes to step into and not trip!!! But the more the song became a part
of me, the more it also became my personal anthem. I have had
experience with domestic abuse, and women's groups who are survivors of
the same. "Woman" brings to light this topic that used to be a hush
hush world.
Have you
ever heard the term
"rule of thumb"? There actually used to be a law on the books that
stated you couldn't beat your wife with a stick that was larger than
your thumb. Think about that for a minute.......
The music I
have written, and my art also deals with being in abusive
relationships. (And that can really
be in any venue: your husband, your wife, your mom, your dad, a
relative, your boss.... It effects both genders.) I am very
passionate about
it. Every single night that I sang that song, I was actually crying-for
me,
for others, for all. I took it as a responsibility to perform that song
from very deep inside my spirit, and to reach out and touch people. And
I also knew that everynight, somewhere in that audience, someone was
rolling down the same tears, whispering to herself "That's me...that's
my story."
Abuse
doesn't necessarily mean a black eye. Words can cut you deep, and
damage your spirit. People attempting to control others, simply out of
their own fears of abandonment. There is even a silence that can be
deadly.....
Towards the
end of the song I would hold my arms out, and just abandon myself to
the music, and would fly- gently, blissfully, and so completely
free! I wanted to symbolize hope, and that there is help and a
way out for anyone who is in that situation. At times, Roland would
outstretch his arms as well, and it felt and looked like we were flying
tandem. This was also symbolic to me: that there are
people out there who will safely and gently take you to a better
place-a
better life.
There IS
hope, and there IS help.
So free
her............
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