[Heeplist] Interview with Mick (Copied and pasted from Facebook page)

[ray clark]

                                                                              This is the interview.                                                
Surely these guys don’t need an introduction? Regarded as one of the UK’s seminal hard rock acts of the early 70s and with plentiful changes in the line up, not to mention deaths looming over the band, the English rockers have managed to keep producing astoundingly great albums; and you know what… they ain’t going away yet! Founding member Mick Box was on hand to dish out some facts.

Name Of Band:
Uriah Heep
Name of Member / position:
Mick Box – Guitarist, Backing Vocalist and one of the principle song writers.
High points of being involved with the band:
Well it’s fantastic to know that Uriah Heep was the first Western Rock Band to play in Moscow Russia, in December 1987, that was a real high point for me personally, and the other guys. Along with hearing our song  “Gypsy” on the Radio in London for the first time, that was what the band had been awaiting; connected to that point I think obtaining our first ‘Gold Disc’ is also a very memorable point.
Low points:
The deaths of David Byron, Gary Thain & Trevor Bolder
Is there a place for recklessness in rock n roll:
Yes of course, as that’s what gives it excitement and edge. 
Friction within the band, is it good or bad – creative or destructive:
In my eyes BAD! I personally have to get on with everyone to have the environment I need to be creative in the first place. To make it all work.
Plans for newest recording:
We are hoping to start a new CD in January 2014…  that’s all I will say at the moment…
Best song in the bands repertoire – why:
Probably “July Morning,” as it encompasses everything that ‘Heep,’ represents musically!
Good melody, good lyrics, a powerful riff and guitar part, a gentle romantic Hammond Organ in the quiet passages, a high vocal point.
Creative influences:
Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochrane, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Django Rheinhardt, quite a few there.
What’s on your car stereo now:
Demos of my new song ideas, not surprisingly. As I said, we hope to be recording a new album in 2014.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be:
In the 70’s, as we all know, the music business used to invest in its artists… and now, this no longer exists in our push-button society. It is a shame really, as creativity and moving forward musically for bands is stifled. I would want for that situation to revert and happen in today’s climate!
For  the technical heads – gear of choice:
Carparelli S4 Guitar, 1957 SLP Marshall Amplifier, Marshall 2 x 4 x 12” speaker cabinets (not slanted type) Marshall Guvnor pedal (old type), Boss Tuner. Hofner Acoustic Guitar
‘Into The Wild’ Uriah Heep‘s latest opus is out on Frontiers Records.