David Readman best known as vocalist with Pink Cream 69 and solo expands on his singing career and what the future holds with regard to new music and live gigs.
Who were your influences in the early days and have you always wanted to be a singer?
In the beginning I wanted to be a guitar player. I was a big Hendrix fan and would practice every day. I met a guy in Collage (Bram Duckworth) who Played guitar.. but a lot better than me so I decided it was time to be a singer!
My mother is a singer and forced us every Sunday to church and I was in the choir and there I learnt the basics. In 1987 I heard "Still of the Night" on the radio and the rest is history.
I then discovered Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Dio etc.
Have you ever auditioned for the vocal spot in any notable bands?
Back then I was sending a lot of tapes about and I would look in melody Maker in WHSmith and take a note of the address and then send tapes out. One day Adrian Smith called and asked me to come to London for an audition. Only a few weeks after that I was in Germany and signed to Sony music with Pink Cream 69. He did call me again in the Germany but it was too late by then.
You have appeared on a number of albums. Do you have a favourite and why?
That is not an easy question. I did enjoy the Adagio albums, very complicated and a big challenge for me as a singer. True, I have made a few albums, and I'm proud of almost all the work I have done so far. Some things slip through unfortunately and follow you forever.
Do you still get the same buzz out of singing live as you did in the past?
Oh yes indeed, once it’s in the blood. I do a lot of different projects and I just love being on the road and on stage. I do find recording a bit tedious these days and I generally record myself to be honest. Been doing it for years and it’s the only way to get it done within a budget.
Some vocalists are on strict dietary regimes or gargle with special liquids. How have you kept your voice in tip top shape all these years?
That’s a good one. I honestly do nothing special lol. I just believe in keeping a free mind and nothing should be allowed to influence the voice. Not always easy for sure…. of course warming up before the show and singing most days in my studio before the show… keeping it oiled.
Are there any musicians that you have not worked with, but would like to in the future?
Oh yes for sure. I have been very lucky in this business, but there have been limitations… in the end its who you know. I was never a good business man, I’m a musician in the end. Who knows what the future will bring.
Is there any unreleased recorded material from your days in the bands you’ve been involved with that could be released?
To be honest I don’t think so, maybe from PC69. Lost tapes… probably not...
Do you have any plans to release another solo album or perhaps an album with Pink Cream 69?
I enjoyed making my last solo album (Medusa), it was a lot of hard work but I think I have another album in me lol. With PC69 that was the plan but things have changed on that front…. I just couldn’t say at the moment.
With the live circuit opening up again, is there a possibility that we could see you performing some live shows in the UK?
I’m always ready to play in the UK, and honestly it's only been about 4 gigs in the last 30 years. Crazy really...
Would you be interested in doing some production work for other bands?
I have done stuff in the past, and I do enjoy it… my heart is still on stage. I’m not really a studio kind of guy...that does limit things in a way.
Do you have anything in the pipeline at the moment that you would like to share?
I’m always busy with something. I have just finished the new Voodoo Circle album, a lot of work and it's going to be amazing!!
Interview by Stuart Dryden
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