FIN (Waysted)

Waysted are back and about to embark on a UK tour with Fin and Pete Way leading the new look line-up. Over to vocalist Fin...

Thanks to Batttttty for passing on the Q's.

1. What are you currently up to?

We are about to start rehearsals on 5th January. It will be the first time Pete and I have toured together in 20 years (ouch!!!), and also our first tour with Chris George and Paul Haslin. I'm really looking forward to the rehearsals cos Chris is a real star and I can't wait to hear his interpretation of the old tunes. Playing the new stuff live for the first time will be a gas, too!

2. Take us through some of your personal highlights of the new Waysted album 'Back From The Dead' .

It has been quite a journey finishing this album - (over a year!) - so my main personal highlight was finishing it! I think song-wise it's the best we've done, with The Alternativa (from novello to matador) and I'm Gonna Love Ya my personal favourites.

3. How has the new album been received by fans & reviewers?

We have been getting some great magazine and online reviews for the album, especially in Germany which is very encouraging. It makes you feel good when people like what you're creating. I've not been able to gauge the fans' reactions yet but we'll find out on the road, that's for sure!

4. How did Waysted get back together and was it easy to pick-up from where you left off?

It was the mad bad Batttttty woman, the Queen of the Web, who started the ball rolling - check the sleevenotes for full details. And when you meet up with your old rockin'n'rollin friends it's usually pretty easy to get back in the saddle again.

5. Why do you think Waysted never really broke big in the 80's?

Probably down to quite a few things - luck, songs, alcohol, producers, line-up changes, alcohol... Not everyone can rise to the top, but if we got our own damn Breakfast Show then who knows what could happen this time round.... (There's a song there, methinks!)

6. What did you do after leaving Waysted back in the 80's?

It's been a long time since leaving the band and I've had many adventures. I sang with Q Tips for a while, and did solo gigs in Denmark, Spain, Portugal etc. I was in two excellent jazz bands - Five Go Jazz and Hellzaboppin, which was a ten-piece that made a great noise - think Diamond Dave and Louis Prima and you're just about there. I did various ads for radio etc, and jammed anywhere and everywhere. I also appeared in a musical at the Tram-Shed, which was pretty crap. I had a cafe in Radlett in 1983 (my old pal Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden opened it, cutting the red tape and all that - the full nine yards). I also hugged Bono at the opening of U2's club. What a night THAT was! For the last few years I've been the Karaoke King, running Karaoke sessions. I've had a lot of fun with that but it does drive you round the fuckin bend sometimes - you can only take so much from drunken twats hahaha.

7. What have been the highlight(s) of your years in Waysted?

My best memories are meeting Pete for the first time. My life has never been the same since! Also, recording Vices at Moor Hall, the tour of the States with Ozzy and the Crue in 84, and... meeting up with Pete again.

8. How did you end up singing 'Handbags & Gladrags' on TV's 'The Office'?

My best buddy is a top musicologist, DJ, composer (he wrote the theme tune for Have I Got News For You), arranger, etc etc etc. His name is Big George, and I've worked on a few projects with him, (for example Well It's Alright, which was a re-working of the Travelling Wilbury's tune, for the final episode of One Foot In The Grave). (Have I got too many brackets in this interview?). So... it was the same team as usual who worked on the theme-tune to The Office. No-one was to know just how successful it was to become, and Ricky Gervais didn't have a pot to piss in at the time, hahaha. So it just goes to show, you never know what's in store for ya...

9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Having sex, watching TV, reading a wee bit, having sex, strumming the guitar, hanging out with good company, having sex, and having a drink.

10. Message to your fans?

I hope you dig the new album and come and see us when we're in your town cos Pete might not have got long left. Nahhh, that man is indestructible. Cut him and he bleeds rock'n'roll. As for the Paul Chapman issue.... it wasn't planned and it wasn't meant, but the tracks that came over from Florida had no guitar solos on them despite having 16 guitar overdubs, and they also had drums which Pete hated, and the worst piano in the world ever. The tracks were just not up to scratch and the deadline for finishing the album had already been put back once. I haven't heard Paul's downloads so I can't comment on them, but I'm not going to get into a slanging match as Paul is a top bloke, even though in my opinion he's a bit prone to wheedling and noodling. I've said that to his face many times so it's not backstabbing. Pete and I are very happy with young Chris's interpretation of the songs, and if you come and see us on the road, I'm sure you'll be impressed too! Also, make sure you check out our website cos it's a bloody damn good website (I keep being told so, anyway!)