Planet Bass – The Phil Williams Interview April 2004

What inspired you to first pick up a bass and what were your first attempts at playing it like?

My dad is a bass player so that has to be my reason.
First attempt probably involved Smoke on the Water.

Who were your early influences and what did you learn from them?

My dad
Stevie Wonder
Earth Wind and Fire
Jaco Pastorius
Derek Smalls
I learnt that Musicality/Spandex (not always technique) is the way ahead.
 
Did you take lessons or are you self-taught?

Took lessons (yep.. my dad) then spent years doing my own thing, finally went to music college, Had a great time!!! (all the time)

What’s the most important bit of advice you were given by another musician?

"The problem with punctuality is there is never anyone there to appreciate it" and "Don't talk to me about dynamics, I'm playing as loud as I can".
I've lived my life by those rules.

What’s the most important bit of advice you could give to new bassists?

Never give up and you'll get where your going in the end.

Where do you stand on the old fingers vs. plectrums debate and why?

I think being able to do both with ease is what you need, then there's no debate, just personal preference.

Do you play 4, 5 or 6 string basses mainly? Fretted or unfretted?

I have a 4, 5 ,6 and fretless four tend not to use the six unless I want to piss people off.

How would you define your style of playing?

Tricky to answer....
Use-able (I hope)
Mortgage paying?

Tell us a little about the artists you have worked with, and how/if you adapted to playing with each of them?

Have spent a while Playing with Tony Hadley and he is very much a mate now rather than an employer.
Worked with Plenty of 80's Artists among others Kim Wilde, Go West, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Gary Barlow, Martin Fry, Limahl, Leo
Sayer, Roger Daltry. Plenty of one off TV's with Artists like Paul Young, Vonda Shepard, Curtis Stigers and other who I've forgotten about thru various session agencies I have been involved with.
Tend to mould myself to there requirements unless the money's rubbish then they get what there given.

Who was the most inspirational and in what way?

Tony Hadley, not in a musical sense more in a "Lets have a great time doing this" kind of way!

Do you warm up before a concert and if so how?

Not really....
Do you think I should........
You've got me thinking now...........
I'm not getting any younger.

Do you have any other last minute rituals or habits before a concert?

I like to knock one out.
(if I have time)

What do you drink onstage?

Not much of a drinker (not many of us around)
Would probably say a nice hot cup of tea if I could get someone to make me one.

Have you ever played while drunk or under the influence of drugs?

Yep, was fun, highly recommend it.

What’s the biggest disaster you’ve ever had onstage, and how did you cope with it?

Fell into the drumkit,
It hurt,
Got up and carried on.

What’s the biggest disaster you’ve ever had in the studio, and how did you cope with it?

Got paid with counterfeit money.
Went back and got it sorted.

What’s been your proudest playing moment?

Tricky one again....
For me  probably when my daughter came to see me play for the first time.

What’s been the most fun playing moment, and why?

Jamming with my mates in  the cellar.
Probably because it was just for the hell of it.

What’s been the least fun playing moment, and why?

A few covers band Dep situations have been hellish as your at a disadvantage straight away and often the bands are rubbish.

What equipment do you use live and in the studio and why?

Live I use something big if at all possible, I like bass rigs that move some air.
In the studio I have my Aguila bass pre-amp which warms up the bass nice....

Are you fairly flexible about the equipment you use or must you always play with the same gear?

Pretty flexible.
If its decent gear then I think I can get a sound out of it.
The sound is in your playing style and your bass, get those right and it should work.

What one piece of equipment would you advise all bass players to own?

A small fast sports car, yep...

Do you read music?

Dots Very badly
Charts very well

Do you play any other instruments, and how well?

Guitar. ok
Double bass. pretty well
Percussion. ok

Do you write or co-write songs and if so do you write on the bass?

Do a little writing, tend to work from guitar, or logic

Do you ever play cover versions, and if so how do you learn the originals note for note or do you improvise you own parts?

If working with a good covers band I make a point of being accurate with out being anal.

Do you sing? Do you feel it is important?

Singing is very important.
If you are a bass player who can sing back-up you will get more work.

What have you been doing recently?

Getting a Divorce.
Touring with Go West & Tony Hadley.
Working on Keith Emersons latest project.

Do you have a personal or band website? Or would you like to recommend any other useful websites?

Work in Progress
But will let you know.