By Ralph Greco, Jr.
There are guitar players…and then there are guitar players. Steve Hackett is a guitar player among very few whose unique touch has kept him at a level very few other players reach. After leaving Genesis in 1977, Hackett began a solo career that has spanned decades. A notable foray intro the mainstream took place in the 80s when he formed GTR with Yes guitarist Steve Howe.
For the most part, however, the guitarist has stuck with releasing critically acclaimed albums of his own and touring with brilliant backing bands — stretching the boundaries of his playing, composing and producing to a degree beyond many of his contemporaries. With Out Of The Tunnel’s Mouth, Steve Hackett is once again expanding and exploring. He was nice enough to answer a few of my questions about the CD and his plans for the future (Genesis included).
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There are obviously a wide range of styles on Out Of The Tunnel’s Mouth, from classically-influenced pieces to great wailing episodes, even those unbelievable ‘whirling dervishes’ you do on “Last Train To Istanbul.” How did you apply all these pieces and influences to the whole CD?
Many of the tracks were born out of conversations, dreams, jamming, guitar experiments, everything heard, a synthesis of opposite styles and also travel. Having visited Sarajevo and absorbed a fair amount of Turkish influence, it was hard not to be thrilled by the passion of the string players I heard.
Am I wrong, or was a lot of the recording done casually? I looked at the pictures on your Web site and it seems to be a very laid-back, almost homey type of atmosphere.
It was made mainly in my own living room and partly in some of the musician’s homes. We weren’t fooling ourselves with volume as we were working at domestic hi-fi levels. It made us work harder and we paid a great deal of attention to detail. The musos were a great bunch to work with and it made the whole experience very enjoyable.
Anthony ‘Ant’ Phillips (Genesis’s first guitarist) is on the CD. He sounds great, by the way! You must know the thrill this gives us old time Genesis fans.
I’d been trying for some time to do some work with Ant. That early Genesis 12-string sound is one of his strong points. He worked very quickly and sprinkled just about the right amount of stardust on the two tracks he played on, Emerald and Ash and Sleepers. He is a joy to work with.
Getting away from Out Of The Tunnel’s Mouth for a moment, I know there has been a lot of conjecture about the project you’re putting together with Chris Squire. Could you elaborate on this project’s details. I read an interview you did where you intimated that a well-known drummer might be attached to the project. Where is it at currently?
I’m working on the Hackett/Squire project this very day. Making an album is like kicking around a football, but this is a very exciting experience and I think we’ve just scored a goal or two! The personnel may remain flexible up until the last minute according to the needs of the music.
Is it too early to ask what the plans are, if any, to jam at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when Genesis is inducted? Will this be the Genesis reunion fans have been hoping for, even if only for a few songs?
At present, there are no plans to perform at the induction ceremony, but I’m always open to the possibility of a reunion at some point if that’s what the others would like. I’ve always been up for the idea of working together with any of the others. There has been the occasional collaboration in the past and there may well be in the future.
I see you and the band are coming over for NEARfest in June. Do you have plans to play other dates in the States?
Yes, I’m hoping to tour in the States at around the time of NEARfest. Details of plans are being discussed right now, so we’ll see. The U.S. is like a second home to me. I’ve always loved playing there. It’s a chance to connect with so many friends I’ve made over the past decades.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer are headlining the High Voltage Festival in England next summer. Here in the U.S., we are getting reports trickling in on how big it could be. And you’re on the bill too. Can you tell me anything further about the festival?
At the High Voltage Festival, ZZ Top are headlining on one day and ELP on the next. I’ll be performing with my electric band on the Sunday and I’m extremely excited about playing this new high profile London festival on hopefully a sunny day!
I can’t thank you enough for sending over the CD and taking the time to answer these questions.
Thanks for both the interview and the review. My best wishes to everybody in your neck of the woods, as we say over here! I can’t wait to visit America the Beautiful again.
