Saxon
Saxon have been flying the heavy-metal flag high for more than 30 years.
The ambassadors of NWOBHM have toured in almost every country in the
world, even christening the Monsters of Rock festival held at Castle
Donington in Leicestershire, England, in 1980.
So why would a band with Saxon's pedigree be enticed to play at a U.S.
festival in the sweltering humidity of Oklahoma in 2009?
"They're obviously paying us enough money to get here and we want to
make inroads with America again," vocalist Biff Byford says. "We were
big here in the '80s, and there's no reason why Saxon fans who are
already here can't come and see us and we can get some new Saxon fans,
and that's what it's all about. It's always a good time playing here,
but it's sometimes difficult in America to get proper gigs and to get
the promotion right. I think if we get the promotion right, we could
do really well here."
Guitarists Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt, bassist Nibbs Carter and
drummer Nigel Glocker (returning to the throne for his third term)
complete the current lineup.
"It's always great getting Nigel back. The fans really like him too,"
Biff says.
Saxon was hugely popular in the U.S. around the "Power & the Glory"
and "Crusader" albums in the mid-1980s. But American fans' interest
began to wane after the release of "Innocence is no Excuse" in 1985,
going all-out with the release of the disastrous "Destiny" album in
1988, which included an out-of-place cover of Christopher Cross’s
"Ride Like The Wind."
Lineup changes, a fallout with Carerre Records and a legal injunction
against former members Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson (which led to
the forming of Oliver/Dawson Saxon), proved to be an annoying time for
Biff and the band.
Bring up the legal wrangling and it’s easy to tell that it's not water
under the bridge.
"The injunction is still on them, it's still there, it'll be there
forever, or until I decide to lift it. You have to look after your
rights," Biff says emphatically.
But the stallions of British heavy metal continued to churn out
quality material, growing even more popular in Germany and other parts
of Europe.
Saxon manager Thomas Jensen, who also organizes the Wacken Open Air,
spoke at the Rocklahoma press conference about putting together an
immense U.S. tour with Saxon and other bands. Details are being worked
out, but with Jensen's credentials, I'm confident that he can put
something worthwhile together.
With appearances scheduled at this year's Wacken festival and
Blookstock Open Air, as well as more U.S. festivals in August, the
mighty Saxon machine keeps right on rolling.
"We still like performing. It's what we do, it's our job,” Biff says.
“Every gig is a challenge."
Article by Kelley Simms