Q : The CD has been a huge success , how did you become involved with the project ?
A : There's a LONG story behind this, but to keep it short There was an aborted attempt to make a *crowd chants* CD way back in November 2000, I had been called in to try and co-ordinate the guys and players singing and to see what could or couldn't be recorded, (it ended up that nothing was usable due to copyright problems, language content etc) in all honesty it was just a half decent press call that eventually ended up getting the club some bad publicity. The initial idea was unworkable and unfunded so the studio owner and myself sat down and talked about it, and decided that either the whole project was dropped, or we took it over as a *serious* project with real songs, no offensive material, basically, a product the club could get behind and be proud of that had something for everyone!
Q : Are you guys just Dundee fans or are you all professional musicians ?
A: The bulk of the writing for this was my own work, I am a professional actor/singer and have been working in this field now for almost 30 years. The studio owner, Mike, has been involved in the music scene in Dundee for at least 15 years. The studio itself has catered to Danny Wilson, Boogaloosa, Jah Wobble, Mike Marra, to name but a few. The other performers on the album are also professionals in their fields. Jock Ferguson is predominantly a professional Scots actor, Howie, who did vocals on Sara's Song, is a professional singer/percussionist, Alan Wilson is a percussionist with Boogaloosa and Mike Greig is also a professional musician. But , as WELL as being professionals in these fields, we ARE all Dark Blues!! ;')
Q : Who will benefit from the proceeds of the CD sales ?
A : The CD is, effectively, being made at a 'loss'. The costs for the amount of man hours etc that have gone into it's creation bottoms out at around 30-40,000 pounds. We doubt very much if these costs will ever be met, but we are still looking to donate thousands to the Youth Development Fund.
Q : Why the Youth Fund ?
A : Quite frankly, we intended to stay as *true* to the concept of the aborted project as we could. We tried to use the same people, and thought it best that we *did* donate towards the club. Rather than just a simple run-of-the-mill donation, we thought that the YDF could *do* with some boosting to bring some Dundonians into the team! ;')
Q : How long did it take to record the album ?
A : The initial concept began in November 2000. We got the finished product back from the presses on May 3rd 2001. And we were working, literally, to the last minute on this. The last things recorded were the high vocal on Sara's song (by..*someone* ;') ) and Sara's contribution itself. Funnily enough, Sara's song was the first track we started work on!
Q :In total how many people were involved in the making of the CD ?
A : Well, as I said above the bulk of the work was taken on by Mike and Myself. But other than that there were studio staff, musicians, the University of Dundee string ensemble, their arranger, Dundee FC staff and players, Virgin records, various press people, Dave Forbes of the Dundee Direct shop (who has worked TREMENDOUSLY hard for us!) This CD would not have been possible without all of those people, and MORE!
It literally runs into dozens of people. Trying to work it out quickly I would say, roughly, there were around 45 people involved overall and if you take the recording sessions at dens into consideration, that figure breaks the 10,000 barrier!!! ;')
Q : Have you done anything previously Dundee FC related ?
A : I have helped their gates financially for the last 20 years. ;') I *did* do a promotional appearance at one of the clubs *open days* playing a character from a bygone age. (Kitted out in the long shorts, huge socks, bad mustache and weird top!)
Q : Do you think you might get involved in anything else commercially re; Dundee FC ?
A : We are already discussing the next venture LBC are looking to take on. This too will , if it goes well, pull in THOUSANDS for the YDF.
Q :Why was the CD launch delayed for so long ?
A : Quite frankly, it wasn't.
No-one from LBC ever gave a release date for the album, as we knew that to make a product of the quality and value of this one *would* take months. Other people were talking about *Christmas* CD etc etc, that was never going to be the case. Even at the start of the aborted project we were informing anyone who would listen that this would, in no way, be available at Christmas. All we wanted was to have it ready before the end of the season. We were also hampered by the fact that we thought sales might dip if Caniggia left, or if we didn't make the top six, so we were both rushing and holding off at the same time! (A little schizophrenic huh!?)
Q : Did the supporters club the JMB contribute much in the way of marketing and content ?
A : Again, there is a VERY long answer to this one.
For the initial idea, yes. For the finished product, no. That's the short version.
HOWEVER it has to be stated that this was in NO way the JMB Supporters club's fault. There was a period were LBC and JMB had no contact at all, but we have now remedied that situation and are hoping to have them FULLY on board for the next project. In fact, we are looking to bring ALL of the supporters clubs in Dundee together on this one. Maybe even outside Dundee.
The project is pretty ambitious, so you will forgive me if I don't give you a *scoop* on it just yet. But, as I said above, it would pull in thousands for DFC and also be a unique event in Scottish Football history!
Q : What kind of atmosphere was there inside the studio ? bearing in mind the public meeting their heroes !
A : For the first press call, there was an atmosphere of drunkenness! ;')
Beyond that, the JMB members at the first session handled the players being there very well.
Q :What was the reaction of the Dundee FC players when they arrived ?
A : Considering that almost all of them their had VERY little knowledge of English. The reaction was one of mild confusion! (It is quite amusing listening to someone try to explain what the song *Johnnie Scobie* is about!)
Q : Did the Dundee staff give up their spare time for the project or did they come along during " Working Hours? "
A : The hero of the DFC team, as far as LBC are concerned is David Forbes from the Dundee Direct shop. He worked with us both in and out of office hours, brought Juan to the studio on his own time, ensured we had Juan, Fabian, Gavin Rae and Artero at the signing sessions, and generally acted as a buffer between us and the club. He ensured we met with Jim Connor and also helped us with the half time recording sessions and the on pitch appearances by Jock and Myself. We wouldn't have made such a success of this without him.
Q : Is there any promotional material available relating to the launch as this would be a welcome bonus ?
A : This came on so quickly the only things we had was a SOLD OUT sign!
I am working on posters for the Christmas period and there will be advertising for the *next stage* ;')
We are currently looking for sponsors to help with the advertising budget for this. (Beause it will be a little larger and MUST be advertised properly.)
Q : Are you lot at the CD project annoyed at the fact that PIRATE copies of the CD are available already ?
A : On the one hand, it is a bit flattering. On the other, you have to ask why people are doing this?
We kept the cost of the CD down to £10 deliberately in order that people would actually BUY it, because every CD that is sold will put money into the club. It is as simple as that. I'm not gonna pass judgment on people who *have* copied it, but they should know they are doing the club out of money by doing so. They are certainly not doing LBC out of money because, as I said above, the CD is already being distributed at a loss. If you really want to *support* Dundee FC BUY the CD. And if you know someone who HAS pirated it. Bug the hell out of them!!
Q : Is it not OK for me to make a copy for my mate who wasn`t able to get a copy in the first run of CDs ?
A : In a word. No.
The first run sold out only yesterday (Friday 11th May) and they will be available again from Tuesday 15th. The question *I* would ask is, can't your friend wait that long? Doesn't he *want* to give the club money for the YDF AND get a damn good product at the same time? ;')
Q : On certain message boards on the internet there seems to be some queries as to the distribution of proceeds from the sales of the CD , would you like to comment on this ?
A : We *have* answered all queries about this but the *other website* webmaster decided that he would rather remove all *debate* concerning the project and keep up his own defamatory page, basically, cencor those telling the truth so his lies can be heard. He is even concoring the members of the club the website is *supposed* to be for!! In truth, there is NO bad feeling now with the JMB and ourselves, only the twisted ramblings of one sad, pathetic 'man', who has lied throughout this entire project and has finally been caught out. He ensured that the JMB club heard nothing but his appalling lies, but now, as I said, we have met with the people who run the JMB club and they are MORE than happy with the whole project. Don't read too much into what you see on *a certain website*. In fact, this person even lied to the people who *ordered* the CD through his site. NO-ONE is selling the CD online except us at http://trip.to/dundeecd If you ordered via that site, you'll have a long wait for your CD. If you *did* order and got back a pirate copy.. let us know! ;') All I am saying is DO NOT send money to anyone else for this CD online. Even Dundee Direct do not have it for sale online.
Q : Are there any funny/memorable moments during the recording session you`d like to share with us ?
A : Lots!
Memorable the mic not working when I did the solo recording session at dens. (OH MY GOOOD!!!)
Hearing my guitar solo during Road and the Miles. I just sat there and thought "That's ME!!!"
The same with the orchestral arrangement for "My Dundee." Very moving.
Funny. The *Kazoo* sessions, Davie's Bus, Dream Team (Was initially twice as long!)
And fighting over who's turn it was to go and buy Tescos Jammy Doughnuts! (This CD was MADE on Tesco's Jammy Doughnuts!) (Now THERE is a quote!!) ;')
*Nice*.. Juan first hearing the title track and proclaiming it as "Very Beautiful" (I felt like crying!!!)
To be honest, when you are stuck in a small room for 5 months solid, time seems to merge together, all the moments seem to happen at the same time, so it is hard to tell. But the Dee-Lites coming in was a great laugh, for us in the recording studio anyway! (Listening to them trying to *hide* their giggles and comments whilst listening to themselves as they were also recording their vocals was just hilarious!)
Q : Would your group consider doing a remix for release on the internet only of one of the song from the CD ?
A : Perhaps ! ;')
Q : How about an internet only ! Re-mix of Johny Scobie or Bonnie Dundee as way of a thank you towards your legion of internet friends ?
A : Legion??? I'd LOVE to think we did have a legion, but the mail order side of this project has only garnered 9 orders ! But, yeah, I think that *could* be done we'll see (non committal huh!? ;') )
What I *would* like is to see our email box filling with comments, ideas, suggestions etc etc.
dundeecd@hotmail.com !!!
And we are also willing to ship OUTSIDE the UK for all you lovely American/Canadian fans out there!! (Flattery, flattery!!!!)
Q : Are you planning a X-MAS release of any Dundee songs ?
A : We are *thinking* about doing a single of Johnnie Scobie and maybe another new track, (and maybe Davie's bus.) but we haven't decided yet. The *new* project has priority right now. We *may* be looking to do a new album for Christmas 2002 though
Q : Briefly , can you tell us whats involved in the making of a CD for commercial production ?
A : More work than you would believe. Quite honestly.
I had done recording work before, but nothing on this scale or level of professionalism. Even *I* was surprised at how much work this took. And then there is everything that goes with it, the promotion, the creation of artwork, the press. I was actually laid up with stress towards the end of this.
