interview with Robert Dawes
Have any of you played in other bands? Yes , The sunset valley boys 1980’s , Draggin” rockabilly trio 1980/90’s , The band with no name, Sgt Bilko’s Krazy combo until recently and now in the process of forming a new band
How is it that you started playing music? I started aged 13 years just listening to early Rockabilly and Vintage Swing
What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you? Sgt Bilko’s Singer/Guitar Bernie Drums Tim Sharpe and Me on Bass
Have you had other previous members? Quite a few over several bands
Did you make music even when you were young? Yes I started slapping the bass around 13 years of age
Where are you from? I live North Cornwall UK
What year did the band form? My First band formed early 1980’s The sunset valley boys
What's your style of genre? Vintage Swing/jazz and Rockabilly
What inspires you? I love Vintage New Orleans Jazz and Swing
How often and where do you rehearse? Once a week in Cornwall UK
How have you developed since you started with the music? I played Bass for 35 years and progressed nicely, I also play Classical Guitar at Grade 8 level
Do you have other interests of work outside the band? My family 2 daughters and my wife first and most important. I love my Golf and play to a handicap of 2
What made you decide to make this music? My Love for music and the enjoyment it gives people and the feeling I get from it, just love showing off really lol
What are your songs about? Mainly Covers but with Sgt Bilko’s Bernie wrote all songs from life’s experience and current affairs of the time
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Depending on the bands but generally we all add a bit
Do you start with the music or the lyrics? Lyrics mainly
Do you compose in a certain environment? Where ever and whenever it comes to me
Have you done any covers live? Yes a fair few
What language do you sing in? English
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? Probably 7 and as much as a thousand
What ages are most of your concert attendants? Adult but can vary
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? No we vary the set list and mix them up
Do you have a regular place you play live often? No regular place we play festivals/pubs/clubs and private parties
What was your first gig like? I can’t really remember sorry
What was your latest gig? Falmouth on the quay side about 3 weeks ago
Have you had to cancel a gig? Yes through illness
Where have you played live this year? Falmouth, Exeter, Chagford show, Trerice manor house
Where do you plan to gig the coming year? All over where people want us
Where can people buy your merchandise? Nowhere yet
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? I have no thoughts on the matter really
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? Not sure to be honest I tend not to take interest in those matters
What do you think of my work? I don’t know you but I guess it’s valid
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? I don’t
Do you have any role models or idols? I respect people but I don’t idolize and no role models other than muself
Why do you think that they exist? I suppose people feel the need to believe in something
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? Yes definitely
What have been your biggest obstacles? My weight
What advice would you give other bands or artists? Keep believing keep trying and just have fun
How do you get psyched for a gig? I just look forward to playing if you can call that Psyched I don’t know
Do you have any new material? Yes from time to time
What are your web sites? Just band page on Facebook
How can people reach? Via email / phone or social media
What are your plans for the future? The live long stay healthy love my wife and children and play as much as I can
Do you have something to add? Thanks for the questions and the time it took you to put them together , have fun love life and go for it.
