 |
|
|
Back to the Band Trombonists Tell No Tales
Nevertheless, on May 2, 2008, before the Jukes' appearance at Bergenfest in Bergen, Norway, I ignored all advice to the contrary and foolishly attempted to interview Neal Pawley. The results follow: Carol: It's appropriate that we're doing this interview in a foreign country, because I think you are the first international Juke. Where are you from? Neal: I'm from Sheffield, England. Carol: And in Sheffield, England, how did you get into music? What were some of your early influences? Neal: [Muses silently] Carol: Did you always play trombone? Neal: Yes. Carol: When did you start playing trombone? Neal: I started playing trombone young. Carol: And when did you decide to become a musician professionally? Neal: I didn't really decide, it just kind of happened. Carol: Do you play other instruments? Neal: Yeah, a few things. Carol: Like? Neal: I play guitar, I play bass, I play tuba, a little bit of everything. Carol: How did you end up coming to the United States? Neal: I came with a band. Carol: Which one? Neal: [Contemplates pensively] There were some guys, and we came, and then I ended up staying and ended up playing trombone. Carol: And from there, how did you get involved with the Jukes? Neal: Well, over the years, Carol, I did some gigs with many different people. I guess I played with the guys in the Jukes. Over the years I met them, and then so I kind of knew some of the people in there and John wanted a trombone player, I think, specifically to go to England and do a European tour, so he brought me in for that and that's how I got to be involved. Carol: Have you had any favorite experiences as a Juke so far? Neal: I don't know. You tell me. Carol: Have you seen a difference between the European Jukes audiences and the US Jukes audiences? Neal: I haven't really thought about it, but I guess I don't know. I'd have to think about that. Carol: Well, what's been your favorite place to play? Is there a club that's always great or a city that you always feel like you do a good show in? Neal: You know, I liked playing in San Diego [at Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay]. I think we played at that place twice, and I liked that. One of the reasons is we shared a bill with Los Lobos, which is one of my favourite bands. I liked that. And the other time was with the Thunderbirds. I like that place. I like California. Carol: Have you been to California often? Neal: Yeah. I should have moved to California when I moved here. Carol: Well if you were choosing between California and Hoboken, how did you choose Hoboken? Neal: I don't know, it just happened. I don't think I made too many choices in my life, it just happened. I like Hoboken a lot. I live there now. Carol: What do you like about Hoboken? Neal: I think it's the greatest place. Carol: Why? Neal: It's close to New York City, but it's not New York City. It's more relaxed, it's nice. It's like a little community. Carol: How does it compare to Sheffield? Neal: Different. Sheffield's rough. It's not rough, it's just big. Carol: Are you playing with any other bands? Neal: A few things, here and there, I don't know. I don' t have anything steady, I just do things here and there. [Jeff Kazee walks in] Neal: Jeff, come and answer some of these questions for me, will you? Jeff: I'll let you take my interview again if you want. Neal: Why don't you do his interview instead of mine? Carol: See, some people want two interviews and you won' t even do one. Jeff: The people want to know. [Jeff leaves, Neal laughs] Carol: Well he's promoting Kazee Digs, right? Neal: I'm playing with Jeff Kazee and Kazee Digs coming up. Yes, I'm very fortunate, it's a very nice show. Carol: Is there anybody you have not played with yet that you'd like to play with? Neal: Many, many people. Neal: What else we got? Favourite foods? Carol: No, but since you mentioned it, what's your favorite food? Neal: I don't know. I like sandwiches. Carol: All sandwiches, or anything specific? Neal: Bread, meat. Carol: Do you like wraps or hoagies? Neal: No, I like sandwiches. Carol: If they named a sandwich after you, what would be in it? Neal: [laughs] I don't know. Carol: When I was preparing for this interview, I noticed that you didn't have a website or a MySpace page. Neal: That's right. I do not have a web presence. Carol: Why? Neal: I don't really know. Carol: I hear you recently quit smoking. Neal: Oh, now I can talk about this. Carol: How long had you been smoking and what made you decide to quit? Neal: Well, I quit for about 12 years and I ran a bunch of marathons. I actually became a long-distance runner. And then I developed an injury and started smoking again. So this time I'd been smoking for about 5 or 6 years, and I took my health for granted and now I'm getting a little older, it's catching up with me, and I have a little baby and I decided to quit. Carol: How did you quit? Neal: Cold turkey, the only way. Carol: Really? Was it horrible? Neal: Yeah, it was horrible. Carol: How did you get through it? Neal: Well, I was ready to quit. I think when you're ready to quit, you quit. I didn't really announce it, I just did it and that was that. So far so good. Carol: Good for you. Neal: Thank you. Carol: You're welcome. Neal: You've only got 10 minutes and 23 seconds. Carol: That's ok, we're gonna make some stuff up. Neal: We are, right? Carol: Absolutely. Neal Pawley Photos | Neal Pawley Discography Back to the Band Eddie Manion | Joey Stann | Chris Anderson | Muddy Shews | Jeff Kazee | Mark Pender | Bob Bandiera | Southside Johnny | Joe Bellia | Ricky Byrd | John Conte | Neal Pawley
|
|
Neal Pawley is a man of few words. Very few words. He's the strong, silent type who prefers to let his trombone do his talking for him. When you combine that with the well-known "Trombonists' Code of Silence" (see