Sara Sugarman interview "Vinyl"

In a whirlwind week which sees the release of the much anticipated film "Vinyl" we catch up with co-writer, Producer and Director Sara Sugarman to talk about how the film came together...

How long has it taken to get "Vinyl" into the cinema?

77 years from the first meeting!

When did you first hear about the project?
From John Williams (Shrek Producer in Hollywood)

Did knowing Mike help in your decision to take on the project?

We simply could not have done this project without Mike. Our producer in the trenches Preston Clay Reed thought there was a catch involved when Mike and Jules said "How can we help" and meant it! They gave us all we asked for then suggested more!!! Insanely helpful and the kindest most positive "can do" people you could ever wish for!!!

How quickly did the story come together?

The story was the easy part. Writing the script was great fun and Jim Cooper is lovely. My co-writer who's idea it was. He is a brilliant man. Very capable talented writer.

How many drafts did the script go through?

We did about seven drafts. So not many!!! Then in editing we cut it down again. Also, when we had a tiny budget...I had to make cuts! But it worked!!!

How close is the finished film to your original vision?

The story is totally the same. The actors were terrific, made it all real and ad libbed but 90 percent is as was. But edited there was more of a Jules sub-plot with the baby. We took it out.

When did you first meet Mike?

I was 13. At the Bistro in Rhyl. I thought he was so cool. It was like meeting The Beatles to me.

What are your memories of those early Toilets gigs?

So buzzed!!! It was like I found my voice. Aged 14 on a drum kit in a club, night club!!! Wow! With stage lights! Supporting the Toilets!??? OMG!!!!!

Did you always envision having a large amount of Toilet tracks in the soundtrack?

No. It was Mike's brilliant idea!!!!!!!

What brief did you give him regarding the music you wanted for "Vinyl"?

Make it work!!!! Keep it raw and early punk.

When you were casting you said you were lucky to get all your first choices, were the roles written with those actors in mind?

No. And there was talk of shooting this in L.A. with a Welsh cast! Like they'd all got washed up over there but the budget wouldn't stretch so once I went English I went with Perry cos I'd known him since a kid and loved him. Then the rest is history. They were like the 3 musketeers.

Was any musical ability a prerequisite when you were casting the Weapons Of Happiness?

Yes!!!!! I needed the real thing. It had to be people who cared about music.

When did you make the decision to run the film as a micro budget movie?

When I looked at what was in the bank!!!!! No, I am just a story teller. Give me ten quid and I will try to make it work. I never think about money. I think about stories.

How difficult did it make things and how did you find having to raise the funding?

It made it great fun! A challenge that I rolled my sleeves up on. I love working like this cos actually I get more power. Whomever raises the money gets the power to spend it and I raised the money but I could never have raised it without Preston Clay Reed, John Williams, Jim Cooper, Al Carter, Neville Hughes etc!

Do you think ultimately this worked in the films favour and gave it some of the charm it has?

Defo!!!! I do!!! It would have been different, more polished, if we had money and then casting would have to justify the money. So John Travolta could've been Johnny Jones...hmmm....not bad!

How did you go about finding the Single Shots, was it a mix of people you had in mind as well as open casting?

I love finding new talent. Even if we had money I would defo have chosen all I did. The only sad part was Jack Flute McLean shoulda been in it, an amazing kid! But we only had so many parts and he could not play an instrument. He was amazing! He sadly passed away but he is in the movie. He gets a great laugh in the audition scene, looks like Johnny Rotten!

Simon the Policeman...legend! Discuss!

What a legend!!! He is the other star of the movie!!! We love Simon!!! Simon the Policeman! He was amazing!! He also helped us through logistics of shooting in North Wales. What a gent. A brilliant actor and advisor. Simon the Policeman! Let's get the T-Shirts printed!

What local support did you receive when shooting the film?

Every single person we met in Rhyl, Dyserth, Prestatyn and Bodlewydden were amazing! Again, our Producer thought something was gonna go wrong! He'd never come across such amazing people who made it all happen at every turn! The Mounds at Robin Hood Camp, Steve Goddard at Faenol Fawr Ivan and Lynne Goddard, Mike and Jules, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Steve Allen Jones, All of em!!!! Mental! Amazing!!! Joann Rae, Paris Williams, Ali Carter. Daft...It was amazing!

Has the reception to "Vinyl" surprised you?

No. I believe in this a million percent. It surprised the others, but never me!

Was it a pretty tight shoot or will we see a bumper collection of deleted scenes on the DVD and Blu Ray release?

A pretty tight shoot sadly! But we are getting what we can together.

Was there anything that you wanted in the film that you couldn't pull off?

Meg Ryan! She said yes, we couldn't afford even her plane ticket!

What are your expectations for "Vinyl"?

World domination! Or a classic in your DVD collection, worldwide!

Cymru am byth!!! More film in North Wales!!! I will make it happen!!! Cos North East Wales is aces!

"Vinyl" opening weekend!

"Vinyl" officially hits the big screens tomorrow and will be shown in 60 cinemas around the country. Most cinemas judge on whether or not to re-book a film based on it's take over the opening weekend, ie: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, therefore it is VERY important that if you were planning on seeing the film that you try and do so on one of those days. This may mean the difference of the film showing into a second week or not!

A full list of cinemas showing "Vinyl" can be found on the films official website www.vinylmovie.co.uk

If you are lucky enough to have already seen it (I have and absolutely loved it!) then please consider going again, let your friends, family and workmates know and get as many people along as you can!

If you are on Facebook then share the trailer on your page and on friends pages, like the film page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vinyl/177314142356347?ref=ts&fref=ts and follow the film on Twitter @vinylthemovie

When you have seen the film then let people know, rate the film on IMDB and get your friends to do the same....it's all about getting people excited and getting bums on seats! We have all been waiting a long time to see this film and it doesn't disappoint so let's help make it the success it deserves to be!

FREE ROCK AND ROLL! 

James Stevenson Interview

Any year is a busy year for James and with his solo album, The International Swingers album and tour, not to mention The Alarm, 2013 is going to be no different. We find out what his plans are...

James

How long have you been planning a solo album?

To be honest it's something I've wanted to do my whole life.

Over what period of time were the songs for "Everything's Getting Closer To Being Over" written?

They go back a long time. "Been A Long Time Now" is actually about 20 years old and was written about my girlfriend in the 80's, actress Cindy Day. All of the songs are honed from my own experience of life, some are about relationships. One of the tracks, "Go Mister!", is about being sick of getting filmed every time you do something wrong when driving or biking just so revenue can be raised. I covered all kinds of stuff! 

There are some very high profile performers on the album, did you have specific people in mind for each track?

Yes. Obviously I have a lot of musician mates. I just got the people down who I felt would benefit the track.

Doghouse dinner!

Was there anyone you wanted to feature on the album that you couldn't?

I would have liked to have got Clem on a couple of tracks, but he was on the road with Blondie, and a trumpet player called Colin Graham.

Are you constantly writing or do you tend to write only when you are working on a specific project?

Stuff springs into your mind all the time. Especially lyrics and lyrical ideas and riffs. You have to record them on your phone straight away or you'll forget them.

You seem genuinely relieved at the reception to the "Shapes Of Things To Come" EP, how different is it putting out something under your own name rather than as a band?

Very different - very personal. I was very nervous about my voice - but I think it came out ok. Peter Walsh did a fantastic job with the vocals - suggesting high octaves in some songs, double tracks in certain places - Mark Taylor's been talking to me about doing a solo gig. I've never fronted a band, I always wanted to be a good sideman - but I will probably do it - problem is I've realised I need a nine piece band to do it properly! (LOL)

The Sexpistilettos-Tracie Hunter, Maggi Ronson, Liz Westwood

Who is likely to feature in the touring band?

Well it would have to be 9 people including me, The Sexpistilettos (Maggi, Liz and Tracie), I'd need their great bv's. Rhythm section would probably be the GLJ duo of Pete Rizzo and Chris Bell. Mark Taylor of course on keyboards. Steve Norman - and another guitar player - I couldn't play all those guitar parts and sing at the same time!

What's the latest on the International Swingers album?

We've done a bunch of demos and gigs in Australia and California. An album will be the next step and hopefully some gigs in the UK in July after Clem finishes with Blondie in the UK around July 14. There's a free download of one of our new songs "Gun Control" at www.theinternationalswingers.com

How were the three dates the band played in America in February?

We did those to fund the new recordings. The gigs were great - it's a really great band to play in!

 What does the live set list look like currently, how much is International Swingers originals?

Well, we've just recorded seven new songs so the set will probably start to include a lot more original songs, although it's always great fun to do covers - especially when they're covers of your own bands!

You are planning to tour with Willie Nile again this April what is it you like about working with him?

Actually Willie's bringing his American guitarist Matt for the shows. I was a bit disappointed because I love playing with Willie - it was a real privilege - but I was always just the dep at the end of the day. Anyway his tour clashes with gigs in The Philippines with The Alarm - so it all kind of worked out for the best.

James, Pete & Mark - On the way to the pub!

How much time do you get for a tour like that?

I've never, ever rehearsed with Willie, I just learnt the songs on my own at home - which isn't the same as a proper rehearsal - the first gig I ever did with him was pretty nerve racking!

What are the plans for Gene Loves Jezebel this year, currently there is one live date on the horizon in Portugal but nothing else announced?

We've got a show in Italy in April too. It's been kind of hard to motivate Jay (Aston). I wanted to record a new album but Jay feels his brother reaps the benefits whenever we do something - you know there's two versions of the band, right? Michael, Jay's twin, owns the US trademark. His guitarist, Switch, actually handed Pete Rizzo a writ to stop us playing when we played L.A. a few years ago - unbelievable - we were actually on stage! That guy plays my riffs every time he walks on stage and serves us a writ  to prevent us playing! There's a song on my album about that called "Twilight Riders". 

What are the plans for The Alarm this year after the "Vinyl" tour?

Hopefully the US after the Philippines.

What does the rest of 2013 have in store for you?

The usual mish-mash of stuff. Have guitar, will travel, you know me....

James & Chris Bell

All photos courtesy of James Stevenson - many thanks James! 

Vinyl Premiere - Leicester Square photos

Wow! What a great night and a cool film. The whole band were in attendance as well as the stars of the film and director Sara Sugarman. Mike played two tracks after his speech "45 R.P.M." & "A Breed Apart". Here are a selection of photos from the night....FREE ROCK AND ROLL!!!