The Psychics are a new band formed by Mark and Steve Owers who a major part of the song writing and performing team on the classic Lionsheart debut back in 1993. Now some 16 years on the brothers are back with a blistering new band and album in the self titled album from The Psychics. Fans of classic hard rock played with passion and style are urged to check out this band immediately (or check out or review first). We thought it only fitting to follow up our review with an interview - enjoy.
First of all may I say welcome back, it’s been a long time since we heard anything from you guys. What have you guys been up to since the early 90’s with Lionsheart? Steve - We were very disillusioned about what happened with Lionsheart so we took a break, got married, had kids and generally had wonderful time but we still did a few gigs for fun with friends.
It was a very welcome surprise when I received the promo of the new album, I think the review does quite a good job of summing up my appreciation for the new music, but I would like to know over what period of time were these songs written? Mark - First of all we’d like to say thanks for your review Andy! Some of the songs were written especially for the album and some were written a while ago for a project involving the author James Herbert. The project didn’t happen for one reason or another so we reworked them and added them on, after all you can’t waste a good song!
How did the band form? Steve - Well obviously we’re twins so that’s a good start, Ian has been a friend for many years and is an accomplished guitarist, we always thought it would be cool to work together. John was suggested by a mutual friend, when we met we hit it off straight away. Since the release of this album we’ve added an old keyboard player of ours, Rob Drayson via good old Facebook.
Steve your vocals are a true delight for me. How the hell have we not heard your vocals before in a lead role – or have we? Steve - Well I did the backing vocals on the Lionsheart album and when we were just doing gigs for fun I sang lead so there are a few people on the SouthCoast who have heard my vocals.
I can hear definite Plant-isms, Coverdale-isms and few others in there yet the sheer power and exuberance of your voice is incredibly refreshing. What were you looking to get on disc with your vocal performance and did you try to channel the vibe of others or is this quite natural for you? Steve - There are many great singers and all musicians are the sum of their influences, I don’t deliberately try to sound like anyone else but obviously certain types of song call for different treatments. When we’re writing material I just do whatever seems right at the time for the song then try to get across a passionate, powerful vocal.
It’s quite rare for artists to make a comeback 15 years after initial success. I know the album was originally released in Japan first – did Marquee Avalon approach you first or was the band a viable act before you contacted them? Mark - We have been together as this line up for a while and just gigging for fun, Steve Williams of Power Quest came to one of the gigs as he’s a friend Ian’s. He passed the demo to Krescendo who played it to Marquee Avalon and they signed it there and then.
Steve I know you played bass in Lionsheart yet only handle vocals in the new band – any particular reason why? Steve - Well, I’ve always sung but I found that playing bass as well always compromised the quality of vocal. We always thought it would be good to work with Ian but he’s a guitarist, then someone suggested he take on the bass so I could concentrate on vocals and so far it’s worked brilliantly.
Mark, your guitar work is quite superb on the album proving a master of many styles. It sounds like you haven’t worried about trends and are just playing the music you want on the album – is that a fair assumption? Mark - In a word, absolutely! In the past I’ve always ended up having to compromise on my playing in some way or another now I just play what I want to play, if people love it great, if they don’t......well never mind.
Your guitar sound has a classic yet modern edge to it, huge in fact, what’s the secret to your tone? Mark - It’s a secret! Seriously, I don’t believe in using digital models of amps I like to do it the old fashioned way with an amp cranked up to 11 and mics! But the tone largely comes from my fingers.
Stylistically the sound you displayed on the debut Lionsheart album is here in spades, yet the song writing is more varied, richer and with more depth, what do you see as your role in the band in the overall Psychics sound? Mark - As the main song writer I tend to dictate the direction the music is going in, with Lionsheart I wrote songs that would suit the singer’s voice, he had a specific range within which his voice worked well. I find working with my brother however I can be a bit more varied because I feel Steve copes with singing blues based ideas better, so that’s an element in the music now that we didn’t have before.
How has the album been received so far in Japan and also now worldwide? Steve – Honestly, we are really surprised and pleased at how well the album has been received, we’ve had nothing but positive reviews and it’s giving us a real buzz to know there are people out there really enjoying it.
Can we expect any gigs in support of the release? Steve - There is talk of playing festivals in Europe next year but it’s in the early stages. We’re hoping it comes off though as first and foremost we are a live band, we love playing to an audience.
Is this a one-off for the band or are you already planning album number 2? Steve - We’re working on the second album as we speak.
Anything else you would like to add to wrap it up? Steve - Nothing more than to say we hope your readers give the album a listen and enjoy it as much as you did! And to say thank you once again to you for the great review!
