An Interview with Nine Below Zero, and ex-Rory Gallagher bassist Gerry McAvoy

Questions set by KK and Molly Hatchets Banner Thomas - cheers Banner!

How did you become interested in blues music?

I became interested in blues music through a school friend when I was about 15 years old.He had managed to purchase a copy of John Mayal's bluesbreakers album with Eric Clapton.We listened to it incessantly.Then we decided to find out who had written these great songs we were listening to hence finding out about the great blues legends.

What was it it that really wanted to make you be a bass player?

It wasn't so much I wanted to play bass I was one of 2 guitarists in my first band"Pride" the bass player then a trainee butcher eventually found it very difficult to play bass guitar after he'd spent all day training at the local Butchers cut fingers etc.So he left the band the other guitar player sort of self appointed band leader told me either I play bass or I was out of the band,and that was that

Who were some of your influences when you were learning to play?

My early influences would have been more guitar players,Hank Marvin,Duanne Eddy,etc but after taking up bass I started to listen to bass playing on the pop songs of the day especially Paul McCartney who I think probably one of the most underrated players of his day.He managed to put so much melody into his playing.Also around that time mid sixties Tamla Motown was the popular music in dance halls & clubs.We used to play a lot of tamla stuff in the band and I was knocked out by the bass playing,only in later years I found out who these guys were.James Jamerson/Bob Babbit great players.Later on I would get turned on by Larry Graham/Jaco Pastorios/Stanley Clarke

What's the first rock 'n' roll / blues music that spoke to you?

The first Rock & Roll I listened to was thanks to my brother in law who would bring LP's to the house.Roy Orbison/Del Shannon/Buddy Holly probably the softer side of rock.Then one day I heard "be bop a lu la" Gene Vincent.totaly knocked me out.

On the blues side a friend called me and told me he'd just bought an album by a guy called Muddy Waters and that was that Muddy Waters doing "hoochie Coochie man"it was like Led Zepplin couldnt believe what I was hearing.

What were you doing musically before hooking up with Rory?

basically before joining Rory I was playing in a couple of bands with guys from school doing top 40 rolled in with a couple of our fave blues tunes when the local promoter allowed it.

How did yourself and Rory first start playing together?

Rory was in a band called "Taste" they had made the move from Ireland to England the band I was in at the time "Deep Joy" decided to make the same decision as luck would have it we were with the same agency as Taste in the UK "Robert Stigwood Organisation" we played some shows together with Taste and I got to know Rory a bit.After Taste split and my band split Rory was looking for a Rhythm Section myself and the drummer got a call from Rory and that was that.

Have you any particular favourite anecdotes from the old days?

As far as anecdotes are concerned theres a million I should send you a copy of the book they're all in there.

Why did Rory never become as big as Clapton? How much of it was due to his experiences with band management in Taste?

Rory never became as big as Clapton maybe because he didnt want to be that big.In the early days Rory would always shun the limelight, Limousines etc.

Clapton also had a lot of help from radio in the early days with Cream then later on when he made basically a pop album with Phil Collins.Also he was directed by good management which always helps.

Have you a favourite album with Rory, and perhaps even a least favourite too?

Very hard to say my fave album I like them all for different reasons I still have a soft spot for "Deuce"

Do any particular gigs stand out in your memory, and for what reasons?

Regarding fave gigs I think the one that stands out for me was the first time I played with Rory in Belfast 1971 the troubles were still in full throttle but Rory decided to go and play Belfast when a lot of his contemporaries wouldn't go and the audience reacted accordingly

How were you approached to play in Nine Below Zero?

Nine Below Zero around 1984 Mark Feltham came on board to play some shows with Rory.Mark was the harp player with NBZ.Around 1989/1990 Mark suggested myself and Brendan come along and meet Dennis Greaves of NBZ we had a bit of a rehearsal which seemed to gell then we did a couple of ad hock shows and that was that.

How does playing with Nine Below Zero differ from performing with Rory?

My playing with NBZ does'nt differ that much with playing with Rory after all its still R&B based music.If anything I might play a little lighter with NBZ after playing with the band I decided to stop using a pick and start using my fingers in fact 1 finger ie James Jamerson

What gear do you use in the studio and on the road

I used to use a combination of amps in the studio ranging from Ampeg to small Peavy's.

How does your live playing differ from your studio approach?

With Rory it was all recorded pretty live so I'd be using maybe a 100watt Stramp amplifier (German Made) at full tilt to get basically a live sound.Over the years recording has changed becoming more sophisticated I don't know if thetas better or not.With NBZ we sometimes try and get a live feel on the last CD "Hats Off" that's exactly what we did.For other projects I have recorded the bass track live then sometimes gone back in and overdubbed a complete new bass this sometimes allows you more freedom to play around the track as long as the atmosphere is not to inhibiting.

How does playing in a rhythm section with Brendan O’Neill differ from playing with Ted McKenna?

Playing with Brendan as opposed to playing with Ted is what it is.Its like playing with different guitar players or keyboard players.Musicians have different techniques different ways of playing the one.Playing with Ted was great Ted is a big loud rock drummer and all you do is slide under Ted's sound.Playing with Brendan a bit different Brendan is more jazz influenced more intricate and believe me I,ve yet to hear a drummer who can shuffle like Brendan

How has the music business changed? - then versus now.

There is no music business anymore everything is run by Lawyers and accountants.Years ago Record companies were run by fans Chris Blackwell/Richard Branson/Chris Ellis all these guys were either bookers at Universities or they were just turned on by music.Nowadays fir kids I cant see anything they can look up to and most of it is a pale imitation of music from the 50's/60's/70's and I dont mean to be biased but there is no longevity anymore.

Who do you like to listen to? What was the last gig you attended as a fan?

I still try and keep up with trends my son Ciaran is playing bass guitar and he allows me to listen to his vibe as he says,GreenDay/Linkin Park/Chili Peppers.But I strill enjoy listening to anything that's good.The last live concert I went to was "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band" At Stade de France in Paris

Which bass players does you like- both old and new.

Bass players as I said before the bass players I like are still from the old school James Jamerson/Willie Dixon etc but I think Flea has a great aggressive vibe also there's a bunch of kids in new guitar based bands that show a lot of promise

Whats next for you and for Nine Below Zero?

Next for Nine Below Zero I think the next project will be a live recording both on CD and DVD.Then its back to Europe for the Summer festival season so to speak.