Dave Davies On-Line Interview - 10/96
[note: this interview is incomplete - I didn't get a complete transcription]
KinksFan: Dave, does it bother you that the Kinks don't get enough credit for their contributions to Rock and Roll and when the Kinks do get credit most of it is directed at Ray, meanwhile you are an accomplished pioneering musician and composer in your own right:
Dave Davies: Yup...absolutely
KinksFan: I though 'Phobia' was great (however in my opinion it
was over-produced). It's lack of success surprised me. Did you and Ray recently
release an 'unplugged' 'To the Bone' of golden oldies in part
because your psyches were wounded at the lackluster reception of 'Phobia' and
you needed to go to the bread basket with the sure fire hits?
Dave Davies: We were very surprised by the lack of success of
'Phobia'. The reason we put 'To The Bone' together is that we wanted to cover
our live and studio work.
KinksFan: Dave, could you tell us about your solo plans...
touring with the Smithereens?
Dave Davies: I'm involved in conversation with the band and
they are very excited about it and we're trying to put it together as soon as
we can.
KinksFan: Dave, do you feel you have gotten the recognition due
you for practically inventing fuzz-tone guitar - but what about the legend Jimmy
Page played the solos on those early record?
Dave Davies: HE DIDN'T PLAY ANY OF MY SOLOS AND I'm glad I didn't
play any of his....
KinksFan: Dave, what did you think about the way Ray described your
relationship in 'X-Ray? What did you think of the way characterized your relationship
in his autobiography?
Dave Davies: I tried to read it but didn't understand it. Are there
any shrinks out there? By the way, my son's new band is called Shrink.
KinksFan: What is your gut feeling about the way Ray has treated you...
were you offended with the way he introduced "Death of A Clown" on the new
album, "To the Bone". Or was that just the Ray Davies sarcasm?
Dave Davies: Ray is very adept at intimidating and demeaning
anyone in his vicinity.....unless it's in public.
KinksFan: Dave, I'm listening to 'To The Bone' now, I'm
surprised you're not singing any songs on it. Maybe your saving something
for your solo CD?
Dave Davies: Maybe I am, do you like it?
KinksFan: Dave, it's great! I think Guardian is going
to do a good job of promoting it. Now if only NYC radio would play it.
KinksFan: "Death of a Clown" is one of the greatest pop songs ever written....it gets me every time..
KinksFan: Dave, how do you feel about your music being used
for Nissan commercials?
Dave Davies: Can I get a free car?
KinksFan: Dave, I think your intros to "Celluloid Heroes" are
classic. You vary them quite often. Are they improvisational or do you plan them?
Dave Davies: My life is just one succession of planned improvisation
KinksFan: Mr. Davies, how do you feel about 'Jolly Rancher' using
your song, 'All Day and All of the Night?'
Dave Davies: I think the song sounds great on TV but I don't see
how it's going to encourage people to buy candy.
KinksFan: Mr. Davies, what was the influence behind the cross-dressing
song, 'Lola?'
Dave Davies: Read all about it in 'Kink'...published in February!
KinksFan: Dave, what do you think of Ray's intro to 'Death of A Clown'. Was
he being snotty or not?
Dave Davies: He will not give me a compliment without insulting me first.
KinksFan: Did Dave really beat you up when you were a kid?
Dave Davies: Did I beat myself up....is that what you mean....looks like I'm
still doing it.
KinksFan: Dave, what has been the reaction to you 'alien' revelations
in 'Kink?'
Dave Davies: People think I've either totally lost it or they are
extremely in fascinated and interested in it.
KinksFan: Dave, I've seen Ray's show too many times. That's when I
heard 'Animal' from the CD. 'Animal' is the best song with the Kinks playing it, instead
of just Ray. Geez, you guys gotta record together again!!
Dave Davies: We intend to make another studio album hopefully next summer.
KinksFan: Dave, does Oasis remind you of the Kinks? Are there any bands
out there that put you in mind of the spirit of the Kinks?
Dave Davies: not really....but I really like that Kula Shakur band. I met the
Gallagher brothers when they received the Q award before they became really famous and they
seemed like really sweet guys.
KinksFan: Dave, would you attempt a kind of one-man show/reading of your own
when the book comes out?
Dave Davies: I intend to do readings but in book stores as well as perform
solo shows in theaters.
KinksFan: Dave, I love that song you guys did about beating up Santa Claus
Dave Davies: one of my favorite Kinks songs..
KinksFan: Dave, there have been persistent rumors, that even
Ray addresses in his book....that he's gay?? Did it ever embarrass you in the era when he
really used to flounce onstage?
Dave Davies: Ray's never been gay, he's been miserable.
KinksFan: Dave, I recently read an interview in which Ray said
you needed to get a life. What do you think about that comment?
Dave Davies: That was mean.
KinksFan: What's behind that legend that Ray threw a bank of speakers on you?
That was always a classic piece of Kinks mythology.
Dave Davies: He fell onto my speakers and knocked them over while we were
doing 'Rollout the Barrel.'
KinksFan: Dave, I've been listening a lot to the Lola CD lately....while the
whole album has a definite anti-establishment vibe to it, your two contributions, 'Strangers' and
'Rats,' are extreme. (That's extreme in a good way). Did you try to pack a bigger whallop into
the couple of songs of yours that made it onto each album during that period?
Dave Davies: I write songs the way I write them and do not contrive them the
way some other rock artists do that shall remain nameless....its born of pure inspiration.
KinksFan: What Jimmy Page's role in 'You Really Got Me?'
Dave Davies: He was not on the recording. He was a friend of the producer who
was desperate to try and play on a rock and roll record and he carried a mean tea tray.
KinksFan: Dave, is it true you once spit on Chrissie Hynde?
Dave Davies: Who wouldn't?
KinksFan: Dave, how many solo albums have you done? And do you plan to do anymore
in the future?
Dave Davies: Three and there's one out next year.
KinksFan: Dave, are you aware how many Kinks fans support you? Thanks for coming online,
wish we knew about it more advanced so the troops could have joined in. There's a large cyber following.
Dave Davies: No counting for taste.
