INTERVIEW WITH ROCK GODDESS

Rock Goddess have a brand new EP entitled “It´s more than rock and roll”. Congratulations for it, it´s a great EP. Are you satisfied with the result of the album?

JODY: Thanks!! We are very satisfied and not crucified lol! It's had a great response.

JULIE: Yes, I feel that it has captured our sound and energy. And Jody's songs are amazing. I am a proud sister!

You have decide to do an EP and not a full album, why this decision?

JODY: Well it had been so long since we had released anything and we are still putting the album together so we felt it was crucial we got some product out. To show people what we are about now.

I want to know where and who with was recorded the album?  

JODY: The album was recorded in London in Alaska studios. I produced the EP, engineered by a great guy called Santi. And the wonderful Wes Maebe mixed and mastered it. 

In the beginning of the band, John Turner, Jody and Julie´s father, was the manager of the band. What part of the Rock Goddess success would be for him?

JODY: Oh a whole lot. He formed the band, taught us to play and managed the band. It's safe to say if it wasn't for him we wouldn't exist. 

JULIE: Our dad started Rock Goddess when I was 9 and Jody and Tracey were 13,he taught us how to play our instruments, he was present at all gigs ,tours and studio sessions. He installed in us a work ethic that we still use today. Without him this band would not have existed.

The band performed in 1982 Reading Festival, a legendary 80´s festival…

JODY: Oh this was a great day for us. I believe we got out deal with A&M after that. It was in negotiations already but that sealed it. It was a beautiful hot summer’s day and we were shitting ourselves lol. It's a big old festival. The biggest thing we had ever done at that point.

Rock Goddess worked on their second album with a legend of producers, Chris Tsangarides. How was the experience with him?

JODY: Wonderful. He is a lovely man. He made us feel at ease right from the start. And he is so funny. We were in hysterics the whole time. It was a pleasure to work with him. 

After a lapse of time, Rock Goddess, came back with the former line up in 2013, how was the first meetings for this reunion?

JODY: Emotional!! It was surreal to play together again after such a long, long break. But the chemistry was still there. I mean we all learnt to play together. That's an unbreakable bond years apart cannot change. 

JULIE: The first meeting was at my house, Tracey had flown over from Spain and I remember walking outside to meet her and it was so surreal, because I hadn't seen Tracey since she had left the band all those years ago! We had a big hug and very quickly it felt like no time had passed.

You had recorded a full album some years ago, but it wasn´t published. What was the problem?

JODY: This was when A&M and RG parted ways so it got shelved. 

The band opened for Iron Maiden and Def Leppard in European tours, how was this experience?

JODY: Wonderful special memories. These were game changer gigs. Big stadiums and big crowds. You develop a lot doing tours like these. We also had so much fun. Everyone was great to us. I haven't a bad word to say about anyone. The bands and their crews were lovely. Treated us so well. 

JULIE: I look back now and think wow, how lucky were we! One great memory for me  is when  we played  Helsinki ice stadium and I remember starting the set and all of sudden the audience starting clambering over the seats to get to the front and going crazy for us, I think we took them by surprise! Also both bands including their crew were so lovely to us and I'll always look back on these experiences and think wow, we did that.

You lived in the golden age of NWOBHM. How did you live this years?

JODY: Well it's something we are very proud as are all the bands from this time. You don't realise at the time that this is going to become such a special movement and mean so much to so many people. They were heady, exciting times. We had some great friends in bands then. It feels like we were always at gigs or playing one. The Marquee in Wardour Street in London was great. Always had metal bands playing and then we all hung out in a club across the road! Great days, maybe not the healthiest though! But loving 2017 too. Onwards and upwards. 

JULIE: we just lived it in the moment, you don't think at the time that you’re going to look back in 30 years and it’s going to be a golden era! But to have been a part of the NWOBHM scene is something special and unique, a part of musical history that will never be repeated and I'm so proud that we played a part.

In your opinion, which were the 5 best NWOBHM albums?

JODY: Oh God!!! What a question!! Very hard to narrow down to 5!

 In no particular order ...

1) Iron Maiden / Iron Maiden

2) Def Leppard. / On through the night 

3) Motorhead / Ace of Spades

4) Tank / Power of the Hunter

5) Judas Priest / British Steel

You shared on stage with bands of this movement. In your opinion, who were the best musicians in this movement? 

JODY: Well the 2 guitarists in Maiden were completely awesome! And Steve from Maiden is a killer bass player! Def Leppard were awesome too, for me there is no best, they all rock. We have shared the stage with a lot of metal bands and really, Metal players are I think the best in the world.

What would be the band of this movement that you would like to have played and you did not?

JODY: Motorhead would have been very cool!

Why do you think there were so many groups in the NWOBHM? 

JODY: Out from the ashes of the 70s emerged these bands that wanted to do something different. Some say punk had an influence, I personally feel it did. I loved punk in the 70s. NWOBHM was pretty underground in the late 70s and then blossomed in the early 80s, and became influencing the world over. Kerrang was launched in the early 80s which I believe had an impact too. The look was important. The denim cut off, laden with patches, over a leather jacket was key! The whole thing came together and then exploded. Magical times.

Your first and second albums had good positions on UK charts. How did you live this success? 

JODY: Well we worked a lot! We were touring and preparing for the next album to be honest. You need to keep working and building on the success. We weren't living it up with champagne and fast cars if that's what you mean! Well maybe a bit of champagne!

Do you want to say anything more? 

JODY: Just thanks to all our fans and to the people that come and see us and support us. Also big thanks to those of you who travel all over Europe to see us. You are amazing xx

JULIE: I want to say thank you for everyone’s support over the last 4 years. The response has been overwhelming.