An Evening with Lee & Gary

[IfIHadAGun]

As a music journalist (though sadly I've had to drop out due to severe illness..) I was scheduled to meet Gary Murphy for an interview at The La's rehearsal room. Gary calls and says to meet him in his car, Lee's there with him. We decamp to Gary's house as it's far too cold; it's the same street Pete Wylie, Wayne from The Crescent and The Dead 60's all lived on at some point or another. In Gary's words; Liverpool's very own "Stella Street"!

First thing I noticed was all of the guitars were in Gary's house, the Danelectro, the acoustic and Gary's bass, the one he'd been using for all the gigs. (The bass he used at the Liverpool gig was one of Lee's that he uses in the practice room). Lee and Gary banter back and forth, with is hilarious, either of them could be comedians. They are on the same wavelength musically and seem very passionate about the music. Lee taught Gary the basics when he was a kid and it wasn't until later it all made sense to Gary when he was writing songs like "Take it and Run" for The Bandits.

Gary asked if I'd heard the radio session they did in France, they played "I Can't Sleep" "My Generation" and probably "There She Goes".
But, it's the first I've heard of it. "We came out to the Pink Panther song, some French bird going "it's the ooh la la's!""

Gary nipped out the shop and left me and Lee to listen to the London bootleg that was on SoundCloud. Later when I ask his favourite gig, both Lee and Gary claim the London one was the best and was most enjoyable.

At first, I was unsure how to take him (Lee). He's funny and serious at the same time. So we sit there in relative silence, watching their video of the London gig, we nod and stamp our feet to the beat. He describes the guitar sound like a champagne glass, most impressed with "Knock Me Down", the crowd's backing vocals on "Doledrum" and "Callin' All".

Finally Lee opens up to me a little, all about the tuning and pitching. Lee's tuning techniques; brilliant, totally brilliant. At first it might be all too much,
and then it begins to make sense. He engages you on another level; never breaking eye contact. I'll elaborate a bit more when I've listened back to my recording and get the name of it. But as Lee said, it's all puzzle pieces that have been put together.

"we aren't human's having spiritual experiences; we are spirits experiencing a human life..." was the most profound quote from him.

"New record" from a scrap of paper I saw, it read "Callin' All #2" the usual suspects were on the list "Was It Something I Said?" "Rebound" "Gimme The Blues" "The Human Race". Lee tells me he doesn't want to get the 2nd record wrong. He says "The La's were always different, even when we were signed and they tried to change us, so I just left it all"

Gary said he really wants to do this record, it's not about the money (this is very clear without him even saying) and that the new tunes are that good, and it will happen"

A LOT more was said, but I don't feel right in posting all sorts about our chat. Feel free to post any questions I'll try and answer. If either Gary or Lee see this, thank you for your time and generosity. I recorded a large proportion of Lee's theory, so I'm debating uploading it.

[Tibinice]

good job,gunny

Any information about the new line-up?

[rootsy La]

Great stuff mate!! can't wait to read more! Do you know if there is any recordings of the radio session knocking about?

[nobbygrande]

Gunny you legend, an audience with the man himself. You lucky swine. Did he play anything for ya?
Don't know how you do it man but keep it up. Going straight to the source!! Always interesting and great to hear that they are committed to making the record.

[kenny]

Nice one mate, good to hear.

[IfIHadAGun]

A. Gary said they've auditioned a few drummers....but they just come in and start bashing away at the kit instead of listening to what Lee and Gary want. He also said adding two more members takes the focus off making the record. (They could probably record it all themselves anyway)

A. Not sure if there's a recording of the French session; Apparently it's a must find, Gary said it was the 2nd best thing they did.

A. had pulled a tendon in his finger, so could only manage a few chords; still knocked out an amazing version of Son of A Gun!


Gonna go through my audio tracks today, edit out the unnecessary - and get the tuning method up.

[cjm1985]

Gunny, nice post mate. Can i ask a few questions, did they say where they would record and for when they would plan to record? I'd imagine Lee would have to find the right place to get his tracks down. Also, did you talk about any other bands, or any modern bands? And most importanty, is Mavers excited about Everton re-signing James McFadden?
CJ

[IfIHadAGun]

They were moving into a new rehearsal room, Lee was looking at a place today actually. So recording should be started by the end of the year I expect...

I asked about modern bands, not interested in the slightest "it's musical graffiti, and people just keep spraying over the musical wall, but we, we are the wall" he did say he's been getting into The Kinks a lot lately.

We didn't talk football, I did with Gary; but with two reds vs. one blue it might not be fair!

My interview was meant for Gary and Lee was there so I had to think on my feet with questions for Lee, so had to think fast, so a lot was missed out.

[cjm1985]

Well done anyway lad, i went to download The Bandits album on Itunes the other day (my cd broke along time ago) but sadly it isn't there.

[IfIHadAGun]

Well done anyway lad, i went to download The Bandits album on Itunes the other day (my cd broke along time ago) but sadly it isn't there.

check eBay, saw one going for £2 la!

[chris75]

How good getting to speak to both Lee and Gary!! Any talk of JP doing new La's stuff or will Gary be playing all the bass? Don't suppose you noticed the actual model number of his martin(s) did you? I know we think / pretty sure they are 000m and 000-16 RGT, just wandering if you can confirm or have any info on them? His acoustic sound is quality (guitar geek I know!!).

Nice one
Chris

[IfIHadAGun]

How good getting to speak to both Lee and Gary!! Any talk of JP doing new La's stuff or will Gary be playing all the bass? Don't suppose you noticed the actual model number of his martin(s) did you? I know we think / pretty sure they are 000m and 000-16 RGT, just wandering if you can confirm or have any info on them? His acoustic sound is quality (guitar geek I know!!).

Nice one
Chris

John doesn't seem to be back in the fold at the moment, Gary and Lee seem to be a driving force together. Afraid not, there were a few guitars scattered around the room to know what was which. I'm sure I'll see them again so, I'll have a closer inspection. Small amps and PA's are the one though, less compression.

[jammyc77]

Was there any mention of ex la's getting involved in things again gunny? cammy,sutton, neil or timmo?

[IfIHadAGun]

we spoke about Barry Sooty for a bit but, don't think anyone's involved, never spoke about any other ex-La's

[dc1991]

Any news on the documentary ?