Persian Risk was one of those bands that attained almost mythical status back in the day with a rather difficult to find debut album and an even harder to get debut single that would set you back considerably. They were one of the finest bands when it came out of the melodic side of NWOBHM and featured a great many people that went on to do great things in their careers like singers John Deverill (Tygers of The Pan Tang) very early on before vocals were assumed by their classic singer Carl Sentance who went on to make his mark with not only the band but even do albums with Krokus and even play with Geezer Butler (believe it or believe it not)! Back in those early days and even caught on some early vinyl for posterity even Motorhead’s Phil Campbell used to be in the band. Since then and following a loooong hiatus, Carl Sentance decided to put the band back together a few years ago and has since released a couple of excellent albums, the latter of which, “Who Am I?” recently saw the light of day apparently on the eve of the band’s first performance in Greece ever! Carl ever the gentleman responded to our little “inquisition”...
Hi Carl… thx for talking to Grande Rock about your newest album entitled “Who Am I?”…
C: Hi Dimitrios “Who Am I?” is the title of our new album, hope you liked it!
From what I saw, you’ve once again changed the line-up of the band for the newest release. Why’s that?
C: It’s not so much of changing the line-up it’s who is available at the time. It’s tuff times and everyone has to work with other projects including me.
“Who Am I?” was just released in time for your first Greek performance! Give us a few more details about the album!
C: The new album was written late 2013, this time there’s only 2 old classics from the Phil Campbell (Motorhead) era, also once again a guest appearance from Don Airey (Deep Purple) as I want to move on from the past but keep the NWOBHM energy.
Can you say that the album’s title is referring to you? What does “Who Am I?” declare?
C: Yes! there’s parts of all of us in there, as a performer musician there’s hidden problems in all of us that’s maybe why we do it!
The album was touted to come out as early as last April in time for the KIT performance you did, (which I was also fortunate to enjoy as well) what happened and caused this rather significant delay in delivering the album?
C: Money and someone to mix it!
You re-recorded “Calling For You” and “Dark Tower” from the olden days? Was it because you wanted to give them a more updated sound? To make those tracks more widely available to people, without having to pay a lot of money in the case of the single? Or just plainly wanting to easily make it to a round number for an album without having to include a cover of another band’s tune? Can we expect “Jane” to pop up next?
C: Ha! Lots of people ask for “Jane”! If we do it on the next album it will be the last old school song we do, as Persian Risk 2014 holds its own today. I included old songs on the albums just to make a little connection but I want to show my songwriting of today.
Also in the previous album the last track was rather unusual sounding, a lot less metal, than the rest and on this one, the last tune is even more laid back and bluesy but groovy at the same time... is it like a trend to just “funk up”, the last song a tiny bit?
C: It’s me! I can’t help put something different in there as I love music but roots are Rock!
Did you try putting back the band together with the original members? What was their reaction to the idea? And how did you decide to do it “alone”? With the “Persian Risk US” there was supposedly a demo – can you give us a bit more info about that “line-up”/demo? And have those tracks been utilised since?
C: Yes I did at first try and get the original band together but they were busy or not willing, then when I decided to go it alone I knew it made sense to me and I’m happy now. PR USA was just a phase of trying the new grunge rock like a lot of bands did but quickly I found it wasn’t for me. Great guys though and was fun.
Looking back into a career in music that has been going on for a few decades with its normal ups and downs but always remaining relatively visible and quite celebrated, can you take a trip down memory lane and tell us a bit about each of your “bands”... both the ones that made it to a release stage and those that for whatever reason folded before reaching that stage.
C: Leading Star was a young pop band and my first band.
Persian Risk was my first rock band. Just great!!!! I love the last two albums as well as the past. I just love song writing and I want to take it round the world if I ever get the chance. But in 86 I had the chance of joining Geezer Butler’s band and thought it was the right move.
Geezer Butler was the first time I thought I’d made it ha! Great times but made me realize a lot of things in the business are not so easy. We did a lot of demos including “Master of Insanity” that made the Sabbath “Dehumanizer” album with Dio singing a part from my melody. Geezer rejoined his old mate Ozzy after 2 years and then I was back to the drawing board.
Tokio Rose was a stepping stone for something else but was fun, we wrote a few songs and played a few good gigs.
Monroe was cool but probably to pop for me and was just the wrong time. And I wasn’t ready to live in Germany at the time.
Ghost – we nearly got a deal but again wrong timing when the grunge bands took over the scene. That’s when I formed the Persian Risk USA it was hard times and we were forced to play covers up and down the east coast to live and I couldn’t stand it so moved back to the UK.
Krokus – a great time again and great experience but they ended up reforming there original line-up. I recorded one album “Round 13” and played some big gigs including Basle football stadium with AC/DC.
Don Airey – still going strong, we still gig and write music when he’s not with Deep Purple. I love working with Don and he always uses the best musicians when possible.
Power Project I – “Dinosaurs”: The job was passed on to me by Tony Martin and was just a recording job, but great.
Carl Sentance – “Mind Doctor”: I always wanted to do a solo album and it was a great experience songs that I wrote from the 80s to the present but wanted to gig my music that’s one of the reasons to re-form Persian Risk.
Whole Lotta Metal: Just a great time and fun even though it was covers it was a blast.
Hope I’ve not missed any band!
As a vocalist, who would you consider to be your influences?
C: Rob Halford, Dio, Robert Plant…
I think that you mentioned in the past that you did hurt your voice and that you had to learn to sing from scratch, pretty much? Was there a point that you thought that you wouldn’t be able to sing anymore and if it’s not too traumatic, can you share a little more info about the circumstances?
C: Abuse is what happened! Drinking and shouting, I had to learn to pace myself and not push my voice then it gets stronger without force.
You’re one of the many musicians that elect to self-release their albums instead of going for a company. Been there and got burnt? Or you just think that the sales are so low that you might as well just get whatever is possible, through your own means?
C: If I could find a label that would get us gigs and tours then please please take it on! Because it is very stressful doing it yourself. There’s no point in using a label you get no money but it would be worth it if they got you work.
What do you think caused this whole “situation” in the music business and are people not appreciative of good tunes – when they hear em? Do you think that things could be reversed?
C: Computers! As far as I can tell. Most people don’t want to pay for music because its handed to them on a plate now days. The U2 thing recently showed us that, it was a bad thing to happen for bands like us.
And would you ever consider using something a fund-raising platform like “kickstarter, pledgemusic, etc.” to pre-release/sell your albums?
C: No idea what that is sorry!
You played in a Greek festival half a month ago. What are your memories from that event and how did you like it? With the album just coming out and people finding the gig quite spectacular, do you think there’s a good chance we might be seeing you more? Both as Persian Risk or maybe with the Dio cover band or another possible “idea”? Sth like the whole-lotta metal thing?
C: Great gig! It was a blast, cool people and we had alot of fun after show meeting new friends. We would love to come back to Greece but it’s up to the promoters. Persian Risk would be my first choice to come back but if they want another band then that’s cool also.
Are you planning on doing more dates in support of “Who Am I?”? Maybe even a more organized tour? And will you be concentrating in Persian Risk or are you also touring with Don as well?
C: It’s very hard to get tours and at the moment it only works to do festivals nothing else pays sadly. I’m also writing with Don Airey at the moment.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! Carl Almighty – If you were a God for a week, what would you do?
C: Get myself the best Manager in the world, and Put Persian Risk on a tour with Judas Priest or Iron Maiden or a band like that.
Say you could be anybody else (man, woman, mythical/fictional, historical character whatever) who would you chose to be and why?
C: Ha! Tuff one. Me 20 years of age again so I can do things better.
Which one of the Seven Deadly Sins are you?
C: Pride maybe Envy?
Favorite “Carry On .............”
C: Spying...
Which track can describe perfectly the 80s metal era?
C: “Breaking the Law”…
What’s the worst thing you can say (or having said) right after sex?
C: What’s your name again?! (i.n.: Hehehe… so better be extra careful guys and gals!)
If your wife /gf sold all your records to buy herself an expensive ring what would you do?
C: Make her sing every single song she sold. (i.n.: I’d like to see that! Hehe…)
Please salute our readers and all the European fans of Persian Risk. Thx for the music! Take care!
C: Thanks everyone for all the support and keep music live! See you soon – Carl Sentance Persian Risk.
C: Hi Dimitrios “Who Am I?” is the title of our new album, hope you liked it!
From what I saw, you’ve once again changed the line-up of the band for the newest release. Why’s that?
C: It’s not so much of changing the line-up it’s who is available at the time. It’s tuff times and everyone has to work with other projects including me.
“Who Am I?” was just released in time for your first Greek performance! Give us a few more details about the album!
C: The new album was written late 2013, this time there’s only 2 old classics from the Phil Campbell (Motorhead) era, also once again a guest appearance from Don Airey (Deep Purple) as I want to move on from the past but keep the NWOBHM energy.
Can you say that the album’s title is referring to you? What does “Who Am I?” declare?
C: Yes! there’s parts of all of us in there, as a performer musician there’s hidden problems in all of us that’s maybe why we do it!
The album was touted to come out as early as last April in time for the KIT performance you did, (which I was also fortunate to enjoy as well) what happened and caused this rather significant delay in delivering the album?
C: Money and someone to mix it!
You re-recorded “Calling For You” and “Dark Tower” from the olden days? Was it because you wanted to give them a more updated sound? To make those tracks more widely available to people, without having to pay a lot of money in the case of the single? Or just plainly wanting to easily make it to a round number for an album without having to include a cover of another band’s tune? Can we expect “Jane” to pop up next?
C: Ha! Lots of people ask for “Jane”! If we do it on the next album it will be the last old school song we do, as Persian Risk 2014 holds its own today. I included old songs on the albums just to make a little connection but I want to show my songwriting of today.
Also in the previous album the last track was rather unusual sounding, a lot less metal, than the rest and on this one, the last tune is even more laid back and bluesy but groovy at the same time... is it like a trend to just “funk up”, the last song a tiny bit?
C: It’s me! I can’t help put something different in there as I love music but roots are Rock!
Did you try putting back the band together with the original members? What was their reaction to the idea? And how did you decide to do it “alone”? With the “Persian Risk US” there was supposedly a demo – can you give us a bit more info about that “line-up”/demo? And have those tracks been utilised since?
C: Yes I did at first try and get the original band together but they were busy or not willing, then when I decided to go it alone I knew it made sense to me and I’m happy now. PR USA was just a phase of trying the new grunge rock like a lot of bands did but quickly I found it wasn’t for me. Great guys though and was fun.
Looking back into a career in music that has been going on for a few decades with its normal ups and downs but always remaining relatively visible and quite celebrated, can you take a trip down memory lane and tell us a bit about each of your “bands”... both the ones that made it to a release stage and those that for whatever reason folded before reaching that stage.
C: Leading Star was a young pop band and my first band.
Persian Risk was my first rock band. Just great!!!! I love the last two albums as well as the past. I just love song writing and I want to take it round the world if I ever get the chance. But in 86 I had the chance of joining Geezer Butler’s band and thought it was the right move.
Geezer Butler was the first time I thought I’d made it ha! Great times but made me realize a lot of things in the business are not so easy. We did a lot of demos including “Master of Insanity” that made the Sabbath “Dehumanizer” album with Dio singing a part from my melody. Geezer rejoined his old mate Ozzy after 2 years and then I was back to the drawing board.
Tokio Rose was a stepping stone for something else but was fun, we wrote a few songs and played a few good gigs.
Monroe was cool but probably to pop for me and was just the wrong time. And I wasn’t ready to live in Germany at the time.
Ghost – we nearly got a deal but again wrong timing when the grunge bands took over the scene. That’s when I formed the Persian Risk USA it was hard times and we were forced to play covers up and down the east coast to live and I couldn’t stand it so moved back to the UK.
Krokus – a great time again and great experience but they ended up reforming there original line-up. I recorded one album “Round 13” and played some big gigs including Basle football stadium with AC/DC.
Don Airey – still going strong, we still gig and write music when he’s not with Deep Purple. I love working with Don and he always uses the best musicians when possible.
Power Project I – “Dinosaurs”: The job was passed on to me by Tony Martin and was just a recording job, but great.
Carl Sentance – “Mind Doctor”: I always wanted to do a solo album and it was a great experience songs that I wrote from the 80s to the present but wanted to gig my music that’s one of the reasons to re-form Persian Risk.
Whole Lotta Metal: Just a great time and fun even though it was covers it was a blast.
Hope I’ve not missed any band!
As a vocalist, who would you consider to be your influences?
C: Rob Halford, Dio, Robert Plant…
I think that you mentioned in the past that you did hurt your voice and that you had to learn to sing from scratch, pretty much? Was there a point that you thought that you wouldn’t be able to sing anymore and if it’s not too traumatic, can you share a little more info about the circumstances?
C: Abuse is what happened! Drinking and shouting, I had to learn to pace myself and not push my voice then it gets stronger without force.
You’re one of the many musicians that elect to self-release their albums instead of going for a company. Been there and got burnt? Or you just think that the sales are so low that you might as well just get whatever is possible, through your own means?
C: If I could find a label that would get us gigs and tours then please please take it on! Because it is very stressful doing it yourself. There’s no point in using a label you get no money but it would be worth it if they got you work.
What do you think caused this whole “situation” in the music business and are people not appreciative of good tunes – when they hear em? Do you think that things could be reversed?
C: Computers! As far as I can tell. Most people don’t want to pay for music because its handed to them on a plate now days. The U2 thing recently showed us that, it was a bad thing to happen for bands like us.
And would you ever consider using something a fund-raising platform like “kickstarter, pledgemusic, etc.” to pre-release/sell your albums?
C: No idea what that is sorry!
You played in a Greek festival half a month ago. What are your memories from that event and how did you like it? With the album just coming out and people finding the gig quite spectacular, do you think there’s a good chance we might be seeing you more? Both as Persian Risk or maybe with the Dio cover band or another possible “idea”? Sth like the whole-lotta metal thing?
C: Great gig! It was a blast, cool people and we had alot of fun after show meeting new friends. We would love to come back to Greece but it’s up to the promoters. Persian Risk would be my first choice to come back but if they want another band then that’s cool also.
Are you planning on doing more dates in support of “Who Am I?”? Maybe even a more organized tour? And will you be concentrating in Persian Risk or are you also touring with Don as well?
C: It’s very hard to get tours and at the moment it only works to do festivals nothing else pays sadly. I’m also writing with Don Airey at the moment.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! Carl Almighty – If you were a God for a week, what would you do?
C: Get myself the best Manager in the world, and Put Persian Risk on a tour with Judas Priest or Iron Maiden or a band like that.
Say you could be anybody else (man, woman, mythical/fictional, historical character whatever) who would you chose to be and why?
C: Ha! Tuff one. Me 20 years of age again so I can do things better.
Which one of the Seven Deadly Sins are you?
C: Pride maybe Envy?
Favorite “Carry On .............”
C: Spying...
Which track can describe perfectly the 80s metal era?
C: “Breaking the Law”…
What’s the worst thing you can say (or having said) right after sex?
C: What’s your name again?! (i.n.: Hehehe… so better be extra careful guys and gals!)
If your wife /gf sold all your records to buy herself an expensive ring what would you do?
C: Make her sing every single song she sold. (i.n.: I’d like to see that! Hehe…)
Please salute our readers and all the European fans of Persian Risk. Thx for the music! Take care!
C: Thanks everyone for all the support and keep music live! See you soon – Carl Sentance Persian Risk.