Angels interview a whisky lovin Mudslider! 

Paul McLean was talking to Ty, from blues band Mudslide.

Paul interviewed Ty over a dram with himself and Julie on a recent Argyll tour.

How you doin Ty, lets get right into it…

When did you start a liking for the blues?
My first memory is as a kid. I was younger than 10 years old & heard ‘Need Your Love So Bad’ by Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac. Even then it blew me away & I knew I was hearing something very special indeed. Oh man, that tone. It was a truly beautiful sound & experience, & I remember even then thinking ‘one day, I want to be able to do THAT’.

And what was your first gig however young?
The late, great Rory Gallagher. I think I was about 16 at the time. Awesome gig, & I feel very privileged to have actually seen him in concert.

What or who, are the big influences in your music?
Jimmy Page is my ultimate guitar God/hero. Other influences include Neil Young, Peter Green, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray, Joe Bonamassa, David Gilmour. There are quite a few more.

Have you met any hero’s of yours?
I once met Ozzy in Fort Augustus. Got my picture taken.

At what point did you realise blues and whisky blended so well?
haha – the legendary pic of Jimmy Page backstage in 1975, glugging from a bottle of Jack Daniels. I have that pic framed on a wall at home.

There is an image stuck in my head of old blues singers wrapped around a bottle of Jack Daniels, the music seems so “lyin back sippin an excellent malt”, have you heard noises like this before, or is it just me?
Definitely not – I believe that happens to all of us.

Do you think, taking an average – blues bands (any bands for that matter) all like whisky?
Actually, I think it’s in our contract that we do – not that we are whisky-aholics but we do like a dram or three.

Is music a “whisky culture” for you and the band?
Definitely. We all like a good dram : but we’re very well behaved & always save it for after a gig.

Do you have a favourite dram? and why?
Talisker was the one that originally ignited my love of single malts. But I enjoy all of the Islay malts. Cragganmore is a beauty too, & a real favourite.  I did buy a bottle of the amazing ‘Octomore’ from the Bruichladdich distillery, when it came out. AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I gave you a dram you have never tried but know of it; what would it be?
Oh……. that would have to be the 30yo Laphroaig. I once tried a 35yo Ardbeg……. now THAT was something else. But the Laphroaig is the big ‘elusive’ one for me. Ready when you are at the bar Paul, mines a double!

Who else in the band likes a dram now and then? Or – always!
erm……. let me think. Oh Yeah – ALL OF US.

How is life living on our west coast?
FANTASTIC. What more could a guy want?  You are a west coaster so you know what I mean.

What are the plans for the future?
To up the profile of the band, & get MUDSLIDE playing more of the festivals and for you to get me that dram of 30 year old.

Do you have any plans for a gig inside a whisky distillery/festival?
No ……………… but I have now. Thanks for the idea, any “ins” let me know and you are on the bill playing bottleneck (drinking and clinking that is).

Finally; do you have any track in your set that mentions “angels”? or an angel? or whisky for that matter?
We are planning on including Joe Bonamassa’s ‘Jockey Full Of Bourbon’ in our extensive set list. I’m hoping we can start work on this very soon but we may need (whiskey) research first.

Equipment-wise, I’m a dedicated fan of the classic Les Paul/ Marshall combination. My main guitars are a 1959 Reissue Gibson Les Paul ; a 1981 Gibson Les Paul Standard ; a Fender Telecaster. My rig is a Marshall JVM410 ( all valve ) head with a Marshall Vintage 4×12 cabinet. Effects are at an absolute minimum : when you have that kind of gear you can get pretty much all of the tones & sounds you need.

Thanks again Ty, Paul.  Wee note; was he stringing me along?  answers on a postcard to the usual address please. 

facebook.com/pages/Mudslide/448417688511905

http://www.mudslideargyllblues.co.uk/

Dougie Robertson – Vocals & Rhythm Guitar.
Ty Williamson – Lead Guitar.
Alasdair Robertson – Keyboards,Harmonica & Vocals.
Sandy Smart – Bass & Vocals.
Patrick Harvey – Drums.

slainte  Paul

http://www.angelswhiskyclub.com/

http://www.mcleanscotland.com/