Dave Ball tells his tale …

Me and the Press, or The Press and I

Another amusing event related to interviews and publicity generally. After the Edmonton album was released we were naturally anxious to get good reviews from the music press. Chris Wright, our Manager, came out to somewhere in the mid-west to see us and to bring news of the press reports. We had been reviewed by all of the major British music papers including Sounds, NME and Melody Maker. Chris was relating the gist of the reports in a dressing room before a gig. I happened to be out of sight behind some lockers, but not out of earshot. Chris was mumbling away twisting his beard as was his wont (what the hell does that mean anyway?). I heard bits and pieces … good review from Sounds, blah blah, best orchestral attempt by a rock band, NME blah blah blah, Melody Maker, very good review by Mark Plummer (who had been at the Edmonton Concert) but - and the voice was raised at this point – they put a picture of Dave Ball in it! I heard the gasps of incredulity from the assembled band. Dave Ball? How could this be… Well I never, etc. I sidled out from my corner wearing a large smug expression. Hi, the name’s Dave Ball … and don’t you forget it!

 Dave Ball's page at BtP

More excerpts of the Ball autobiography