Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue: The lost interview, July 1993

Columbia Records

This past spring marked the 25^th Anniversary of Whatever You Say, Say Nothing, the fourth album from Deacon Blue.

At the time, the Scottish pop band was best known for its sophomore studio release When the World Knows Your Name, which spawned five top 40 singles in the U.K., including the biggest one, “Real Gone Kid,” and was certified for sales over 1 million copies there.

For Whatever You Say, Say Nothing, the sextet led by Ricky Ross enlisted the Perfecto production/mixing team of Steve Osborne and Paul Oakenfold, who’d previously worked with Happy Mondays, The Cure and U2. The results found the band often going in a more dance-inspired rock direction and it notched another four top 40 hits ("Your Town," "Will We Be Lovers," "Only Tender Love," "Hang Your Head") at home.

In America, Deacon Blue drew critical acclaim (from the Los Angeles Times and elsewhere) for the excellent 1987 debut Raintown and did a few brief tours. I managed to catch a couple memorable live appearances at the Roxy and Whisky in West Hollywood in late 1989.

Before the band was set to appear at the New Music Seminar in New York City in July 1993, I had a quick phone interview with Ross as he was being driven to a promotional event. Unfortunately, my article got cut from the publication I was writing for at the last minute. For #ThrowbackThursday, I decided to revisit that lost chat and post it here.

Q: What prompted the sudden stylistic shift on the latest album?

A: We just needed to do something new. There was a definite feeling that we should bring in fresh faces in terms of producers. I suppose that was indicative that there would be a change in the sound. In the past, we’d done a lot of things we wouldn’t normally do.

Q: By working with Steve and Paul, you’ve really taken a more dance-oriented approach.

A: It wasn’t intentional on our part. Some people thought we were gonna make a House record. They were either quite disappointed or pleased that we didn’t.

Q: The way you used rhythm loops on “Last Night I Dreamed of Henry Thomas” reminded me of what you did on “Closing Time” from Fellow Hoodlums.

A: [For “Closing Time”], Sly Stone was the more traditional way of sampling something. “Henry Thomas” [used] a more creative atmosphere for the track.

Q: Deacon Blue contributed the song “Christmas and Glasgow” to The Tree and the Bird and the Fish and the Bell: Glasgow Songs by Glasgow Artists, a 1991 benefit album for the Oscar Marzaroli Trust and you’ve used the Scottish photographer’s photos on your albums. Are you still involved with the Trust?

A: I have to write something for a book of his photographs that is coming out. We’ve raised enough money to make sure the work itself was intact and stayed cataloged.

Q: You’ve been involved in other benefit projects in recent years. Do you think musicians are still a big help at getting the word out regarding various charities and causes?

A: Many people want to raise money for things that music is not the right vehicle for. But if something’s realistic, it can be done imaginatively and be good fun to do as well.

Q: Has getting married to fellow band member Lorraine McIntosh and becoming a father affected your lyrics?

A: It’s been a huge influence on this album, definitely.

Q: Does the persistent lack of Deacon Blue radio airplay in the U.S. bother you?

A: I’d be very surprised if we caught on here, to be honest.

Q: Do you think your fans have accepted Lorraine’s role in the band as something more prominent than a backing singer?

A: It’s just the same as she’s always done, really. In the beginning, I think she wanted what I wanted – to be a backing singer and that’s the role she played. And she’s been pretty good at it. I don’t like the idea of co-lead vocalists, because that’s not what we do, you know?

Q: During your current shows, are you still performing covers like “True Love Ways” and “Unchained Melody”?

A: I’m afraid we’ve gone downhill since then. We’re doing Kylie Minogue songs now [half serious].

Q: Since the band’s name was inspired by the Steely Dan song, I wondered if you plan to see their reunion tour.

A: Honestly, I’m not a great fan of going to gigs. I think they should just leave things as they were.