Steve Hackett

MH: It's been an eventful couple of years for you, but with a new website and a busy schedule, are things are looking more settled now?

Steve: The response to the new website www.hackettsongs.com has been overwhelmingly positive. I'm working all the hours under the sun, and sometimes the moon too, but it's really good fun and I've been in love with the new album since we started it.

MH: You've been working with Chris Squire of Yes on a project codenamed Squackett - how's that coming along?

Steve: It's also incredibly exciting. I'll be visiting the States soon to work with him and meet some guys who should be on the album.

MH: Do you have another classical guitar album in the pipeline?

Steve: Nylon guitar is a passion - I have at least a couple of classical ideas bubbling away for the future.

MH: You're putting together a UK tour for November. Does it coincide with a new album?

Steve: All will be revealed shortly! We've flagged some tasters up on the website already. It's a rock album featuring lots of wild exotica. There are plenty of guest appearances, including Chris Squire and Nick Beggs. The band for the autumn shows is Roger King, Gary O'Toole, Rob Townsend and new addition Nick Beggs - kilt and all! On some of the summer dates the brilliant Dik Cadbury will be rejoining us.

MH: It must be a nightmare to narrow down a set list.

Steve: I choose to play the strongest band favourites. It'll be a show of sharp contrasts, with a mixture of things from all eras. And it wouldn't be me if there wasn't an acoustic element in the show!

MH: Are there any new bands or musicians that have caught your attention recently?

Steve: I think Elbow does some interesting stuff. Magenta is a fine band and Joe Bonamassa is a sharp axeman.

MH: I'm sure everyone asks you this... There are always rumours of a 5-man Genesis reunion and no-one seems to rule it out completely. Is there any glimmer of hope on the horizons? (sic)

Steve: I love the work we did in Genesis way back when. The guys can always count on me for a reunion. Meanwhile I already honour the Genesis song book by currently playing several of the more guitar oriented tunes in the live shows.

MH: If I can put you on the spot and ask you to pick the three albums you're most proud of, which would they be?

Steve: Selling England by the Pound is my favourite Genesis album - I felt my playing came into its own when we were combining disparate influences such as fusion, folk and electric mayhem all on one record. I've always had a soft spot for "Spectral Mornings" as that was the first album from my own band, which I felt had a unique atmosphere. The album I‘m currently working on particularly excites me because it combines not just standard rock instrumentation, but also Chapman Stick, gypsy violin, electric sitar, soprano sax, alto flute and the female voice of Amanda Lehmann... Plus the production sounds of Roger King have to be heard to be believed!

The Prog Blog

Share this page

• del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook