The band Seducer was active
between 1981/87, and recorded a single (Call Your Name), an EP (Indecent
Exposure) and two albums "Caught in the Act" and "Eads Down -
See You at the End", during the 80's, we did a chat with mainman Chris Hunt,
about this underrated band.
Q. - Hello Chris, tell us a bit
about the beginning of Seducer, how did it all start, who were the first
members, how did the name came up?
Chris - I decided to form a new
band, after the demise of my first band Clemen Pull. I found the Bassist Phil
Smith through a friend of my sisters and we did many auditions for a drummer,
finally deciding on Nigel Augur. Later to be replaced by Tim Haywood for the
second Album. Nigel left for personal reasons. We also had an interim bassist
Robbie Romp who featured on a maxi single, when Phil had to leave for awhile
due to surgery.
Q. - The single "Call Your
Name" got released in 1983, did it have air play on radio stations? How
was it received by the fans?
Chris - We released it ourselves.
On the Sticky Records label. It was a joke, Sticky Label. Not sure anyone got
it! It had minimal airplay on Radio 1, Capital and local stations.
Only a couple of times though, as
only big labels got repeated airplay and we didn’t actually have a label at
that time. The single only had 300 copies pressed and was made to give away at
a London’s Marquee Club residency. Which we did.
Q. - Both tracks of the single
appear on the compilation “Metal Prisoners” by Mausoleum Records, how did that
happen?
Chris - Our first record label,
based in Shepperton Studios did that. They were a law unto themselves!
Q. - The EP "Indecent
Exposure" was released by "Thunderbolt", didn't "Mausoleum
Records" show interest about releasing the album?
Chris - Our Record Company were
Thunderbolt. Mausoleum were just used by our record company. Don’t know any
details, our record company were rubbish.
Q. - "Caught in the
Act" got some great reviews, did you tour all over the UK supporting the
album?
Chris - Yes, It’s what we did.
Touring was my life.
Q. - With the great talent and
potential you guys had, what do you think has failed to achieve bigger success?
Chris - I think it was bad
decisions regarding signing to both first and second record company’s. I was
more interested in playing to people than the money. I should probably have
been more savvy with the business side, but that never interested me.
Robbie, Chris, Nigel
Q. - Have you ever thought about
reissuing Seducer's albums since they are very rare to find nowadays?
Chris – Out of my hands. Both
record company’s have the rights. Not even sure they’re in existence!
Q. - Did you formed Mental
Helicopters wright after the end of Seducer? How did the band came up?
Chris - Yes. I did auditions for
bassists and drummers. We toured for six years or seven. Never got a record
deal. Didn’t really try too hard for one.
Q. - Did you record any albums
with Mental Helicopters? For how long were you active?
Chris - Only a CD we sold at
Gigs. Here’s a link https://youtu.be/P27MNHiE8yg
Marc Coper, Pablo Videla, Chris Hunt
Q. - How did you see the whole N.W.O.B.H.M.
movement, back then, and how do you see the interest about those bands and
recordings nowadays?
Chris - I thought it was a lot of
Great music. I think it’s healthy that every kind of music is out there these
days. Room for everyone I guess. A great shame that so many venues have closed
though.
Q. - Looking back in time, do you
feel like there's unfinished business, related to "Seducer"?
Chris - No. That was my musical
statement at that time. We have to progress.
Q. - Is there any funny moment
that you can share with us?
Chris - There were many. Here’s
two. We played a newly refurbished gig in Milton Keynes. A new high thin stage
and lowered ceiling. On the first chord I jump off my stack, (it used to look good)
The stage was also slippery! I went through the roof and the drummer’s bass
drum disappeared into the audience audience. Their laughter went on and on. It
was a great gig after that.
The other one was when I fell off
the stage at the Marquee onto my knee, and did the first song lying on my back
with the roady holding the mic over me.
Q. - How do you see the heavy
metal scene nowadays? Do you keep an eye to the metal scene?
Chris - I listen to new metal
sometimes, and Pantera is my all time favourite metal band. But I listen to a
lot of Industrial as well. Like KMFDM and Sielwolf.
Q. - So what are you doing these
days? Do you still play in any band? Tell us a bit about it please.
Chris - I mainly teach guitar but
am also getting together some Duo music. Acoustic. I would play in a band but
it’s all cover bands now and that’s not me. And the music’s all too quiet in
pubs these days.
Q. - How do you want to end up
this interview? Anything more you want to say?
Chris - Thanks for your interest.
It made my day. I’m glad my bands made a good impression on some people. It’s
the only reason I ever played.
Thank you for your time, and wish
you all the best for the future!
