Soldier

Soldier appeared in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement in the late 1970s and still gained some fame with the single "Sheralee / Force" in 1982. From Northampton, England, Soldier has been reactive since 2002, having maintained a stable career till present day. We had a chat with Ian Dick one of the founding members of the band.

Q. – Hello Ian, tell us a bit about the beginning of the band and the importance of being part of such an important movement as the n.w.o.b.h.m.

Ian - I was playing like most people in a covers band and wanted to write my own music so that’s how Soldier started.

I can’t say we were aware at the time of NWOBHM becoming a musical genre. Now of course its very Important to the history of the band.

Q. - What were your main influences at the beginning of the band?

Ian - Mostly rock bands such as Deep Purple but I also really liked Prog Rock and bands like Wishbone Ash for melody. I can’t say I was influenced by metal bands funnily enough.

Q. - The single "Sheralee/Force" had an impact that could have lead to a record deal?

Ian - Yes it definitely brought a few record companies to the table.

Q. - What do you think that went wrong at that time so that the project did not have continuity?

Ian - We were offered record contracts which we turned down as we thought we were being totally ripped off. With hindsight we should have done a deal for the bands legacy’s sake.

Q. – Why did you leave back in 82, being you a founding member?

Ian - Steve Taylor was writing more and more material and I felt the band was sounding more like a pop band so I left.

Q. - Soldier got back together in 2002, how do you resume these 16 years, since the return? Are you happy with what you achieved so far?

Ian - Yes due to the resurgence in NWOBHM and the fact we didn’t actually record a full album there were a few tick boxes needed sorting.

Q. - Was the compilation "Heavy Metal Force" very important in your return? Having in mind it reunite all the material recorded in the 80s?

Ian - No not really, it was rushed out quickly by the record company. I feel Chronicles is much better for fans and we took our time and all the tracks were remastered. We also threw in some extra free tracks and a booklet with lots of info on the band.

Q. - What made you feel like reunite Soldier again?

Ian - I felt I had matured as a player and as a songwriter and felt Soldier had not yet reached its full potential.

I am very proud of Dogs Of War & Defiant and feel it’s the best work we have produced by a mile.

Q. - What can you tell us about Richard Frost, he's been the lead singer for a few years, where did you find him?

Ian - We had known Richard for a while and he even started rehearsing with is in 2002.

Q. – Why did Gazz Philipps leave, again?

Ian - Sadly due to ill health and breathing problems.

Q. - Was it easy to find this new line up for the band?

Ian - Yes, we have been around a long time and know a lot of musicians.

Q. - Do you have plans to record a live album in the near future or a new studio album? What’s the next step for Soldier?

Ian - We have an EP release we are working on but live work is not on the agenda anymore. I would have liked to have a got a live album out though.

Q. - And when you'll do a DVD?

Ian - Don’t see that happening now either I’m afraid.

Q. - Have you had any contacts with labels for future albums editions?

Ian – No, any future releases will be through our own label, Starhaven Records.

Q. – Was the model Sheralee an inspiration to you? Where is she now-a-days?

Ian - I never knew her, she was an ex-girlfriend of someone who wasn’t in the band. Strangely enough I actually met her about a year ago and she is a mum and doing well.

Q. – How would you like to end up this interview? Anything more you want to say?

Ian - Thanks for taking in an interest in Soldier and thanks to all the NWOBHM fans who given us oldens a new lease of life.

I hope that rock music will once again see an independent inspired movement like NWOBHM in the future for the musicians and the fans.

Ian

Thank you for your time Ian, and wish you all the best for the future!