Airforce

Tony Hatton is the bass player of the British heavy metal band Airforce, and were formed in 1989, by guitarist Chop Pitman, Doug Sampson ex-drummer of Iron Maiden, Doug’s brother Sam on vocals and Tony Hatton.

Q. - Hello Tony, did you, Chop, Sam and Doug were friends before forming Airforce? How and when did it all start?

Tony - Chop and I had been together in NWOBHM Band EL34 since circa 1980, Mick Dietz was our Drummer, with various vocalists coming and going. We regularly played at the Ruskin Arms amongst other East London and Essex venues, we did not really know Doug at that time, but Chop was good friends with Steve Harris. When we lost our EL-34 Drummer, Chop and I decided on a fresh start. Steve Harris was aware that we were looking for a New Drummer, and knowing Doug had recovered from his illness which had forced him to quit Iron Maiden introduced Doug to Chop. Doug was introduced to Chop via a Jam session between Doug Chop and Steve. I then met with Doug and Airforce was Born in 1987, the name Airforce was agreed by all 3 of us. Sam Sampson Joined a little later, Sam being Doug’s brother.

Q. - What other bands did you play before forming Airforce?

Tony - Chop and I had been together in EL-34 and of course Doug in Maiden.

Q. - Who would you cite as your main influences at the beginning of the band?

Tony - Chop, Doug and I had been influenced by many bands, as well as Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, UFO, Scorpions, Can Halen and Accept to name but a few.

Q. - After some demo tapes recorded in the late 80's, and early 90's, did you try to approach a record deal? What did you think went wrong for Airforce didn't have a record deal?

Tony - We had Trouble finding a Long Haul vocalist, and finding a manager. We were also quite naïve back then.

Q. - Did you keep in touch with the ex Airforce band members?

Tony - We do keep in touch with former Airforce members, Rolf Prommel (our last vocalist before we Doug and I left Airforce), many years later is in touch and of course Sam Sampson is Doug’s brother.

Q. - In your opinion, were the 90's hard times for heavy metal bands?

Tony - Not particularly Metal has and is always around.

Q. - What made you feel like reuniting Airforce again?

Tony - Chop, Doug and I all met up for the release of Judgement Day. Chop and Doug had recently got together again but thought I wouldn’t be interested, but I was and we said shall we get together again and see what happens. We did and it was as though we hadn’t stopped, it felt so right, as if it were only yesterday even though it had been 25yrs since the original Airforce musical line-up had played together.

Q. - Around 2016 Fred Ball was the lead singer of the band, having recorded the songs, Just Say No, Get Me a Doctor and Judgement Day with you, why did he leave the band?

Tony - Fred had other interests including his other Band Slam. Chop also wanted a separate Vocalist and Bass player, as Fred was both.

Q. - How did you find Dilian Arnaudov? Did you know him before?

Tony - Dilian had stood in as Airforce vocalist, when asked by Chop, for one show when the then Airforce vocalist SEB had to step down to deal with a serious family illness. So we knew Dilian and what he could do.

Q. - Why did you choose Paul Di'anno for a duet with Dilian Arnaudov, for the song "Sniper"?

Tony - Paul is a long-time friend of Chop, and of course of Doug too, after being together in Iron Maiden. Paul knew Airforce had reunited and listened to what we were doing. When Paul heard Sniper he wanted to be a part of it. Airforce were more than happy to have Paul participate, being an old friend. As well as being a legend and an awesome vocalist. 

Q. - Airforce have been playing some big venues this summer, and getting bigger audiences, how did it go and what do you think of it?

Tony - 2018 has been a fantastic year for Airforce and it was a fantastic summer. The Hills of Rock was a tremendous experience.

Q. - Was it a special feeling to play on the same bill with Iron Maiden?

Tony - Of course this was very special to play on the same Stage as Maiden and of course Priest too. It was great to meet up with our old friend Steve Harris on Sunday before and after the Maiden show, as well as Adrian and Dave.

Q. - But unfortunately Dilian couldn't made it to American tour, and was replaced by Ivan Giannini, will he be a permanent replacement?

Tony - Dilian has serious family issues and is back in Bulgaria, which we hope he can overcome. Ivan stepped in to help Airforce earlier this year with our USA dates due to Dilian being refused a US Visa. Ivan has stepped in again and may become the permanent Airforce vocalist in the future.

Q. - Are you composing new material in order to record a new album? What plans do you have for the near future?

Tony - Airforce are working on new material for a new Album scheduled for release in the Spring of 2019. We have another USA tour being finalised for April 2019, an appearance at the Polish Radio Studios for a show on Friday March 29th  that will be broadcast live on Polish national Radio. Airforce are also appearing with a surprise, at a special Maiden linked event at The Cart and Horses in London on Jan 20th 2019.

Q. - Do you try to keep the eighties metal spirit alive?

Tony - Airforce just have our brand of old school metal, whatever that evokes, Eighties, seventies, Nineties.

Q. - How do you want to end up this interview? Anything more you want to say?

Tony - Airforce had unfinished business and are now seeing that through.

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