George Whitter (Shader, Bloodshot Eyes)

Shader was formed in London at the end of the 1970’s, and last till 1983/84, they did many tours all across the UK and played to a variety of audiences. The single "Bad News Blues" was recorded in 1981, and after the split George Whitter formed Bloodshot Eyes releasing the LP "On My Knees".

Q. – Hello George! Tell us a bit about the beginning of Shader, how did it all start? How did you get in touch with the other members?

George - All local friends/musicians who got together. I was already a local music celebrity. The band just got together to jam and play gigs.

Q. - Who were your principal influences at that time?

George - Jimi Hendrix and other blues rock bands also prog and psychedelic rock.

Q. - How did the band name came up?

George - Good question.......I can’t remember.

Q. - What about shows? Did you play regularly in the UK back then? Did you share stage with some well known bands?

George - Yes, toured supporting Budgie and spent three years travelling up and down the M1, mostly playing to large rock audiences up the north of England.

Q. - Do you recall the songs you were playing in the beginning? Did you play any covers too?

George - No covers. The Pimp and another song called The Jungle also Bad News Blues, Don’t Treat Me Like a Fool, Banging Like a Shit House Door and other songs that eventually ended up on the Bloodshot Eyes album On My Knees.

Q. - How was the single "Bad News Blues" received by the fans? Did it have airplay on radio stations?

George - Quite a few were sold with a repressing needed. The fans loved it.

Q. - When did you release the demo tape "Rock ‘n’ Roll ‘n’ Toast"? Did you try to find a record deal after that demo?

George - Yes, there was interest from Polydor Records who were keen to sign Shader. The A&R representative that was about to sign Shader got the sack. His replacement didn’t want to sign Shader and the rest is history as they say.

Q. - When did "Shader" split up exactly? What happened that led to the split?

George – 1982. Too many disagreements. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Dispute over direction and band leadership.

Q. - What do you think that lacked to "Shader" to have a successful career?

George - The A&R man at Polydor Records keeping his job!!

Q. - Did you formed Bloodshot Eyes right after the split of Shader? How did it all start?

George - Yes. It sort of continued on with other friends who were musicians.

Q. - The Lp "On My Knees" was released in 1984, what do you recall from these recording sessions?

George - Not much. Memory is vague but it was good to be back doing something.

Q. - The "Bloodshot Eyes" adventure didn't last much, what lead to the end?

George - Instability, like William said.

Q. - Did you stay in touch with each others all over the years?

George - Yes with William but lost touch with earlier members.

Q. - So what are you doing these days? Do you still play in any band? Tell us a bit about it.

George - I play with Howlin’ Mojo Bones which is blues based rock. We have had two CDs out. The second CD Voodoo She Do has got a lot of good reaction from fans and press alike. We have also played a number of gigs and festivals in the summer and a big one at Butlins in Skegness in early 2020 which is a blues and rock festival.

Q. - Have you ever thought about doing a compilation with all the recordings made by Shader or Bloodshot Eyes?

George - Not really because High Roller Records in Germany are dealing with that as we speak.

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

George - It’s great to see after all these years that there is still an interest in the songs that I wrote and recorded. Rock n Roll n Toast n Coffee is still a very popular song and has been cite s the one that got away.

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