Martin Bushell (Wildfire, Statetrooper)

 

Martin Bushell played guitar in Wildfire until the band split up in 1985, after that he played with Statetrooper until he left the band in 1987. He later worked as a studio engineer and producer of electronic music releases and as a songwriter appearing credited on pop releases. Here's a small chat with Martin:

 

Q. - Hello Martin, tell us a little bit about your beginnings in the hard rock and heavy metal world, who were your main influences, what lead you to be a guitar player?
Martin - I started at the age of 13. My brother was more interested in guitar than me. He got a guitar for Christmas but soon lost interest. I then took over on his guitar. My early influences were Ritchie Blackmore, Francis Rossi, Michael Schenker and Ulrich Roth.

Q. - When did you join forces with Paul Day to form Wildfire? How did that happen? Were you friends? How did Mausoleum's interest in releasing Wildfire happen?

Martin - Yes, we were friends. There was a good live scene at our local pub The Ruskin, the pub where Maiden started. Our first rehearsal was with Phil Collen (know him?) and his then drummer, Fred Zeppelin. We rehearsed a rock version of a Motown song, “Reach Out”.

That was the only rehearsal with that line up. Shortly after that, Paul and I wrote some songs together and recorded them with some more of my friends. He took the demos to friends in Brussels that he made from his More days. They introduced him to the newly formed Mausoleum Records. Mausoleum offered him a deal immediately. They weren’t aware that there wasn’t really a complete band, only me and Paul. When he got back, we started auditioning and found Bruce then Jeff and Jeff.

Q. - Why did you use the words of "Scarborough Fair" in the beginning of "If I Tried"?

Martin - That was Paul doing a microphone level test and warming up for a take. It sounded good so we kept it. A total accident really.

Q. - The second album "Summer Lightning" sounded more commercial than the first one, did you try a radio approach?

Martin - Yes, we soon became aware that there wasn’t enough money forthcoming from the record company to buy on to big tours. So, we thought we would have to have a radio-friendly single if we were going to succeed (and survive)

Q. - Was the single "Jerusalem" recorded thinking about a third LP?

Martin - Paul and I used to share a house in London and we always played strange kinds of music on car journeys to rehearsals etc. We both agreed that the song would make a good rock song (unaware that ELP had already tried it).

We also recorded it as a session on Radio 1’s Friday Rock show (it’s on Youtube somewhere).

It would have been a contender for a third LP, of course.

Q. - It surprises you that "Brute Force and Ignorance" and "Summer Lightning", still have so much acceptation these days?

Martin - Yes. Very surprised. Is that true?

Q. - In 1985 Paul Day joined Sweet and the rest of the band ended up joining Gary Barden in Statetrooper, how did that happen?

Martin - It didn’t happen in that order. The momentum had gone from Wildfire’s trajectory and Bruce joint Gary’s band as the drummer. Garry was managed by our manager. At about the same time, Gary had become disillusioned with his own guitarist and bass player. Don’t ask me why. The easiest solution was a “merger”.

That left Wildfire with the sad task of informing Paul. I’ll never forget that shameful day.

Q. - The Statetrooper debut album came up in 1987, and got some great review, how did you feel about that?

Martin - Statetrooper struggled to get a record deal but we had recorded quite a few demos. The album is a collection of those demos. Did it get good reviews? That’s cool.

Q. - You toured with Blue Öyster Cult around 1986, what memories do you keep from that tour?

Martin - I remember raiding BOC’s food everytime they went on stage. We were not very well paid!!   Also, I remember chatting to the guitar player that used to sit backstage, behind the Marshalls and play Eric Bloom’s guitar parts because Eric was so bad.

Q. - With a stable line up and a notable LP, why did you leave Statetrooper? What happened that lead to the break?

Martin - The momentum with Statetrooper began to slow after BOC tour. Not much writing. Not much money coming in.

The days of Statetrooper (as much as I loved the band) were notable to me as being very poor and not affording my rent. I had to get a day job. I told Gary and the management to call me with any news. Shortly after that I got a call to say I was sacked.

Q. - Did you keep in touch with all former members all over the years?

Martin - Yes, I speak to all of them. Especially Jeff Summers and Gary.

Q. - When did you start work as a studio engineer and producer?

Martin - 1989 I believe, although my first job at 16 was in a recording studio. Orange recording studios – yes, the same as the amp company.

Q. - Do you prefer to work as an engineer than playing in a band?

Martin - Well, the song writing part is great and that’s why I engineered, but playing in a band has always been my passion.

Q. - You are also credited as a songwriter appearing on pop releases, how did that happen?

Martin - I signed a deal with Zomba Music in 2002.

Q. - Which pop bands did you work with?

Martin - Back Street Boys, Nick and Aaron Carter.

Q. - One of the latest bands you've been is The Bears, tell us a bit about it please.

Martin - The Bears are a hard working covers band. We have been going since 2005 and have played literally thousands of gigs….. up until March this year because of “you know what”

Q. - Do you still keep an eye to the heavy metal or hard rock scene? Is there any band that you still like to listen?

Martin - I have listening to Mastodon today “Sultan’s Curse” love that… also Pigs Pigs Pigs “Cake of Light” … probably because it sounds like Sabbath 😊

My latest favourite band is Henge (not metal) “In Praise of Water”

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

Martin - Yes. Always Use Your Powers for Good!

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