Dawn Trader, another NWOBHM original, is back in action and gearing up to play Hard Rock Hell. With thanks to their manager, Ashley, for making the arrangements, here’s a brief interview with the band’s vox man, Mick Preston. Thanks also to Mick for his time.
NWOBHM: Dawn Trader was there when NWOBHM first took off. What was life like back then for a rock band trying to crack things with so much competition.
MP: It was difficult and frustrating as it seemed that the only place to be was London as the labels were reluctant to move out of town to see bands. However we used to get support gigs where the labels were able to see us with their bands. That often had its own pitfalls as we would be asked to “pay” to support in some cities and venues. no such thing as the net in 79 so it was sending tapes and knocking on doors..
NWOBHM: I was a NWOBHM original myself though I (shamefully…..) must admit I cannot recall Dawn Trader. I guess you concentrated on the local (Nottingham) area. Was it tough to get gigs or was travelling/touring difficult without a record deal. A catch-22 perhaps?
MP: Like most bands we had a local residency and hometown gigs but we did play all over the UK. Without a label behind you it was difficult to get radio play or magazine coverage so we went around quietly doing our stuff.
NWOBHM: Tell me about playing with the likes of Leppard, Krokus, Magnum etc. How frustrating for the band was it that they went to be huge stars.
MP: Not frustrating really as they were all good bands with great material. Our live performances were our forte which was why we gained such respect from other bands and audiences who would give us a listen without having heard our material before. When you play a gig in your hometown and you get Bernie Marsden, Graham Oliver, Pete Haycock and Colin Cooper jump on stage at the same time to jam Johnny B Goode it says a little something about you as musicians. With hindsight we could have approached song writing differently and looked more at album than live songs.
NWOBHM: Could it be said that thirty years ago you had the chops and good management though the breaks just wouldn’t come. Was playing at that time and being part of the original NWOBHM still a good experience.
MP: It is easy to be critical of management, if you have not had success and rewards however they spent time and a lot of effort on our behalf. Some of the decisions that were made were not always the best. Many people think we were never signed or that we never had the interest that was wholly untrue. Our management just never signed the deals that came along in an effort to do better. Sadly that was maybe a mistake. Not every band would turn down a deal with MCA who were part of EMI. On one occasion our negotiations with a major label were dropped on the advice of a named band signed to them. C’est la vie, not the first not the last. However, NWOBH< was full of good bands and great shows and very exciting to be part of. The best time of my life.
NWOBHM: Fast forward three decades. Dawn Trader are back. How did that happen – accident or design.
MP: Somebody set up a Facebook page saying it was DTs 30th anniversary. We all met up again and under the guidance and guile of a couple of people we played a gig and things just started to happen!
NWOBHM: How has the album, Castle, been received. Do you have plans for a follow-up.
MP: we were really pleased with castle and the effort people put into it. We have sold around the world and the reviews have been good. we recorded it very quickly as it was not meant to be a commercial venture but more one of a thank you and nostalgia on our part. Maybe the lessons of the past had not been learned? Sadly we have not been able to move forward and promote the album as some members of the band declared themselves unavailable for a lot of work that came our way. I’ll leave it at that. A new album has been talked about but not in great detail. Mostly because we have we have not promoted and played castle enough yet and we need thecommitment from people to make the band work.
NWOBHM: NWOBHM seems to be enjoying a resurgence of popularity as shown by so many old NWOBHM bands (including Dawn Trader) appearing at Hard Rock Hell. How does it feel to be a part of it all again.
MP: HRH is a major gig and unique in many ways, there was no way we were going to miss it and play with our peers from the NWOBHM era. There is a new energy in classic rock and a new generation of people listening. it is all very exciting again.
NWOBHM: After HRH – what plans does Dawn Trader have for their “come back.”
MP: Firstly we will put ourselves in a position to play more regularly. We have missed so much this year with festivals and tours going begging, we have a new drive and vigour about things it’s just a pleasure to be back rockin it out again.
NWOBHM: Thanks for taking the time to be interviewed. I wish Dawn Trader nothing but success and good times. May you “rip it up” at Hard Rock hell and the warm-up gig with Soldier.
Discover more about Dawn Trader: http://www.dawntrader.net
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