Altsounds - The Lowdown: Davy Knowles from Backdoor Slam

The most ferocious roots guitarist from the UK since The Yardbirds, 22-year-old Isle of Man born Davy Knowles returns to the UK with his band Back Door Slam and a brand new album “Coming Up For Air” produced by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Peter Frampton and mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, The Who and Paul McCartney). Davy Knowles has spent the last two years on a US blues pilgrimage wowing audiences in every state, even giving guitar legend Jeff Beck a run for his money, having just finished a support tour with him. He has rubbed shoulders with many other guitar greats, opening for the likes of The Who, Kid Rock, Chickenfoot, Joe Bonamassa, Lynyrd Skynrd, Buddy Guy, Eric Burdon and George Thorogood.

Altsounds.com was lucky enough to catch up with Davy Knowles to chat to him about all things music and life.

Altsounds: After a successful first album and tour you decided to split up with Adam Jones and Ross Doyle. Why?
Davy Knowles: Sometimes, no matter the great calibre of the musicians you have been playing with, you just feel like you are stuck and can't move on. The whole point in being a musician for me is to constantly challenge yourself and push your capabilities. It's something I've done since I started, and I believe it was the only way for me to move forward in the direction I wanted.

Altsounds: What was it that you brought together in the first place?
Davy Knowles: The band started when I formed it when I was 16. The original members were myself, Brian Garvey, Jamie Armstrong and Ross Doyle. We all knew each other from school. I'd been playing in a few much older bands and really wanted to start my own project up.

Altsounds: How did you get along with the new backing band?
Davy Knowles: Just wonderful, I have never had this much fun playing music, and I feel myself being pushed constantly.

Altsounds: Why did you decide to continue using the name Back Door Slam?
Davy Knowles: It's been my baby for a long while! It's been through many changes, and many different events. I'm too attached to it.

Altsounds: What makes the blues so attractive to you?
Davy Knowles: All sorts really - mainly just the pure soul it exudes. I also love the improvisational aspect, it's a very free music, it leaves a big gap for personal expression.

Altsounds: Could you name your five favourite albums and explain what makes them so special for you?
Davy Knowles: Wow, tough one! In no particular order;

Fire and Water - Free.
The combination of Paul Roger's voice and Paul Kossoff's great guitar work is timeless. Really embodies the whole rock side of the British blues/rock movement for me.

Communique - Dire Straits.
Although it was Sultans of Swing that was the reason I started playing guitar, this album is my favourite Straits album. Mark Knopfler's guitar tone and playing is just perfect, and every song is a gem.

Tattoo - Rory Gallagher.
Love his unique style. It's a big amalgamation of lots of styles, but what really appeals to me is his Celtic flair. How he mixed that with the power rock blues is just unbelievable.

Walk On - John Hiatt.
Just one of the most underrated and amazing songwriters of all time. His lyrics are always profound or entertaining. Again, every song is just a masterpiece.

Sailin' Shoes - Little Feat.
Just love the sounds and unique-ness of this album. Nothing quite sounds like it. Lowell George was very under-appreciated i think.

Altsounds: Could you describe your Sultans of Swing moment. What went through you when you first heard it?
Davy Knowles: My Dad played me it on cassette tape in the car when I was 11 years old and I just had to listen to it over and over again. That last guitar solo is perfect. I mean there is nothing else he could have done, it fits with the song perfectly. I just wanted to be Mark Knopfler! I Still kind of do!

Altsounds: Your first studio album was very much blues-based, while your second one was more Americana/ roots based. What was the reason for this change if direction?
Davy Knowles: Well if I could have made the second album first I would have done! No, I'm very proud of both of them. I'm just not sure the first album is entirely as bluesy as it's made out to be - Stay, Too Good For Me and Roll Away aren't bluesy at all. I've always had a fondness for the acoustic singer/songwriter Laurel Canyon scene of the 60's, and I kinda hope that shows on both albums. There was no conscious change of direction at all, it's just what popped out.

Altsounds: Do you consider yourself to be a blues musician?
Davy Knowles: I'm just happy to be any sort of musician!! I think yes and no. Most of my hero's are blues based, and I never want to lose sight of those roots - but at the same time I don't want to just limit myself to one form of music. There are so many out there!

Altsounds: What sound are you looking for while recording?
Davy Knowles: Just whatever suits the particular song. Some songs will need the bare minimum, some just need the tiniest bit of production, and some will need to be all-out. I don't want things to turn into the Phil Spector wall of sound though. I love it, but I'm not sure that would suit the music well!

Altsounds: What do you consider to be a mile-stone in your music career so far?
Davy Knowles: Getting over to the states has to be first - it was my dream since I was 11 years old and I'm very lucky to have been given that opportunity. Touring with Gov't Mule and with Warren Haynes was one of the best educations I have ever had too.

Altsounds: What did change after you reached this mile-stone?
Davy Knowles: My musicianship definitely. My understanding of what I wanted in the first place grew. I mean, I knew I wanted to tour but I didn't know what it would be like or what it actually entailed!

Altsounds: Do you live the classic life on the road?
Davy Knowles: Haha! There have been some moments. But generally it’s very laid-back, early nights, cups of tea. Although the schedule is always very hectic - but no complaints, I love it like that.

Altsounds: How do you experience your life?
Davy Knowles: I just never want to take this for granted, there are many that should be in my shoes and don't have the chance - so when things get tough or I get tired I just remember that I am a lucky boy! I just like to keep my head down and work hard.

Altsounds: What is it that you are looking for in life?
Davy Knowles: Just to keep this up! I'm having a great time.

Altsounds: Which songs do you play when you're alone?
Davy Knowles: Depends what kinda mood I'm in but normally something by John Hiatt! If I'm jazzed up on adrenaline from a gig then I like something like Free or Rory Gallagher - or make something up. If I'm relaxed or a little down then I have a few acoustic songs that I have written most of and need to finish that I might work on.

Altsounds: Who would you invite for a super group?
Davy Knowles: Oh my gosh - lots of people! If Warren Haynes wanted to join then I would step back and play rhythm guitar.

Altsounds: You've been touring constantly, both with your old band and solo. How do you usually prepare yourself for shows?
Davy Knowles: Big breaths and a big cup of tea. I get pretty nervous sometimes, so that usually calms me down.

Altsounds: Musicians are notorious for finding 'original' ways to use their energy afterwards. How do you deal with life after the show?
Davy Knowles: By playing more music really. Sometimes the set time we get isn't long enough - so we carry the jamming over to the bus. I have a wonderful girlfriend who helps keep me sane.

Altsounds: Musicians are also notorious for asking original requests. What are your unconventional dressing room requests?
Davy Knowles: Haha - its normally pretty basic stuff. Bottle of wine, deli tray etc. Although once as a joke we put parking spaces for circus dogs on our rider. We got some funny questions about that one!

Altsounds: And what are your unconventional wishes and dreams in life?
Davy Knowles: Good question. Argghhhhh you know I just want to be the best I can be, and keep playing. I can't ask for much more than that. That's not very unconventional though... I'm sorry!

Thanks to Davy Knowles for taking time out to speak with us.

Davy Knowles And Back Door Slam will be releasing Coming Up For Air in the UK on October 26th