Gaskin: “I have got my mojo back”

The emergence of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, or NwoBHM, brought forth e.g. Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, Diamond Head, Praying Mantis – and GASKIN, back then a regular guest in Kerrang’s Heavy Metal Charts. This hard rock / heavy metal band from North Lincolnshire was formed in 1980 by Paul Gaskin (Guitar / Lead Vocals) and Dave Norman (Drums) – and both are still carrying the torch to this day! Gaskin disbanded in 1983, re-formed in 1999, changing line up several times, until 2006 Dave returned, completing the new stable line up featuring Andrew Solomon (Guitar) and Mick Cross (Bass). Band mastermind Paul shares a few anecdotes and tells us everything about his retirement plan.

Paul, how did you meet the other members of Gaskin to form this band?
I was rehearsing with a prog band as a 2nd guitarist, and the bass player was a guy they called Baggy. The music didn’t really suit me, so I left. Several weeks later, I got a phonecall from a Martin Fish. Baggy had given him my number as he said he was looking for a guitarist. I arranged to drive over to Scunthorpe to meet him in a pub called The Priory, that place became important over the years. We were chatting away when this chap came in wearing a duffel coat, and had long hair. Martin said “He’s a drummer.” to which I replied, “Yes, ours.” That was David John Norman. 

Anyway, introductions were made, and arrangements were made to have a jam together. They used to rehearse in a breeze block building, similar to a chicken shed, at the bottom of a long garden. We warmed up, then went through side 1 of 2112 by Rush. He knew all the drum parts, and I knew all the guitar parts, and most of the words, so we impressed each other and a band was formed, Sceptre. The first song we learned was Burning Alive, as I had written that a couple of years earlier, then Sweet Dream Maker, Despiser, and End Of The World.

After a while, it became clear that Martin (who put it together remember), couldn’t keep up, and Dave moved to London. I soon followed, but we couldn’t find a decent bass player anywhere. That December we moved back up North in frustration, but in the January, Dave met an old friend who played bass, and had also just returned to town. That was Stef Prokopczuk, and he fitted in perfectly. In the intrim, Dave suggested we change the name to Gaskin so we could do whatever style we wanted. I was reluctant at first, as I’m not a virtuoso like Santana, Montrose, Van Halen etc. as those were the examples Dave was giving me, but obviously I relented, and we started gigging in 1980.

You wrote an opera in the late 70s. Could you tell us more about this?
I co-wrote a rock opera named Hellfire. It was for a school production, nothing big. The english teacher, Jeff Loy, had written the words, and most of the first half had been written by the music teacher. Hard to recall how I got involved, but I spent an awful lot of time at Jeffs place writing and recording it. I used to go over to the school, (Thryborough in Rotherham) and rehearse it with the kids. It ran to full houses in the theatre in Rotherham for 3 nights, then it was over. I had given up 6 months to it, but it was great fun, and a fun experience. It was based on the Faust story. The funniest song was “There’s been a mistake”, as the Pope (Pope Secola) turned up in Hell.

What were the early days like for the band?
The early days were very busy. We were forever gigging, and in the May we went into Fairview Studios to record a 4 track demo, and literally 2 days later were offered a record deal. However, even before we had signed, they had pressed our 1st single, but after doing several shows with Metal DJ Neal Kay, he’d persuaded us not to sign with Rondolet, as he could get us a “better” deal. I think Arista Records was one of the labels mentioned. It turned out to be hot air though, so having wasted a year with no release, we went back to Rondolet the following year, and after signing, we went back to Rondolet to record our debut album. We supported quite a lot of the current bands, like Praying Mantis, Vardis, Girlschool, EF band, and we toured quite a lot with our stable mates, Witchfynde. They were great times. All these kids with long hair wearing denim & leather, with patches all over them. They were really into it back then.

Gaskin appeared on the compilation The New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Did this appearance help the band?
I don’t think so. We’d already made a name for ourselves by then. When I heard Lars wanted to put I’m No Fool on it, I wanted to make sure he used the right version, as the album version was inferior to the demo in my opinion, it lacked the dynamic. So I went down to Phonogram, and I needn’t have worried, Lars thought the same, and had managed to get the demo tape.

Who did Gaskin open for in the early days?
I’ve already mentioned a few, but after Bren Spencer joined us as vocalist, we got the chance to do our first major full tour with Wishbone Ash on their “Twin Barrels Burning” tour. That was an experience. We were bought a single decker bus which we converted into a tour bus. We had beds in it, and a dining area. The damn thing kept breaking down though. It wasn’t as glamorous as we thought it would be. We started off ok with the money we had, but we had to pay the sound and light guys every night, and that came out of our record & t-shirt sales at the gigs. By the end of the tour we were starving, and after Ash had left their dressing room, we would go in and finish off any food they’d left behind. Halfway through the tour David got pluracy, and had to get treatment for it on our days off. It was a bit hairy altogether, but some of the girl hangers on made up for it, lol !!

What was the British metal scene like in the early 80s?
The metal scene was brilliant back then. There were venues the length and breadth of Britain, and all the music papers had Heavy Metal charts in them. I remember the first time we featured in one. We were living together in a flat in Nottingham, and Stef came in all excited, because Sweet Dream Maker was in the charts. I think it was from Neal Kays Bandwagon. We went on to feature in lots of them, but that first time was special. A lot of the great venues have disappeared now, like Retford Porterhouse, Newcastle Mayfair. They were awesome. I saw AC/DC at the Porterhouse when they started out over here. Def Leppard were playing cover versions apart from their 4 track ep. And everywhere you went it was packed, hot & sweaty. When I played in Tokyo in June, it reminded me of those days, as they still wore their “battle jackets”, and were punching the air and singing the songs. It felt like the early ’80s all over again.

What is the band doing now?
Well, we finished in 2017 after doing the HRH show at Sheffield O2. Then I changed track, and started writing songs for a blues/rock outfit, Crossover. Sadly, we must be the unluckiest band ever. One by one we were hit with one health issue after another, and also 2yrs of Covid, so we never played to a live audience. We did record an album, but who knows if that will ever get released. So I wasn’t sure what to do. However, when I found out just how popular we still were in Japan, I decided to start it up again. Right now I’m writing songs for a new Gaskin album, then with Dave & Mick Cross, we intend to put a set together and look for live work again. I’m now retired from my day job, so all my efforts can be towards my music again.

The future plans for Gaskin?
First things first. I need to write and record a new album, then put the live set together. I have got my mojo back, and as long as my fingers will let me, (I’m suffering from arthritis) I will carry on.

Bandwebsite

Text: John Wisnewski
Photos: Band