Fans of the British Pub Rock scene that emerged in the 1970s are probably familiar with the band Brinsley Schwarz. Active from 1969 to 1975, the band included Billy Rankin on drums, Bob Andrews on keys, Nick Lowe on bass, and Brinsley Schwarz on guitar. Although the band has long since broken up, the man continues to write and record. The release of his latest album, Shouting at the Moon, gave me an opportunity to ask the music legend a few questions.
 
The first line of your recent press release reads, “The man, not the band!” Do you run into a lot of confusion over that distinction?

I think by now, people either know this or if not can find the info involved from the numerous articles that have discussed any confusion that there might still be out there.  A quiet reminder that I have released solo albums that people might enjoy.

You wrote “The Chance,” “Nothing Is What It Seems,” and “What In The World” between the late 1990s and early 2005, which is long before their appearance on your new album. Did that long gestation period have an effect on the songs?
 
I don’t think so. The songs were written at different times, but most of the backing tracks were recorded together. I guess there were obviously various parts like final vocals or solos that may have been added later, but I would hope that having time between sessions might result in better performances!

Shouting at the Moon includes a cover of Graham Parker’s song “Watch the Moon Come Down.” Other than the moon imagery, what attracted you to that song in particular?

I included my cover of GP’s  ‘Love Gets You Twisted’ on my last album Tangled. These two are my favourite GP tracks and I had fun recording them.
 
Producer, engineer, and keyboard player James Hallawell has played a major role in your recordings over the last decade. What does he bring to the table? 

Just what you’ve said, right from the start, he knew what guitar sounds I was trying to get, how to get the best out of my voice, as well as operating all the computer gizmos and playing great organ and piano.  And apart from that and all the hard work we did together, it was almost always fun and wonderment.
 
Possibly the best-known song by Brinsley Schwarz (the band) is “(What’s So Funny About) Peace Love and Understanding,” penned by Nick Lowe and made famous by Elvis Costello’s cover version. Do you have a preference—the original or the cover?  

Oh easy … the original.

Do you ever listen to the band’s old albums?

No, not that often, but I do listen to the bands and artists from the late 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, and others like Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, The Band and Little Feat who were great influences from those times.
 
And one last question if you don’t mind me asking: Roughly how many times in your life do you think you’ve had to tell someone there’s no “T” in your last name?

Actually,  not that often.