Billy Fleming

     

Billy Fleming – Metallic Blue (2000-2002) and Samson (2001-2002).

 

 

 

What are your current music projects? What’s your band now?

 

Current bands: Coyote Wrecks with Paddy Stratton, on and off with Denny Newman and The Regulators (with Max Middleton).

Sound engineer for Music Outpost and Pyramid Audio.

 

Could you please introduce yourself and your background?

 

Billy Fleming a.k.a. “Goom”, born on 28/04/1964 in Glasgow. Started roadying at 13 for The Clockwork Orange Road Show: it was the biggest disco you could hire in Scotland at the time. Stage hand at Glasgow Apollo in 1979/81.

Drum roadie for: A II Z drummer Simon Wright (pre-AC/DC); Denise Dufort, Girlschool; Hawkwind on and off from 1981/2015; Motörhead, both Phil Taylor & Pete Gill, 1983/1990. Then: Exciter; Warlock; Ginger Baker and Rod Morgenstein.

 

 

 

 

How did you first meet Paul Samson and when?

 

I first met Paul Samson in 1981 at Denise Dufort’s parents guest house on Clapham Common at a party.

 

Were you a fan of Samson?

 

I was stage hand in Edinburgh when Rainbow were playing and Samson supported, I think 1980 and really liked them.

 

You formed (Paul Samson’s) Metallic Blue Mark II in 2000 along with Paul and Nick Mallett (bass). What type of band was Metallic Blue and how did you and Nick get along with the project?

 

Metallic Blue were a blues rock band playing mostly covers.

Nick Mallet is a great bass player and friend, we played together briefly with the late Barry Homan. Nick now lives and plays in Texas USA.

 

 

Where and how much did Metallic Blue play in 2000-2002? Which degree of success did the band reach?

 

Metallic Blue played mostly around East Anglia, how many gigs? As many as we could, we played quite a few festivals but mostly pubs and clubs, we did fairly well with a good following considering Paul never wanted his name used.

 

Note: the moniker of the band was originally supposed to be Paul Samson’s Metallic Blue only for their early gigs in 1997, then Paul quickly dropped his name from the formula – despite promoters still abudantly used it in the following years. (TC)

 

Any interesting story/adventure to tell?

A memorable gig in Downham Market near King’s Lynn, I remember two large gentlemen started fighting each other with pool cues and we were asked to stop playing so everyone could watch the fight, Paul agreed, lit up a cigarette, 20 minutes later the fight finished out in the street (don’t remember who won), everyone came back in and the bar staff said: “ok you can carry on”.

 

Which day did the last Metallic Blue gig happen?

 

I can’t remember the date, it was at the Fighting Cocks pub in Winfarthing, Norfolk. That was Paul Samson’s last live show.

 

You’ve been the last Samson drummer in history. Indeed, you played drums on P.S….

Such a terrific album, despite the audio issues caused by the incomplete process of recording and Paul’s tragic death. It feels like a powerful, thundering and devastating “LIVE” album; just essential and raw “metal” from start to finish. How did you approach the drum work for it?

 

Paul asked me to play on his last album, I had about one week to learn the tracks then about 3 to 5 takes in the studio.

It is what it is with great songs and effort from all involved and I’m proud of it considering the limited time we had with him.

Paul wanted to take the band on one more Samson European and Japanese tour before he went.

  

In my opinion, the difficult process of recording and completing the album (note: John McCoy finished the work after Paul’s death in 2002) made this record very close to the abrasive spirit and the punk-ish fury of Survivors, the first Samson album. Do you feel your drum work is kind of “wild” on the record? What drummers served as inspiration for you on the P.S…. album? I must say that your playing is truly amazing and stunning! I think it was perfect for that type of flavour Paul and Nick were aiming at.

 

I did draw influence from the late Clive Burr who’s previous recording of When tomorrow comes was played to me before recording.

 

What’s your best memory of Paul?

Paul was one my best mates, he was a fun loving bloke with a big heart but took no shit from anyone and always stayed cool.

 

Have you a final message for all Samson fans out there?

To all Samson fans out there Paul was a giant on and off the stage and I’m very proud to have shared part of my life with him.

 

 

 

Interview by Tiziano Caliendo.