Author: Jernej Vene
Interview date: 06.07.1995
On October 2, 1995, the supergroup Toto released their new album, Tambu. It wasn’t just the fact that it brings together some seriously good, professional musicians, but also their popularity in Slovenia (who doesn’t know their hits Rosanna and Africa?) that sent me on a long trip. In early July, Toto played in St. Poelten, Austria, as part of the celebrations marking the ninth anniversary of the town becoming the capital of Lower Austria. The old town center had plenty going on: street theater, clowns, jugglers, acrobats, concerts by bands of all kinds of styles, and as the highlight of the day, a show by Inner Circle and Toto. Young and old had a blast with the first of them, bouncing along to the reggae rhythm, and Toto once again proved they belong at the very top of the world music scene. In a two-hour set that ended with fireworks, they played all the hits and showed that technically demanding music can be played with some serious balls too. And one more thing: the concert was free, because the mayor of St. Poelten dug deep into the city purse and pulled out the necessary pile of schillings. When will we get to see something like that at home?
At the press meeting, the questions were answered by guitarist and vocalist Steve Lukather, keyboardist and vocalist David Paich, and drummer Simon Phillips.
Vene: How did new drummer Simon Phillips fit into Toto after the death of Jeff Porcaro? And what’s it like being the only Brit in an American lineup?
Simon: It’s like dropping a tea bag into poisoned water. Nah, seriously, no joke! I found my feet quickly, because I’ve always played a lot with American musicians (Simon Phillips is one of the best English studio drummers, author’s note.). The guys are excellent musicians and I’d known them from before, so it wasn’t hard at all. It gets interesting when you work in a band where the members grew up in different corners of the world. Europe and America are very different in how they see the world, and so in how they see music too. Still, I recently moved to California, which made a dream from my youth come true.
Steve: In Toto the relationships between band members are great. I know bands where people don’t get along, so they’re together only for the money. They’re not having any fun. We fall out sometimes, but only for five minutes, and then we’re telling each other to go to hell again (you know where), only as a joke, of course.
Simon: Toto on tour is a one-of-a-kind family. In all the lineups I played in before (Mike Oldfield, The Who, etc., author’s note.), things weren’t organized anywhere near as well as they are with Toto. When you’re on tour for two or three months, you really get to know people and their quirks. In Toto we’re all like one pleasant, healthy family.
Steve: We get along with our crew and the sound team too, because we don’t treat them like slaves or idiots. That way everything runs smoothly.
Vene: Simon, so you joined Toto to the satisfaction of both sides?
Simon: Yeah….
David: Unfortunately for him, Simon had to compromise himself sexually in front of the old band members.
Simon: Ha, ha, ha, I really couldn’t bring all my dresses with me.
David: OK, a little joking around never hurts, but what I said is true, ha, ha. I first saw Simon when he was playing with The Who in Los Angeles. He was unbelievable and magical. I told the guys then that Simon was the only one who could replace Jeff Porcaro, if we were going to carry on as Toto. Back then that was a really big IF!
Steve: I met Simon in 1986, when we played a festival in Japan with Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and Doug Wimbish (ex-bassist of ex-Living Colour). We became buddies right away, and playing with him is pure joy. He stuck in my memory, and after Jeff’s tragic death a single phone call was all it took. We called Simon! Of course he regrets every moment since he joined us, don’t you, Simon? (laughs)
Simon: Not at all, I feel fantastic!
Vene: What’s the musical direction of the new album Tambu? Is it true it’ll be more like your fourth album (Toto IV)?
Steve: Yeah, that’s a fair comparison, because Toto IV is a really important album for us. The music on tambu will be more organic, by which I mean the songs will be more melodic. We’re not trying to compete with each other, like, look how fast I can play. Maybe the songs will be a bit more singable, though we don’t write hits by force. We want to present songs that are more accessible to a wider circle of listeners. There’ll probably be at least a few tracks in the style of our biggest hits, Rosanna and Africa.
David: The album will be more of a studio record than the last one, Kingdom Of Desire. When we recorded that one, we had just come off tour. On occasions like that we can easily carry the aggression from the live shows into the studio. On the new album, though, we’ll show a gentler side of how we express ourselves, with more acoustic instruments, and I think we’ve improved on the lyrics too. We wrote the songs with Stan Lynch (a member of Tom Petty’s band), Glenn Ballard and Siedah Garrett, who wrote Man In The Mirror for Michael Jackson.
Steve: Still, there’ll be some hard rock on the album too, if not even metal. We’ve got a nasty instrumental, and Simon made an effort and brought a bit of humor into that track. You could say it hides some California humor with an English accent.
Vene: What do you do when you’re not on tour?
Steve: Simon just recorded a solo album, and he’ll mix it over the phone, since he’s got a good ear (laughs). David is recording film music, and I’ve got a contract for solo albums, so there’s very little free time. I also helped Nick Menzi, the drummer of Megadeth, with his solo album. When I’m home, I’m happiest with my family, that’s where I relax the most. The guys in the band rest then too.
David: Before we started recording the new album, I went skiing for a week. The result is the track Dave’s Gone Skiing, though the guys renamed it later. Still, it’s only right that listeners get a product they’ll be happy with.
Vene: Thanks, and the best of luck!
Steve: You too! Bye!
