06.26.06
Interview with: MIKE PETERS OF THE ALARM
By Stacy Sardelli
Editor in Chief

Alternative / Acoustic / Rock

The Alarm formed in 1981 in Rhyl, North Wales. Mike Peters has been the original vocalist all this time. They have sold more than 5 million albums worldwide, have had 16 ‘Top 50’ UK hits, and 7 successful albums. Their first US chart success was with their song, ‘The Stand’. Their ‘strength’ album was a ‘Top 40’ hit on the US album chart. ‘Rain In The Summertime’ played on radio stations all over the U.S.

Mike Peters started a solo career in the '90s, doing highly successful electric & acoustic performances all over the USA & Europe. Mike’s second solo album, ‘Feel Free’ (from 1996) dealt with his diagnosis of Lymphoma and his recovery from the cancer.

The Alarm have opened for U2 and Bob Dylan on tours. They made music history by being the first band to play globally via satellite (The Spirit of ‘86 concert played to 26,000 fans at UCLA & MTV broadcasted it live around the world). They made an historical comeback in 2004 with ‘45 RPM’ by The Poppy Fields.

Their new release, ‘Under Attack’ is the alarm’s first NEW U.S. album in 15 years. Every track on this album is amazing! I expected a great album... but it far exceded my expections (that were already high!). The song, ‘Superchannel’ reached ‘Top 25 Single’ status in the UK. ‘Without A Fight’, ‘My Town’, ‘Be Still’, ‘Raindown’, ‘It’s Alright-It’s OK’, ‘Cease & Desist’, & ‘This Is Life (Get Used To It)’ all deserve hit status as well.

The Alarm (& The Poppy Fields) are:

Mike Peters (vocalist & guitarist)
James Stevenson (ex-Gene Loves Jezebel guitarist)
Craig Adams (ex-Mission UK & The Cult bassist)
Steve Grantley (Stiff Little Fingers drummer)

Interview

Babble & Beat - You must be very proud of ‘Under Attack’ and of the positive reactions people are having to it!?

Mike - Well, that’s a bonus. When we put the final touches on the record I thought it was a really strong album – one of the best that’s been made in the name of The Alarm. But it’s nice to have that said by the audience as well.

Babble & Beat - Your legions of fans often find your music empowering. This is certainly the case with ‘Under Attack’. You were diagnosed with leukemia in 2004 and many of the tracks on ‘Under Attack’ are therapeutic and inspirational as a result.

Whose music, if any, did you find comfort and strength in during your recent battle with leukemia?

Mike - Ah, of my own, really. I didn’t really listen to much other music during the time. Having the opportunity to go out and rehearse with the band, play your own shows … that was the big driving force for me. When I was out of hospital, it was quickly round up the guys and get ready for an Alarm show. So, that’s when I really came into contact with music during the time, that’s what helped. That saved me and I was pretty glad for it. I’m not going down ‘Without a Fight’, you know?

Babble & Beat - I understand that you’ve completed your chemo. treatments and have been given a clean bill of health! I'm very happy for you!

Mike - Yeah, yeah, at the moment. I’m in remission. So, until the next fight. I have a feeling that may be a long, long way away.

Babble & Beat - Well, congratulations. That’s great news!

Mike - Thanks very much.

Babble & Beat - UPDATE: Since our interview, Mike has stated, "I am now in a position to share with you the news that I am in complete remission." Click here to read the letter he shared with his fans regarding this wonderful news.

So, does this mean that the U.S. can expect an extensive tour in the near future?

Mike - Um. I really can’t say. I want to avoid doing too much. Doctors are saying don’t dive in and revert. There’s a lot of pressure that I’m taking on too much, to not compromise my remission. I don’t want it to come back, I want to make sure it’s at least 10 years, it’s not forever ... so, I have to be careful about how much I do. I’d get through it with visits here and there. So, yes, there will be visits to the U.S.

Babble & Beat - The Alarm has certainly experienced some moments of marketing genius. Such is the case with the fairly recent and successful release of ‘45 rpm’. The video for ‘45 rpm’ featured 20 year old stand-in musicians & was released under the band name, The Poppy Fields. The song became a ‘Top 30’ hit in the UK. A large portion of the media thought they (you!) were a new band.

You guys proved your point with that move - that youth sells better, for one. Please explain your decision to take this approach.

Mike - Well, you know the false-Alarm lineup of the band … the Alarm is a band that shone primarily during the '80s & before ’45 RPM’ I think a lot of people thought the Alarm were dead. By the time ’45 RPM’ the single came out, those are the things that went far more against us than for us. We felt we had already proved ourselves as a band.

You don’t win a war without a fight so we used underground tactics, if you like, so we decided to create certain events to get headlines started coming our way... let’s be a brand new band with a brand new song.

Babble & Beat - You are currently working on a soundtrack for a major motion picture that is in the works about The Poppy Fields’ ’45 RPM’ story. The film’s producer is John H. Williams (of Shrek fame) and the director is Sara Sugerman.

Will you be appearing in the film at all, even if just a cameo appearance?

Mike - I’m sure they’ll find someway, yes, for me to make an appearance in it. I'm certainly hopeful.

Babble & Beat - You have collaborated with many great musicians. You’ve worked with Bob Dylan, Billy Duffy (The Cult), Bono (U2), Captain Sensible (The Damned), Neil Young, and Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats), just to name a few.

Any particular artist(s) you’d love to work with in the future – that you haven’t already?

Mike - Someone of a younger generation, fresh. I'm a fan of the Manic Street Preachers. So, I'll say James Dean Bradfield.

Babble & Beat - You performed at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in May 2006 in NYC (in honor of Joey who died of cancer in 2001). Other musicians that performed that night were Mindless Self Indulgence, The Strokes, Marshall Crenshaw, The Philistines, and a few others.

I bet that was a lot of fun. What was your experience and were you feeling strong during your perfomance and trip?

Mike - Yeah. It was a lot of fun. It was a great experience, honoring Joey Ramone. He died so unexpectedly, no one really knew he was that sick, that he had cancer. When a rock star dies people tend to think oh, it's a drug overdose. He kept the cancer diagnosis pretty much to himself and died with dignity after a huge battle.

And I was feeling pretty strong during the performance. I had gotten past the bad days at that point and I knew I was going to be ok.

Babble & Beat - So, where do you think you'll get your inspiration for your next album? There will be a next album, right?

Mike - Basically, just from life, really. All my songs have been about life, experiences & observations.

Juicy Tidbits Section

This is where we ask personal questions for the fans. Yeah, they're often stupid questions. We like reading the answers though!

Babble & Beat - You seem like a fairly busy guy, one who has a lot of side projects and is hands-on regarding all aspects of the band. You're also in the band Dead Men Walking, you offer personalized & recorded dedication dvds with the purchase of the 'Alarm 2000' and 'Gathering DVD Collection' box sets, you've even been known to package your own cds in the past, you're now doing "Alarmcasts" from your official website, doing shows regularly, ...

Do you have time for hobbies? What do you do with your "free" time?

Mike - I spend time with my son. My wife, Jules, and I do a lot of walking, often up into the mountains. Training. Manchester United.

Babble & Beat -What's your favorite junk food?

Mike - Indian curries. Not really a junk food though.

Babble & Beat - No chips, or candy, hah?

Mike - No, none of that.

Babble & Beat - Well, that's good. You're extra healthy then!

Mike - Yes, right.

Babble & Beat - I read somewhere that you once owned a punk clothing store? When and where was it?

Mike - It was in Rhyl, North Wales, in an alley off of Queen Street... early 1980s. I had it for about 1 year. I'd open on Saturdays and Sundays, mainly. It was really just a place for my friends and I to hang out.

Babble & Beat - Did you make any contacts there with other known musicians. Did say, I'll throw a name out here, Joe Strummer ever come in and buy clothes from you?

Mike - No. My friends would buy their clothes for the weekend from there. That's about it.

Babble & Beat - Thank you so very much for your time and for this opportunity. I really appreciate it.

Mike - You're very welcome, Stacy. We'll see you in the states sometime in the near future.

In Closing

Whether you are new to The Alarm or a fan from the old days, you must listen to 'Under Attack'. Music clips are available at both of the official websites listed below. Also, make sure to check out the "Alarmcasts" (via main website) that feature commentary, new videos, performances, & more. Lastly, if you ever have the chance to see The Alarm live, GO!

P.S. In addition to 'Under Attack', a "best of" release came out this year, 'Best Of The Alarm'.

Links:
Official site
Official MySpace