DATE:  04/04/07

NAME: Slim (Slim’s Cyder Co.)

INSTRUMENT(s): Accordion/Piano/Vocals

CURRENT RELEASE: ‘Journey into Cyder Space’

WEBSITE: www.cyder.demon.co.uk

1. Biggest Influence(s)?
Ian Dury and the rest of the pubrockers
Joe Ely and the rest of the Texas gang
Playing wise, I suppose it has to be Clifton Chenier.  

2. Favourite records/tracks old or new?
Not the Heart (Dub version) - Champion Doug Veitch - one of the maddest sounding records ever.
Maggie Thatcher - The Louisiana Playboys - A cajun band from Louisiana toured here in 1983, and went home and wrote a song about Maggie Thatcher - I still can't work out whether they were for, or against her.
Blockheads - Ian Dury - The one that gave me my "foot in the door"
She never spoke Spanish to me - Joe Ely (written by Butch Hancock)
London Calling - The Clash - I went out on the tour to promote this one - an amazing experience, and where I met Joe Ely
You can't sit down - Clifton Chenier
La Piojosa - Sonora Cieneguera - Mad Cumbia track
Canto el Pueblo - Steve Jordan - greatest accordion player ever!
I could go on, but 8 is the limit.  

3. What would you be if not a musician?
I'm only a part time musician, I was a Buidling Maintenance Manager for years.

4. Career high point so far?
Playing Hammond Organ with Ian Dury & the Blockheads at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1978 - I started at the top and have gradually been working my way down.   

5. Perfect night off?   
At home watching telly with the wife and kids.

6. Most recent CD in your CD player?  
Iag Bari - Fanfare Ciocarlia - Wild Romanian Gypsy Brass Band.

7. Favourite book/film?
Favourite film - Oh Mr. Porter starring Will Hay

8. Whiskey - Jack or Jim?
Neither - it has to be Cider, Perry or a decent beer.