Interview with Simon Daniels, Vocalist and Guitarist of Autograph

May 22, 2020

Interview with Simon Daniels, Vocalist and Guitarist of Autograph

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Simon Daniels: Thanks for having me.

CV: Do you feel there will ever be a time like the 1980s music scene again?
SD: I think that no era can be repeated due to the specific different circumstances of the times that had a direct connection and reflection through the music.

The 80s were special times of excess and prosperity that were reflected on people's life styles. The music was fun and uplifting. The party was always on and bands were always striving to be the next big heroes.

CV: What made that time so memorable in your opinion and why are music fans still drawn to it 30 plus years later?
SD: Besides the fact that for that generation of fans this music was the soundtrack for their lives it seemed to be a much less complicated world. Rock clubs and arenas were the place to be.

The bands had anthem songs, outrageous images, dancing beats and lots of virtuoso musicians, especially guitar players. Songs had strong melodies and simple relatable lyrics for all.

CV: Does today's Rock music have the same flavor as it did back in the late 70s and 80s in your opinion? Many critics feel that modern music is suffering from a dilemma of too much digital and not enough talent. Would you agree?
SD: Yes I agree that the use of too much technology made it easy to deliver music with less talent. The fact that any one now can just decide out of the blue to buy a home recording studio, use recorded samples, create pages on social media and promote themselves for free overwhelms the system and makes it harder to find real talent. Before musicians played instruments and wrote music for years and really worked on their craft.

You'd have to write great songs, form a band, play live, afford to record a demo, get a manger, get a record deal and make a great album…a lot of filtering before a real release.

CV: Besides being decades later, what makes today's Autograph different than the band from back in the day? And what things do you find to be the same?
SD: The melodies, vocal harmonies and guitar riffs are there, but the sound is a lot harder with more punch. Since Steven Isham (the keyboard player) passed away we decided not to replace him and have more of a guitar sound making the music harder and less progressive…more Rock.

CV: Has Autograph ever really considered themselves a Heavy Metal or even Hair Metal band per se or is it all just Rock ‘n Roll? Was such a description more of a general media lumping of the time given the genre's massive popularity and overall appeal during the 80s?
SD: Autograph was always more of a Rock n Roll party band, but there were elements of Metal as well. There were anthems and the lyrics were sarcastically uplifting.

CV: Autograph has a deep rooted and dedicated fan base. Do you see that level of commitment as a testament to the band's songwriting power to connect with its audience on a personal and emotional level?
SD: Yes, people have always connected with the music, lyrics and the hooks easily.

CV: Music is timeless and has no age barrier if people remain forever young at heart. Has the band’s audience changed? Are you seeing more generational groups of fans attending shows than ever before...original fans bringing their children and their children's children?
SD: Yes, the audience has definitely increased. It's now appealing to more generations of fans. Of course children are influenced by their parents, but the new line up sounds heavier and more modern therefore appealing to a younger crowd of today as well.

CV: The band’s new single, “Souls on Fire,” has released and proceeds from sales are going to benefit Trinity Health of New England. Can you tell us about the song, its message and inspiration, as well as the connection the band has to the cause?
SD: The song has an uplifting, empowering vibe and message musically and lyrically of motivation not only for surviving, but also striving under any circumstances due to the idea of boosting personal power. As we all know the soldiers of this battle are doctors, nurses and people on the front lines so it would only make sense to recognize, help and thank them for all they have done and are doing for the rest of us.

CV: Where do you see the music industry as a whole heading following the COVID pandemic? Some feel things will be changing for the worst, making it even harder for artists to make a living. What are your thoughts?
SD: Under the present scope in this moment it seems it might be harder to gather lots of people to create that kind of euphoric energy, but I believe people were not designed to be separated and alone, so soon or later the live experience will prevail.

CV: Has the recent world crisis hindered the bands efforts to move forward with considering a new full-length album?
SD: No. Releasing a single at the time seems to be more effective these days. The attention span of today is very short and more justice will be done to each song if you focus on one at the time. Then later when you have a group of singles, good songs that have been preciously promoted you can create a concept and put them on an album.

CV: Do you feel the band’s sound has changed since the addition of new lead guitarist Jimi Bell? And if so, is there an effort to attract a newer, younger audience as the sound does change? Or can fans count on the tried and true Autograph style and sound that propelled the band to heights in the 80s as well as the band’s major comeback in 2017 with the album, “Get Off Your Ass?”
SD: The music has the exact same spirit that will still always appeal to the old awesome Rock n Roll fans, but the sound and new lyrics are bringing in a younger and new generation as well.

CV: Do you feel bands can reinvent themselves without losing touch of who they really are and without losing the essence of what core fans were originally drawn to?
SD: We are a good example of that. Our "Get Off Your Ass" release was embraced by both old fans as well as a whole new generation. It was #21 on the Billboard Hard Rock sales chart and 2 singles were on the top 10 of the Hard Rock Mediabase Radio chart.

Touring in the 4 corners of the USA, Canada, UK and Mexico in big festivals, arenas and theaters.

CV: What's next for Autograph? What can fan expect to come post COVID?
SD: With renewed appreciation we can't wait to get out there when it's safe and turn it up to 10!

CV: Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with
our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success
SD: Thank you much for your interest and support. \\m//

Check out Autograph at:
Official: http://www.autographband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autographband/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.