Side One:	Side Two:
That's Tuff	Hole
Hangin' Out	Hole 2
Fooled Again	Crazy Again
American Kid (What A Shame)	Hand To Hold

Pete tells the story of Amphetamine:

One calm and quiet day, there I was, sitting on the deck in my backyard, and the phone rings. On the line was Jon Schenk, the founder of a charity called the Rainbow Foundation, which raises money for terminally-ill children. I think it takes someone very special to look a child with little left to live in the eye, and make them smile. John is also a big music fan, and he invites bands and solo musicians to give a small portion of time towards this worthy cause. Initially, I was asked to perform along with UFO. Well, if we as a band had all been together nearby at that time, we surely would have. However, we were, as we usually are, scattered all over the globe! Bravely, as I'd had more than one drink (purely by chance), I offered to make my debut as a solo act. I had already done small events on occasion for animal rights groups, as I am a vegetarian, and I had a couple of friends that I considered to be very talented musicians in their own right. To cut a long story short, and with the added assistance of one Scott Reich, we went to Chicago and had a great time, along with everyone else who came. We then said, any time, any place, and we'd do it all over again!

We were on a roll, so to speak. Here I am, with two impressive musicians, a rehearsal hall and recording studio at our disposal (it may not have been Abbey Road, but it was conveniently located in my house!), and time was available.

During the last few years, periodically I had been asked if I would be interested in making a record in line with the style of Waysted. (For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Waysted, it was a project of mine that had its high points, but it was no UFO.) Suddenly, the time was right for a new solo project. It's not really something you can plan, as you can't plan inspiration.

Still hot-to-trot off the back of the very well received Chicago show, we set about the task. Some people have heard Amphetamine and are surprised--shocked might be a better word--at the pure style of it. Believe me, that was exactly what I wanted and was aiming for. I had no intention of making a watered-down copy of UFO. To anyone who has bought it, if any one of you feels like I've used the loyal fans to finance the art of noise, I really do like that kind of music! Noise, if you say so, but with strong, catchy melodies. When I'm with UFO, it's a team of which I am a part of, that blends so well together, in a totally unique way.

To describe Amphetamine as a solo effort is not completely accurate. I've had the pleasure and good fortune to find and work with Walt James (guitars) and Scott Phillips (drums). They are great players and could be in major bands. I consider myself very lucky that they were prepared to play my vision, which restricted their considerable technical abilities, but they helped me create a powerful and aggressive sound which had more to do with feel and energy than musical finesse. In other words, put it on, turn it up, and slam the life out of it!

Here comes the difficult bit. I'm pretty sure there are people out there who have heard the album and thought, the music and melodies are terrific, but a vocalist in a similar sphere as those with whom I have usually been involved would have been a smart move. In the beginning, I wondered that myself, and imagined different vocals on the songs, but it would have turned into just another faceless rock album. Anyway, I would have first and foremost asked Phil, or then gone through my phone book. But to me, that would have been too Cabaret, or even contrived. In actual fact, some of my favorite singers are not really singers at all--they are attitude and conviction. That is why I decided to take on the challenge myself. First, I wanted to expand and develop my abilities as an artist, something I also wanted to bring to UFO. Secondly, I thought my own vocals best suited what I was trying to convey through the music itself. In other words, it was all very personal.

The subject of the album has a theme that often mentions drugs. That was because I had observed and gotten to know certain people, and their life experiences are told in the stories of the songs. As time passed, it was eventually brought home to me just how awful that world can be. I now know this should be a warning. It's not that using the H word or the C word often enough will create an image. Forget that. Think instead of films such as Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs. Who in their right mind would want to be a character in one of those films? I don't mean to preach, each to his own. Maybe the next album will be all love songs!

In conclusion, I really, really feel lucky to be given the opportunity to do this by all of you. I thank you all, in playing Rock 'n Roll---that's what I do and what I am. And I'm especially grateful to be lucky enough to play in such a fantastic band: UFO. Lastly, it is with pride and enthusiasm that I thank Walt James and Scott Phillips--for helping me record and bring my vision to life and posterity, and believing in me enough to go beyond the normal solo album of a classic rock musician who still hasn't grown up.

All the best,

Pete Way

 

Website  © 2002 FP Productions - 011-614-538-0944