"Extremely important that we promote and preserve black culture and what it has given.  to us. Music is so important in any society, and we must have it in our schools, which is slowly being eroded. We will do everything to show our influences."

Dennis Greaves: The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It... Nine Below Zero

Dennis Greaves heads up Nine Below Zero, playing guitar and singing better now than at any time in his career, a legend in waiting persona! Dennis's first real guitar bought for him by his father in 1977. It's actually a 1976 model with a coil tap and trapeze tail piece. Used on "Live At The Marquee", "Don't Point Your Finger At The Guitar Man" and "On The Road Again". Nine Below Zero formed in South London in 1977, they won their place on the main London circuit two years later, storming usually complacent venues like Dingwalls, The Music Machine and The Rock Garden with a rip-roaring of Blues and R&B. Suddenly there was life in the old Blues horse yet! A new dynamic life! There was vigour, there was spontaneity, there was enthusiasm, there was Nine Below Zero. As the band embarked on a frighteningly intensive gig schedule, the stirrings grew and word spread across the nation, over the Channel to Europe and beyond. People like Canned Heat, Dr. Feelgood and The Blues Band wanted to know about NBZ, offered them supports and so the reputation swelled, at the same rate as the crowds until they were a headlining band in their own right.              (Photo: Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham)

DenMark (release Date: February 19^th) a brand-new 2-CD album is the definitive Nine Below Zero acoustic collection, featuring 26 new songs, 13 new tracks, and another 13 some of which you may know already from the Duo and Chilled albums - but to make these special for the DenMark album, these songs have been reworked, production added and subtracted, and a new mix & master! This album really does feature Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham's finest acoustic offerings, with the new recordings capturing them at their expressive best. Dennis says: "What changed my music life was seeing Dr. Feelgood on TV and going to the Marquee club and Dingwalls regularly and seeing live bands up close and personal. Highlights are many but playing on stage with Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons and Alvin Lee were pretty special."

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues and Rock Counterculture influenced your views? What does the blues mean to you?

I first found the Blues through my two older Uncles. They played me John Mayall, Albert and BB King when I was about 10 years old and since then I’ve been on a  Blues journey.

 How do you describe your sound and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

Nine Below Zero has a unique sound being influenced by the Blues and RnB but coming up in London through the punk scene in the late 70’s it gave us an edge and subject matter that set us apart from other bands.

Why do you think that Nine Below Zero music continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think it’s because we are honest with our fanbase and always deliver quality albums and our live shows are never going through the motions but leave it all on stage every night.

"Nine Below Zero has a unique sound being influenced by the Blues and RnB but coming up in London through the punk scene in the late 70’s it gave us an edge and subject matter that set us apart from other bands." (Photo: Nine Below Zero, formed in South London in 1977 by Dennis Greaves)

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

What changed my music life was seeing Dr. Feelgood on TV and going to the Marquee club and Dingwalls regularly and seeing live bands up close and personal. Highlights are many but playing on stage with Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons and Alvin Lee were pretty special.

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Playing Hammersmith Odeon, Reading Festival and Glastonbury are great memories. As well as playing with the Who, The Kinks. Recording in Olympic studio with Glyn Johns was pretty amazing.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I think there are too many wanna be bands who have image over substance and although digital recording has helped it has also been able to hide lack of talent and song writing ability.

What were the reasons that made the UK -since 60s- to be the center of Blues/Rock researches and experiments?

The 60’s in Britain were a very creative time in Fashion, Music, Film in fact all the creative industries. In the late 50’s American culture was starting to bleed into the conciseness of the Brits, and we took it all in and regurgitated it in our own special way.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Learn the business as well as the music. Study every day and never stand still. It’s your living. You have to work hard everyday.

"What changed my music life was seeing Dr. Feelgood on TV and going to the Marquee club and Dingwalls regularly and seeing live bands up close and personal. Highlights are many but playing on stage with Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons and Alvin Lee were pretty special."

(Photo: Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham, their new album "DenMark" is the definitive Nine Below Zero acoustic collection)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Extremely important that we promote and preserve black culture and what it has given.  to us. Music is so important in any society, and we must have it in our schools, which is slowly being eroded. We will do everything to show our influences.

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