TEN WORDS OR FEWER INTERVIEW: Steve McLean, author of Stealing Deep Purple

Steve McLean, author of Stealing Deep Purple, has been invited to take part in TriumphOfTheNow.com‘s “Ten Words or Fewer” interview format!

Read on below!

Q: What is the title of your book?
A: Stealing Deep Purple.

Q: Why did you choose this title?
A: It relates to the true story I’ve pieced together.

Q: What’s the book about?
A: The true story of the 1980 ‘fake’ Deep Purple tour.

Q: Why did you write this book?
A: It started as a blog post but got out of hand.

Q: Who is your favourite character/person in the book?
A: Rod Evans seems to be very hard to dislike.

Q: Describe the ideal reader of your book.
A: Rod Evans. I’d love to know what he thought.

Q: Why might someone with oppositional politics/values enjoy your book? If they wouldn’t, do you regret that?
A: It’s not political save for one mention of Watergate.

Q: As a writer, what’s the biggest challenge you face?
A: To stop tweaking and being happy when it’s finished.

Q: Are you working on any new projects?
A: A similar story about Fleetwood Mac called Stealing Fleetwood Mac.

Q: What/who you do read?
A: Joseph Heller is my favourite author.

Q: Why do you read?
A: To learn or to escape.

Q: Where/when you do read?
A: In the bath or while traveling.

Q: How do you relax?
A: I often build Lego when I’m wired.

Q: Are we alone in the universe?
A: Our space neighbours look at us and think ‘nope’.

Q: Do you listen to music?
A: Always. Currently listening to The New Cactus Band.

Q: What differentiates us from the animals?
A: Animals tend to only take what they need.

Q: Do you have a mantra? If willing, please share.
A: Don’t be a dick. (it can be hard to follow).

Q: What’s the largest animal you’ve seen running free?
A: A Clydesdale horse that escaped a paddock and went wandering.

Q: Which film/movie[s] from the past five years do you think will be future classics?
A: The Last Showgirl.

Q: How often do you swim?
A: less than once a week, wish it was more.

Q: What is “cool”?
A: Being kind. Being able to change your mind.

Q: What makes you laugh?
A: MST3K. Mike > Joel.

Q: What makes you cry?
A: I have cried during TWO episodes of Futurama.

Q: Do you have a favourite place? Where is it?
A: Rundown British seaside towns.

Q: What is a soul?
A: A concept to give reason for those who need answers.

Q: Are you trained in first aid?
A: I was, in 1996. I’m sure it’ still counts.

Q: Have you ever written any songs? If yes, describe your sound.
A: Three chord songs with GCSE lyrics.

Q: Describe your hairstyle.
A: Shiney.

Q: What’s your favourite item of clothing?
A: My leopard flash bowling shirt.

Q: If you could meet a historical figure for a chat over a beverage, who would it be and why? And what would the beverage be?
A: I’d like a cuppa with Richard Nixon.

Q: What is the scariest thing?
A: Real life? Flying. Fantasy? Also flying.

Q: Where is somewhere you could go every day?
A: The seaside.

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STEALING DEEP PURPLE

Available to order via this link

In 1980, greed was good and you could get away with stealing just about anything, even a band name. At the end of the 1970s, Rod Evans, the little known original singer of Deep Purple decided to relaunch the classic rock band for a continental American tour.

The only problem was that Evans reformed the group with no other original members and he had a very dubious legal claim to the band name. What ensued was a tour plagued with bad performances, crowd riots, on-stage fighting and court cases.

The tour has become something of a legend among the fans of the band. Using over 200 newspaper, book and magazine sources plus dozens of filmed interviews and brand new testimonies from people who were actually there,

Steve McLean attempts to find out what actually happened. “They all had something down their spandex pants. We couldn’t tell if it was vegetable or plastic…. Every time I watch that scene in Spinal Tap, I think of Deep Purple in 1980.” – Llory McDonald, Support Act.

Bio:
Steve McLean is a comedian and writer from Scotland, currently living in London.

His trilogy of shows based on merchandise (Action Figure Archive, Action Figure Archive Volume 2 and Action Figure Archive Retrosexual) made multiple top ten lists and toured internationally.

His favourite Deep Purple album is Come Taste the Band. He knows this will win him no favours among the hardcore.

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“Ten Words or Fewer” gives writers (novelists, poets, essayists, playwrights, screenwriters, anyone writing anything else) the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work. If interested in taking part, email triumphofthenow@gmail.com for more details.

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