Whenever and wherever the name Brand X is mentioned, the name Phil Collins comes first. This is not surprising, because the Genesis drummer and later adult popper was the most prominent member of the band, which was at the same time antithesis to all his other activities and fully emphasized his qualities as a drummer. But Collins' time in the formation, which was subject to permanent changes of instrumentation, should be relatively short. He was only on "Unorthodox Behaviour" (1976) and "Moroccan Roll" (1977), the first two of eight records so far, but they were the basis of the sound and reputation of the band.
Guitarist John Goodsall and bassist Percy Jones were the driving forces behind this energetically flowing and filigree jazz rock. Celebrated at the beginning, the group lost its trail after 1980 between countless dissolutions and reunions. But listening habits have changed, and it is high time for a jazz rock legend to take up the pioneering spirit of the past. Shortly before the first tour since the last activities under the logo Brand X in 2000, bassist Percy Jones looks forward and back.
eclipsed: A new version of Brand X is in the pipeline...
Percy Jones: We had the opportunity to reform. Two months ago, we got together in New York and played. We had some rehearsals and nobody really knew what to expect because we were playing material that was over 35 years old. But it felt pretty good. So we decided to continue at this point and go on a little US tour. Further rehearsals followed. I'm very optimistic because the band sounds good. I'm looking forward to the tour, but it will also be a big challenge, because we only play material from our first three records, which were made between 1975 and 1977. That was a long time ago. There's a lot of memory attached.
eclipsed: Who are we?
Jones: Besides me, that's John Goodsall on guitar, Kenwood Dennard, who was there in 1977, on drums. We also have Chris Clark on the keyboards and Scott Weinberger on the percussions. Chris was there too, but John, Ken and I are the original members of the band.
eclipsed: Was Phil Collins talking to you?
Jones: No. I haven't had contact with Phil since 1981. I cannot imagine that he would be interested in any way in participating in this reunion.
eclipsed: Does it bother you to always be asked about Phil Collins?
Jones: Phil's role in Brand X is certainly overrated. He wasn't even the original drummer. The band's first drummer in 1974 was John Dylan. Originally we worked with singing, but then we decided to continue instrumentally. That's when Phil left the band. Bill Bruford was in the band before Phil, but he only stayed for a short time. Phil played with us very early, in the mid-seventies, when we performed exclusively in England. Then we were given the opportunity to tour America, which usually took ten weeks. But Phil was busy with Genesis, which was his main band. So we looked for other drummers. First one was Kenwood Dennard. When he came on stage with us, people in the audience shouted, "Where's Phil? He had a T-shirt printed that said "Where is Phil?". He's a strong drummer and it didn't take long for the fans to accept him. I find it kind of funny that I'm still being asked about Phil.
