"Strange Things Happen" is not only a central song on Gizmodrome's debut album, it is also proof of how this band was formed. The first thing was that multi-instrumentalist Vittorio Cosma (ex-PFM) wanted to meet drummer Stewart Copeland (ex-The Police) in Milan in a studio under the supervision of the Italian producer Claudio Dentes to see if some songs written by Copeland were suitable for a joint album project. Copeland invited the British bassist and singer Mark King from Level 42 and the guitarist and singer Adrian Belew to make some tracks a bit rounder.
And already after a few sessions it was clear to all involved: This is not a Stewart-Copeland solo project, but a new band. King and Belew thought they would contribute a few guitar or bass runs for a few days and then drive home again. But now, although the songs were all prepared by Copeland, they have also left deep traces on the debut album. So it makes sense that not only Mr. Copeland from California arrived for the interviews, but also the ex-Zappa-/Ex-Bowie-/Ex-Talking-Head-musician from Nashville is sitting on the hotel couch.
eclipsed: You have enough to do with other musical projects, why do you tie a new band to your leg?
Stewart Copeland: If I were a typical Happy Sunshine Ami, I'd consider this question an attack on our music, but my mother is Scottish, and I've lived in England for a long time, so I say we make it short, we finish the whole thing before it gets too stressful. (laughs) No, I have already understood the serious undertone of your question and so I can say without a doubt that this band with exactly these musicians is worth moving out of your own comfort zone and embarking on this musical journey.
Adrian Belew: When I flew to Italy last year as a session guitarist, I didn't know that I would be in a new band two weeks later. But that's the beauty of Gizmodrome, it feels almost like in my youth, and now I'm going to conquer the world with a couple of buddies and our new band.
eclipsed: Sounds like you want to take the second step before the first?
Copeland: When I sometimes talk about Gizmodrome, I also think: Doesn't that sound almost arrogant? But we're so sure of ourselves. Mentally, we are already at the third step. I want to act more as frontman and singer live, and we will get a tour drummer for it. We all already have ideas for a second album and can hardly wait to put them into action. But we won't rush into anything and now sit here to say to everyone: People watch out, there are good musicians who you probably know from albums of other bands, and they have now joined together to a new exciting band called Gizmodrome. Do yourselves a favor and listen in!
