Henry Parker (The 27)

Henry Parker (The 27)

The lead singer of the harmonies-drenched trio faces one of our customised question sets. We present his responses, thank you Henry…

Who did the artwork for your planned album?

No one as yet.

Which song of yours could open a thriller film?

Probably ‘Running Wild’. We tend to have fairly upbeat songs so I think it would make for an interesting counterpoint for something.

You are offered the chance to record a song of yours with Lucinda Williams…which one do you choose? And what musical arrangement do you put together?

Probably ‘You’re Not Alone’. I think that we would be probably slow it down a bit, add pedal steel, change the current guitar and organ lines. It’s to say exactly until you start poking about with the track but that’s probably a good place to start.

Honesty time! Which other band or artist would you NOT want to follow on stage?

I don’t think anyone would wanted to follow Jimi Hendrix… In truth though we’ve been playing music for most of our professional lives, and whoever plays before you is just part and parcel of gigging “They do their thing, I do mine.”

Do you have any tour or festival appearances lined up?

Yes I think so, but i’m not sure we’ve announced them yet.

Name the best live album in your collection – and what’s the appeal to you? The highlights?

I really couldn’t pick one. I don’t really do number ones with music as it changes with my mood. (There goes a chance to praise another act! – PS)

Which Jackson Browne song should be better known? I love Looking East

I think ‘I’m Alive’. I’ve always found it incredibly relatable and with valentines day round the corner even more so.

Which song reminds you of secondary school days?

‘We Gotta Get Outta This Place’ by The Animals. I didn’t enjoy school.

Two things a performer should avoid doing on stage?

Take an iPad with the lyrics on, and mime. Or even worse do both at the same time.

Which song of yours is you at your most optimistic?

Probably ‘Running Wild’. I think throwing the shackles of mundane modernity off for a brief time is a fairly optimistic prospect.

Please tell us about Tell Me.

It was a lot of fun, writing, recording and filming. In fact they were Halcyon Days indeed.

What’s The 27 Road Diet? And how do you look after your voice?

Well we all have very different tastes so its hard to say there is a uniform diet. As for the voice I sometime blow through a tube into a glass of water. It seems to help keep the everything working and I like the bubbles…

Describe your home town for us in five words (postcode not required!)

Pretty much like Hot Fuzz.

What is your favourite venue to perform in, in England? Any reasons?

The Royal Albert Hall. It’s a wonderful space, the monitoring is fantastic and I thought I would plug the fact we played there in December.

You can take one instrument on stage with you for a performance – what do you choose?  (Make/Model)

Difficult question, probably my 1963 Gibson Firebird. I think it’s the most versatile guitar I have.

Which one of The 27 tends to be late for events?

That’s a great question, sadly its too ‘political’ for me to answer so I’ll just leave you with this political answer. (Worthy of Parliament! – PS)

The radio is on in the kitchen – what recording (by anyone) would you walk over to turn UP? What would you run over to turn OFF?

Turn up would be ‘Pretty Woman’ by Roy Orbison. Turn down would definitely be ‘Writing’s On The Wall’ by Sam Smith.

Pete Sargeant