Jethro Tull

With a catalog that goes back over 20 years, Jethro Tull has seen more changes in their line up than virtually rock and roll band in existence. I recently had the chance to meet with Andrew Giddings, still considered the “new” keyboard player in Tull, even after nine years on the job, backstage at a show. Andrew is responsible for designing the band’s new website as well as his duties as keyboard player. We agreed to do a full interview from the road and, a week later, here we are:

So, where are you calling me from?

Well, we’re staying in Akron, Ohio, but the gig is about a half hour from here. I’m not really even sure where, but I do have to get going in a few minutes, we haven’t even done the sound check yet.

Well, I’ll make it quick then. I just checked out your website (www.J-Tull.com) and gotta say, very nice job.

Yeah, well, thank you. I’m still struggling with it. It’s an uphill battle, cause everyone has advice for you.

Reading your biography I see that you were in Sniff N’ The Tears, huh? “Driver’s Seat” was one of my favorite songs.

Yeah, funny enough. I was at school when they did it (I’m 36 now), so, I bought it and the picture disc and everything. I liked it. And then, it’s one of those things when you end up playing with a band that you like.

So, I’m looking at your website, and I see the band roster. What was it, thirty people have been in Tull over the years? How does it feel to be up there doing it?

It feels good. What makes me feel smugger is that I’m in my ninth year, and I think that’s more than the collective time of several other band members. Certainly keyboard players. I’m not bragging about it -- I’m just happy as a pig, as they say.

Well, it’s great what you’re adding.

Well, thanks, but from my point of view, you cannot get delusions of grandeur, especially if you’re stepping into an institution. The worst mistake I have known other people to make in the past is to think that you’re as big a star as the real big stars. So, I’ve just taken it slowly and enjoyed it. I’ve been given a bit more room and creative space, and I’m just taking it every day as it goes, enjoying it all.

It was obvious how much fun the band was having playing the other night.

That’s something we only recently learned to do with this lineup. Since the music is very complicated, the loss of concentration is, well, a big loss. In the last couple of years, though, we’ve worked out ways to have fun. You know it’s a real anti-climax when we’ve finished playing, cause then we all starburst and everyone’s off doing their own thing. Someone’s out running, I’m out smoking...we don’t often do the big social rock band thing together. We’re not out trashing hotel rooms like we should be.

That probably makes it a little better, and a little more lasting, when you’re out on the road.

Well, it probably does, although having said that, days off can also be incredibly dull. Especially when you have a whole day and a night ahead of you.

With that, we spoke briefly about the disc being created in the digital domain (“...it’s great working with Ian and Martin in this new way”), of the cartoon character on the front of the CD having his penis removed for the American release of the disc (“...oh yeah, they’re all schlonged up everywhere else!”) and then Andrew had to head off to sound check for that night’s show. Whatever else he has going on in his life, I’m sure he’s hearing enough Tull nowadays!




			Andrew Giddings of Jethro Tull by j bloomrosen
	With a catalog that goes back over 20 years, Jethro Tull has seen more changes in their line up than virtually rock and roll band in existence. I recently had the chance to meet with Andrew Giddings, still considered the “new” keyboard player in Tull, even after nine years on the job, backstage at a show. Andrew is responsible for designing the band’s new website as well as his duties as keyboard player. We agreed to do a full interview from the road and, a week later, here we are: So, where are you calling me from? Well, we’re staying in Akron, Ohio, but the gig is about a half hour from here. I’m not really even sure where, but I do have to get going in a few minutes, we haven’t even done the sound check yet. Well, I’ll make it quick then. I just checked out your website (www.J-Tull.com) and gotta say, very nice job. Yeah, well, thank you. I’m still struggling with it. It’s an uphill battle, cause everyone has advice for you. Reading your biography I see that you were in Sniff N’ The Tears, huh? “Driver’s Seat” was one of my favorite songs. Yeah, funny enough. I was at school when they did it (I’m 36 now), so, I bought it and the picture disc and everything. I liked it. And then, it’s one of those things when you end up playing with a band that you like. So, I’m looking at your website, and I see the band roster. What was it, thirty people have been in Tull over the years? How does it feel to be up there doing it? It feels good. What makes me feel smugger is that I’m in my ninth year, and I think that’s more than the collective time of several other band members. Certainly keyboard players. I’m not bragging about it -- I’m just happy as a pig, as they say. Well, it’s great what you’re adding. Well, thanks, but from my point of view, you cannot get delusions of grandeur, especially if you’re stepping into an institution. The worst mistake I have known other people to make in the past is to think that you’re as big a star as the real big stars. So, I’ve just taken it slowly and enjoyed it. I’ve been given a bit more room and creative space, and I’m just taking it every day as it goes, enjoying it all. It was obvious how much fun the band was having playing the other night. That’s something we only recently learned to do with this lineup. Since the music is very complicated, the loss of concentration is, well, a big loss. In the last couple of years, though, we’ve worked out ways to have fun. You know it’s a real anti-climax when we’ve finished playing, cause then we all starburst and everyone’s off doing their own thing. Someone’s out running, I’m out smoking...we don’t often do the big social rock band thing together. We’re not out trashing hotel rooms like we should be. That probably makes it a little better, and a little more lasting, when you’re out on the road. Well, it probably does, although having said that, days off can also be incredibly dull. Especially when you have a whole day and a night ahead of you. With that, we spoke briefly about the disc being created in the digital domain (“...it’s great working with Ian and Martin in this new way”), of the cartoon character on the front of the CD having his penis removed for the American release of the disc (“...oh yeah, they’re all schlonged up everywhere else!”) and then Andrew had to head off to sound check for that night’s show. Whatever else he has going on in his life, I’m sure he’s hearing enough Tull nowadays!