Dawn Adamson - Airhead manager, 1990-1993
When did your involvement with the band begin and how did it come about?
I worked in America for a few years managing a recording studio called Quadradial in Miami, this put me in contact with Jack Douglas, a producer who I'm now back in contact with. I went up to New York and was part of his entourage for a while but things got heavy on the drug scene and I thought it best to get back to the UK whilst I still could.
I moved to London and hooked back up with a friend who I had met through Jack called Rick Dufay, he later encouraged me to apply for a Studio Manager job at Picnic Studios in Kent– he'd seen it advertised in one of the music papers in '89. So just to shut him up I applied!
At Picnic, I met Ian Groves who was guitarist with a new group called the Apples, he introduced me to Michael Wallis and the rest of the band. We all seem to get on, we hung out and I attended a few band practices, after a while I was asked if I'd be interested in managing them. I wasn't sure, as I hadn't had previous experience in that field and I was only 24.
Michael had a demo from his old band Dr. Zaius, he had written and recorded some songs on a four track which were really interesting. As I was in touch with A&R, I said I would copy a few of the songs and send them out. I also sent one to Warner Chappell publishing.
How did get Airhead signed? Were you trying for a long time?
Warner Chappell were one of the first to respond, quickly followed by Polydor and Warners. The band then did a 24-track demo at Picnic Studios which was produced by Dave Meegan and led to some serious offers. I arranged Showcases then called in lawyers and was soon negotiating, so I guess I just fell into management. They were signed as a five piece.
Can you describe the band members and the dynamics of the group?
Ian was really shrewd – in a good way, but I felt the A&R guy couldn't handle that and it began to be difficult to have meetings. Ian got pissed off and wanted out…so he left.
The dynamics between us all were really good we were pretty much a unit, I tour managed, leafleted flyers and lived and breathed it 24/7 – I guess we all did.
When was the beginning of the end? What is the story of the band being dropped by Korova?
I'd air my opinions maybe too often. I didn't agree with the album producer choice, I suggested Guy Chambers (who was unknown then) and thought he should be considered, he had just completed an album for a band called Stress which I really liked.
All was well for a while then I didn't agree with the choice of the video directors and questioned the single choices etc. So I was probably becoming a real pain in the ass!
If I remember correctly, in late '92 Michael decided he wanted to go it alone and get out of the Korova deal. This resulted in the band splitting in late '92.
I later went into negotiations with Chrysalis and Mike started to record demos for them. But he didn't like working with the producer and engineer they picked, so I basically begged the record company to allow him to finish the demos with his choice of producer – which they finally agreed to.
I knew this didn't look good for a working relationship, and it was obvious to them that me and Michael weren't on the same page anymore. I knew if I didn't pull this deal off I'd be out - which is what happened.
But it did hurt like hell at the time. I initially declared War and we went into a legal fight but I backed down after a month and realised I was being stupid and selfish. Michael needed a deal and if I was holding him back then I had to let go.
I was offered a band signed to BMG but declined. I felt very lost and alone at the time and after a few months went off to lick my wounds in another country, but I did phone Michael before I left as I really wanted to wish him well – which did come from the heart!
After That's enough, how long did the band continue? When did they officially split up?
That's enough was the start of Mike's solo career – I knew nothing about that release until recently when I put Airhead into a search engine
Are you in touch with other ex-Airhead members? In particular do you know where Michael is?
I have never seen or spoken to any of them since – I left the Country then moved back up north in '97.
What is your favourite Airhead track?
Easy was my fave track and still is. I would of liked to have seen it released as a single, but A&R didn't agree.
Funny How wasn't one of my favourites, especially when the lyrics were changed from "Funny how the ugly ones do” to "Funny how the ones you don't do” so it kind of lost its humour for me.
Are there any unreleased Airhead tracks? In particular demos for the second album?
I have some old demos that Michael had done – doubt they were released. Which is a shame as I thought they were bloody good and they still piss on what's released today!
How do you feel about a possible re-release of Boing!!? Do you think the band would consider reforming to play live or record again?
It would be great if Boing!! was re-released, and I would hope as a result of that all the original band members would get back together, that would be something wouldn't it?
What did you do after you stopped managing Airhead? Are you still working in music?
I completely unplugged from the music industry and went off travelling for a two years, came back to the Lake District and finally grew up (well its debatable!)
I went on to University to study social sciences, I had a big fight with cancer for a while, and I now work with mainly troubled teenagers.
A producer mate said to me the other week, "You've paid your dues to society now, for fuck's sake get back to doing something you love”. So who knows!
*
Dawn was interviewed in July 2007
I worked in America for a few years managing a recording studio called Quadradial in Miami, this put me in contact with Jack Douglas, a producer who I'm now back in contact with. I went up to New York and was part of his entourage for a while but things got heavy on the drug scene and I thought it best to get back to the UK whilst I still could.
I moved to London and hooked back up with a friend who I had met through Jack called Rick Dufay, he later encouraged me to apply for a Studio Manager job at Picnic Studios in Kent– he'd seen it advertised in one of the music papers in '89. So just to shut him up I applied!
At Picnic, I met Ian Groves who was guitarist with a new group called the Apples, he introduced me to Michael Wallis and the rest of the band. We all seem to get on, we hung out and I attended a few band practices, after a while I was asked if I'd be interested in managing them. I wasn't sure, as I hadn't had previous experience in that field and I was only 24.
Michael had a demo from his old band Dr. Zaius, he had written and recorded some songs on a four track which were really interesting. As I was in touch with A&R, I said I would copy a few of the songs and send them out. I also sent one to Warner Chappell publishing.
How did get Airhead signed? Were you trying for a long time?
Warner Chappell were one of the first to respond, quickly followed by Polydor and Warners. The band then did a 24-track demo at Picnic Studios which was produced by Dave Meegan and led to some serious offers. I arranged Showcases then called in lawyers and was soon negotiating, so I guess I just fell into management. They were signed as a five piece.
Can you describe the band members and the dynamics of the group?
Ian was really shrewd – in a good way, but I felt the A&R guy couldn't handle that and it began to be difficult to have meetings. Ian got pissed off and wanted out…so he left.
The dynamics between us all were really good we were pretty much a unit, I tour managed, leafleted flyers and lived and breathed it 24/7 – I guess we all did.
When was the beginning of the end? What is the story of the band being dropped by Korova?
I'd air my opinions maybe too often. I didn't agree with the album producer choice, I suggested Guy Chambers (who was unknown then) and thought he should be considered, he had just completed an album for a band called Stress which I really liked.
All was well for a while then I didn't agree with the choice of the video directors and questioned the single choices etc. So I was probably becoming a real pain in the ass!
If I remember correctly, in late '92 Michael decided he wanted to go it alone and get out of the Korova deal. This resulted in the band splitting in late '92.
I later went into negotiations with Chrysalis and Mike started to record demos for them. But he didn't like working with the producer and engineer they picked, so I basically begged the record company to allow him to finish the demos with his choice of producer – which they finally agreed to.
I knew this didn't look good for a working relationship, and it was obvious to them that me and Michael weren't on the same page anymore. I knew if I didn't pull this deal off I'd be out - which is what happened.
But it did hurt like hell at the time. I initially declared War and we went into a legal fight but I backed down after a month and realised I was being stupid and selfish. Michael needed a deal and if I was holding him back then I had to let go.
I was offered a band signed to BMG but declined. I felt very lost and alone at the time and after a few months went off to lick my wounds in another country, but I did phone Michael before I left as I really wanted to wish him well – which did come from the heart!
After That's enough, how long did the band continue? When did they officially split up?
That's enough was the start of Mike's solo career – I knew nothing about that release until recently when I put Airhead into a search engine
Are you in touch with other ex-Airhead members? In particular do you know where Michael is?
I have never seen or spoken to any of them since – I left the Country then moved back up north in '97.
What is your favourite Airhead track?
Easy was my fave track and still is. I would of liked to have seen it released as a single, but A&R didn't agree.
Funny How wasn't one of my favourites, especially when the lyrics were changed from "Funny how the ugly ones do” to "Funny how the ones you don't do” so it kind of lost its humour for me.
Are there any unreleased Airhead tracks? In particular demos for the second album?
I have some old demos that Michael had done – doubt they were released. Which is a shame as I thought they were bloody good and they still piss on what's released today!
How do you feel about a possible re-release of Boing!!? Do you think the band would consider reforming to play live or record again?
It would be great if Boing!! was re-released, and I would hope as a result of that all the original band members would get back together, that would be something wouldn't it?
What did you do after you stopped managing Airhead? Are you still working in music?
I completely unplugged from the music industry and went off travelling for a two years, came back to the Lake District and finally grew up (well its debatable!)
I went on to University to study social sciences, I had a big fight with cancer for a while, and I now work with mainly troubled teenagers.
A producer mate said to me the other week, "You've paid your dues to society now, for fuck's sake get back to doing something you love”. So who knows!
*
Dawn was interviewed in July 2007
