[EXCLUSIVE] Bruce Dickinson Forever interviews CHRIS DALE

While we are all anxiously waiting for the DVD 'Scream for me, Sarajevo', Michelle Ferreira Sanches, Bruce Dickinson Forever adm, sat down for a quick chat with bassist CHRIS DALE, about Skunkworks, his musical career and, of course, that one great moment in Bosnia they all had in 1994. Check it out.

1. Do you remember when you first discovered you wanted to make music? How did you choose the bass?

Yes, it was when I first saw KISS in concert on the Lick It Up tour in 1983. I came out of that thinking "That's what I want to do!". I lived in a little village in Wales but after leaving school I moved to London with my bass and started playing in as many bands as possible.

2. Your first experience with Bruce was joining his touring band to support Balls to Picasso. How was it to you to be on stage with Iron Maiden former lead singer?

On the one hand it was prefectly normal. He's a normal kind of guy, not the big rockstar ego thing. On the other hand we were very aware who he was and I was a little bit in awe at first. He soon calmed that down though, just by being like a normal friend with us.

We didn't play any Maiden songs on that tour so it was sometimes easy to forget there was that background to him. I remember in the first gig we played, in Springfield MO, we were playing the songs, rocking out and suddenly he screamed "Scream For Me Springfield!". It was one of those magical metal moments.

3. You guys were really young during that time. Could you share some of your favourite memories from that time?

All that touring was really the most amazing gift to have come out of my time in that band. I had travelled around UK and Europe before but with Bruce I saw the US, Japan and South America for the first time. It was a such a privilege, playing metal music around the world, with some great friends in the band and crew... and then getting paid for it! It was a dream come true.

4. Skunkworks is an album which has been unfairly criticized by metal fans. If you had to point one song from this album to sum up all that wonderful work, which one would it be?

I think the beauty of the Skunkworks album is the variety of music on it, there's some really rocking tunes but also some darker moodier material that Bruce never really explored on his other albums very much. That variety makes it difficult to pick just one.

My favourite song on the album however is usually, Solar Confinement but to give someone a taste of the light and dark sides of that record, I might start them off with Dreamstate.

5. When you were invited to go to Sarajevo, how did you feel? Were you scared of going to a war zone or anxious to be able to go there and do something to help people forget their problems for at least one night?

You are making it sound like we went out there as heroes but no, it was nothing so glamourous. We were ignorant. We honestly didn't know how dangerous it was. We knew there was a war there but we thought it had calmed down, that the UN peacekeeping force were keeping the peace. It was only as we were going in there that we realised that it was actually a completely active war zone with gunfire and people dying on a daily basis.

Did we go there to help people forget their problems? Honestly no. Again, that sounds like we were heroes. I went there because I liked playing gigs in different countries. It was always good fun rocking onstage and having a beer later. That was honestly my motive. Again I didn't realise exactly what we were going into. I didn't realise it would change me as a person and have a lasting impact. I also didn't realise until we started making the Scream For Me Sarajevo film what a real impact we had on people's lives there. As you said, it really did help people forget their problems but also inspired them in the knowledge that there were people in the outside world who cared about their plight.

6. "Scream for me, Sarajevo", the documentary, is about to reach all the world. What can we expect from this documentary? What type of message would you like it to pass?

Of course you can expect recent interviews with me, Bruce and Alex Elena. There is also some concert footage of the gig that has never been seeen before. But what you may not expect but is probably the most powerful part of the film, are the interviews with local Bosnain rock fans who came to the gig. Their story is far more touching than anything we went through over there.

The message that comes across in the film is how music really can make a difference in the darkest times of people's lives. The whole process of making this film has been a wonderful experience for all of us. Making new friends and re-newing friendships from twenty years ago. It is great to see Sarajevo again but now looking vibrant and happy, a thriving and beautiful city that now feels like a second home to me.

7. Have you seen Bruce Dickinson on stage after he rejoined Maiden? What are your impressions of Maiden latest album, The Book of Souls?

Yes, I've been to see Maiden a few times since he rejoined. I'm always amazed by the energy that band puts into their shows. I must admit though that I haven't heard the Book of Souls album.

8. Could you tell us about your current projects?       

I've been jamming with a few friends in bars but I haven't got a serious band thing going at the moment. Quite honestly, I'm happiest right now jamming with my ten year old son, helping him along. Tomorrow, we're going off to explore Europe by train for ten days. Just right now, that's my favourite kind of tour!

9. Who has been your greatest influence in music?

I guess growing up I was listening to the same rock bands as most people, AC/DC, Maiden, KISS, Sabbath etc. I learned from them. But the single biggest influence really would have to be Alex Dickson, the guitasrist in Skunkworks. He's such a great all round musican, singer, songwriter. He inspired and encouraged me to play better bass, to sing and to start writing songs. He then produced the three albums by my band Sack Trick. I'd say that's the biggest influence anyone's had.

10. Have you even been in Brazil? Can we expect you to play here some day? Could you leave a message to your Brazilian fans?

I've been to Brazil a few times. I love it, it's a such a bright and beautiful country. Music just seems to surround everyone, like it's in the air.

The first time was with Bruce in 1995, that was a crazy little South American tour with three nights in Sao Paulo. The second time, I spent a week in Rio recording bass for the Tribuzy album and hanging out with Renato Tribuzy. He's such a fun guy and an incredibly talented singer. The third time was when me, Bruce and RoyZ did some Brazillian shows with Tribuzy in 2005. The last time I was there was while I was working as Billy Sheehan's bass tech on a Mr Big tour, that would probably have been around 2011. I'm always happy to go back to Brazil!

[Exclusive interview made to Bruce Dickinson Forever. All rights reserved.