Articles

Live8 Report
September, 2005

Article - Tracks Magazine

Feb/Mar 2005

Tribute
Nov 19, 2004

Article - Fort Collins Sentinel
Oct. 23, 2004

Review - Beat
Sept. 18, 2004

Article - Downbeat
August 2004

Review - NME
July 2004

Review - The Guardian
June 19, 2002

Article - Rolling Stone
June 2002

Review - Magnet
March 2002

Review - Poseur
March 2002

Article - Puma Beat

Oct. 16, 2000

Review - NME
November 1999

Article in Downbeat Magazine
August 2004

In the June 2004 issue of Downbeat magazine, drummer Patrick Gleason spoke at length and quite candidly about how his band has dealt with the varying degrees of success they have experienced over the years. This was the first time that he had spoken of the band's struggles brought about by the pressure of sudden fame and the stress created by their even-more-sudden loss of popularity.

What started out as a typical interview intended for gear heads soon evolved into an in-depth discussion about the pitfalls of fame and how failing to maintain that popularity affected him and his bandmates.

Why was Patrick willing to be so open about such personal moments? Maybe it was the fact that he was about to become a father for the first time. Or perhaps it was because the band had just completed their first new album in 2 years, with a new label behind them and a tour of America in front of them. He was optimistic and upbeat and had a lot to say.

Known to fans as the backbone of DriveSHAFT, both musically and spiritually, this interview showed us a whole new side of the quiet guy behind the drum kit. Here are a few brief snippets of the crucial parts of the interview. For the rest, well, just buy the mag.

Downbeat Mag: And now, we have come to the rumors portion of the interview...

Patrick Gleason: [laughing] Oh great, I was wondering when these questions would pop up. You softened me up with all that gear talk and now you're gonna get down and dirty. Right, let's get it over with then.

D: Well, why not start with the biggest and ugliest one out there, and then go through them as they get progressively less offensive.

PG: Well, I'm glad to see that you acknowledge how ridiculous the rumors have gotten. Okay, yes. I used to be a woman. I had a sex change. There, I've said it, it's out there, can we please move on now?

D: [laughing] Oh, I'd not heard that one, I'll make a note of it...

PG: So that didn't throw you off track at all then? My clever technique of avoiding these types of questions was completely unsuccessful, was it?

D: Well, you're certainly one of the most affable people we've ever tried to get to spill the beans about the dirty little secrets of their band.

PG: I'm hoping that you'll be so dazzled by my sheer affability that you will forget that you had planned on ruining the vibe by asking me about things that are better left unsaid.

D: A valiant effort it was, but we're sure your fans are wondering how Charlie is doing, since it's no secret that he has had a bit of a troubled past couple of years.

PG: What are you, fecking Barbara Walters with drumsticks?

D: Yes, but without the speech impediment.

PG: [laughing] Charlie had issues, but we dealt with it like we deal with everything, within the band.

D: But you weren't able to keep everything hidden inside the band, could you? Not when news starts making the police blotters and tabloids.

PG: You are not going to let this go, are you?

D: All part of my job.

PG: Well, you have been pretty fair so far, so I suppose that it would be best to give you the straight story, just to clear out the rumors and lies. Charlie likes to have fun and likes to party. There were times when the normal band partying got out of control. Charlie is handling it, the band is supporting him and everything is good now. We are all 100% dedicated to the band.

D: And what of the rumors about conflict between Charlie and Liam?

PG: They're brothers. Brothers tend to argue. Nothing on the Oasis scale, but there was and is conflict, which they have always used to improve the music. Conflict is a fantastic creative motivator, we all know that. But Charlie and Liam truly love each other.

D: Was it true that Charlie was placed in a rehab center? Was it Liam that put him there?

PG: No, I can't answer that. You will have to ask him. That is all I am going to say about Charlie. Not fair discussing him while he is not around to tell his side.

D: Fair enough. So, what were your measurements as a woman?

Here is the information that we all have been waiting for - the backstory to your favorite song and mine, "Sadie Said".

D: Talking about Eternal, I have heard that there was a story behind the song "Sadie Said".?

PG: What have you heard?

D:What's the truth?

PG: Okay, you got me there, again. Truth is that there was a certain woman who was friendly with the band. Even more friendly with two particular members. Things got ugly and the band nearly split because of it.

D:That was during the fall of 2003, correct?

PG: Right. So, everyone went their separate ways, cooled off a bit and then came back. Unfortunately, the woman in question did not stay friendly with us. A shame since she was a lovely lady. Just your typical band drama, straight outta Behind the Music. In the end, we were able to use the whole deal as inspiration and that song and much of the Eternal album was influenced by that time and what we all went through.

D: Were Charlie and Liam the two band members involved?

PG: Oh, I see how it is. You butter me up with all the questions about my drumming, but you are not really interested in Sinjin or me at all. You just want information about Charlie and Liam. [laughs] Once again, you will have to wait until you interview them for the answer to that.

D: Fair enough. So, 32-24-28. You weren't exactly a curvy woman, were you?