Interview - Rich Beale (Apache Dropout) There is much noise emanating from all corners. A persistent hammering that won't cease until...silence. For a brief moment anyway that is until a procession of transport carriers flies overhead filling the skies with a deafening noise that sets alarm bells ringing. Rapid eye movement ceases and reality is temporarily restored.

This is a small reflection of the world and vision of Rich Beale (aka Don Mandarin) lead singer of Bristol's Apache Dropout who have recently witnessed the release of their only album-to-date on Sugarshack Records. From confessional tales of alcoholism, deep paranoia, and a general longing for better times, it came as something of a surprise that Apache Dropout's album ever bore fruition. Despite the ever present sense of self-destruction that is a constant throughout, Rich Beale maintains that making Apache Dropout's one and only album was never a difficult task. "There is no doubt about the musicianship on that album," says Beale without a trace of self-doubt. "We were playing at a very high standard that largely stemmed from practising for up to four or five hours in one session and then going back to have some beans on toast!" May be the healthier choice of diet and constant musical workouts helped to stave off the inner turmoil Rich Beale had been going through. Perhaps it was his subtle use of words that provided some form of catharsis to help regain an ounce of normality to his life. "It was a cathartic experience making the album but it's quite difficult going back to it now," explains Beale. "I know that may sound very dramatic, but it is in a way. I was listening to it [Apache Dropout] with my girlfriend the other day and I had to switch it off. It was a difficult period and a fairly highly charged time as well. Having said that, I am not ultra-sensitive. It must be the same for Mike [Crawford] whereby his feelings must be somewhat...no, that's unfair. I was going to say that the recordings have more positive connotations for him, but that's completely unfair." Galilee is perhaps the clearest indication of the personal torment that Rich Beale was going through. Performed in the style of a lullaby but with some serious dark visions flowing through its poetic lines where 'methylated mermaids' swim by, Galilee was the boldest statement Beale could make and a definite cry for help. "With Galilee, I was being encouraged by people, who were trying to help me with my addiction problems, to have a look at spiritual and religious traditions which is self-evident in the song. With the Apache Dropout album, the thing that really motivated me was the recovery from drug addiction and simply realising that I had managed to do that through much help. There was an idea within the band for everyone to treat each other with respect, although it was difficult because there were quite a few neurotics in the band with me probably being the worst!" It must have been encouraging, though, to have such talent around you as Mike Crawford who's wonderfully crafted a succession of pop gems that offers an uplifting side to the whole album - again reiterating that the recording process must have been a cathartic experience. "It was the first time I was in a band that I was listening to these really good virtuoso passages from these people who were literally playing for the love of it. This idea introduced me to a new method of working. I knew that's what I wanted it to be like but that's the first time for me with people who were doing that." Since the demise of Apache Dropout there have been several encouraging signs on the horizon. Not only did the recent remix of the song Silence, lifted from 'Apache Dropout', garner some rave reviews within the hierarchy of club land, but even had the likes of Annie Nightingale of Radio One drooling over its very contents: "Oh God this so gorgeous...it's making me cry." With a brief performance scheduled for this year's Ashton Court Festival, there is a slight possibility of an Apache Dropout reunion on the cards! "I get impatient because I really do believe in the shelf-life of bands. The thought of doing anything for more than two or three years I find quite difficult to comprehend. Although there was only the one album, we had been together for three or four years before that which was enough. What provided the motivation was a desire to do something different and that was it, my time was up with Apache Dropout. Since then, I have been true to form by working with various musicians and avoid the restrictions that a band scenario can create." Nathan Haines (Sugarshack Records)