INTERVIEW: Sweet comes ‘Full Circle’ for new studio album
Photo: Sweet’s new album, Full Circle, may be the band’s final recording effort. Photo courtesy of the band / Provided by Metalville PR with permission.
Sweet, the hard-rock band behind such classics as “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run,” continue to offer fans guitar-driven goodness, thanks to original member Andy Scott. The guitarist is joined in the 2024 version of Sweet by Paul Manzi on lead vocals; Lee Small on bass and vocals, Tom Cory on guitars, keys and vocals; and Adam Booth on drums and percussion.
Although Scott and company are going strong, they have reached a crossroads for their career. Their forthcoming album, called Full Circle and available Sept. 20, may be their last studio effort. This latest recording comes after an amazing career that includes more than 55 million records sold and 34 #1 chart positions worldwide.
Full Circle has actually been a long time in the making, mostly because the pandemic got in the way. Instead of releasing these 11 songs — tunes such as “Circus” and “Don’t Bring Me Water” — the guys decided to record a different album first (Isolation Boulevard) and shelve Full Circle until it felt right and they could all be in the same room together. Now, the time has come to go Full Circle.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Scott, who produced the new album with Cory. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Your fans cannot wait for Full Circle. Why did you originally shelve this album?
The idea to record a new album with the new lineup goes back about five years. We started looking at material then the COVID lockdown arrived. I felt that trying to record new songs remotely was really a non-starter. We still wanted to do something, so we decided to use drum tracks from outtakes and live gigs to assemble an album of the tracks we perform live but with studio enhancement. This album, Isolation Boulevard, became our stop gap, and it was well received, critically acclaimed. When we could all get together in my studio post-pandemic we pushed on with the new album.
During the recording of this new album, were you trying to capture some of that original Sweet sound, or do you want to take the band in new directions?
The Sweet have always tried to surprise audiences. This keeps us fresh. However, there is an invisible template that keeps the band in check, so we always know what is needed, hence the Sweet Sound.
When did you make the decision that this would be Sweet’s final studio album?
This could be our final album. Or maybe not. My prostate cancer is under control right now, so while I’m able to perform, I will. But this bastard disease sometimes has other ideas. Never say never.
Are you planning to bring some of these new tunes on the road, perhaps for a United States tour?
Touring in the USA is exhausting, so we would have get our heads together if we were offered a tour. The rest of 2024 is already mapped out with Europe, Australia and UK dates.
When did you pick up your first guitar?
My first real pro type guitar was a Burns Sonic, which my dad gave me Christmas 1963.
Do you often think about the early days of Sweet? Are you nostalgic, or just like to look forward?
Best to be futuristic and nostalgic. Without the past, you have no future. Sweet are usually moving forwards, but I do love reminiscing with other musicians and of course family.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Sweet’s new album is called Full Circle. Click here for more information.
