Interview with Dean Bowman
by Tony Papercut
If you recognize Dean’s fervent voice falls (which is much more beautiful than Niagara Falls) and the immaculate technique of singing only from the “PaRappa the Rapper” Sony PlayStation game, then it is very sad to be you (and you probably live in Japan). The good news is that you are on your way to musical literacy. Calling Dean Bowman an accomplished singer is like saying, “Salt is salty” (voiced by Patton Oswalt in “Werewolves and Lollipops”). Listening to Bowman perform makes a roller coaster ride seem pathetic and boring. His singing (and “singing” is a very shallow word to describe what he does in front of the mic) makes you pity you have only two ears and cannot trade any of your limbs for a multitude of other holes on your body that’d let you absorb Bowman’s passionate and ecstatic art. Dean Bowman was once a part of Screaming Headless Torsos and up to our mind was the only true artistic force that brought the band critical recognition. We can’t help feeling numb before the power of this man’s talent, so let us just interview Dean.
Doomsday Dept
Hello Dean. First of all let us tell you that you’re one of our favorite singers. And it’s a great pleasure for us to interview you for our magazine.
Dean Bowman
Thank you.
Doomsday Dept
Please tell us about what are you currently up to? Any concerts or recording these days? (Note that the issue with your interview will be released approx in December 2007 — January 2008).
Dean Bowman
Right now I’m in Rome preparing to sing at a friend’s sister’s wedding. I’ll be doing some private teaching, a jazz gig with my dear friend Cinzia Spata (Hi Ludo!). Also visiting with my friend Marie Afonso and her husband in Marseille. Then traveling to Germany and rehearsing with a band I and Armin Alic formed called Little Rock Nine. Then to Amsterdam to work some music with a young guitarist there. In 2008 things get really crazy! Don Byron, John Scofield, Laurent Bardainne’s Albert Ayler project, and my own Vox Populi band project, which I have been recording while I was in NYC.
Doomsday Dept
We know that other than performing with various musicians you also teach. Could you please tell more about these clinics? What are the typical questions you hear from students?
Dean Bowman
My teachers John Paxton and James Mumford gave me a tremendous foundation of gospel music and traditional Black spirituals. I use these song forms to teach. I encourage my own students to be and to define themselves.
Doomsday Dept
Your vocal range and technique is way beyond impressive. Some years ago we’ve read somewhere that Mike Patton was named “a man of a 1000 voices” in some magazine. But now that we discovered you — we think you are the one. Are you familiar with any of his projects? What do you think of his singing style?
Dean Bowman
No, I’m not at all familiar with it. But that’s good, in that I have something else to look forward to.
Doomsday Dept
You’ve performed in many different countries — where was the best/worse audience response?
Dean Bowman
I could never answer that. But I’ll tell you this: when I went to Detroit with Don earlier this month playing the music of Junior Walker, it was as warm an audience as I can recall in a long time. Also had a great response in Romania with my own band.
Doomsday Dept
You were probably the best thing about Screaming Headless Torsos. Why did you quit? What are your relations with the band members now?
Dean Bowman
I am cool with Fima and Gene. Fuze hires his students now. No one else will work with an egomaniacal asshole who pays shit. He fired me for some bullshit he invented. But that was my fault. I didn’t realize what a loser he is. I should have quit.
Doomsday Dept
Have you ever heard about “Secret Chiefs 3”? Do you like them?
Dean Bowman
No, but again, one more thing to learn about. There’s so much to know in the world.
Doomsday Dept
Back to teaching... Do students ever ask you to show them that “bird-singing” (sorry, don’t know the scientific term for that) that can be heard (and seen) on the live Torsos DVD?
Dean Bowman
No, but I encourage them to be themselves and be true. I use the experience with Fuze to teach that as a singer you have got to be strong.
Doomsday Dept
Do you like to play videogames?
Dean Bowman
No.
Doomsday Dept
What’s your typical day schedule (when you’re not touring or recording)?
Dean Bowman
That means I’m not working. Usually the gym, then planning my next move.
Doomsday Dept
Do you have a family? What’s their attitude to your music?
Dean Bowman
No wife, no kids, but my family is very supportive.
Doomsday Dept
What was the most fun project to work on?
Dean Bowman
The Reggie Workman Legacy Orchestra tribute to John Coltrane’s Africa Brass conducted by Charles Tolliver.
Doomsday Dept
Is there any modern rock band you really like? If yes — name it.
Dean Bowman
Drunken Immortals.
Time for the serious questions...
Doomsday Dept If you were asked to name a “dream team” band — what living musicians would you include in it? (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and anything else. It’s up to you.)
Dean Bowman
WOW! Don and I talked about forming a “dream” band of instrumentalists who sing. You know like, Larry Graham on bass, Stevie Wonder on drums or keys, Paul McCartney on drums or guitar, Prince on anything, etc. But actually the strongest band I ever played with was Don’s band of David Gilmore, Brad Jones, George Colligan, and Rodney Holmes. Scofield’s band was also slammin’ with Gary Versace, Ruben Rodriguez (also John Benitez), and Steve Hass. As for my own dream band, I don’t know, but Chaka Khan would be one of my singers. I’d put myself and Corey Glover as her Pips.
Doomsday Dept
Imagine you’re on a zeppelin with Hillary Clinton, Snoop Dogg and Al Pacino. It goes down because of too much weight and you need to get rid of one person to avoid the crash. Who would you throw out?
Dean Bowman
Myself.
Two questions on drugs...
Doomsday Dept
What’s your attitude to drugs? Do think that there are “dope drugs” and “psychedelics are not drugs, come on”?
Dean Bowman
A lot of people take drugs. Some are legal, some not. But this is a drug society.
Doomsday Dept
Can art be clean of any substance?
Dean Bowman
Sure.
Two questions on two other black talents...
Doomsday Dept
What do you think of Ralph Ellison?
Dean Bowman
The Invisible Man. Great writer. There are many.
Doomsday Dept
Do think Richard Pryor would have been as versatile had he been not freebasing?
Dean Bowman
Without a doubt. Everything in his life would have been better.
