The Alarm’s new album Direct Action is a rallying cry for the disaffected and disenfranchised. Inspirational figurehead Mike Peters tells Dave Owens why it’s time to make a stand
A LONE voice rings out in the dim light of a partially darkened arena, all eyes are on the man walking into the crowd, a single spotlight reflecting light off a jet black acoustic guitar.
Fans are rapt in hushed reverie as the opening bars of the song chime out and the singer with the distinctive shock of spiked hair tilts back his head and lets out the reassuringly distinctive voice that we’ve become happily acquainted with over the years.
The singer is Welsh rock legend Mike Peters, the song is One Guitar, a moving and affecting anthem with a robustly huge singalong chorus which is sure to become a firm live favourite.
It’s one of the standout tracks on The Alarm’s new album Direct Action – a collection of songs with an unbreakable spirit and social conscience that wears a heart writ large on its sleeve.
A video of this impromptu performance at this year’s Gathering, the annual meeting place for fans of Mike Peters and The Alarm – now into its 18th year – can be seen on our website WalesOnline.
“It was written by Willie Nile, a brilliant singer-songwriter championed by Bruce Springsteen in the States,” explains Mike.
“I met him when he played a charity gig in Wales and I heard this amazing song.
“It reminded me of the first time I heard Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World. I had to record it.”
Mike will be performing the song and possibly taking another detour into the crowd when he arrives in Cardiff to play The Glee Club next week.
The Alarm’s gig at the club more known for it’s comedy output than its live music offering, marks a first for the venue – it will be the first time that the seats have been removed to facilitate a rock ’n’ roll show.
“I’m collecting venues in Cardiff,” Mike laughs.
“I’ve played them all , but this is the first time for us at the Glee.
“We loved playing The Point, it’s such a shame that venue has closed, as it was the perfect venue for the city.”
The gig will feature a sizeable selection of songs from The Alarm’s new album – the fourth in the modern era of the Welsh band.
Mike says it’s about finding inspiration where there seemingly is none
“It’s about finding positives in the increasingly negative environment the world places us all in,” he explains.
“Economic pressure, wars in lands where people don’t understand why we’re there, and people don’t understand why things are going wrong at home.
“Direct Action is about taking an affirmative stance and doing something about it, making the best of everything that is around us, and because there are so many positives in the world we live in, taking affirmative action, direct action to go and find them.”
If there’s one man who can talk with authority about the regenerative qualities of positivity it’s Mike Peters.
Twice he’s battled back and beaten cancer and continues to ably demonstrate his amazing strength of character with fundraising treks to the world’s highest peaks for his Love Hope Strength charity.
It’s that indomitable spirit in the face of an overwhelming struggle that has informed the new album.
“The genesis of these songs came from the same place as the Guerilla Tactics album (the band’s last long player),” Mike says.
“It came from the Counter Attack project, 50 songs that I created in the recovery period of my second cancer fight.
“It’s about recovery, it’s not as angry as Guerilla Tactics, but it probably has more to say than the last album.”
When I speak to Mike, the starting pistol has been fired on the race for Number 10 and he’s passionate that we all have our say, however disillusioned we may be with politicians.
“We’re at a point where change is happening – a general election has ben called,” he says.
“Where better can you make a change with direct action than making sure your vote does count.
“Despite the apathy around politics, people saying there’s no difference between the parties, well your vote is the only piece of power that you have as an individual, so make sure you use it.”
The Alarm play The Glee Club, Cardiff on Wednesday, April 14. Tickets priced £16 can be purchased from the box office on 0871 472 0400. The band also play Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre on Sunday April 25. Tickets also priced £16 can be purchased on 01495 303766.
