The Shulman Family - Dad (Phil Shulman)
Mum, Grandsons Elliot & Rowan

Three generations of the musical Shulman family (in ascending age order: Elliot, Damon, and Phil) sat down this summer at Room 15 (Damon's home studio) to mark their legacy in the history books by recording a series of podcasts.

This insightful idea was the brainstorm of grandson Elliot (15), to interview his grandpa – one of the founding members of both Simon Dupree and the Big Sound and Gentle Giant, whose influence to this day continues to inspire musicianship and experimentation.

Damon (read my interview with Damon Shulman 'Doing his own thing') told me:

"The podcast is hosted by my son Elliot. The interview is packed with lots of great stuff with Phil Shulman talking about his early musical influences, his history with Simon Dupree and the Big Sound and Gentle Giant and much, much more!"

"Believe me, it's an absolute must for fans of Gentle Giant and Simon Dupree. It wouldn't be possible anywhere else. Check it out."

So come along and join the family discussion as Phil enlightens us with his razor sharp memory, clever wittiness, and very charming voice! about a way of life we should dare to dream about.

Elliot Shulman - PODCAST #2 (29:34)

(0:00) Family introductions (Damon working on Vultures & Sheep, 4WD)

(3:00) Elliot asks Phil, “Tell us about your musical background, what were your early influences?”

(6:50) Damon asks, “At what point did you really pick up an instrument?”

(11:15) Phil explains how the young Shulman brothers (Ray, Derek, Terry and Phil) first started playing together (rehearsing in Phil's classroom, buying a van)

(21:10) Getting together a 'proper band' (drummer A, drummer B, drummer C, pissing in the paint can, Phil why don't you play)

(26:30) Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, all-nighters, and 'getting on'

(28:55) Closing (Damon Shulman) - The highlights of Part II

Elliot Shulman - PODCAST #3 (32:34)

(0:00) Elliot asks about the response to the earlier podcast

(2:00) Interview continues – turning pro, one gig – a series of coincidences (the big break!), on the books, on the radio - first hit 'I See the Light' (1966)

(9:00) Getting more gigs – Europe, second hit ‘Reservation’ (1967), the worst tour ever (awash in vomit), You’re on the Charts (top ten by December), Top of the Pops, Crackerjack, Germaine Greer in the dressing room, Groupie Documentary

(18:00) What it's like 'being acclaimed', local fame, international publicity, coping with family

(19:25) Extensive touring - on the bill with Gene Pitney, Status Quo, Andy Fairweather Low, Amen Corner, Mike Cotton Sound, Beach Boys, etc.

(22:00) The Screaming doesn’t stop, a nasty word – CABARET , Joe Cocker paid off!, playing The Cavern, John Lennon’s bed, The Hippodrome, The Who

(31:45) The band begins to change... the brothers decide 'We can’t keep on doing cabaret!'

Elliot Shulman - PODCAST #4 (33:02)

(0:00) What’s been going on with Damon Shulman (update) – 4WJ, driven by visualization in music

(6:30) Phil Shulman interview continues – On Gentle Giant: 'We just wanted to do something of our own', the influence of new bands like King Crimson, putting together the new band, Kerry Minnear (played just about bloody everything), Gary Greene (most unlikely) come on board.

(10:30) Writing and rehearsing the first GG album, elements of jazz & classical, playing 20 odd, 30 instruments between them

(12:00) A true band – no leader. Success from the start! 'We all sang lead, backed each other up, played as much as we could, as well as we could'.

(12:30) Phil’s lyrical contributions, translating literal ideas into musical terms. Comparison to 'progressive' groups: Genesis, Yes (they didn’t call themselves that!)

(16:00) The meaning of 'Funny Ways', 'Nothing at All' (conformist transformed into absurdities), common drumming, strange time signatures...

(20:25) Acquiring the Taste – a surrealist artist’s point of view

(21:00) Three Friends – childhood friends going different ways

(21:45) Octopus – the most popular album, John Weathers joins and the band changes again

(23:30) Phil leaves GG for his family, to become a family man and go back to teaching. Brothers not on speaking terms, but band continues for 7 more years. Phil pays tribute to his very musical family, updates on Derek, Ray.

(28:00) About being creative: 'What’s wrong with people, can’t they pick their own mind, why pick mine?'

(29:35) Opinions about modern pop scene – plenty of bloody crap, the difficulty in identifying quality.

(31:50) Good bye!