Derwood Andrews of Yucca Mesa has been playing guitar for more than 45 years, and has played in several influential bands, including Generation X, Westworld, Moondogg, and Speed Twin. In 1998, Andrews left England for the United States. After a few years in Arizona and Los Angeles, he moved to the High Desert where he worked as a reporter for Z107.7, and continues to write and record music. Now, 17 years later, Andrews plans to return to his home country and go on tour with his new music. Managing editor Tami Roleff talked with Andrews about his music and his upcoming tour…
“I’m playing on my own now. I don’t want to be in a band anymore because 90 percent of the time is spent arguing about what are we going to do and not doing it. I’m just taking the easy way out, but I’m enjoying it.” With each band Andrews played in, the style of music he played changed and evolved, from punk, to emo, alternative country, to a bluesy sound with a lap-steel guitar. Andrews says he has no desire to re-form any of his former bands. “A lot of my contemporaries, my friends, are re-forming bands from the past. I don’t want to do that. Why go backwards? It would never be as good as it was anyway. I prefer to put myself in a slightly less comfortable position and try to come up with something original. That’s always been my thing.” Andrews’ newest CD is called Tone Poet Volume 2, and is available anywhere you can buy music. “Please buy my record. Help feed my dogs. (laughs)”
Derwood Andrews, who has played in Los Angeles and locally at the 29 Palms Inn and Rose and Busters, will be touring the United Kingdom for two weeks with the duo Sean and Zander from the Palm Springs area, starting May 28.
