FLASHMAN BY NAME #2:

We were there to rehearse for an album by Terri Nunn, a lady
I’d been introduced to by our publishers back in the UK.
We’d worked up some new songs for her album at the studio Underworld
had built to record ‘Change the Weather’. Terri had experienced the
full terraced- England experience, a kind’ve crash course in being an
impoverished student starting up a band, by staying in a freezing
box room in a back street Romford semi during our time writing together.
Now we were in sunny California, preparing to go into the studio to
record with legendary producer Steve Brown, whom I knew about from his
success with the Cult (a sound that was everywhere on American radio).
The band was in good humour, though we’d only met an hour before.
A young bass player, whom may have been chosen more for his
appearance than his playing, Randy Casteo from Ozzy Osborne’s band
on drums, myself on guitars & on keyboards (a close friend of the
producers) Andrew Flashman. The minute he walked in I took one look
& knew we were from different worlds. Long black wavy hair half down
his back, tight stone washed jeans, a fat belt buckle & Cuban Heeled
boots with silver tips – a true died in the wool California Boy.
“This is Andrew, Andrew Flashman. He’ll be playing keys on the session”
Said Steve.

“He-lo” Said the embodiment of soft rock LA, in the clearest, bell-like
plumb English I had ever heard. The room tilted, the picture didn’t
add up, all my preconceptions scuttled out under the door & I stood
open mouthed at an image that didn’t match the sound. He must have
clocked my derogatory expression as it was instantaneously evident,
by the look in his eye, we were not going to get along.

(K)