Tony Kishman - Hemlock
When and where were you born?
I was born November 7th of 1955.
Self-portrait painted by Tony’s father.
Tony and his mother.
Are you originally from AZ?
Yes.
What was growing up like for you?
When I was young I was fascinated with music. I wasn't a musician right away until I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. I was hooked ever since. My Mom was a single mom and I remember being with her and my Grandmother from an early age till I was about 15 when my mom bought me a Sears Silvertone guitar. I had a love for singing in choir as well.
Tony with his cousins circa: 1963.
When did you first begin playing music and what made you decide you wanted to be a musician?
I think it was the love for listening to pop songs on the radio and seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan.
Kishman sisters.
Tony at age 16 with George his Great Dane.
What were some of your influences earlier on?
The Beatles, The Stones and Dave Clark 5.
Who made an impact on you early on?
My Mom was a big influence for me getting into music.
What were some of the local clubs, or venues in your town where you could go and see live music?
I played in Hemlock at my first high-school dance, It was so exciting to be in front of my school friends.
Hemlock.
Did you participate in any outfits prior to Hemlock?
No.
What were those experiences like for you?
When we played our first show I was scared, but the feeling was amazing to be in a band with Bob Thames, Jon Rittmann and Randy Chew.
What initially led to the decision to form Hemlock?
We were first called Mr. Snoid then later we changed the name thinking it would be more commercial.
Circa: 1970.
When and where did you guys get together for the first time to jam?
1971.
What was that energy like?
We were learning and teaching each other songs.
What did you guys want to express and/or get across that was different from a lot of the other bands during that time?
We would see other bands and like any young band we would criticize them.
Hemlock performing live.
What was the band’s process and approach to music like? Where would you guys rehearse?
We rehearsed in Bob Thames bedroom.
When and where did the band make it’s live performance debut and what was that experience like for you?
CDO High School was our first show.
Can you tell me about writing and recording the song, ‘I’ll Never Be Same’? It was recorded in ‘71, correct?
Yes, keep in mind I was 15 years old, I was walking down the street and saw a dog get hit by a car. The driver kept driving and left the dog to die. I ran to the dog and it was a white dog. It was killed instantly. I sat and just looked at it, I was young and I couldn't fathom why that happened. It was something I couldn't deal with. I went home and started singing, “I will never be the same”.
What was the particular process and approach to recording that tune and did you write/record any more material?
I only wrote that song with Hemlock, I brought the song to my band and we recorded it.
Beatlemania.
How long did that particular process take from start to finish?
It went down in the studio in a few hours. We were young and I really don't remember much of the session.
Who was the engineer/producer for that track?
Can't remember…
Circa: 1980 NBC Studios Burbank CA Beatlemania Cast Members.
Did you participate in any other groups after this? Is there anything else you can tell me about Hemlock?
Hemlock broke up after I left the band to join Cheap Trix, another top 40 local band, It was shortly after that I joined Beatlemania the Broadway show. in the later 70s. 1980 NBC Studios Burbank CA Beatlemania Cast Members
Where did your career in music take after this journey? Can you tell me about the ‘Live And Let Die’ project? What inspired you to start this?
I started Live and Let die the Music of Paul McCartney and I am currently doing this show.
How did the deal with the folks over at Forager Records come about? What was that feeling like when they wanted to release your song ‘I’ll Never Be The Same’ on their wonderful comp ‘Belong To The Wind’? In what ways has that impacted your life after all these years?
I was contacted by Forager Records and I was shocked that after 50 years it was released. I was honored.
What have you been up to during these bizarre times? When you reflect back on your career, what are you most fond of? Are currently working on any new projects as of late?
My Show Live and Let die is my current love, however I recorded an album on Mercury records in the 90s called ‘Catch 22’. It was a fun time as well.
Is there anything you would like to further share with the readers?
I am happy that the song ‘I Will Never Be The Same’ is out and I was happy to see someone loved it as much as I did.
Dakota Brown
