Demon & Wizard was a project by three record collectors that wanted to have their own album in their hands. ‘Evil Possessor’ is a true DIY effort and comes from the deep French underground.

The original copies were self-released in an edition of 100 copies. The music has its very own atmosphere created by quite an unusual mixture of acoustic guitars and synthesizers. It’s one of the most highly sought-after French LP’s. The album was reissued by Cameleon Records in 2017.

At the beginning of 1976 in Reims, Jean-Marie Robbe founded his first band with Michel Mathieu, a college friend. The band was called Parasites and they played hard rock. The band also included Philippe Lonchay and Pascal on bass. Robbe quit the group and played for a while under the name of Fahrenheit. In 1980 Look Out began with Jean-Michel Rameix and Popof on drums, which became a duo following the latter’s departure. This all led to the formation of Demon & Wizard that only had one gig at the Reims fair. They played three tracks with two acoustic guitars and received a mixed reception. Jean-Michel Rameix will join the Soggy group as bassist, he sadly passed. Philippe Lonchay will become a passionate record store owner, among other things, in Reims, the “Clé De Sol” store. Michel Mathieu from Parasites now plays with many including Bloodsuckers, and Rock en Vrac today.

“We were record collectors and we didn’t have a vinyl release of our own”

What would you say initiated your interest in music?

Philippe Lonchay: From the age of 8 to 9 years old, when my brothers were football fans, I was not interested in music at all. I mostly listened to the music on the radio by French artists and some foreign artists like Chuck Berry or The Rolling Stones. Interest in music comes from my father, who grew up in the theater of Reims, where my grandfather worked as a machinist. I immediately adhered to the music they listened to after that never left me. I got myself a 12 string Morris guitar and started learning to play.

<a href="https://cameleonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/evil-possessor">Evil Possessor by DEMON & WIZARD / CAME56</a>

Were you in any other bands before forming Demon & Wizard? Any recordings left in the vault?

No, we formed a band called Look Out, but when the drummer left we opted for Demon & Wizard. For the record, it started as a joke, haha. We were record collectors and we didn’t have a vinyl release of our own, so we decided to make one. I have a few K7 rehearsals left with different versions and sound research sessions.

Tell us who were members of Demon & Wizard and when and where did the band get together?

The group was formed in 1980 in Reims with Jean-Michel Rameix (Ramx), Jean-Marie Robbe (Robb) and me. We were all record collectors and we decided to make our own records. The band formed in April 1980. ‘Black Witch’ was one of the first songs we wrote.

The album was issued by Le Kiosque d’Orphée? What kind of a deal did you have with the label? Or was this actually a self-released album?

We didn’t have an agreement. Le Kiosque d’Orphée was a printing company and we just ordered records. We edited the album on our own account, with our own money. 100 copies were pressed, hence the rarity of the vinyl record.

Jean-Marie Robbe and Jean-Michel Rameix took care of finding a place to rehearse and play, then Michel Godot recorded us in Robbe’s room.

The record was mostly sold to our family and friends. I worked in a big store in Reims and so I also sell them there.

I would love to know the details about your gear that recorded the album.

We used a very light mixer with 8 inputs. It was Roland. Then we had a Crumar synthesizer, an Akai tape recorded, two Morris guitars (6 and 12 strings), an M3 echo chamber with magnetic tapes. Then we also had Electro-Harmonix Flanger pedals and Aria Pro II Les Paul style guitar.

Jean-Michel Rameix (Ramx) and Philippe Lonchay

“I designed the cover from an old French comic book”

Whose idea was the fantastic cover artwork?

I designed the cover from an old French comic book. For the lettering I had used letters letraset. I was very influenced by French science fiction.

Did band members participate with any other bands?

Jean-Michel Rameix (Ramx) played in Black Widow and Soggy. Jean-Marie Robbe (Robb) did solo projects on a personal basis without ever releasing anything. After having been manager of the group Lust (heavy metal) I became a record seller for 20 years in Reims.

Soggy in 1986 | Jean-Michel Rameix (Ramx), Vince and Beb.

Is there any unreleased material by Demon & Wizard?

Very few working versions.

Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band?

We never really played any concerts. It was just a group of friends without real ambitions.

What are some of the most important players that influenced your own style and what in particular did they employ in their playing that you liked?

That would be Jimmy Page, for his character, his charisma, his inventiveness. Alvin Lee for his dexterity and his bluesy sound. I was influenced also by Steve Lukather and Michael Hedges.

jAC meeting with the guitarist who influenced him the most, Alvin Lee from Ten Years After during a meeting at a concert in Reims — Philippe Lonchay meeting with the guitarist who influenced him the most, Alvin Lee from Ten Years After during a meeting at a concert in Reims

Would you like to share what currently occupies your life?

These days I listen to a lot of music. I draw, I read and walk around France. There are so many things to see and to take pictures and of course I go to concerts.

Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?

‘III’ by Led Zeppelin
‘It’s Only Time’ by Mark Curry
‘Black Sabbath’ by Black Sabbath
‘Bat Out of Hell’ by Meat Loaf
‘Dirty Looks’ by Dirty Looks (Power Pop band formed 1978 in Staten Island, NY, USA)
‘In Rock’ by Deep Purple
‘Tubular Bells’ by Mike Oldfield
‘Live Album’ by Grand Funk

Klemen Breznikar

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