F. Robert Lloyd | Interview | “Think About Brooklyn”
F. Robert Lloyd might be most well known for his fantastic improvisational record he recorded with Sonny Sharrock in 1993. The release of ‘Think About Brooklyn’ featured Bill Laswell, Anton Fier, Gregoire Garrigues and Jean Touitou as well.
Lloyd has been active in projects like Gregoire 4 and The Cool Feedback Quartet and is currently preparing for a release of his latest album.
How did it all start for you?
F. Robert Lloyd: It started with seeing Jeff Beck playing with The Yardbirds in June 1965 and I flipped. He was using feedback with a Telecaster and an AC 30 amp. I have also always loved bagpipe pibroch music, and that was the sound I wanted to emulate.
When did you pick your first guitar?
My first guitar was a Davy Crocket guitar given to me as a 1957 Christmas gift. Then the compulsory acoustic folk guitar came in march 1963, it was purchased at the Printemps department store in Paris.
Were you part of any bands early on? Any recordings?
I have never been part of any band or recorded anything back then, but have always gigged in pub rock and free jazz bands quite exhaustively.
What are some of the main influences for you?
The main influence is Celtic pibroch bagpipe music, Jeff Beck for feedback, Jimi Hendrix for feedback and his use of the whammy bar, Bo Diddley and Wilko Johnson for their incredible rhythm abilities, Sonny Sharrock as regards to freedom. Then also sax players like John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, and Eric Dolphy for their sensitivity and intelligence.
Would you like to comment on your guitar technique? Give us some insights on developing your guitar technique.
I am a left handed guitarist, I mainly use different Bo Diddley beats for rhythm playing, and most of my lead playing is in feedback.
Tell us about the making of ‘Think About Brooklyn’?
‘Think About Brooklyn’ was produced by APC and recorded in Bill Laswell’s studios in Brooklyn.
What was it like to work with Sonny Sharrock and Bill Laswell?
I can’t say I had much contact with Bill Laswell. My hero Sonny Sharrock was very polite and a pleasure to work with.
What can you tell us about the Jean Touitou and Gregoire 4 collaboration?
I have been writing songs and playing with Jean Touitou and Gregoire 4 on and off for the last 40 years.
Can you elaborate on the formation of The Cool Feedback Quartet? Is there a certain concept behind the group?
The whole concept is Gregoire Garrigue’s really, it is improvised psychedelic repetitive music with a rock ‘n’ roll feel.
Tell us about the three albums you released.
Two are studio recordings, one is recorded live at Les Voutes Theater in Paris with the great Gilbert Artman on bass clarinet and Jac Berrocal on pocket trumpet, and boy, they are good!
not that I can think of
Did I miss some project you were part of?
A new album is soon to be released, and thanks to Covid, a lot of work has been put into it.
Klemen Breznikar
Headline photo: The Cool Feedback | Grégoire Garrigues, Michel Guikovaty, F. Robert Lloyd, Iann Assuied
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