Nektar are icons of progressive rock, but their influence doesn’t strictly end there, having influenced everyone from Pink Floyd to Iron Maiden. Since the beginning, bassist Derek ‘Mo’ Moore has been the keeper of the proverbial Nektar-related flame, and that’s not about to change. He’s intensely proud of Nektar’s legacy and even prouder that they’re not relying strictly on that legacy.
That brings us to Misson to Mars, Moore, and company’s latest offering. He feels it will stand up to anything they’ve done before, if only because it shows their diverse approach. “We are a rock band and have been around a lot longer than prog,” Moore tells ClassicRockHistory.com.
Adding: “I guess it is hard to label us, as the music is forever changing. We don’t change keys for the sake of it, but the song ‘Drifting,’ for example, is 9/4 most of the time. It creates a laid-back feeling, which is what we were going for.”
Regardless of how you label them, Nektar isn’t going away like many of their former scene mates. “We will go in whichever direction our minds take us,” Moore says. “The legacy will be what will be left when we decide we are done—but not any time soon!”
Why release Misson to Mars in an era where it’s harder for older artists to break through?
We believe that when you go to a concert, there should always be new music to listen to, along with classics. Even though it is tough to put out a balanced set, we have found that the new music is exceptionally well received, as is the older stuff.
What kicked off Mission to Mars?
“Mission to Mars” was the first track we did. The title came to me and [guitarist/vocalist] Ryche [Chlanda], and I decided that would be the theme. I was doodling with the beginning bass riff I used to play for sound check in the ’70s at Ryche’s house, and he said, “We should make a song out of that.”
We did it there and then. The other riff from that time was on “One Day Hi, One Day Lo.” The “da da da” part came about because we had no words for it at that time, but after hearing it back, we liked it. It felt good with me and Ryche and Maryann singing, it sounded full.
How are you merging Nektar’s classic sound with the new sounds of the present?
I was always heavily involved with the music writing and with Roye and Mick [Brockett] on the lyrics, so I have a good feel for Nektar’s direction. Ryche and I have a great interaction and write extremely well together. We have the same tic-tac-toe, and the music flows so well.
Has the vinyl revival or resurgence in physical media impacted how you approached this record?
Vinyl is always in play for us, as we are old school. We think of the album as a record with two sides or more, as in “the other side.” We mastered the CD and the vinyl separately to make the sound special on both.
I find vinyl warmer. You go for separation, so each instrument and vocal is in its own room and can be followed individually as its own thread. That enables multiple interesting listens and keeps the sound always fresh.
Do you have a favorite track on this record?
I like them all. The album is over in no time at all, but “Mission to Mars” is special because it was the first one. And “I’ll Let You In” is special because it was the last track. The body of “I’ll Let You In” came to Ryche in a few minutes. I suggested the bridge, and we worked on the words together, letting them come to us as we sat around the kitchen table.
What’s the story with the latest lineup?
I love the lineup. I have worked with Ryche on and off since 1978, when we wrote most of the music for The Other Side, so we have a special closeness. Ryche brought Kendall Scott and Maryann Castello. Then, we added Jay Dittamo, who also played with Kendall and Ryche in Ryche Chlanda’s Flying Dreams. The band sounds tight and as if we have played together forever.
What’s the division of labor within the band like?
Ryche and I lead the charge, and everyone follows. No head games or egos. We all have the same goal, and that is what makes our music tick.
Do you feel indebted to Nektar’s earlier sound and records?
Yes and no. We always pick a good assortment of our classic music and thread the new music, like The Other Side and Mission to Mars, through it. We have a strong sound that meshes very well with the old stuff and new alike. We are happy to play music for our fans.
Which album would you pick out as Nektar’s definitive statement?
I like Remember the Future, but then, I like all of them. Tab in the Ocean is getting a remix in 5.1, which I am looking forward to. You can watch for it and always tell where we are on our website, Nektarsmusic.com. That said, I think Recycled was a great album, too. And I think Mission to Mars will make a significant contribution to the back catalog as we return to our rock roots.
How do you measure the importance of Nektar on prog-rock?
Lots of bands have copied our stuff over the years, including Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden. We are flattered that we have had such an impact on the music scene.
Derek ‘Mo’ Moore of Nektar: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
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