UP CLOSE with Status Quo bassist and Teddington resident John Edwards

Local rock star John 'Rhino' Edwards is a familiar face as the bass guitarist in the line-up of one of Britain's most successful bands, Status Quo.

But when the Quo are not rockin' all over the world, Teddington-based John, and a fan of Brentford football club, is the front man for another band called Rhino's Revenge.

Here John, now aged 68, and about to go on tour with Status Quo tells Nub News about his other band and how it all started and his love of Teddington.

NUB NEWS: Rhino's Revenge - tell us a bit about the background to the band and its members?

John: "It's been my ongoing side project to Status Quo since the late 90s. I started writing songs that weren't suitable for Quo, and the band's producer at the time suggested I record a solo album, which I duly did. I came up with the title of Rhino's revenge, as Rhino is my nickname. It's been the name of the band ever since. It's a three piece band, a power trio, and a better rockin' combo you'd be hard pressed to find."

You are just about to go on tour with the band following the release of your first live album, Charge! Will you be touring all over the UK?

John: "That was the plan until 3 days ago. B***** Covid!! It's hit me quite hard, and the show we do is physically quite challenging, so for the sake of my health I've cancelled it. We'll reschedule for later in the year or early 2023."

How would you describe the music? There's a bit of Status Quo sound about it on first listening. Would you agree with that?

John: "It's like a punkier version I think, it's still rock and roll, but with gnarlier lyrics. The most important thing about a rhino's revenge show is fun, If you come to a show I guarantee you'll leave with a smile on your face."

Did you write all the tracks? Where was the album recorded? Is it available on vinyl?

John: "I've either written or co-written all the songs, except for a Bo Diddley ditty called Before you accuse me. It was recorded at various UK locations in 2019. We've released a limited edition of 250 on gold vinyl, and an unlimited edition on CD!"

Obviously, lots of people know you as Rhino but is there any hidden meaning in the name of the band, Rhino's Revenge?

John: None whatsoever, it just sounded good to me when I thought of it.

What is happening with Status Quo now? They have always been really big on the live performance circuit.

John: "We decided not to tour in 2021, which in hindsight was an inspired decision. We're gearing up to start again in March, a theatre tour of the UK, then on to Europe for festivals and indoor shows throughout the summer.We're doing a UK and European arena tour in November and December as well."

You have lived in Teddington now for a long time with your family. What makes it such a great place to live?

"I love it here. I'm actually from Whitton, but moved into London in the eighties. My wife Kathy and me were living in Harlesden, which was great, but a bit dodgy.

"When we decided we'd like to start a family it was an easy decision to move to Teddington, especially as her sister and family were already here. We're on our 4th house in Teddington and have been here 32 years, so I guess we must like it.

"Good schools, an interesting high street and it's not too far from Brentford football club, what's not to like?"

Tell us a bit about some of your favourite places in the area, pubs, restaurants and parks etc?

John: "Pubs, the Masons Arms. Best by a country mile. It's proper. Restaurants, Bengal Brasserie, Ho Me, Shambles and 114 does a great Sunday roast. Bushy Park, my favourite place on this planet.

"Plus Crane park from Hanworth to Hillingdon via Donkey Wood, amazing. Duke of Northumberland's river, oh yes, and the Thames as well. Hampton Court, the list is endless. I have to say, as someone who has really been around the UK, this is an amazing country to be lucky enough to live in."

Teddington and the surrounding area has a strong music heritage – do you feel proud to be part of that?

"I can only think of the Yardbirds and the Strawbs from round here, are there others? However, there used to be so many great local venues for live music.

"I used to go to Eel Pie island and the Winning Post in the late Sixties and early Seventies, I saw so many amazing bands, even including Quo in 1971 at the Winning Post, supported by Thin Lizzy, but Free was my band. I saw them on November 7th 1969, Richmond Athletic ground, an epiphany, I saw the bass player Andy Fraser and knew what I had to do. Become a bass owner, I'm still working on the player bit."

As you know there's a new vinyl shop in Teddington now in Church Road. Are you a big vinyl fan? Tell us about some of your most-played albums?

John: "I've always loved vinyl - 20 or so minutes per side, not the seventy plus minutes on a CD which people expect. There's a lot of filler on CDs.

"With the Beatles was my first album, wore that out. All the Free albums, Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra.

"An album that has had a profound effect on me recently is Blackstar by David Bowie, which I bought on vinyl. What an artist, staring mortality full in the face and still creating a major work. We are not worthy. And it sounds even better on vinyl.

"I like to shop at Roan, it's good place to browse. If they haven't got what you want in stock, they'll find it for you, a proper record store. And they serve good coffee I'm told."

You have also been very supportive to the various local Rockin' The Lockin' charity gigs during the pandemic and as you know there are plans for another big local music festival in May organised by Teddington Together and the Landmark. Will you be involved in that too?

John: "I haven't been asked yet!"

Your family are also involved or/and interested in the music business, tell us a bit about their involvement and support for you with the band or the composing of the music?

"They've all been involved at various times with the Rhino's Revenge project, in fact the second album is me and my kids, it's the most amazing thing to have done for me personally.

"Our son Freddie is in a terrific band called Flawes, they're on Red Bull records. They were hammered by Covid, but have been cracking on, the second album is coming soon, they're amazing live as as well. You can check them out at flawes.com.

"Mae, our daughter, who is hopefully well known as a regular contributor to the Rockin' the Lockin' gigs is still playing guitar, writing and singing, but she's also training to be a teacher now, so not so much focus on the music, but she'll never lose her writing and singing skills.

"Max, our eldest, has an incredibly eclectic taste in music, all down to me of course! He's a drummer, but that's gone by the way for a while as he's busy with studying (he's a philosopher) and his new daughter, Elena. He lives in San Diego, not a bad life really.They's all very supportive of Rhino's Revenge - in fact Freddie guests on the new album."

Rhino's Revenge are headliners at The Half Moon in Putney this Sunday (6 February). The gig starts at 2pm and tickets cost £15. Find out more here: tickets.halfmoon.co.uk/events/2022-02-06-rhinos-revenge-plus-jim-kirkpatrick-matinee-half-moon-putney

You also can read more about Rhino's Revenge at www.rhinosrevenge.com/

Paul Merson on why he loves living in Teddington

Teddington Roan Records' owner on why music-lovers are returning to Vinyl