Light Of Darkness | Interview | “Freedom Fight”
With their sole album released exclusively in Germany, Light of Darkness etched their mark into the annals of early 70s heavy rock.
The genesis of their musical journey traces back to the early 60s with The Tremors. Bassist Mike Reoch and guitarist Byron Grant embarked on their musical odyssey in the late 1960s, immersing themselves in the vibrant club scene of Germany. Teaming up with fellow Scot John Latimer and Manfred Bebert, they birthed Light Of Darkness, a band pulsating with soulful raw energy tinged with hints of psych rock.
“I think it was in my blood, as my father was also a hobby musician”
Where and when did you grow up?
Mike Reoch: I grew up in Brechin, Scotland, born on March 1, 1944. The guitarist and my friend, the late Byron Grant, and I started a duo in school when we were 10 years old. By the age of 12, we had a skiffle group with five members. The life was quite busy back then.
How did you first get interested in music?
I think it was in my blood, as my father was also a hobby musician, playing violin, and my sister played piano, which we had at home.
What bands were you a member of prior to the formation of The Tremors?
None, that was the start in 1961. The Tremors formed in 1961 as a five-piece band with bass, drums, two guitars, and a vocalist.
If I’m not mistaken, you released two singles, one for Metronome and one for Fontana?
Yes, they were really commercial, different from Light Of Darkness later on.
When was Light Of Darkness officially born?
We started in 1967 as The Tremors and later decided to write our own songs, change the band name, and go on tour.
Light of Darkness officially started in the 1970s. We had been impressed by Earth (later Black Sabbath) in Star Club. The band name was an idea from our drummer.
Our repertoire consisted of our own songs and covers like ‘Maggie’s Farm’ and ‘Summertime Blues,’ etc. We played support to Status Quo and Golden Earring at a rock festival in Schloss Holte, near Bielefeld, Germany. We also played a rock festival in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
We had the usual stacks, PA, Fender guitars, and Gretsch guitars.
Tell us about the recording of ‘Light Of Darkness,’ your self-titled album released via Philips.
Our manager did all the arrangements. We recorded at Studio Maschen, south of Hamburg. So we recorded it at Studio Maschen, using our own amps and drums. Herbert Hildebrandt from The Rattles produced it. The exact hours spent in the studio are unknown.
How many copies were pressed?
No idea. Second Battle did a CD version later on.
What followed for the band after the album was out?
We went on tour and played two weeks in Munich at PN Club, and then some festivals.
Was there a plan to record more back then? Are there any unreleased materials or material that you didn’t record back then, but were newly written at the time?
No.
Did any member participate in any other bands back then?
No.
What occupied your life later on?
We went back to The Tremors after a while as work was more important.
Did you stay in touch with members all these years?
We stayed together from 1967 till my best friend and guitarist Byron died in 2014, and later drummer Manfred in 2021.
Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band?
Being successful playing live.
What are some of your favorite memories from Light of Darkness and the ’60s/’70s in general?
The tours to South Germany and Yugoslavia in 1971.
What are some of the most important players that influenced your own style?
As a bass player, I was impressed by other bassists, but none in particular.
What currently occupies your life?
I will soon be 80, and The Tremors still play live gigs, the singer being 82, and two new members after two had passed.
Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.
Still playing live at almost 80 and also rehearsing with two other bands weekly.
Klemen Breznikar
Headline photo: Light of Darkness live in Hamburg (1970)
