Laing, Corky - of the band Cork and Mountain
By: Dominick A. Miserandino
Whatever happened to the Spin Doctors and Mountain? Well, Corky Laing and Eric Schenkman got together and formed the band Cork. And don't think that Cork was named after Corky... he'll tell you what it's really named after.
Whatever happened to the Spin Doctors and Mountain? Well, Corky Laing and Eric Schenkman got together and formed the band Cork. And don't think that Cork was named after Corky... he'll tell you what it's really named after.
DM) How much of Cork's music has the sound of Mountain and the Spin Doctors?
CL) All of the Cork music is the sound of Mountain and the Spindoctors. Eric and I were the main writers in these groups, therefore it is only natural for the chemistry to "ionize" that way.
DM) The band members differ in age from their 30's to their 50's. Are there ever any personality conflicts based on possible different perspectives?
CL) Yes, there are constant discussions involving different perspectives. Conflicts do arise on occasions when we don't have our axes in hand. Words can be very ineffective and sometimes counter productive when not used exactly as they are meant. However,
when there are instruments around, the playing (jamming .. if you will) helps diffuse the negative energy. You will find a tremendous amount of dialogue between the guitar and drums in Cork. It's a very healthy verbal band.
DM) Do you see this as an expansion of the music you've done with Mountain or a new chapter in your life?
CL) Both, without question and I feel very fortunate to have it this way.
DM) You've played with Mountain relatively recently. Is Cork the focus of your life right now?
CL) Absolutely.
DM) What do you mean by "Speed of thought" the name of the album?
CL) The amount of time spent on creating any piece of art has nothing to do with the longevity of that piece. There exists in this society a very grave problem of disposability in every facet of life. In the Music Industry...there seems to be very little concern for the process and all the emphasis is being put on the end product and how fast we can make a buck on it. The joy of writing is the process and it's a thought process. The speed of thought is the overall description of one's creative process. In our case it's that " Speed of Thought " which drove Eric and me to create this repertoire and share the common pace as well as the ideas.
DM) How did you co-ordinate the song-writing in working with Schenkman on this album? Did one take the lyrics while the other the music?
CL) We shared the entire creative process across the board. Lyrics, Music Chord Changes Tempos Drum Parts etc.
DM) Are you already working on a second album?
CL) Yes, but we are in no rush because we are still enjoying playing and promoting this C.D.
DM) Which of the tracks on this album do you feel best represent the band?
CL) Hail Mary, Philosophically, Musically and energywise.
DM) In your long career you've played with a number of musical legends. On this album Noel Redding played bass. Will you be playing with any more musicians from your past on future Cork records?
CL) Yes, We have been in touch with Noel of course and I getting back to Bill Wyman and Andy Fraser who both graciously responded to Cork's invitation to play bass on the Cork repertoire. A great deal depends on availability. Warren Haynes called back to say he would be delighted to play on the next C.D. and join us on stage
if he's in town.
DM) This album is primarily you and Eric. Why did you chose the name Cork as opposed to Corky and Eric like your previous albums?
CL) We thought it was a good idea to name the band after the county in Ireland where Noel lives.
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