Singer/songwriter/guitarist Ricky Warwick was cut from the cloth of a mill workers jacket. Ricky has embraced no-frills, emotionally direct, pure music exemplified by such American influences as Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Woodie Guthrie and Steve Earle. Born in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, Ricky got his first guitar at 14. ..That old, used guitar changed my life... it saved me, it was more than just notes on a fret board, it was the deepest breathe of life I ever experienced. I felt like I was armed when I carried it. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and nothing was ever gonna be the same again once I dragged my thumb across those strings... It turned out that Ricky was a natural fit for the well worn acoustic. It wasn’t long before he was aping Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen records, although it would not be much longer before bands like MC5, The Clash and Sex Pistols infiltrated his bedroom. Those artists gave me a voice, say Ricky, when no one would listen to a fourteen year old boy, they gave me something important to say... The following year, his family relocated to Strathaven, Scotland. Ricky played in numerous bands, and the young guitarist went on to found The Almighty in his native Glasgow, Scotland. The Almighty enjoyed ten Top 40 singles and four Top 20 albums in the UK. Ironically, Ricky appeared on Stiff Little Fingers.. Live and also wrote with the seminal English punk band The Ruts. However, Ricky’s roots and those acoustic artists that were like old friends started to call him back to his workmen class roots. Ricky, brazenly embarked on a acoustic solo career and recorded his first release, Tattoos & Alibis. Recorded in Dublin, Ireland, Ricky collaborated with Peter O’ Toole of Hothouse Flowers and Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy fame. This album brought about a much different feel than his past efforts with The Almighty, with Ricky drawing from his influences such as Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Ramones and The Clash. Released in September of 2003 through Sanctuary Records, Tattoos & Alibis was produced by Def Leppard..s Joe Elliott. It seemed as if Ricky has finally found a balance to his art, and was able to mix his influences in powerful story driven songs about his roots, life, loss, redemption and love. Following the release of his solo debut, Warwick toured extensively as an opener for the legendary Def Leppard. Not unlike Johnny Cash, he was one man, armed with an acoustic guitar. Nightly he played to arena sized captive audiences, and received nothing but enthusiastic responses and the encouragement he needed to continue down this new road. Just a few short years later, Ricky reunites with the Elliott/McHugh production team and releases his much anticipated sophomore effort - Love Many Trust Few in 2005. On Love Many Trust Few, he co-wrote songs with Irish singer/songwriter Kieran Goss, famed Nashville writers - Sharon Vaughn (Willie Nelson, Reba McIntire, Oakridge Boys) and Rob Crosby (Martina McBride) as well as Del James (Guns N.. Roses). Guest appearances include Joe Elliott and Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard. Ricky says of Love Many Trust Few, "The album kinda has a thread running through it. A lot of the songs are about running away from places, people, feelings, myself, or a past something I feel I have been doing for a long time. I’ve also done a lot of driving across America in the last few years, so I suppose a lot of ideas have come from there. There is also stuff about Belfast and Ireland and just about how I..ve seen it change over the years. I used to be very interested in politics but with the world being the way it is, unfortunately I don..t see a leader who inspires any belief in me. I found myself writing songs that were radically different from what I had done in the past, but it came naturally. These songs gave me new areas to explore. Lyrically, they go into other directions. Playing over 250 shows in the past few years, mostly solo and acoustic, I feel that I have finally begun to understand the responsibility of a lone performer. The relationship with the audience is more honest. I love playing rock music, but that is more like a party, and this is more like a wake. You can have a few laughs, but you are always reminded of the immense value of life. It has given me the confidence to push my songwriting boundaries even further." Ricky is presently working on his third solo record due out in 2008. This disc is a collection of gritty acoustic rock steeped songs, full of passion, dirt, whiskey and tales of a misspent youth and years of being on the road. Ricky reflects, “I find myself looking deeper into the well for this record. Sometimes I wonder if I need to write, or I have to write. Each song is not unlike a prayer, sometimes it works out better if you don’t get what you asked for. I think it may be my most honest work to date, but I don’t know, I may be too close to it right now.” Ricky has over 30 songs written for his new record and has decided to take 5 of the demos and release a limited edition EP entitled “Love Owes.” The
Love Owes EP will be exclusively available on his upcoming tour dates with Keith Caputo and through his website. Ricky also has a new side project called
Circus Diablo, featuring
Billy Morrisson (Camp Freddy, Indie 103.1) on vocals,
Billy Duffy (The Cult) on lead guitar,
Brett Scallions(Fuel) on bass and Ricky rounding out the mix on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. To add to the frenzy, Ricky’s previous band,
The Almighty, has their 20th anniversary coming up in 2008. Please check back for exciting announcements about The Almighty for next year! Ricky Warwick is once again armed with his guitar, he’s far from fourteen, and he has something important to say, and you should listen.
