Angel

Punky Meadows and Frank DiMino talk new music, shows, and the infamous Spinal Tap scene they inspired.

In the 70s, great things were expected for Angel. The band's stage show was a great spectacle, and musically they swept from pomp to pop rock – in the process coming up with memorable tunes. But they were never a major commercial success. However, the band’s reputation has grown rapidly in their absence. Last month, vocalist Frank DiMino and guitarist Punky Meadows reunited to play a live set of Angel songs, and they have a new seven-disc box set, Angel: The Casablanca Years, out now.

What made you decide to get together for the Angel style tour? Meadows: I did a solo tour a couple of years ago, and Frank joined me on stage in Vegas to do the Angel song The Tower, and the crowd went nuts! That’s when we decided this would be a great thing to do.

Why were there any other former members involved?

Meadows: Well, Gregg [Giuffria, keyboards] has a very successful business outside of music, and also has health issues. And Barry [Brandt, drums]… who knows what he's up to! But as long as you have the vocalist and guitarist you have the band, right?

So might you have just called yourselves Angel rather than the unwieldy Punky Meadows And Frank DiMino Play Angel?

DiMino: I’ll admit to being a little hesitant to do that, because without all of us [including bassist Felix Robinson], should we be calling ourselves Angel? I’m not sure how the other guys would feel.

That was first time you’ve played in Britain. What prevented Angel from touring here in your heyday? DiMino: We actually had a tour planned for Britain and France in 1976, but then our management and label decided not to let us to do it. It was a business decision.

Why didn’t the band get the success everyone believed was inevitable? Meadows: We split up just before MTV came in, and we were tailor-made for that sort of exposure. But without that option we never got enough radio support, because we were seen as being too heavy.

Are there any plans for a live album or new studio recordings? Meadows: Both! Frank and I are going to do a new album; there are songs already written. And we have a show from The Whisky recorded. DiMino: There’s also a documentary being done on Angel that involves all five of us. It should come out next year.

The pod scene in Spinal Tap was inspired by how Angel used to appear on stage. Did you find it funny? Meadows: We used to rehearse on the ABC sound stage, when the TV show Laverne & Shirley was filmed. Michael McKean, who played David St. Hubbins in Spinal Tap, was in that series, and used to come and watch us all the time. I think it is very funny.

Punky, how did you feel about Frank Zappa writing the song Punky’s Whips about you?

Meadows: Frank Zappa was such a lyrical satirist, and for him to use me as the subject of one of his songs was a real honour. I got to meet Frank, and he said he thought I was a cool dude! MD

“As long as you have the vocalist and guitarist, you have the band.”