LONDON Retrospective and Interview with Rebel Rocker Frontman, Nadir D’Priest:

By: Lucy Hall

LONDON Logo

     If there is one thing that has remained constant throughout Nadir D'Priest’s career, it’s his determination and passion for his work. His band LONDON formed in 1978 and had many incarnations throughout the years. Famous members included founding member Nikki Sixx, Blackie Lawless, Steven Adler, Slash, Tony Richards, Izzy Stradlin, Fred Coury and Nigel Benjamin. After years of trying to get a record deal, the band finally achieved that goal when Nadir joined in 84' and they began to build a following. 

The Always Playful LONDON Rockers

     As a frontman Nadir D’Priest was not only known to have a distinctive, expressive voice and powerful stage presence but also, he was known to be a true badass rocker who liked to make waves. During his interview in the cult classic Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years; Nadir flaunted a black eye he received after an altercation with a police officer. During the era of battling Tipper Gore, the Parental Advisory, and the great divide between metal subgenres glam and thrash; Nadir was never afraid to speak freely concerning social issues or politics. He even proclaimed his own badassdom in the Inside Metal documentary stating, he had a reputation for being known as a crazy son of a bitch who was armed, high, and fucked the girlfriends of the other bands. However, although his life was fueled by partying, girls and band rivalry of the time Nadir had values that he stuck by which included sticking up for not just his own rights but that of his band. He went on to say that he never went out of the way to hurt another band by degrading or talking shit about them.

Nadir D'Priest Onstage in the 80s'

Nadir D'Priest Current Stage Photo

I had the pleasure of interviewing this rock and roll rebel, Nadir D'Priest:

HEAVY MAKEUP: Throughout the years you have gone off to do other jobs and projects but you always come back to London. What inspires you and keeps you coming back to the band?

Nadir D'Priest: First I wanna thank you for the interview it's always fun to see new questions on LONDON. To answer your question I never left the band it was more like we were all in hiatus. Some chose to move onto family, business spending more time doing you. LONDON is a well-oiled ship and we love what we do. Taking a break was needed to clean up the mess from the hurricane surrounding us.

HEAVY MAKEUP: LONDON has had more than a dozen members and has gone through several breakups and reformations. At this point what do you value most about the band?

Nadir D'Priest: My friendship with my players, family fans and friends. Without all these elements it is not as fun at least for this band. Longevity goes a long way and we keep the music/genre alive that also keeps us going. We love what we do and that's very important.

HEAVY MAKEUP: LONDON has had many famous members. Yet no band member scored a record deal until you came along. What would you attribute to this accomplishment? What was it that you brought to the band that was different?

Nadir D'Priest: I brought in Nadir D’Priest this crazy person/kid with absolutely no training in the music business and or the “Fleas & Ticks of Rock Music” in LA. You had to navigate Hollywood with caution. I had a lot to prove and at the same time  I/we did bring in our 1st record deal. It was in 1985 with Mike Varney's of Shrapnel Records One of the most exciting times in our lives I believe. Our firstborn was coming together and we were stout not a big deal but we had a deal. I also did a video for radio stars which we shot and edited ourselves so we were very proud of that. Lizzie Grey and I had managed to get through the music adding more to heavy-metal sound. That gave us LONDON Non-Stop Rock, LONDON Don't Cry Wolf, LONDON Playa Del Rock. Lizzie didn't get to perform on Playa Del Rock but co-wrote “Russian Winter” with me.

HEAVY MAKEUP: How did the musical stamp of famed producer Kim Fowley impact your songs?

Nadir D'Priest: Unfortunately for us or should I say fortunately we basically hired Kim as a producer. Kim was fun to be around until his hypoglycemia would kick in and bring out angry Kim. He spent his time cutting newspapers on the recording studio floor and telling stories. LONDON Don't Cry Wolf was written and arranged by Lizzie, Brian and myself. The album went out as a Produced by LONDON and Kim Fowley. Rip Kim. We worked really hard on DCW the whole party had to be contained and finish the recordings. We had Gene Meros engineering with was working with Van Halen’s Fair Warning album. A great time in music.

HEAVY MAKEUP: London was featured in The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years. How did appearing in the film affect your career?

Nadir D'Priest: Well, this is the ongoing question that I get on a lot of in interviews. Yes it affected my musical career and everyone in it is a good, maybe some are a little better than others. I will always cherish my time working with director Penelope Spheeris and her crew was always top-notch. LONDON had a great time throughout the film in and out.

You can read the complete Nadir D'Priest Interview and The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years - Cult Movie Review in HEAVY MAKEUP: A Book about Camp that Rocks! The 80's Volume One set for release Dec. 2019 -Jan. 2020.