1. An interview with one of BA’s keenest fans - Dave Naylor
   

1. As questioned by Björn Again’s sax player - Hans Down De Blouse:
   

2. 
   

3. Hans: Hi mate - what is your ‘real’ name?
   

Dave: Dave Naylor

1. What is your story mate?
   

No story straight to bed.

1. Funny guy. Are you nuts? Why do you chase us around the world?
   

I simply love Björn Again and I want to see them us much as I can.

1. What is this ‘Björn’s Dad’ thing? (fyi Dave has a shirt with Björn’s dad on the back - see above)
   

Someone in the audience once asked me if I was the father of Björn - and it stuck.

1. What city do you live in?
   

Jerrabomberra, just outside Canberra

1. When did you first see Björn Again?
   

I first saw BA at Geelong Performing Arts Centre in April 2004

1. What did you think?
   

I was totally blown away, gob smacked, what a great night, must see more of this lot.  Of course this then turned into my obsession!!!

1. How many BA shows have you seen?
   

So far I’ve seen 44 shows in Australia and 2 in the UK, with more to come.

1. Have you seen any overseas BA line-ups - when, where, what did you think?
   

I saw the UK BA line-up at Southend and St Albans in 2006. My first impression was that were just the same as the OZ line-up but they did some different songs, such as Hey Hey Helen, Our Last Summer, Happy Hawaii and Tropical Loveland.  They had a theme “On the Beach” which I thought was a great idea.

1. What do you like about BA?
   

That’s easy – first their professionalism, it stands out a mile, second their music, it is so ABBA-ish and I NEVER get tired of listening to it, third is that everyone associated with the band are such a great bunch of people.  They always make us welcome, give us encouragement and chat with us.  Of course, the music is brilliant!

1. Have you always liked ABBA? What did you like about them?
   

I have always been an ABBA fan from the Eurovision days. They were so “kitch” as to be loveable.  I was in my early twenties and played in a band – very impressionable.  Again the music is timeless.

1. Did you see them live?
   

Oh I wish! Never had that luck.

1. Anything you don't like about BA?
   

That’s a leading question! As a “regular” I would like more variety of songs, hey but that’s a real selfish point of view.

1. Favourite band member, character and real person
   

Agnetha has been and always will be my favourite character!  My favourite real person has to be Charlene, my wife, for putting up with all this.

1. Tell us about some other BA fans you know?
   

Through the BA forum I met Tracy and Sarah.  The three of us travel to as many shows as we can. Somehow we got a nickname of the “Travelling BA-sters”. They dress up and mimic EVERY dance routine.  Going to shows with them is brilliant and a gas.

In the UK, I met Helen and Jade.  They are long time BA fans and go to lots of shows.  They dress up and we even went to dinner with them in their costumes – caused a lot of giggles.

Through other internet forums I talk to Kathryn, Andrew (The Colonel) and CD in America.

1. Best BA show to date and why?
   

Best BA show has to be this year (2007) Saturday at Taronga.  The venue is the greatest and the crowd gets into it in a BIG way.  This is a stand up and boogie gig – the best kind- and the band were on fire. Loads of energy and crowd participation.

What is the funniest thing you have seen at a BA show?

Too hard question to answer.  Maybe a couple of shows ago when Benny threw the “telephone” at Bjorn.  He missed and demolished the microphone stand. Rutger bashed his head on the lighting rig, once, at a gig with a small stage.

1. Do you dress up at shows?
   

I have a tee shirt with “Thank You (Bjorn Again) for the Music on the front and “Bjorn’s Dad” (my nickname on the Forum) on the back.  I wear this usually.  I have recently had a silk kimono made with “Bjorn’s Dad” on the back.  I wear this at the same time as the band wears theirs. It gets difficult to keep up when the band does shows with 2 costume changes per set.

1. Name 3 other bands you go see live and/or like
   

I love Rod Stewart, been about 10 times, Eagles 5 times and will always go to these shows. Also I would go to more of Elton John’s shows, if they weren’t so expensive. My music tastes are really eclectic.  I should say that I am a “Les Mis” freak.  I’ve seen it more than 400 times, worldwide, since 1985.

1. Did you see MAMMA MIA? What did you think?
   

Yeh, I saw it once in Melbourne and three times in London. It was brilliant and so funny that I nearly wet myself!  Great fun.  I would have gone more in London, but I saw Les Mis 18 times in 15 days!!!

1. Why were ABBA such a successful band, why are BA successful as well?
   

ABBA was successful because of music, music, and music. Their songs appeal to all ages and are timeless; they were beautiful couples as well.  BA are successful because they help us all re-live our youth for two hours. They give people what they want, make they feel warm with a great night out.  They appeal to all ages.  Look at the shows; there are school kids and grandparents in the same audience. They even played at Homebake!  Talent always rises to the top!

1. Thanks Dave - see you at the next gig - from Hans.