Roger Glover reveals the inspiration behind Deep Purple’s new album title
For over fifty years, the driving force behind Deep Purple’s creativity has been the enduring songwriting partnership between bassist Roger Glover and vocalist Ian Gillan. As the band gears up to unveil its 24th studio album, SPLAT!, Glover emphasizes that the process of creating new music still hinges on the special connection he shares with Gillan.
In an interview with Noise11, Glover disclosed that the unconventional title of the album was actually Gillan’s brainchild. Initially skeptical, Glover recalled, “Ian came up with it. At first I thought, ‘Really?’ But then he explained it.” According to Gillan, SPLAT! serves as a complementary piece to Deep Purple’s 2020 album, Whoosh!. While Whoosh! conveys notions of movement and energy, SPLAT! is intended to deliver impact and immediacy. Glover elaborated, “He saw it as following on from Whoosh!. He has a wonderful way of taking an abstract idea and making complete sense of it.” Importantly, Glover clarified that the title should not be construed as a definitive statement from the band, emphasizing that it signifies energy and urgency rather than finality.
The uncanny ability to adopt unconventional perspectives has long defined the songwriting dynamic between Gillan and Glover, a partnership that dates back to their pre-Deep Purple days. Both musicians joined the band in 1969, bringing their established collaboration from the British group Episode Six with them. This union catalyzed Deep Purple’s evolution, culminating in the seminal album Deep Purple In Rock and solidifying the band’s status as a preeminent force in hard rock. Glover reminisced, “We came in as a package. We were already writing together, so that was part of the deal.”
Despite the passage of time and numerous changes in the band’s lineup, the duo’s creative process has remained remarkably consistent. Typically, Deep Purple’s songs originate from collective jam sessions, after which Glover and Gillan sequester themselves to refine the material independently, often working at Gillan’s residence. Glover noted, “It’s almost backwards compared to how many bands work. We have these musical fragments and then Ian and I sit down and try to understand what they want to become.” Throughout these sessions, lyrics, melodies, and arrangements organically take shape in tandem.
Glover assumes the role of the structured half of the partnership, focusing on melody and arrangement, while Gillan injects unexpected and imaginative ideas into the mix. Describing Gillan’s creativity, Glover praised, “Ian has a wonderfully eccentric imagination. He sees things from angles that most people simply wouldn’t consider.” This contrasting approach has been pivotal in sustaining Deep Purple’s relevance, as Gillan’s visionary lyrics and Glover’s disciplined musicality consistently propel the band forward.
The collaborative ethos was particularly crucial during the production of SPLAT!. In the absence of producer Bob Ezrin, Glover stepped up to oversee the recording sessions while Gillan laid down his final vocal tracks. Recalling the experience, Glover shared, “I was on the other side of the glass while Ian was singing. We’ve known each other for so long that there’s a trust there. We know instinctively when something is right.” This mutual trust has enabled Deep Purple to continue creating new music decades into their career, a feat that distinguishes them from other legacy acts focused primarily on nostalgia.
The forthcoming release of SPLAT! symbolizes another chapter in a partnership that has defined Deep Purple since its inception. For Glover, the key to their enduring success is simple: a shared enjoyment of the creative process and Gillan’s constant ability to surprise.