How has the shows been?
Gilby Clarke: Well, it´s only been two but both of them have been really good. Nice turn outs and the band played well.
What´s it like touring in Sweden? All these small places.
GC: It´s fun! Over the last four or five years I´ve been doing smaller clubs and stuff. It´s fun! You can look at it in a lot of different ways and I tend to try to make it the best I can.
Is it different doing these clubs in the States?
GC: No, it´s about the same. I mean, the only thing that´s different when I think about the States is that the gear is better. Equipment and stuff, it´s a little bit more modern, but it´s the same thing and the same crowd, you know! People that come to small clubs, same people go to big concerts.
What kind of set are you playing?
GC: I play a little bit of everything. I´ve made four or five solo records and I play some of that. I play some GN´R and I play some Stones and songs I did with Slash and Snakepit. I do a Supernova tune, so it´s a little bit of everything that I´ve been involved with. Anything I can sing! (laughs) Anything I can play on guitar.
You grew up in Cleveland and moved on when you were like 17, to LA?
GB: Yeah, I was 17! You know that?
I did my homework!
GC: (laughs) Actually I think I was 15 when I moved to LA, but 17 when I first got in a band. When I moved to California it was high school basically and it was my way of adapting and I started a band and started playing at school dances and then I moved to Hollywood. (laughs)
In Cleveland, did you ever come across Eric Singer or Derrick Green?
GC: No, I didn´t! As a matter of fact, I didn´t meet Eric Singer… well, I met Eric Singer in the late 80´s and I only casually met him. I didn´t get to know him until the mid 90´s and what we didn´t realize when we met each other was that we actually lived four blocks away from each other. I was 208 and he was 216. Same block, just four blocks away. We were different age groups. I´m a little bit younger than him, so we kind of missed each other. We went to the same school too.
Cool! Is Cleveland a music town?
GC: Yes, I´d say it is, in a sense that there is a lot of music and people are very passionate about music. Everybody goes to every concert, even in the suburbs to the main town, people are into music. I think with me, it was more of my escape. It wasn´t like a rosy childhood, I mean we were troublemakers and for me it was just a way of not being a bad kid.
When you came to LA and getting into the whole music scene there, were you in a lot of different bands before you ended up in Candy?
GC: No, I wasn´t actually! I really haven´t been in a lot of bands. My first real band was Candy. I mean, I had like a high school band that I played in, but my first Hollywood band was Candy, so the first band I was in, we got a record deal. It wasn´t successful, but we at least got to make records and things like that.
And this was in the early 80´s?
GC: Yeah, this is very early 80´s. When Candy was going through some changes, or mainly the scene was changing you know. It was becoming much darker and harder which for me was what I liked anyway. Candy was a good band, but it wasn´t exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something harder and I formed my band Kill For Thrills and it was out of the affect that I wanted things darker and harder. I actually play some Kill For Thrills songs in my set.
Being part of that scene and LA being kind of a Mecca back in the 80´s, were you out putting up flyers and stuff like that?
GC: Oh yeah, absolutely! You had to and everybody did. I wouldn´t say that there was a lot of competition between bands, but there was competition like to get the audience. Even though the metal scene dominated, it wasn´t all there was. There was punk rock and there was also like an underground scene and that´s where bands like Jane´s Addiction came out of, the dark underground scene. And my band was stuck between the metal and the underground scene. We played with Jane´s Addiction, but we would also play with the hard rock bands too, so we were kind of like on both fences.
Was it more fun back then?
GC: I don´t know if it was more fun as much as, you know, that was just our youth, so I think we look back and think "Oh, that was great!". It was hard, but it was fun because that´s the way we grew up.
Before you joined Guns N´Roses for that tour, what were you up to right before that? Was it Kill For Thrills?
GC: Yeah, it was! I was just finishing up… We did two records and a bunch of touring and once again we were kind of like right on the fence and just about to break and I got a call from him, so I had to quit my job. (laughs)
How did you end up getting that call? Did you know any of those guys before that?
GC: Yeah, I knew all of them! The Hollywood scene was very closed knit and we all went to each other's gigs and when I was in Candy, is when I knew the Guns guys. I knew Axl when he first came to town and Izzy was one of my first friends in LA and it was just because there was a small group of guys that liked both sides, liked the rock stuff and liked the punk stuff and we would go to both shows and that´s the way Izzy was. I´d run into him at a Germs concert and I´d also run into him at The Plastmatics. It was just a way of us having a lot of things in common. Slash was more like a metal guy. We always saw him backstage and he´d be back there drinking and trying to grab your guitar and it was like "Go get your own guitar!". (laughs) We were all part of the local scene, so yeah, I did know all of them. Even Matt! I knew Matt really well too.
There was this guy, Chris Weber, who was in Hollywood Rose and I talked to him a few years back…
GC: Yeah, I remember him!
Well, he had a brain tumor. Is he still alive?
GC: I don´t know! I met him way back when, so I don´t know him.
Ok. Coming from Kill For Thrills and the you do this huge tour that goes on for three years, when it´s on that level and the craziness that goes with it, is it like you´re in a world of its own and everything else stops existing and laws and rules don´t apply anymore?
GC: I gotta tell you, that´s true! And I´ll tell you for a lot of reasons. One of the main reasons is, when you´re on a tour, you are in your own world. I mean, you´re with the same 20 people for 2½ years every single day. Hotels, eating together, going out together and time kind of stops, because we´re doing the same thing every day. We´re traveling, checking into hotels, playing a show, travel, checking into hotels, playing a show, but the rest of the world around you is going on and going about their business. Work, having children, so when you come back into town… usually you´d play for two or three months and then come back for two weeks and take a break. Everything changes around you, but you don´t because time is standing still and also within that world, there are no rules, because that´s all we do. Our job is to play those three hours every night and that´s it! Get there, play the show, so you have a lot of freedom and you definitely take advantage of having no rules. So I agree. What you said is actually true.
Did you ever feel like, during those three years, that there were times when it got out of hand?
GC: Well, it always got out of hand! (laughs) But also, my experience is different from if you would ask Slash, Duff or Axl because remember, I was also in two bands that weren´t successful, so when I got that call I said to myself "I´m going to enjoy this, because I know this isn´t easy. This is hard." And when you have the success it´s supposed to be fun. I have a different experience than they do. For them it was the first band. They think it happens to everybody. (laughs) That it´s easy. It´s not easy! So I definitely enjoyed it differently.
Just wondering, were you on a salary back then?
GC: Yes and no! I was a band member, but I also got paid weekly but there are also perks and other things with it. But everybody was, they all took a salary.
I read about these theme parties…
GC: Oh yeah yeah… (laughs)
Was that every single night or…?
GC: Well, it was only on the Metallica tour I think we did them. I have to tell you, I didn´t even go to a lot of them! (laughs) I remember some of them. There was like the Roman bath party and I remember in New Orleans where we had the voodoo party which was really cool. That was fun! Texas was a stripper party with stripper poles and all that. I mean, they were fun.
Were those parties at the arena or at the hotel?
GC: At the arena, always at the arena! That was their job. They actually had people that went on the road and did that, you know. You gotta have fun!
Definitely! What´s your take on Axl Rose and the band Guns N´Roses today?
GC: As it stands? Well, knowing Axl and knowing Axl 20 years ago and knowing what he wanted to do, I would assume that he´s a happy guy. This is, what he explained to me, what he wanted the band to be. When we had our, what I call a disagreement, he wanted to take the band in a new direction. He wanted to bring in lots of people and this is what he envisioned. I assume he is happy. Is it the kind of music that I enjoy? Some of it, some of it! I think it´s creative and I think it´s what music is supposed to be. It´s supposed to be original and creative and I think it is all those things. It´s just to me, when I think of Guns N´Roses, it doesn´t sound like Guns N´Roses to me! But as I say, if this was an Axl Rose album, it´d be fantastic, because it´s good music! It is! I can´t say it´s not good music.
You kind of get the feeling that LA and Hollywood is quite small in a way. Do you run into each other?
GC: No, never! You would think it is, but it isn´t a small place! There´s also a lot of scenes within scenes. Even in our period when things were simpler, there was a hard rock scene, there was an underground scene, there was a punk rock scene, there was a country scene, so no you don´t! I mean, I run into Matt all the time going out, but I don´t ever run into Axl. (laughs) I wouldn´t even know if he was in the same town!
You´ve done a lot of producing as well. How come you ended up producing The Bronx?
GC: (laughs) Once again, I like a lot of music!
Are they still around?
GC: Oh yeah yeah! As a matter of fact thay have a new record coming out, but they also have another band called Mariachi el Bronx and they started a mariachi band and it´s traditional mariachi but it´s kind of punk rock. You should look it up! When they told me about it I thought it was silly and then I went to see them and I went "Oh, it´s really good!". They wear the outfits and everything. When I got approached about that… it always comes down to the music and I thought they were really good. I heard something… they reminded me of X and when they first came out. It was very LA sounding and sounding like people living in LA and that´s what The Bronx sounded like to me.
What´s the name of the X song, "Johnny hit and run Paulene" or something like that?
GC: Oh wait, I remember that one! No, "Hit and run! Yeah, "Hit and run"! (It actually is "Johnny hit and run Paulene". Song from their first album "Los Angeles". Editor´s note)
Such a cool song!
GC: "Hit and run" is great!
And then you did Nancy Sinatra. Did she tell you any funny Frank stories?
GC: That´s all she told! (laughs) She also tells Elvis stories. Every time I do a different gig, there are always reasons behind it. With Nancy, I´ve always been a terrible music reader. I know my notes, but I never have to read. Nancy is a reading gig. They throw a chart in front of you and "Go!". Like if we´re playing tonight, she throws a chart in front of you and you have to go. That was my way of sharpening up on my skills plus I liked her band. It was a mixture of the original Nancy Sinatra band with newer guys and for me, I had to learn a lot of different things. As a musician you need to be a little bit more well rounded and I pride myself on trying to be versatile and not just being stuck in one thing. I wanna be able to play with a country artist and a rock artist and a pop artist and I wanna be able to do it all! Whether I do it is another thing, but I wanna be able to and that´s what Nancy was. It really taught me a lot and I learned a lot from the original guys, the Wrecking crew guys who were just phenomenal! And she is badass! Nancy is so on top of the music scene. She´ll bring up bands that I never heard of before. She´s on the cutting edge and she´ll go "So and so is doing this!" and I´m like "I didn´t know that!". She´s got a Twitter account. She´s sharp and she knows what´s going on. When I had my motorcycle accident, one of the first phone calls was Nancy. She called me every single day checking up on me. A sweetheart!
Cool! Have you fully recovered from that?
GC: Ah, no!
It was pretty bad, right?
GC: I broke both my legs and had a lot of damage. I still limp a little and I´ve got hard ware still stuck in my leg.
Do you get a different view of life after a thing like that?
GC: No, no! I mean, I got right back on my bike. I think… let me think about that! No! I think I´m a little bit more careful, but I was careful before. I didn´t do anything, somebody hit me. No, I don´t think so!
This other band you´ve worked with, Hotel Diablo?
GC: Oh yeah, that´s going on right now! They´re a couple of guys from some LA local bands. One´s in Quiet Riot, a couple of guys from WASP and from Lady Jack. It´s just a new young band with young fresh music and I´ve been working with them trying to make a whole record, so we´re getting there.
What´s it like making records these days? I read about Tommy Lee who said that there´s no point in making records anymore, because everybody just wants one song.
GC: True! Well, I agree with him in that sense. I do agree with why make a record? Like why make 10 or 12 songs? It´s kind of going back to like in the 60´s where people just made singles and look, is that a good or bad thing? I don´t know! It´s easier! I think making music is a lot easier than it ever has been and I think that you see a wide variety. I think you see some real creative music and I think you see some real narrow shitty not creative music. All of these things that are available to us are tools. These are tools that The Beatles would´ve used if they had them, The Rolling Stones and Elvis. It´s just a matter of using a tool, but you still have to be creative and write a song.
These days, do you see yourself as 50% producer, 50% musician?
GC: That´s exactly how I see myself! That´s what I do. I´m either producing or… I see myself as a guitarist. Even though I sing in my band, I´m a guitar player first. I would rather play guitar!
A new album from you then?
GC: (laughs) Well, I´ve got about six songs done. I always say that when I have ten good songs I´ll make a record. It´s just not there yet and I don´t want to put out something that´s shitty.
When you put it out, are you gonna get a record deal or do it yourself?
GC: I always do a record label. That´s not my gig! My gig is write the songs, record the songs, perform the songs. It ain´t my job to sell the songs!
Are there any other musicians you´d like to work with?
GC: I think there´s a lot of musicians. At the top of my head I can´t really think of someone, but production wise, I´d produce Muse, I´d produce Mötley Crüe! I like people that are inspired by good music and like to be creative. What I hate is unoriginality. I like things that are new and exciting. Even if that is a hard rock song that´s two four, as long as it´s creative and new I like it!
Ever thought of moving to Nashville because I´ve talked to a lot of LA people and Nashville is apparently the new thing?
GC: It is! They´re actually right, it is! Nashville is a great place to be, but for me, I have a family, a wife and daughter and my daughter goes to school and I don´t know… I also hate the cold! (laughs)
Alright Gilby, thank you!
GC: Alright, cool!
Gilby Clarke: Well, it´s only been two but both of them have been really good. Nice turn outs and the band played well.
What´s it like touring in Sweden? All these small places.
GC: It´s fun! Over the last four or five years I´ve been doing smaller clubs and stuff. It´s fun! You can look at it in a lot of different ways and I tend to try to make it the best I can.
Is it different doing these clubs in the States?
GC: No, it´s about the same. I mean, the only thing that´s different when I think about the States is that the gear is better. Equipment and stuff, it´s a little bit more modern, but it´s the same thing and the same crowd, you know! People that come to small clubs, same people go to big concerts.
What kind of set are you playing?
GC: I play a little bit of everything. I´ve made four or five solo records and I play some of that. I play some GN´R and I play some Stones and songs I did with Slash and Snakepit. I do a Supernova tune, so it´s a little bit of everything that I´ve been involved with. Anything I can sing! (laughs) Anything I can play on guitar.
You grew up in Cleveland and moved on when you were like 17, to LA?
GB: Yeah, I was 17! You know that?
I did my homework!
GC: (laughs) Actually I think I was 15 when I moved to LA, but 17 when I first got in a band. When I moved to California it was high school basically and it was my way of adapting and I started a band and started playing at school dances and then I moved to Hollywood. (laughs)
In Cleveland, did you ever come across Eric Singer or Derrick Green?
GC: No, I didn´t! As a matter of fact, I didn´t meet Eric Singer… well, I met Eric Singer in the late 80´s and I only casually met him. I didn´t get to know him until the mid 90´s and what we didn´t realize when we met each other was that we actually lived four blocks away from each other. I was 208 and he was 216. Same block, just four blocks away. We were different age groups. I´m a little bit younger than him, so we kind of missed each other. We went to the same school too.
Cool! Is Cleveland a music town?
GC: Yes, I´d say it is, in a sense that there is a lot of music and people are very passionate about music. Everybody goes to every concert, even in the suburbs to the main town, people are into music. I think with me, it was more of my escape. It wasn´t like a rosy childhood, I mean we were troublemakers and for me it was just a way of not being a bad kid.
When you came to LA and getting into the whole music scene there, were you in a lot of different bands before you ended up in Candy?
GC: No, I wasn´t actually! I really haven´t been in a lot of bands. My first real band was Candy. I mean, I had like a high school band that I played in, but my first Hollywood band was Candy, so the first band I was in, we got a record deal. It wasn´t successful, but we at least got to make records and things like that.
And this was in the early 80´s?
GC: Yeah, this is very early 80´s. When Candy was going through some changes, or mainly the scene was changing you know. It was becoming much darker and harder which for me was what I liked anyway. Candy was a good band, but it wasn´t exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something harder and I formed my band Kill For Thrills and it was out of the affect that I wanted things darker and harder. I actually play some Kill For Thrills songs in my set.
Being part of that scene and LA being kind of a Mecca back in the 80´s, were you out putting up flyers and stuff like that?
GC: Oh yeah, absolutely! You had to and everybody did. I wouldn´t say that there was a lot of competition between bands, but there was competition like to get the audience. Even though the metal scene dominated, it wasn´t all there was. There was punk rock and there was also like an underground scene and that´s where bands like Jane´s Addiction came out of, the dark underground scene. And my band was stuck between the metal and the underground scene. We played with Jane´s Addiction, but we would also play with the hard rock bands too, so we were kind of like on both fences.
Was it more fun back then?
GC: I don´t know if it was more fun as much as, you know, that was just our youth, so I think we look back and think "Oh, that was great!". It was hard, but it was fun because that´s the way we grew up.
Before you joined Guns N´Roses for that tour, what were you up to right before that? Was it Kill For Thrills?
GC: Yeah, it was! I was just finishing up… We did two records and a bunch of touring and once again we were kind of like right on the fence and just about to break and I got a call from him, so I had to quit my job. (laughs)
How did you end up getting that call? Did you know any of those guys before that?
GC: Yeah, I knew all of them! The Hollywood scene was very closed knit and we all went to each other's gigs and when I was in Candy, is when I knew the Guns guys. I knew Axl when he first came to town and Izzy was one of my first friends in LA and it was just because there was a small group of guys that liked both sides, liked the rock stuff and liked the punk stuff and we would go to both shows and that´s the way Izzy was. I´d run into him at a Germs concert and I´d also run into him at The Plastmatics. It was just a way of us having a lot of things in common. Slash was more like a metal guy. We always saw him backstage and he´d be back there drinking and trying to grab your guitar and it was like "Go get your own guitar!". (laughs) We were all part of the local scene, so yeah, I did know all of them. Even Matt! I knew Matt really well too.
There was this guy, Chris Weber, who was in Hollywood Rose and I talked to him a few years back…
GC: Yeah, I remember him!
Well, he had a brain tumor. Is he still alive?
GC: I don´t know! I met him way back when, so I don´t know him.
Ok. Coming from Kill For Thrills and the you do this huge tour that goes on for three years, when it´s on that level and the craziness that goes with it, is it like you´re in a world of its own and everything else stops existing and laws and rules don´t apply anymore?
GC: I gotta tell you, that´s true! And I´ll tell you for a lot of reasons. One of the main reasons is, when you´re on a tour, you are in your own world. I mean, you´re with the same 20 people for 2½ years every single day. Hotels, eating together, going out together and time kind of stops, because we´re doing the same thing every day. We´re traveling, checking into hotels, playing a show, travel, checking into hotels, playing a show, but the rest of the world around you is going on and going about their business. Work, having children, so when you come back into town… usually you´d play for two or three months and then come back for two weeks and take a break. Everything changes around you, but you don´t because time is standing still and also within that world, there are no rules, because that´s all we do. Our job is to play those three hours every night and that´s it! Get there, play the show, so you have a lot of freedom and you definitely take advantage of having no rules. So I agree. What you said is actually true.
Did you ever feel like, during those three years, that there were times when it got out of hand?
GC: Well, it always got out of hand! (laughs) But also, my experience is different from if you would ask Slash, Duff or Axl because remember, I was also in two bands that weren´t successful, so when I got that call I said to myself "I´m going to enjoy this, because I know this isn´t easy. This is hard." And when you have the success it´s supposed to be fun. I have a different experience than they do. For them it was the first band. They think it happens to everybody. (laughs) That it´s easy. It´s not easy! So I definitely enjoyed it differently.
Just wondering, were you on a salary back then?
GC: Yes and no! I was a band member, but I also got paid weekly but there are also perks and other things with it. But everybody was, they all took a salary.
I read about these theme parties…
GC: Oh yeah yeah… (laughs)
Was that every single night or…?
GC: Well, it was only on the Metallica tour I think we did them. I have to tell you, I didn´t even go to a lot of them! (laughs) I remember some of them. There was like the Roman bath party and I remember in New Orleans where we had the voodoo party which was really cool. That was fun! Texas was a stripper party with stripper poles and all that. I mean, they were fun.
Were those parties at the arena or at the hotel?
GC: At the arena, always at the arena! That was their job. They actually had people that went on the road and did that, you know. You gotta have fun!
Definitely! What´s your take on Axl Rose and the band Guns N´Roses today?
GC: As it stands? Well, knowing Axl and knowing Axl 20 years ago and knowing what he wanted to do, I would assume that he´s a happy guy. This is, what he explained to me, what he wanted the band to be. When we had our, what I call a disagreement, he wanted to take the band in a new direction. He wanted to bring in lots of people and this is what he envisioned. I assume he is happy. Is it the kind of music that I enjoy? Some of it, some of it! I think it´s creative and I think it´s what music is supposed to be. It´s supposed to be original and creative and I think it is all those things. It´s just to me, when I think of Guns N´Roses, it doesn´t sound like Guns N´Roses to me! But as I say, if this was an Axl Rose album, it´d be fantastic, because it´s good music! It is! I can´t say it´s not good music.
You kind of get the feeling that LA and Hollywood is quite small in a way. Do you run into each other?
GC: No, never! You would think it is, but it isn´t a small place! There´s also a lot of scenes within scenes. Even in our period when things were simpler, there was a hard rock scene, there was an underground scene, there was a punk rock scene, there was a country scene, so no you don´t! I mean, I run into Matt all the time going out, but I don´t ever run into Axl. (laughs) I wouldn´t even know if he was in the same town!
You´ve done a lot of producing as well. How come you ended up producing The Bronx?
GC: (laughs) Once again, I like a lot of music!
Are they still around?
GC: Oh yeah yeah! As a matter of fact thay have a new record coming out, but they also have another band called Mariachi el Bronx and they started a mariachi band and it´s traditional mariachi but it´s kind of punk rock. You should look it up! When they told me about it I thought it was silly and then I went to see them and I went "Oh, it´s really good!". They wear the outfits and everything. When I got approached about that… it always comes down to the music and I thought they were really good. I heard something… they reminded me of X and when they first came out. It was very LA sounding and sounding like people living in LA and that´s what The Bronx sounded like to me.
What´s the name of the X song, "Johnny hit and run Paulene" or something like that?
GC: Oh wait, I remember that one! No, "Hit and run! Yeah, "Hit and run"! (It actually is "Johnny hit and run Paulene". Song from their first album "Los Angeles". Editor´s note)
Such a cool song!
GC: "Hit and run" is great!
And then you did Nancy Sinatra. Did she tell you any funny Frank stories?
GC: That´s all she told! (laughs) She also tells Elvis stories. Every time I do a different gig, there are always reasons behind it. With Nancy, I´ve always been a terrible music reader. I know my notes, but I never have to read. Nancy is a reading gig. They throw a chart in front of you and "Go!". Like if we´re playing tonight, she throws a chart in front of you and you have to go. That was my way of sharpening up on my skills plus I liked her band. It was a mixture of the original Nancy Sinatra band with newer guys and for me, I had to learn a lot of different things. As a musician you need to be a little bit more well rounded and I pride myself on trying to be versatile and not just being stuck in one thing. I wanna be able to play with a country artist and a rock artist and a pop artist and I wanna be able to do it all! Whether I do it is another thing, but I wanna be able to and that´s what Nancy was. It really taught me a lot and I learned a lot from the original guys, the Wrecking crew guys who were just phenomenal! And she is badass! Nancy is so on top of the music scene. She´ll bring up bands that I never heard of before. She´s on the cutting edge and she´ll go "So and so is doing this!" and I´m like "I didn´t know that!". She´s got a Twitter account. She´s sharp and she knows what´s going on. When I had my motorcycle accident, one of the first phone calls was Nancy. She called me every single day checking up on me. A sweetheart!
Cool! Have you fully recovered from that?
GC: Ah, no!
It was pretty bad, right?
GC: I broke both my legs and had a lot of damage. I still limp a little and I´ve got hard ware still stuck in my leg.
Do you get a different view of life after a thing like that?
GC: No, no! I mean, I got right back on my bike. I think… let me think about that! No! I think I´m a little bit more careful, but I was careful before. I didn´t do anything, somebody hit me. No, I don´t think so!
This other band you´ve worked with, Hotel Diablo?
GC: Oh yeah, that´s going on right now! They´re a couple of guys from some LA local bands. One´s in Quiet Riot, a couple of guys from WASP and from Lady Jack. It´s just a new young band with young fresh music and I´ve been working with them trying to make a whole record, so we´re getting there.
What´s it like making records these days? I read about Tommy Lee who said that there´s no point in making records anymore, because everybody just wants one song.
GC: True! Well, I agree with him in that sense. I do agree with why make a record? Like why make 10 or 12 songs? It´s kind of going back to like in the 60´s where people just made singles and look, is that a good or bad thing? I don´t know! It´s easier! I think making music is a lot easier than it ever has been and I think that you see a wide variety. I think you see some real creative music and I think you see some real narrow shitty not creative music. All of these things that are available to us are tools. These are tools that The Beatles would´ve used if they had them, The Rolling Stones and Elvis. It´s just a matter of using a tool, but you still have to be creative and write a song.
These days, do you see yourself as 50% producer, 50% musician?
GC: That´s exactly how I see myself! That´s what I do. I´m either producing or… I see myself as a guitarist. Even though I sing in my band, I´m a guitar player first. I would rather play guitar!
A new album from you then?
GC: (laughs) Well, I´ve got about six songs done. I always say that when I have ten good songs I´ll make a record. It´s just not there yet and I don´t want to put out something that´s shitty.
When you put it out, are you gonna get a record deal or do it yourself?
GC: I always do a record label. That´s not my gig! My gig is write the songs, record the songs, perform the songs. It ain´t my job to sell the songs!
Are there any other musicians you´d like to work with?
GC: I think there´s a lot of musicians. At the top of my head I can´t really think of someone, but production wise, I´d produce Muse, I´d produce Mötley Crüe! I like people that are inspired by good music and like to be creative. What I hate is unoriginality. I like things that are new and exciting. Even if that is a hard rock song that´s two four, as long as it´s creative and new I like it!
Ever thought of moving to Nashville because I´ve talked to a lot of LA people and Nashville is apparently the new thing?
GC: It is! They´re actually right, it is! Nashville is a great place to be, but for me, I have a family, a wife and daughter and my daughter goes to school and I don´t know… I also hate the cold! (laughs)
Alright Gilby, thank you!
GC: Alright, cool!
Drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) was interviewed on the latest episode of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", which premiered on Saturday, October 8. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On what led to his departure from DREAM THEATER:
"The quick Reader's Digest version is, like any musician will tell you, being in a band like being in a marriage, but actually, being in a band is like four marriages — you're not married to one person, you're married to four people. So, like any marriage, you go through bumps. I'll just say that I think we could have used a break. 'Cause 25 years without a break is a long time. I can't name any bands that have been together 25 years — boom, boom, boom, write-record-tour, write-record-tour — without taking a break. And I love the guys — we're brothers, and it was really hard for me to even suggest it. But I love the baby — DREAM THEATER is my baby, it's my child — but sometimes a marriage stays together for the sake of the child and not necessarily the sake of the relationship. I'll always love the baby; I guess I kind of fell out of love with a couple of the wives. But I just wanna say that I didn't wanna leave the band. I said, 'Look, 25 years is a long time. Let's just take a year or two and then come back together.' The fans would be excited, we would be refreshed. And they didn't wanna wait. So I either had to go unwillingly and start the next record or step aside."
On whether his involvement with AVENGED SEVENFOLD played a role in his decision to leave DREAM THEATER:
"No. Well, that could have played into [the other members of DREAM THEATER] not wanting to wait anymore, but the fact of the matter is when I was playing with AVENGED, DREAM THEATER had just finished up 14 months [of touring], and after a 14-month tour, we'll always take a few months off. But I was talking about a year or so. And AVENGED played no part in my decision. To be completely honest, I had been thinking about it for awhile. And the writing was kind of on the wall, internally. There were two moments of clarity for me that happened before this went down that I knew maybe it was time for a break. One was I was out one night in New York with you guys [referring to 'That Metal Show' hosts Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. — Ed.]. I was out when FOZZY played. We were out, we went and saw [FOZZY singer Chris] Jericho, our good friend, and the AVENGED guys were there with us that night, and the ANTHRAX guys were there, and Vinnie Paul [PANTERA, HELLYEAH drummer] was there, we went out for dinner with Jericho and Bumblefoot [GUNS N' ROSES guitarist], the ZO2 guys… I remember going for dinner with all these guys — you guys and Jericho and the ANTHRAX guys. I looked around and I said [to myself], 'None of the DREAM THEATER guys really know any of these people who are, like, my best friends.' And I was, like, 'Man, I guess I've really grown apart. I have a whole different circle that I move in.' And the other moment was, it was the very last show of the DREAM THEATER tour, we were in Tokyo. We had just spent 14 months on the road. It was the last show of the tour and we had a band and crew dinner at the hotel after the show. And we were all feeling sentimental — it's the end of the run; the band and the crew, everyone's tight — and without naming names, one of the bandmembers showed up to dinner with headphones and iPod and sat at the entire dinner listening to his iPod rather than socializing with us. And I said to myself, 'Something's gotta change.' I thought the band needed a shakeup, I just didn't think it was gonna be removing myself that was gonna do it."
On whether there is any chance at all of him going back to DREAM THEATER one day:
"Yeah. Whether or not that will happen, I don't know. It's up to them, really. I would absolutely love to be reunited with the guys in a couple of years, but you know, who knows what's gonna happen with them right now?! So, really, it's up to them and where they go. In the meantime, I really don't want people to think that I'm lingering on this; I'm only answering it because you've asked me. . . It's been difficult for me to even talk about this. And people think… 'cause there'll be Blabbermouth headlines… I'll pour out my heart and soul trying to explain this so people understand, and yet these web sites will reduce it to a shocking blurb and just trying to strike up controversy. The reality is, this is a heartbreaking thing for and I miss and love those guys, and that was my band for 25 years. So it's a hard thing for me to stand and see [them carrying on] without me. I used to joke with those guys all the time. I was like, 'Guys, if I die in a plane crash, don't go on without me. Don't say, 'He would have wanted us to continue.'' I used to say, 'That's basically saying, 'Well, he's completely replaceable.' So I used to joke about that all the time. So now when I see a DREAM THEATER without me, I've gotta be honest — it breaks my heart. There's the Blabbermouth blurb right there. Oh, God, I'm doomed. Oh, man."
On what led to his departure from DREAM THEATER:
"The quick Reader's Digest version is, like any musician will tell you, being in a band like being in a marriage, but actually, being in a band is like four marriages — you're not married to one person, you're married to four people. So, like any marriage, you go through bumps. I'll just say that I think we could have used a break. 'Cause 25 years without a break is a long time. I can't name any bands that have been together 25 years — boom, boom, boom, write-record-tour, write-record-tour — without taking a break. And I love the guys — we're brothers, and it was really hard for me to even suggest it. But I love the baby — DREAM THEATER is my baby, it's my child — but sometimes a marriage stays together for the sake of the child and not necessarily the sake of the relationship. I'll always love the baby; I guess I kind of fell out of love with a couple of the wives. But I just wanna say that I didn't wanna leave the band. I said, 'Look, 25 years is a long time. Let's just take a year or two and then come back together.' The fans would be excited, we would be refreshed. And they didn't wanna wait. So I either had to go unwillingly and start the next record or step aside."
On whether his involvement with AVENGED SEVENFOLD played a role in his decision to leave DREAM THEATER:
"No. Well, that could have played into [the other members of DREAM THEATER] not wanting to wait anymore, but the fact of the matter is when I was playing with AVENGED, DREAM THEATER had just finished up 14 months [of touring], and after a 14-month tour, we'll always take a few months off. But I was talking about a year or so. And AVENGED played no part in my decision. To be completely honest, I had been thinking about it for awhile. And the writing was kind of on the wall, internally. There were two moments of clarity for me that happened before this went down that I knew maybe it was time for a break. One was I was out one night in New York with you guys [referring to 'That Metal Show' hosts Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. — Ed.]. I was out when FOZZY played. We were out, we went and saw [FOZZY singer Chris] Jericho, our good friend, and the AVENGED guys were there with us that night, and the ANTHRAX guys were there, and Vinnie Paul [PANTERA, HELLYEAH drummer] was there, we went out for dinner with Jericho and Bumblefoot [GUNS N' ROSES guitarist], the ZO2 guys… I remember going for dinner with all these guys — you guys and Jericho and the ANTHRAX guys. I looked around and I said [to myself], 'None of the DREAM THEATER guys really know any of these people who are, like, my best friends.' And I was, like, 'Man, I guess I've really grown apart. I have a whole different circle that I move in.' And the other moment was, it was the very last show of the DREAM THEATER tour, we were in Tokyo. We had just spent 14 months on the road. It was the last show of the tour and we had a band and crew dinner at the hotel after the show. And we were all feeling sentimental — it's the end of the run; the band and the crew, everyone's tight — and without naming names, one of the bandmembers showed up to dinner with headphones and iPod and sat at the entire dinner listening to his iPod rather than socializing with us. And I said to myself, 'Something's gotta change.' I thought the band needed a shakeup, I just didn't think it was gonna be removing myself that was gonna do it."
On whether there is any chance at all of him going back to DREAM THEATER one day:
"Yeah. Whether or not that will happen, I don't know. It's up to them, really. I would absolutely love to be reunited with the guys in a couple of years, but you know, who knows what's gonna happen with them right now?! So, really, it's up to them and where they go. In the meantime, I really don't want people to think that I'm lingering on this; I'm only answering it because you've asked me. . . It's been difficult for me to even talk about this. And people think… 'cause there'll be Blabbermouth headlines… I'll pour out my heart and soul trying to explain this so people understand, and yet these web sites will reduce it to a shocking blurb and just trying to strike up controversy. The reality is, this is a heartbreaking thing for and I miss and love those guys, and that was my band for 25 years. So it's a hard thing for me to stand and see [them carrying on] without me. I used to joke with those guys all the time. I was like, 'Guys, if I die in a plane crash, don't go on without me. Don't say, 'He would have wanted us to continue.'' I used to say, 'That's basically saying, 'Well, he's completely replaceable.' So I used to joke about that all the time. So now when I see a DREAM THEATER without me, I've gotta be honest — it breaks my heart. There's the Blabbermouth blurb right there. Oh, God, I'm doomed. Oh, man."
SALT LAKE CITY—Progressive metal is a style that has evolved significantly throughout the last 30 years. From the early contributors like Rush and Yes through the more intense modern bands of today like Mastadon, perhaps no band has done more to evolve the genre than Dream Theater.
The band has had several gold and platinum awards, nine albums, numerous world tours, and placement at No. 5 on the list of the 30 greatest live acts in the world today. Even Utah's own Jon Huntsman Jr. has displayed his passion for the band, as he officially named July 30, 2007, as Dream Theater Day in Utah in celebration of the band's last trip through town.
For more than 20 years, vocalist James LaBrie has been Dream Theater's front man, helping to launch their successes into the stratosphere. Before a recent show in Salt Lake, we were able to get James to share his thoughts.HNC: What did you do to celebrate the anniversary of Dream Theater Day on July 30th?
LaBRIE: (Laughs) Let's see — where was I? I was in Europe. I can't remember exactly where we were. It's funny that you say that — Jon Huntsman is running for republican governor. It was really cool. He was a neat guy to meet, Governor Huntsman. Is he the still governor?
HNC: No, he's moved on.
LaBRIE: I was really impressed with his knowledge of this kind of music and the bands that he grew up listening to. I didn't really do anything special for that day — it comes and goes, to be quite honest with you.
HNC: Congratulations on having two consecutive albums in a row crack the Billboard top 10. After only 20+ years in the band, do you think that people are finding out about this "secret" Dream Theater band?
LaBRIE: You hope. I think it still amazes me how often I can come across people who will say, "I just found out about your band," and then I'll say to them, "What kind of bands have you listed to throughout your life?" They will say bands like Rush, Yes and Pink Floyd, and I'll go, Wow! That just bewilders me that you can be into those kinds of bands, and not know until recently, within maybe a few years, that we even existed.
HNC: You guys were kind of the next evolutionary step in progressive metal…
LaBRIE: Yeah. The first thing that I would do if I was into those types of bands is I would also be on the Internet. You could research anything — just type in progressive bands of today. It still amazes me that it is still an educational process of letting people know who we are and what we are all about musically. It's interesting, and it's great. A prime example — here's your son. He's a fan. We're seeing a LOT of that. We're the seeing demographics from 15- 17-year-olds right up to 60-year-olds. It's quite encouraging, and it's a bit of inspiration to see that we're covering so many generations.
HNC: Is your boy (Chance) into your music?
LaBRIE: My boy and my daughter are, for sure. It's very cool. He's 13, and Chloe's 15. They have a keen appreciation for who and what we are, what we're all about. It's funny because when they are with their friends, a lot of their friends are listening to whatever song is on the radio, or whatever videos happen to be cool. Once their friends are aware of what we do, it's once again like, "Oh my! What kind of music is this? What would you… I'm having a hard time listening to this," because they have been inundated with what they hear on the radio, thinking that it is what represents music. Unfortunately it doesn't. There's a lot of amazing music.
HNC: Your music and Beebs (Justin Beiber) are kind of on different wavelengths?
LaBRIE: Oh boy. Yeah.
HNC: You're four shows into the tour now. How are things working out with new drummer Mike Mangini, and how has the fan response been?
LaBRIE: We did a festival run over in Europe during July and the first week in August. We were over there almost six weeks, and the fan response over there was almost overwhelming. Each and every night, he got a standing ovation. People were up clapping and were quite ecstatic with his involvement. He's infectious. First and foremost, he's a phenomenal drummer. Secondly, he's somebody that exudes such a great and positive energy. He draws you into his vibe, and he has such a great aura and is very charismatic on stage.
I think everyone is naturally drawn to him. Each and every day he goes out there and he pulls it off, does what we knew that he would do. I think the beautiful thing about Mike is that he's been doing this just as long as any one of us has been doing it. He knows what to do, he knows how to prepare, and he knows it's not just about playing, it's putting on a good show. He is all of that.
We've done four shows in North America, and the fans have responded exactly the same way. They've welcomed him with open arms, and it's quite encouraging to see this — for him especially. It's very gratifying to see that.
HNC: His playing is solid on the new album.
LaBRIE: Yes. Wait until you see him tonight. He's phenomenal! He really is a very unique, one-of-a-kind drummer.
HNC: The other exciting part is that we have a whole new production out with us for the rest of the world tour. A lot of people are going to be blown away, and so far they have been. It's a big step up for us production-wise.
HNC: What was the most difficult song that you've had to perform other than Octavarium?
LaBRIE: That's a good question. It depends on where you're at. It depends on your mental state and on your physical state. That's what puts up the challenge as to how you feel or how you connect to any one given tune. That changes, and is never a constant. I never look at a song like "Learning to Live" and go, "OMG, I've got to sing that tonight." Sometimes yes, depending on if I'm not feeling well or am tired. It can even be a very mellow tune that tends to not connect with me, just depending on where I happen to be. I think that question would always change. I'm feeling great, and am right where I want to be vocally. Everything feels good.
HNC: I've read in past interviews that Octavarium is among your favorite albums. What in particular beyond just the songwriting makes that album so special for you?
LaBRIE: I thought that we really touched on some epic music, obviously with the title track and the dynamics of it. It really was the epitome of what Dream Theater is about as a progressive band pushing the envelope, and I felt that we really connected on something there. I still see the odd comment where someone will say, "I went back and listed to Octavarium. I hadn't listened to it in a while, and all of a sudden it hit! Suddenly it connected with me, and I see what an amazing album it is." I think that's cool to see, because it reaffirms what I've always thought in that it was a good outing for us compositionally. I think that it once again established who and what we are as a band. It's a very powerful album.
HNC: From reading other interviews, we've found out that you guys have established some "staples" for your set lists for this time around, and have changed the way that you go about this from the past. Was it you who selected the song off of Octavarium?
LaBRIE: I don't believe so. I'm not sure who did that. The way that we went about this is we made a list of all of the songs that was considered as the master list, and then we voted. So that's how we got an idea…there might have been three guys in the band that like that tune, two guys in the band that like that tune. Anything that was four or five votes for a song is what we went with for what we established as our A set list, our B set list, and our C set list. I think that we were all unified on that track.
HNC: You guys are well known for doing tons of covers, from Rush, Maiden and Queen through Metallica and Rainbow. Do you have a particular favorite song that you like to cover?
LaBRIE: No, I don't. That was something that Mike was pretty much the flag bearer on wanting us to do covers, wanting us to pay homage to these bands that had classic albums that were very influential to many different bands out there. To be quite honest with you, my favorite songs to sing are our songs. That's me. I did have a great time singing the Queen songs, just because Freddy Mercury was my all-time favorite vocalist and consummate front man. I think that where you really stand out is when you be yourself.
HNC: Was it fun for you guys to get to share the stage with Iron Maiden?
LaBRIE: Yeah. We had a really good time. We didn't really see them. A lot of people assume that you're all together backstage and that you are hanging out and partying. There is none of that, really. First of all, they don't usually show up to the gig until maybe an hour before the show. We have our routines, every band has their routines, every band member has their routines on how they prepare themselves and get themselves set up for each and every show. We've known them for many years. I've done interviews on the BBC when we've been in the UK with Bruce Dickinson. I think we've done three or four interviews, so we know one another well. With that particular tour, it was just a matter of two bands that respect one another, here to create a buzz, and that's what we did.
HNC: With you knowing Bruce [Dickinson], has he given you any kudos or props for covering "To Tame a Lamb" or "Number of the Beast"?
LaBRIE: No. That's just like someone doing our stuff. I'm not necessarily going to sit down with them and go, "Wow! What you did there was really amazing."
HNC: So it's nothing like Ozzy, going and hiring the drummer that did the best cover version of "War Pigs"?
LaBRIE: Yeah. It's not like that for me personally. Maybe for other singers, but not for me.
HNC: I can see your point. Are you kind of mad at those people who copy you?
LaBRIE: I don't get mad at people who copy me. In one respect, that's flattery. It's the ultimate compliment when someone wants to cover you, because that means that they love you that much and they take seriously what you do and want to replicate it, to see how close they can get to the original.
HNC: The newer material seems to focus less on the high-octave vocals, and more on progression, power, and depth on each vocal track. All of the true fans know what happened with the vocal cords (hematoma) years ago – what else has contributed to this change?
LaBRIE: I look after myself. I get plenty of rest, I jog 3 miles a day, I take my vitamins, and I drink plenty of fluids. I don't drink when I'm on the road. I think that that really helps. Anybody that has been to the shows, especially on this tour, can see that my voice is back to the full prowess self, and I feel great. When I approach any tour, it is about me being able to give 100 percent each and every night. Every singer will tell you that they know what can really assist you in getting there. Everyone has their ways, their little secret potions that really work for them.
HNC: Are you still sipping honey?
LaBRIE: Yes — honey and hot water. It is really soothing.
HNC: Can you tell us a little more about the nickname "Pirate" that Jordan gave you?
LaBRIE: I have that part of me that I can be a little aggressive at times when I want to make my point. In my past, when I was younger and more foolish, I was a little more physical to express myself, not so much verbal I got into some rumbles along the way – quite a few actually. It kind of rears its head every once in a while where I can be a little temperamental. I don't mean where I'd ever threaten anyone, I just mean where I come out like (GROWLING) WHAT!!! One day, a few tours ago, he (Jordan) goes, "Argh, the pirate's coming out. We'd better watch ourselves!" He used to call me captain. I'd come in and be like, "What's going on here guys?" and he'd say, "Here comes the captain, better make sure that everything is in order!" Jordan has a nickname for everyone.
HNC: Fans wanted me to ask about the 12 Step Suite – are we going to get a chance to see this happen, and if so, when?
LaBRIE: I really doubt it. That was Mike's baby. That was him expressing his personal experiences. I'm not going to say never, because you should never say that, but I will say comfortably that it's not going to happen on this tour.
HNC: You've mentioned to us before that you're Christian. How has your view of religion evolved and changed over time, and does that come through in your music?
LaBRIE: I was raised Roman Catholic. I would say that from the time I was sixteen and on, I became more spiritual, really reading spiritual books that gave me a little bit more appreciation. We all have incredible insight within each and every one of us. A lot of our answers can be found within us instead of being externally sought after.
I think that we don't give ourselves enough credit. I think whoever designed us designed us so that we can rely first and foremost on ourselves. Instinctually, I think that we're always given strong messages, but we tend to ignore them because of what we've been inundated with over the years, that then we feel the need to look elsewhere for answers. We shut that voice off, and I think that it is very unfortunate, because I think a lot of people would be more grounded, more confident, less neurotic, and less insecure. I think that we are going through a very transitional point in life in our times as humanity. Even this album, A Dramatic Turn of Events, is speaking on those very subjects — that we are seeing dramatic changes spiritually, politically, and socially.
German melodic metallers SYMPHORCE, who feature in their ranks guitarist Cédric "Cede" Dupont and singer Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), have officially called it quits.
Commented Franck: "Seven albums, 12 years and thousands of enthusiastic fans don't make that decision easy, but after long thoughts and lots of talks we decided together to call it a day and dissolve SYMPHORCE. The heads are dead, the timetables of our main bands packed with dates, so we feel a lack of inspiration and no possibility to record more albums, play more shows with the passion and commintment needed therefore.
"SYMPHORCE will always stand for an absolute independent type of metal, but with our latest (and last) album, 'Unrestricted', we had to recognize that we have said everything we wanted musically. It was an unbelievable, intense and fantastic time!
"We thank you all for your long lasting loyalty and the enthusiasm you have shown to us. We will never forget all this for sure.
"Of course, we will still remain with and in our other bands and will see us for sure somewhere somewhen on this planet. And therefore… lights off… spotlights on!
"All my heart, passion and soul is now one hundred percent BRAINSTORM, the new album, 'On The Spur Of The Moment', and the upcoming tours and festivals.
"But anyhow... thanks for 12 fantastic years, thanks for the fulfillment of a dream! It was AMAZING!"
SYMPHORCE's latest album, "Unrestricted", came out on October 15 via AFM Records.
Commented Franck: "Seven albums, 12 years and thousands of enthusiastic fans don't make that decision easy, but after long thoughts and lots of talks we decided together to call it a day and dissolve SYMPHORCE. The heads are dead, the timetables of our main bands packed with dates, so we feel a lack of inspiration and no possibility to record more albums, play more shows with the passion and commintment needed therefore.
"SYMPHORCE will always stand for an absolute independent type of metal, but with our latest (and last) album, 'Unrestricted', we had to recognize that we have said everything we wanted musically. It was an unbelievable, intense and fantastic time!
"We thank you all for your long lasting loyalty and the enthusiasm you have shown to us. We will never forget all this for sure.
"Of course, we will still remain with and in our other bands and will see us for sure somewhere somewhen on this planet. And therefore… lights off… spotlights on!
"All my heart, passion and soul is now one hundred percent BRAINSTORM, the new album, 'On The Spur Of The Moment', and the upcoming tours and festivals.
"But anyhow... thanks for 12 fantastic years, thanks for the fulfillment of a dream! It was AMAZING!"
SYMPHORCE's latest album, "Unrestricted", came out on October 15 via AFM Records.
VOODOO CIRCLE, the German/British band featuring members of PRIMAL FEAR and PINK CREAM 69, has completed work on the material for the group's third album. Guitarist/leader Alex Beyrodt (also of PRIMAL FEAR) states, "It was a tough job to choose 16 songs out of 48. The material is world-class and I can not wait to start recording them for real. Expect another killer album.... only killers, no fillers....and that's a promise!"
VOODOO CIRCLE's sophomore album, "Broken Heart Syndrome", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64. The CD was once again mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, KROKUS), and was described in a press release as "a huge step forward and shows the band's boundless musical possibilities."
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Broken Heart Syndrome" can be viewed below.
Alex is well known throughout the rock and metal scene as the mastermind of SILENT FORCE, former guitarist of SINNER and touring guitarist of PRIMAL FEAR. His exceptional compositions and instrumental skills secured him highest respect from other musicians and a strong worldwide fan base. In Japan, where quality is still the most important aspect when it comes to music, he is hailed as a "guitar hero" and fills the venues.
According to a press release, "Alex chose to walk in huge footsteps with VOODOO CIRCLE, because the immense impact and influence that bands like RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE had are undeniable. But if there is just one German musician who can fill this big boots and arouse with new energy, we definitely talk about Alex Beyrodt."
VOODOO CIRCLE is:
Alex Beyrodt (PRIMAL FEAR, SILENT FORCE, SINNER) - Guitar
David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) - Vocals
Mat Sinner (SINNER, PRIMAL FEAR) - Bass
Markus Kullmann (DEZPERADOZ) - Drums
Zlatko "Jimmy" Kresic (LIQUID HOME) - Keyboards
VOODOO CIRCLE's self-titled debut album was released in 2008.
VOODOO CIRCLE's sophomore album, "Broken Heart Syndrome", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64. The CD was once again mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, KROKUS), and was described in a press release as "a huge step forward and shows the band's boundless musical possibilities."
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Broken Heart Syndrome" can be viewed below.
Alex is well known throughout the rock and metal scene as the mastermind of SILENT FORCE, former guitarist of SINNER and touring guitarist of PRIMAL FEAR. His exceptional compositions and instrumental skills secured him highest respect from other musicians and a strong worldwide fan base. In Japan, where quality is still the most important aspect when it comes to music, he is hailed as a "guitar hero" and fills the venues.
According to a press release, "Alex chose to walk in huge footsteps with VOODOO CIRCLE, because the immense impact and influence that bands like RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE had are undeniable. But if there is just one German musician who can fill this big boots and arouse with new energy, we definitely talk about Alex Beyrodt."
VOODOO CIRCLE is:
Alex Beyrodt (PRIMAL FEAR, SILENT FORCE, SINNER) - Guitar
David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) - Vocals
Mat Sinner (SINNER, PRIMAL FEAR) - Bass
Markus Kullmann (DEZPERADOZ) - Drums
Zlatko "Jimmy" Kresic (LIQUID HOME) - Keyboards
VOODOO CIRCLE's self-titled debut album was released in 2008.
Influential '80s progressive NWOSFHM (New Wave of San Francisco Heavy Metal) band ANVIL CHORUS will reunite with original member/guitarist Doug Piercy for an October 26 performance supporting Yngwie Malmsteen at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. This show will be somewhat historical/nostalgic for the band and die-hard fans as ANVIL CHORUS shared the stage with Yngwie (literally as backing band and as opener) at the old Wolfgangs club in one of his first U.S. visits back in the early '80s. ANVIL CHORUS will play much of the old material which was re-recorded and released in 2009 on the Rockadrome-issued "The Killing Sun" album as well as new material currently being laid down for the band's follow-up effort.
Commented singer/bassist Aaron Zimpel: "We are excited to have Doug back! He really injects an original sense of guitar insanity that pushes the music to the edge — like only Doug can do! We pretty sure some the old 'heads will be happy to see the old Rasmussen/Piercy team back in action!"
ANVIL CHORUS's new album is being recorded at F8 Studios in San Francisco, California with engineer Nate Harlow. The as-yet-untitled CD is being produced by guitarist Thaen Rasmussen and Aaron Zimpel.
The new ANVIL CHORUS album will include the following songs:
* Deadland
* Fall for Anything
* Solar Flux
* Blood Memory
* Burn Forever
* Senses Alive
* Colossus
* 20 Second Century
* Moonstroke
"The Killing Sun" featured a 16-page color booklet with liner notes written by San Francisco metal legend Ron Quintana (KUSF radio, Metal Mania fanzine) and cover art by Mark Devito (MOTÖRHEAD), packed with lyrics, photos and memories.
ANVIL CHORUS is:
Aaron Zimpel - Vocals, Bass, Synth
Thaen Rasmussen - Guitar, Vocals
Carlos Hernandez - Guitar
Steve Kilgore – Drums
Commented singer/bassist Aaron Zimpel: "We are excited to have Doug back! He really injects an original sense of guitar insanity that pushes the music to the edge — like only Doug can do! We pretty sure some the old 'heads will be happy to see the old Rasmussen/Piercy team back in action!"
ANVIL CHORUS's new album is being recorded at F8 Studios in San Francisco, California with engineer Nate Harlow. The as-yet-untitled CD is being produced by guitarist Thaen Rasmussen and Aaron Zimpel.
The new ANVIL CHORUS album will include the following songs:
* Deadland
* Fall for Anything
* Solar Flux
* Blood Memory
* Burn Forever
* Senses Alive
* Colossus
* 20 Second Century
* Moonstroke
"The Killing Sun" featured a 16-page color booklet with liner notes written by San Francisco metal legend Ron Quintana (KUSF radio, Metal Mania fanzine) and cover art by Mark Devito (MOTÖRHEAD), packed with lyrics, photos and memories.
ANVIL CHORUS is:
Aaron Zimpel - Vocals, Bass, Synth
Thaen Rasmussen - Guitar, Vocals
Carlos Hernandez - Guitar
Steve Kilgore – Drums
With the music industry in a decade long, downward decline, it sometimes takes innovative ideas to help an artist generate revenue and remain in the public's eye. And Erik Turner, guitarist in Warrant, is doing just that. With the guidance of renown wine creator, Kristain Story, Turner created an award winning wine called "Warrant Red." Warrant fans and wine connoisseurs have responded with great praise and open wallets. With the "Warrant Red" 2007 vintage already sold out, Turner is now promoting the 2008 vintage.
What follows is an exclusive RMS interview with Erik Turner, in which we discuss the "Warrant Red" brand of wine. In addition, we also touch on the recent and tragic passing of ex-Warrant singer Jani Lane, and the future plans of Warrant.
RockMusicStar: Hey Erik, we are talking today because you have a new product out. And it's not the usual CD or DVD, but a something a bit different. You just started promoting "Warrant Red," which a unique red wine that you helped create with the award winning wine maker, Kristian Story. Interestingly, this business venture is more about the brand of Warrant than it is about the band, right?
Erik Turner: Yes, that's correct. But you have the name Warrant in there, so it is about Warrant. It's just a new little side venture for us. We had an opportunity to work with Artist Wine and Kristain Story wine late last year. And Kristain Story and I put together a blend, which is a 2007 Napa Valley red wine. If you drink it, it will make you feel good and it will make you look good. RMS: OK, I'll buy all the cases.
ET: Yeah, it's kind of magical like that.
RMS: So do you anticipate that you fans will purchase this wine and just chug it immediately, or do you think that most of them will save it for a special occasion or even just keep it unopened, as a souvenir? Because wine does taste better in time.
ET: Yes, it sure does! But ours already tastes fantastic. But we have already sent some bottles as gifts to people that we work with. And I'll ask them what they think and a few have already told me that they weren't going to open it, they wanted to save it. (Laughs) And I'm like, drink it, and I'll get you another bottle. So, I would think it's going to be a bit of both. I would recommend that you buy one to drink and another to save. But, the 2007 vintage that we did, is already sold-out. So we are now looking at a 2008 vintage. The 2007 vintage had a much thicker bottle. It was real heavy and expensive; the street cost was $37.00 a bottle. But this year, we made some changes to the bottle and we were able to get the street price down to $25.00 a bottle. But, it's the same exact vineyard wine, just a different harvest. But, yeah we are very excited about this.
RMS: I think that the packaging is also very appealing. I think that 'Warrant Red' may be the coolest looking bottle of wine that I've ever seen, to be honest. I think that the label may be playing a big role in the success that you've had so far.
ET: Thanks. Yeah, it was Bob Schwartzlander (who works for Artist Wine) and I, that created the label. We worked together quite a bit until we created something that we both really loved. We did about 25 different versions of it. And it's hard doing that balancing act. On one hand, it's a wine label, so it has to look like that, but on the other hand, we're a rock band, and it has to reflect that as well.
RMS: It seems like this was a very time consuming venture, not just creating the label, but actually coming up with a unique blend of wine.
ET: You're right. But the process of coming up with the blend was a lot of fun. First, I went over to the co-owner of Artist Wines house. He's a friend of mine, and he's kind of the one that set this all up. He has a beautiful home in wine country and we were hanging out, and he brought out a whole bunch of different wines that didn't have labels on them. So, I did a blind taste test of six or seven wines on that day. I told him what my two favorites were and he said it was ironic, because both of them were from Kristen Story's winery up in Napa. One was a gold medal award winning wine called, "Rhapsody," which I just fell in love with. It's still probably my favorite wine, besides "Warrant Red" of course. (LOL) So, he introduced me to Kristen Story and he stated sending me a bunch of different types of wine to taste and try, and we ended up with the "Warrant Red" blend.
RMS: And Red wine is good for you, in moderation.
ET: Yes! I think for males, it is recommended to drink two to three glasses a day. I oblige, and listen to my doctor when he tells me to drink a couple glasses of red wine because it is good for you. But, you shouldn't over do it, because a wine hangover is no good.
RMS: You seem rather passionate about this project, how long have you been into wine tasting?
ET: I'm actually a very late boomer to the wine world. My cousin, Liz, when I was twelve, basically made me drink some wine and champagne. I get sick and threw up, it was awful. So, I hated wine. But then in 2007, I was camping and one of my cousins had some wine, for some reason I decide to try some, and I really liked it. So, that got me going on drinking wine. Then all of a sudden I have this opportunity to work with an award winning wine maker.
RMS: You've had a few business ventures outside of playing in Warrant. Is this project your favorite one so far?
ET: Yeah, this is the funniest thing besides playing rock n' roll, drinking and sharing wine. We do these wine events where we go to fine restaurants and eat all this great food and seven course meals and share the wine with thirty to forty people. Sometimes, I'll play some music at the event. It really is great and I'm really enjoying it.
RMS: Yeah…Erik if it's ok, I would like to take a few minutes and discuss the recent passing of your former lead singer Jani Lane. I know about all the issues that the band had when he returned in 2008, for a short period of time. But were you shocked when you heard the news or did you kind of expect that it was just a matter of time?
ET: For those of us that had known Jani….I've known since 1986, when he joined the band. We had a lot of good times and a lot of bad times. In 2004, he was no longer in the band; we had to make a change. And then we tried it again with Jani in 2008, but his old demons popped up again, and it made it impossible for us to function as a band. It was a huge disappointment because we were all very excited about the reunion.
RMS: Everyone was very excited about that.
ET: Yeah, I know. But we had no choice and we had to get a new lead singer, which we got Robert Mason, who was in Lynch Mob. He's done a beautiful job filling in for Jani. But it was frustrating during that reunion time with Jani. We tried to be supportive; we would visit him in rehab as much as possible. The band paid for a sober coach to come on the road and try to keep Jani sober. We took all of the alcohol off of the tour rider. None of us were drinking. But he would just sneak off and disappear, and show up intoxicated later, or sometimes, he wouldn't even show up. And he would have a hard time performing in his state. It was very stressful and disappointing for the band. But that's all I can really say about his passing. It's very sad and disappointing. Anytime that someone has all of that talent, and everything to live for, and for whatever reason, I just don't know, he just couldn't stop. It's awful. It's horrible for his kids and his family. I hadn't spoken with him since 2008, we weren't close anymore. But, it was still very hurtful to hear.
RMS: When he returned in 2008, was there ever a time when the band gave him an ultimatum to get sober or get out?
ET: Yes, but it was hard to talk to someone who didn't know what planet they were on, or someone who wouldn't return your calls. We did talk to him; we told him we were going to get a sober coach to help him. We visited him in rehab. Our professional sober coach, who works with musicians, athletes and movie stars - he does this for a living. He couldn't even keep Jani sober on the road. It was so bad, that the sober coach quit. He said there was nothing that he could do, and there is nothing anyone can do. He said that Jani was just completely out of control. We were like, "What the fuck are we paying you for?" It's frustrating when you are in a situation like that because you are helpless. He didn't care about Warrant or me, all he cared about was partying.
RMS: I remember watching his performances during 2008, it seemed like he would have a really bad gig and then return with a good one. He did well at the Rocklahoma gig.
ET: He had been in rehab for seven days before Rocklahoma. It would have been nice if he told us, because we had no idea where he was for seven days before. It wasn't until 8pm that day of that show that he finally showed up. It really stressed out the band and the promoters. We had no idea if we were going to be able to play. It was just extremely stressful and very uncool. Out of the nine shows that we did, he was only sober for one, or maybe two of them. And an FYI, when you get out of rehab, you're really not sober, they just put you on meds to prevent you from getting sick and relapsing.
RMS: I didn't realize that.
ET: Yeah, it's not like you just go in and quit cold turkey, it's a whole big process.
RMS: I see. Well, let's please end the interview on a more positive note. Do you have any other unique merchandising plans for Warrant coming in the near future?
ET: No, not right now. We are concentrating on working on a new video for the song called "Home." It's a ballad in the 80's style true tradition. We are very excited about this video. And we played about 45 shows this year, mostly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And we still have some more upcoming shows this year. We are also writing new material for our next release. We have some cool merchandise on our site www.warrantrocks.com . We are also designing some cool new shirts, writing music, playing shows and pimping wine and having fun doing it. We are blessed that we are still able to do this.
"Warrant Red" can be purchased at www.artistwine.com
Reformed Montreal rockers SLAVES ON DOPE have signed a worldwide deal with THC:Music/Rocket Science Ventures. The band's new album, "Over The Influence", will be released in the spring. A digital-only EP, "Careless Coma", will be made available on November 1.
The first single from "Careless Coma" has already started creating a buzz, garnering airplay on rock stations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including rotation on Montreal rock mainstay CHOM-FM, and a video that premiered on Loudwire.com. The band also recently made an appearance at the Heavy MTL festival, where they shared the stage with the likes of KISS, DISTURBED, ANTHRAX, GODSMACK, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES, TRIVIUM, MORBID ANGEL, CHILDREN OF BODOM and more.
"Over The Influence" was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine and will reportedly feature a guest appearance by THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz.
SLAVES ON DOPE 2011 is:
Kevin Jardine - Guitar
Jason Rockman - Vocals
Peter Tsefaris - Drums
Sebatien Ducap – Bass
SLAVES ON DOPE's "Inches from the Mainline" album was released through Ozzy Osbourne's now-defunct Divine Recordings label. After Divine Recordings lost its distribution deal with EMI's Priority Records, the band was left without a label. After a long search, a deal was struck with Bieler Bros. Records. SLAVES ON DOPE's second major album, "Metafour", was released in 2003.
In March 2004, SLAVES ON DOPE announced it was going on hiatus due to Jason Rockman leaving the band. The group officially reformed in 2009.
For more information, visit www.slavesondope.com.
The first single from "Careless Coma" has already started creating a buzz, garnering airplay on rock stations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including rotation on Montreal rock mainstay CHOM-FM, and a video that premiered on Loudwire.com. The band also recently made an appearance at the Heavy MTL festival, where they shared the stage with the likes of KISS, DISTURBED, ANTHRAX, GODSMACK, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES, TRIVIUM, MORBID ANGEL, CHILDREN OF BODOM and more.
"Over The Influence" was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine and will reportedly feature a guest appearance by THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz.
SLAVES ON DOPE 2011 is:
Kevin Jardine - Guitar
Jason Rockman - Vocals
Peter Tsefaris - Drums
Sebatien Ducap – Bass
SLAVES ON DOPE's "Inches from the Mainline" album was released through Ozzy Osbourne's now-defunct Divine Recordings label. After Divine Recordings lost its distribution deal with EMI's Priority Records, the band was left without a label. After a long search, a deal was struck with Bieler Bros. Records. SLAVES ON DOPE's second major album, "Metafour", was released in 2003.
In March 2004, SLAVES ON DOPE announced it was going on hiatus due to Jason Rockman leaving the band. The group officially reformed in 2009.
For more information, visit www.slavesondope.com.
THE RED CHORD guitarist and founding member Mike McKenzie putting the finishing touches on a solo album under the STOMACH EARTH banner. McKenzie wrote all the music and lyrics, and sang and played all the instruments on the CD, which he describes as "miserable and crawling doom/death metal with a heavy H.P. Lovecraft influence." Fans of the old Earache Records catalog are likely to detect musical nods to the early works of bands like GODFLESH and CATHEDRAL.
A rough, unmastered excerpt of "Prolong The Death Watch", a song that will appear on the STOMACH EARTH CD, can be streamed now on the band's Facebook page.
STOMACH EARTH's debut album will be released in 2012 on Black Market Activities. Meanwhile, McKenzie and the rest of THE RED CHORD are gearing up to play The Metal Suckfest on November 4-5 in New York City.
A rough, unmastered excerpt of "Prolong The Death Watch", a song that will appear on the STOMACH EARTH CD, can be streamed now on the band's Facebook page.
STOMACH EARTH's debut album will be released in 2012 on Black Market Activities. Meanwhile, McKenzie and the rest of THE RED CHORD are gearing up to play The Metal Suckfest on November 4-5 in New York City.
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