Category: Interview

Entertainment, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Stone Temple Pilots’ Dean DeLeo Discusses the Band’s Rebirth, New Self-Titled Album and Singer Jeff Gutt

Stone Temple Pilots highly anticipated, self-titled album will be released this Friday, March 16. It marks the band’s first collection of new material with their new lead singer, Jeff Gutt.

The album features songs like “Meadow” and “Never Enough,” both of which channel the guitar grit and swaggering rhythms the band first perfected on their monster 1992 debut, Core, while tracks like “Roll Me Under” glide along with nimble bass lines and massive choruses.

Guitar World recently spoke to Dean DeLeo about the new Stone Temple Pilots album, touring, gear and more in this new interview.

How does the new album relate to some of  Stone Temple Pilots’ previous work?

I like to think everyone’s playing has evolved with this record. Everyone has evolved into a new place and has gotten better. Robert [DeLeo, the band’s bassist] actually said something about the album recently that was beautiful. He said, ‘This record breathes resilience.’

How did Jeff Gutt get on the band’s radar?

Robert was doing a gig in Detroit [where Gutt is from] with the Hollywood Vampires. After the show, someone came up to him and mentioned that he needed to check out this singer. So, after Robert got home, Jeff came out and played with us. He was one of the last five people we auditioned over a very lengthy period of time.

I think for Jeff, he wants to honor our catalog with the utmost dignity and respect, and he does just that. For us, we’re just as thrilled about delving into this new material with him. He’s an extraordinary singer and we’ve very fortunate to have met one another.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Dean DeLeo by Clicking Here.

Entertainment, Interview, Music

Interview: Black Star Riders’ Damon Johnson discusses new tour with Judas Priest
Photo by: Richard Stow

In the past five years, Black Star Riders has released three critically-acclaimed albums and toured regularly all across Europe. Although U.S. fans have long been clamoring to see guitar hero, Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), as well as Damon Johnson (guitars), Ricky Warwick (vocals), Robert Crane (bass) and Chad Szeliga (drums), the band has been unable to gain a steady foothold of touring on American soil.

That is, until now.

Black Star Riders—which evolved out of Thin Lizzy after the band decided to record new music—is about to embark on an extensive North American tour with metal legends Judas Priest on their Firepower Tour along with veteran rockers, Saxon. The tour, which begins March 13 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. , will have the band traveling across the United States and into Canada.

Black Star Riders’ third album, Heavy Fire (released last year) was a monumental step forward. From the trademark, Lizzy-inspired, dual-guitar attack on songs like “Testify or Say Goodbye”, to the to the dirty bass groove on “Thinking About You Could Get Me Killed”, Heavy Fire has firmly established the band as one of the world’s premier rock acts, and one not to be missed.

AXS recently spoke with Damon Johnson about the new Black Star Riders tour with Judas Priest and Saxon and more in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: The obvious first question to ask is, what can fans expect from Black Star Riders on this new tour?

Damon Johnson: You can expect to see a collection of guys who are energized about having an opportunity to be in North America playing our songs on some big stages. We have a huge following in Europe and the U.K. and have spent a majority of our time there. And even though we haven’t really toured in the United States to any great degree, we know that there’s a lot of interest in our band in the States. We’ve also done it right by having three albums to build our repertoire. Although there may be some people who don’t know who we are, we’re confident the songs will stand on their own and that people will want to check us out even more.

AXS: As a music fan, what thoughts come to mind being on tour with metal legends like Judas Priest and Saxon?

DJ: My thoughts immediately go back to when I was just out of high school. It was a magical time when I was really starting to branch out and listen to more hard rock players like Randy Rhoads. I remember I was in a band and our drummer had this insane album collection. He had all the [Judas] Priest, [Iron] Maiden and Saxon. I have such respect for that music and their legacy. Point of Entry is my favorite Priest album that I still listen to this very day. Being out with these guys is going to be incredible.

AXS: What can you tell me about your Signature Epiphone guitars you’ll be bringing with you on tour?

DJ: I’m so proud of my relationship with Epiphone, which actually dates all the way back to 1993, when the first Brother Cane album came out. They make a lot of great stuff and I’ve been playing their black Custom Pro Les Paul. I’ve also always been a big of fan of Korina wood but have never had a Korina V.  I thought, what better guitar to pull out on a Judas Priest tour than a Flying V? [laughs]. It’s a great partnership and I’m looking forward to continuing it while I’m out on tour.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Damon Johnson by Clicking Here.

Entertainment, Interview, Music

Interview: Marq Torien discusses new BulletBoys album, ‘From Out Of The Skies’

From their inception on the streets of Los Angeles more than thirty years ago, BulletBoys have proven themselves to be one of the most enduring and hardest-working rock/blues bands to come out of the so-called “glam metal” scene.

Written from founder and frontman Marq Torien’s introspection and love for the City of Angels, the band’s new album, From Out Of The Skies (which will be released on March 23) showcases the BulletBoys’ continued growth and longevity as musical heavyweights. The album is chock full of the familiar sound that’s made the band a mainstay of rock radio while simultaneously opening up new avenues of funk; soul, and at times, something akin to the tasty “California Sound” of the early 1970’s.

Recorded at the famous Foo Fighters’ Studio 606, the first single/video from the new album, “D-Evil” also features guest vocals from Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal.

AXS recently spoke with Torien about From Out of The Skies and more in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: How does the sound of From Out of The Skies compare to some of BulletBoys’ previous work?

Marq Torien: Musically, we took big risks on this record and really wanted to do something that celebrated life. It’s a very peaks and valleys record with a lot of emotion. Lyrically, I tried to convey uplifting feelings about love, family and life in general. The feelings I get about being born and raised in Los Angeles has a lot to do with what’s on the album. It’s a combination of that as well as me going back to my punk rock roots; funk; soul; R&B and hard rock all thrown together.

AXS: Where do you draw inspiration for songs?

MT: There are always things around to inspire me. These days, I really try to be a lot more upfront with my feelings and share them. The BulletBoys have always been able to write and grow. From the get-go, we’ve always done records that were congruent but also had a different vibe and feel. We have our own sound and with this record, I wanted it to have a rhythm and funkiness and a feeling of the streets of L.A..

AXS: Let’s discuss a few tracks from the new album, beginning with “Hi-Fi Drive By.”

MT: On that song, we were trying to emulate Earth Wind And Fire. I’ve always been a big fan and we did some things vocally that made the song have this real dreamy, surreal effect. The title actually comes from something that happened years ago when we used to go into the studio. We’d always drive by people’s houses, open up the car doors and then crank our demo tapes. I remember we used to tell everyone that we were going to do a Hi-Fi drive by on them [laughs]. The song is basically an introspective story about me.

AXS: “D-Evil.”

MT: That’s a straight-out song about the people here in L.A. We live our lives like it’s the end of the world every single day. One of my favorite bands is Eagles of Death Metal and I asked Jesse Hughes (who’s a rock hero to me) if he’d be interested in coming in and singing on the song with me. He came into the studio and just killed it. It sounds amazing.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Mark Torien by Clicking Here!

Entertainment, Interview, Music

Interview: Rocktopia guitarist Tony Bruno discusses upcoming Broadway run with Train’s Pat Monahan

Rocktopia, the musical production that fuses classic rock hits with classical compositions will be making its Broadway premiere from March 20 to April 29 at The Broadway Theatre in New York City.

For it’s six-week engagement, the live concert will be performed by a diverse array of rock, Broadway, and opera vocalists backed by a symphony orchestra, choir and  rock band performing the works of artists like Journey, Mozart, Queen, Tchaikovsky, Heart, Beethoven, Led Zeppelin, Copland, The Who and more.

As part of the musical celebration, Grammy-award winning lead vocalist, Pat Monahan (Train), will also be making his Broadway debut in Rocktopia and will perform multiple songs throughout the show, including “Kashmir” by  Led Zeppelin, as well as a Train hit merged with classical composition.

AXS recently spoke with Rocktopia lead guitarist Tony Bruno (whose list of credits includes working Enrique Iglesias and Rihanna) about Rocktopia and more in this new interview.

AXS: How did Rocktopia all come about?

Tony Bruno: Randall Fleischer, Rob Evan and Bill Franzblau have been working on this project for close to eight years. There have been different incarnations of it along the way but they’ve finally found the perfect mixture of classical and classic rock without it being a mash-up.

AXS: How did you become involved in the production?

TB: A little over two years ago, I got a call asking if I’d like to come down and audition. I hadn’t done an audition in almost thirty years and I remember when I arrived, there wasn’t even a band! It was just going to be me and a midi piano version of the songs to rock out to. I was blown away when they called me back later that night and said, “You’re our guy!” It was very exciting and I’m enjoying the hell out of it.

AXS: What was it like performing with all those amazing musicians for the first time?

TB: The first thing that struck me was just how many people were pushing each other to do the greatest version of themselves. The talent was overwhelming. I remember when we were rehearsing for our show in Budapest [“Rocktopia: Live from Budapest”], we played along with a recording of the orchestra. It sounded big, but only as big as it could sound through your monitors. But I’ll never forget when we got to the Budapest Opera House and the very first down beat of “Baba O’Riley.” When the orchestra came in behind me, it was equivalent to that scene in “Back To The Future” where Michael J. Fox’s character hits the guitar chord with that giant speaker behind him and goes flying [laughs]!. That’s what it felt like. It was amazing.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Tony Bruno by Clicking Here.

Entertainment, Interview, Music

Interview: REO Speedwagon’s Dave Amato discusses upcoming tour with Chicago, career highlights
Dave Amato and Me

Last year, REO Speedwagon had one of the summer’s most successful tours with United We Rock. An extensive, cross-country jaunt with fellow classic rock icons Styx and Don Felder. For REO guitarist Dave Amato, the tour was made even sweeter when he had the chance to perform The Eagles’ monster hit, “Hotel California” with Felder on stage each night.

This summer, REO Speedwagon will once again bring their infectious arsenal of hits when they join forces with Chicago for a 30-city, co-headlining run from June through August.

Combined, REO Speedwagon and Chicago have sold more than 140 million records, and in one of the year’s most highly-anticipated tours, fans will be treated to sets filled with deep cuts and fan favorites from both bands.

REO promises a night filled with monster hits, which includes songs like “Roll With The Changes,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Back On The Road Again,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” as well as a few surprises.

Chicago will be performing their historic album, Chicago II in its entirety for the first time ever along with an “encore” filled with their own biggest hits.

REO Speedwagon is: Kevin Cronin, Neal Doughty, Bruce Hall, Dave Amato and Bryan Hitt.

AXS recently caught up with Dave Amato to discuss all things REO Speedwagon in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: You’ve been with REO Speedwagon since 1989. Did you ever imagine you’d still be doing this so many years later?

Dave Amato: No. My average span of doing things with someone was about two or three years. I did three years with Ted Nugent; four years with Cher; and was with Richie Sambora on his first tour. With REO, it’s a brotherhood, with a lot of love and respect. The band may be getting older but we cherish every night and give 1,000 percent. It may be almost thirty years, but it’s still as exciting as day one.

AXS: What do you think makes REO Speedwagon so timeless and special?

DA: It’s the songs. Kevin and Gary [Richrath] wrote great songs. Kevin still writes from the heart. It’s really important to him. Even today, we’ll go to a soundcheck and Kevin will have lines and chord changes that we’ll be working on.

AXS: What’s your favorite REO Speedwagon song to play in the set?

DA: Honestly? They’re all my favorites, but I get to stretch on “Back On The Road Again” a little more than any of the others. That’s always a lot of fun.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Dave Amato by Clicking Here.

Entertainment, Interview, Music

Interview: David Cook Discusses New EP, ‘Chromance’ and his Broadway debut in ‘Kinky Boots’

Singer-songwriter and American Idol winner, David Cook’s new EP, Chromance is the next chapter in the artist’s musical evolution.

The ubiquitous use of love as a theme runs rampant throughout much of the EP, but what’s refreshing is Cook’s incorporation of cinematic, pop elements into the mix. Songs like “The Lucky Ones” speak of love in an alternate reality, while tracks like “Warfare” and “Circles” leave the listener wanting more. Chromance also features the driving track, “Gimme Heartbreak” as well as Cook’s ethereal spin on the Phil Collins smash, “Another Day in Paradise”.

If putting out a new album wasn’t enough, Cook will also be making his Broadway debut as Charlie Price in “Kinky Boots,” based on the book by Harvey Fierstein and with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. Cook’s run is scheduled for April 3 – May 5.

AXS recently spoke with David Cook about his new EP and upcoming appearance on Broadway in “Kinky Boots.”

AXS: How does Chromance relate to some of your previous work?

David Cook: The lyrical content of the songs on this album definitely talks about love, but I wanted to attack it from a different angle and talk about the darker colors. Musically, I wanted to attack it differently as well. Instead of having the guitar be “the” instrument, I wanted to have it be “an” instrument and find other tones, sounds and instrumentation to tell the story. This record has more of a cinematic feel to it, and it’s exciting to take those landscapes on the road and tell the story a little differently.

AXS: What was your songwriting process like for the EP?

DC: It was a mixed bag. Some of the songs started with a lyrical snippet and others began with a chord progression or a top-line melodic hook. All of the songs started in different spots, which made for a more fun and creative process.

AXS: Let’s discuss a few tracks from Chromance, beginning with “The Lucky Ones.” What can you tell me about it?

DC: I wrote that song with Tim Bruns and wanted it to have a dark, “Stranger Things” kind of vibe. I had watched the first season and really liked the idea of love in an alternative universe. A place where everything is backwards and there’s this whole us against the world mentality.

Read the rest of my
Interview with David Cook by Clicking Here!

Entertainment, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Brad Gillis Talks Night Ranger’s ‘Midnight Madness,’ Touring with Ozzy
Me with Brad Gillis

Last year, Night Ranger celebrated the 35th anniversary of their debut album, Dawn Patrol by releasing an all new record, Don’t Let Up! The album’s title is fairly appropriate, once you consider that the band, whose beginnings go back to the early days of MTV, is still going strong in the 21st century.

Proving that they have no intention of slowing down, Night Ranger—which consists of Jack Blades, Brad Gillis, Kelly Keagy, Eric Levy and Keri Kelli—will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the band’s monster 1983 album, Midnight Madness and songs like “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” “When You Close Your Eyes” and “Touch of Madness,” with a tour.

Guitar World recently spoke with guitarist Brad Gillis about all things Night Ranger, his current rig, and his memories of touring with Ozzy Osbourne.

This year is marks the 35th anniversary of Midnight Madness. What do you remember most about that whole era?

In the mid-Eighties, we were we were probably on the road nine months out of the year. Then for the remainder of the year, we’d be in the studio recording another record. It was a yearlong job but we had a blast. I’ll never forget pulling into the Coliseum in La Crosse, Wisconsin in late ’83 or ’84 and seeing the marquee that read, ‘Night Ranger—Sold Out.’ That was very pivotal moment in our career.

People may not know this, but back in 1982, you had two albums come out in the same week, Night Ranger’s Dawn Patrol and Ozzy Osbourne’s double-live album, Speak of the Devil. What made you decide to leave Ozzy and go full-time with Night Ranger?

Although we’d done a lot of shows and recorded Speak of the Devil, toward the end of 1982 Rudy [Sarzo] had already decided to leave Ozzy to go join Quiet Riot. I decided to roll the dice and go with Night Ranger because we also had a deal pending. Radio was changing back then and playing heavier stuff, but I remember, even after “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” had been released, we weren’t sure if it would do well. Fortunately, MTV had just come out and needed content. They ended up playing our video about 25 times a day.

Our record company really did us a favor back then by holding off on the release of “Sister Christian” on the Dawn Patrol album. They knew that it would become a hit and wanted us to come out heavy with our “sophomore” release [Midnight Madness]. That ended up being our biggest record and took us to headliner status.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Brad Gillis by Clicking Here!

Entertainment, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

‘Psychotic Symphony’: Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal Discusses New Supergroup Project, Sons of Apollo
Photo by:Hristo Shindov

Featuring ex-members of Dream Theater, Guns N’ Roses and Journey, Sons Of Apollo is an exciting new supergroup consisting of Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian, Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soto and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal.

The group’s highly anticipated album, Psychotic Symphony, is a welcome introduction to the band, and pulls heavily from the quintet’s eclectic musical influences, which range from vintage prog to classic and hard rock.

Particularly notable on Psychotic Symphony are Thal’s jaw-dropping runs on his 24-fret Vigier double-neck, and his fluid transitions from fretted to fretless.

Guitar World recently spoke with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal about Sons of Apollo and more in this new interview.

How did Sons of Apollo come together?

We certainly weren’t strangers to each other. I had worked with Mike on Metal Allegiance and over the years have jammed with him and Billy in various situations. I also jammed with the guys and Derek at Progressive Nation at Sea a few years ago and have been a huge fan of Jeff’s ever since I heard him on the Yngwie album. It was only a matter of time before we [began to make] music together.

How would you describe Psychotic Symphony in terms of its sound?

When I think of the album, I think of the writing and recording process and the personal involvement. To me, when I hear the album, I hear five guys paying tribute to their influences. I hear The Who, Van-Halen, Led Zeppelin and Randy Rhoads. Everything that inspired each member of the band to play music the way that they do. There’s Billy’s distinct, undeniable tone, Mike’s tremendous playing, Derek—who is the greatest guitarist you will ever hear on keyboards—and Jeff, who takes the craziest songs and makes them into something you can sing along to. He’s a great singer with a fantastic voice.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Ron “Bumblefoot” That by Clicking Here!

Books, Entertainment, Interview, Movies and TV, Music

Interview: David Duchovny discusses his new album, ‘Every Third Thought,’ songwriting

David Duchovny, the award-winning actor, director and novelist has just released his new album, Every Third Thought. It’s the follow up to his 2015 debut, Hell or Highwater.

Crafted with elements of folk, classic rock and pop, Every Third Thoughtshowcases Duchovny’s eclectic influences, which range from artists like The Beatles and David Bowie to the bright, haunting and acoustic-driven songs from 1970’s bands like America.

Recorded in Brooklyn in December of 2016, Duchovny finds a deeper level of lyrical maturity and musical expression with Every Third Thought. His honest storytelling speaks of personal reflection but is meticulously crafted with universal themes.

AXS recently spoke with David Duchovny about Every Third Thought, songwriting and more in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: How does Every Third Thought compare to your first album, Hell Or Highwater?

David Duchovny: This album is more musically varied and ambitious. The songs all started the same way, which was me throwing chords together with an acoustic guitar and then singing my words over it. Once I started collaborating more with my band–who are such advanced musicians–it allowed them to bring in their own sonic tastes. So, it wasn’t just me saying I’ve got this song but was more like I’m hearing a David Bowie, “Heroes” vibe, which was the case with the song, “Half Life.” Or from me saying “Last First Time” feels like a 70’s power rock ballad. They were able to open the song up and execute the things that I couldn’t.

AXS: Have you found that your lyrical style has matured with this new album?

DD: Having written a bunch of songs, I’m starting to get a better feel for how lyrics work. I still very clearly recall writing my first song, “The Things” on Hell or Highwater. I remember thinking that if I’m going to write a song, I’m not going to say anything specific in it because I don’t want people asking me what it means. And what could be more neutral than saying, “It’s about this “thing” [laughs].” I try to straddle the line of a song being very personal but also universal. Everybody’s life has a very similar shape. You try to write as personally as you can and write to the shape of everybody’s life.

AXS: What was the writing process like for Every Third Thought?

DD: It’s always different. Sometimes, I’ll have a melodic hook in my mind and a chord progression waiting for words. Other times, the words will come first and they’re waiting for a melody. I’ve got a bunch of lyrics off to the side on my iPad and a bunch of progressions off to another side. Sometimes, I’ll sit down and start introducing them to one another and see who wants to make out [laughs].

Read the rest of my
Interview with David Duchovny by Clicking Here!

Entertainment, Interview, Music, Women Who Rock

Interview: Guitarist Nita Strauss Discusses her new Signature Model, The Ibanez Jiva
Photo by: Samuel Lathrop

Nita Strauss, the Los Angeles-based guitarist known for her shredding skills as part of the Alice Cooper band, was recently awarded her first Signature model guitar from Ibanez.

The Ibanez JIVA gets its name from the Hindu word, which means the vital energy of life and the creative essence that lives on after the body passes away.

Strauss’ JIVA is based on Ibanez’s popular S-series model and features a quilted maple top on a mahogany body. There’s also a 24-fret, ebony fingerboard with a uniquely designed “Beaten Path” EKG-Style inlay. The guitar also comes with Strauss’ signature DiMarzio pickups, which the guitarist designed herself.

The Ibanez JIVA’s unveiling at this winter’s NAMM Convention makes Strauss the company’s first female guitarist with a Signature model. Strauss has been on the Ibanez roster since 2008 and the JIVA is a well-deserved award that recognizes one of the most inspiring and hardest working guitarists in music.

Strauss is currently gearing up for a new round of touring with Alice Cooper and is deep into production on her first guitar-driven, instrumental solo album.

AXS recently spoke with Nita Strauss about her new Signature model guitar, her upcoming tour with Alice Cooper and more in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: Where did the idea and inspiration for your Signature model come from?

Nita Strauss: I think once you start playing guitar and learning about their components, you start figuring out what features would make it better. So, like most guitars players, I started designing my Signature guitar when I was in grade school [laughs]. I would always write down all my ideas into a notebook that I would carry around. This year is my tenth anniversary with Ibanez, and last year was when the discussion for a Signature model first started. I already had a clear picture of what I wanted from all the endless decisions I’d done in my head. So, once the final decision was made, it was a pretty straightforward process.

AXS: Why the name, “JIVA”?

NS: The word “jiva” is a Hindu word that means the part of yourself where all your creativity, ideas and life force comes from. It’s your jiva manifesting itself. Whether it’s your art, music or creativity, it’s the part of you that lives on after your body passes away. I thought, what more appropriate thing to call my guitar. On a personal note, my Dad’s band was called Jiva a long time ago. Since my dad’s the one who taught me how to play guitar, it’s also a fitting tribute as well.

AXS: What can you tell me about the guitar?

NS: It’s a mahogany body with custom maple top and ebony fretboard that weighs exactly seven pounds. That combination of wood gives it the tone I love and sets the guitar apart from others in the S-series. The Deep Space Blonde color is also unique as well.

AXS: What about the guitar’s pickups?

NS: Choosing a pickup was a trial and error process. I wanted something with a lot of body and sustain. Something that could hit top harmonics and hold them out but also not be too noisy on stage. We have a happy medium with my DiMarzio Pandemonium pickups. They’re really bright with harmonic resonance but are also really quiet.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Nita Strauss by Clicking Here!