Category: Music

Interview, Music

‘High Priestess’: Vocalist Kobra Paige Talks New Kobra And The Lotus Album

High PriestessHard rock and metal fans around the world will find comfort in Kobra And The Lotus’ new album “High Priestess” – and for good reason. Produced by the Grammy-nominated Johnny K (Megadeth, Disturbed, Three Doors Down), “High Priestess” continues to build on the success of the band’s self-titled last album while showcasing a higher level of musical maturity.

But “High Priestess” is not your typical rock album. It’s the combination of hard rock/heavy metal sound combined with classically-trained Kobra Paige’s wailing vocals and hook-laden melodic riffs that makes it so special. Songs like “Willow” and the haunting track “Soldier” showcase Paige’s lyrical vision. Painting a visual landscape of texture that enhances the mood of each track. The result is an insanely good combination of songs that stand out well on their own, yet fit together nicely with each other in terms of style.

Kobra And The Lotus is currently out on the road supporting the monstrous KISS and Def Leppard summer tour. I spoke with Paige about the new album, touring and how a Judas Priest show changed her life forever.

What’s it like touring with KISS and Def Leppard?

Amazing. It’s such a huge honor and so much fun to be a part of.  Every day I go down to the stage when we’re setting up and can’t believe it’s actually happening. It’s a surreal experience.

What was it like working with Johnny K on “High Priestess”?

Johnny is the most inspiring producer. Every day he was ready to create and work with us. He really challenged us to think of things in a different way. It really helps when you’re around someone who is equally excited about what they do. He’s so passionate about what he’s doing and was very invested both emotionally and mentally.

Let’s discuss a few tracks from the new album. “I Am, I Am”.

I actually wrote that song a few years ago, back when we were working on the last album. I remember I came in with it and Johnny put the verse riff in and switched it around a little bit. It has kind of an old school sound and is about being who you are. Either you’re being the seed of destruction or the birth of creation. It’s your choice.

Soldier

“Soldier” is a tribute to our soldiers and is meant to tug on people’s heart strings a bit – especially with the video. It’s to hopefully bring some perspective that this kind of thing is still going on and there are families out there that are affected by it. It’s to remind people that we’re living a very free life, and we shouldn’t take it for granted.

Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics?

I draw from so many places. I write little notes and ideas down all the time, so there are a lot of different influences on this album. Sometimes when the guys bring me riffs it will actually sound like something physical to me. When I heard the music for “Willow” it actually “sounded” like the story of Bushido to me. Music is not just sonic – it’s something that’s very visual inside of my head. I don’t just hear it, I see it.

When did you know that music was going to be your calling?

I was doing classical training when I was growing up, so I always thought music would be my future. Then I went to a Judas Priest concert and it changed my life. That’s what got me into choosing a “harder” route so to speak.

What excited you the most about the Priest show?

It was a combination of everything. The energy, the eruption of the crowd. The way [Rob] Halford was stomping around and wailing away. I immediately knew there was a place for me – and it didn’t have to be opera. I was taken by all of it and knew right away that it was something I had to be a part of it.

Kobra Paige (Photo: Tessa Quinn)
Kobra Paige (Photo: Tessa Quinn)

How did the band get its start?

When I was 17, I saw an ad in the classifieds from two guys who were looking for a drummer. They had listed their influences which included bands like Metallica, Anthrax and Skid Row. I loved the list that they had so I emailed them saying that even though I didn’t play drums I’d love to come over and sing. They invited me over and we played “Aces High” [Iron Maiden] and that was it. From then on, it was no covers – just writing. We started making music together.

Did you ever find it challenging being a female singer fronting a “metal” band?

It can be challenging at times. In the beginning, I remember having battles with myself trying to figure out if I needed to be more aggressive or classy. In the end, I realized that I just have to be authentic and stay true to myself.

What excites you the most about “High Priestess”?

We had a great time creating it. This album was a little more exotic in some ways and there’s a lot of versatility on it. I’m really enjoying performing it live as well. We’ve been touring a lot these past few years so it’s nice to be able to do a new expression of ourselves.

Interview, Music, Politics

Shut Up & Jam!: Ted Nugent Talks New Album, Politics

Nugent1Say what you will about his politics, but there’s no denying the fact that Ted Nugent has firmly solidified his place in the annals of music history. Bastardizing the honky tonk from his stints with the Amboy Dukes and Damn Yankees to his hugely successful solo career, the Motor City Madman has performed well more than 6,500 shows over the course of his career – including a recent performance at Sweden Rock Festival in front of 40,000 rock hungry fans.

Whether it’s his music or his politics, Nugent does things on his own terms, and certainly isn’t afraid to tell you how he really feels.

Perhaps it’s one of the reasons why Nugent’s first studio album in seven years, “Shut Up & Jam!” (releasing July 8th) is so powerful. Relishing his spot in the eye of the storm and being on the front lines of the culture war and scourge of political correctness and denial, Nugent once again channels the blues masters that inspired his own guitar prowess while continuing to wave the flag for a love of God and country.

I spoke with Nugent about “Shut Up & Jam!” as well as got his take on the current State of the Union.

It’s been seven years since “Love Grenade”. What was the decision behind releasing a new studio album?

It wasn’t really a decision. The fact is, I’m so involved with so many different aspects of my life and tour like an animal every summer that I just didn’t put the logistics together to record this material. A lot of the songs on “Shut Up & Jam!” are actually a few years old. I’ve been messing around with “Do-Rags and a .45” for at least ten years. “I Still Believe” and “Never Stop Believing” are at least seven years old. “I Love My Bbq” and “Semper Fi” I’ve been working with for a few years. But there are a few new songs on the album. “Fear Itself” is a brand new song and “Everything Matters” is a song that was written at the beginning of this year. These songs all have a fire in them and I finally couldn’t wait any longer. I knew now was the right time to capture them.

What’s the secret to your killer guitar riffs?

It all goes back to the Amboy Dukes and even the Damn Yankees and Ted Nugent band. If you ask any of the guys they’ll tell you. Whenever I pick up my guitar really fun, garage band variations of what Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and the original Boogie-Woogie, Honky Tonk guys did comes out – and this album reeks of that! You really feel that original rhythm and blues structure and pulse in a lot of these songs because those original black artists all inspired me with their work ethic and musical prowess.

Is it ok if we talk a little politics?

Absolutely! But first, let me make something perfectly clear. I am really let down by my fellow Americans who avoid politics or whine “Ah! Stop being so political!” Let me explain what politics are to those who haven’t been educated by our failed education system.

“Politics” in America are the responsibility of “We the People” to remain engaged and a force to reckon with as we direct and demand accountability from our PAID elected officials to adhere to their oath to the U.S. Constitution. “We the People” is not a selective, segregated vision. “We the People” is supposed to be every American who cherishes, values, respects and earns this unique freedom by actually participating in an experiment in self-government. All of us have a moral, intellectual and spiritual obligation to remain in touch with our elected officials.

The fact that Barack Obama, Eric Holder, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi all hold the most powerful positions in the world is insanity. These are strange creatures that are attempting to fundamentally transform America into a SHIT HOLE! But I (as a “We the People” participant) will not let them do it without warrior-like resistance. I am a political animal because an American is supposed to be one. People who avoid politics are avoiding their duty and responsibility as a good American to demand accountability from our employees in elected office.

If you had Obama, Clinton and Holder all in the same room with you, what would be the first thing you would do?

I’d probably pace back and forth and then start off by saying “What in God’s name are you people doing? Why are you lying?” Then I would play them tapes of all of their lies and show them the historical evidence that shows how their fundamental transformation vision has destroyed every society it has touched.

The statistics are irrefutable and inescapable. Whenever liberal democrats run things, it’s a WRECK! It’s like their dream of having a gun-free zone – it already exists! It’s Chicago. And since you and I have gotten on the phone James, twenty people have been shot! Why would you want more of that?

Ted Nugent (Photo by Stefan Johansson)
Ted Nugent (Photo by Stefan Johansson)

What are your thoughts about what’s going on in Iraq right now?

It’s a perfect example of what I’ve just outlined. The insane community organizer rules of engagement. The fact is, the Middle East is a series of training areas for people who want to pull off another 9/11. You don’t reasonably secure the nucleus of terrorist training and then just leave. You don’t abandon them and let them use all of our equipment and have it eventually find its way into the hands of the enemy. Why do you think there are still American forces in Germany and Japan? Because the Japanese empire and the Nazi’s were PURE EVIL! We’re there to keep our eyes on them, and if we ever see any more of that Japanese empire or Nazi bullshit – we will nip it in the bud. But we didn’t do that in Iraq? That’s insanity!

Do you think something like term limits for all members of Congress would help?

In a world with this course of apathy and where people are not paying attention term limits is a good idea. But that’s not going for the real cause. That’s going for one of the effects. The real cause is that “We the People” don’t monitor the activities of our elected officials. My problem with term limits is that if citizens really monitored their congressmen properly, they would know if he’s not doing a good job or less than a good job. And if he’s not doing a good job you don’t need term limits – you vote him OUT!

But what if he’s doing a great job and he’s steam rolling the status quo? What if he IS getting accountability and IS cutting the waste, corruption and fraud? Well then you don’t want to term limit him out – you want to keep him IN! I think term limits are an escape hatch for a nation of wimps. If we can’t monitor them like we’re supposed to, it’s counter-productive.

Do you think there’s hope for America?

Absolutely. I travel and hang out with people everywhere. I don’t just rock and roll and then order room service. I’m on the phone with people and meet with working class people and community leaders and get a pulse of every city I’m in. I meet with these people and hear what they’ve witnessed and what they believe and I know that they’re getting fed up. I think we can take this country back and stop the hemorrhaging debt atrocity and teach people to instead being blood-suckers waiting for a hand out to be productive. I really do believe that.

Shut Up & Jam! will be released July 8th

For more on Ted Nugent: www.tednugent.com

You can also read Nugent’s articles on WND and Newsmax

 

 

 

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Future’s Past: Dave Mason Talks Recording with Jimi Hendrix, New Album and More

DaveMasonGuitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason was a founding member of Traffic (along with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood). He’s also recorded and/or toured with the likes of George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson.

Then there’s also the little matter of his historic performance on Jimi Hendrix’s iconic version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.”

Mason’s new album, Future’s Past, pays homage to those early years by featuring new versions of songs from his Traffic days and solo career, including new interpretations of “As Sad and Deep As You” and “World In Changes.” Rounding out the nine-track album is a new song, “That’s Freedom.”

Mason is on the road with the Traffic Jam Tour, which pays tribute to his former band and his solo years. I recently spoke with Mason about Future’s Past, his days with Traffic and his experience with Hendrix.

GUITAR WORLD: How did the Future’s Past project begin?

There wasn’t really a plan. I have a huge collection of material I’ve recorded over the last few years. Some of the songs applied to my Traffic Jam show (“Dear Mr. Fantasy,” “You Can All Join In.”) Then I had “World in Changes,” which was from my Alone Together album but sounds absolutely nothing like the original. My original intent was to use these tracks for an EP of about four songs, but since I also had a few other tracks and everything sounded so good, I decided to just put them all on there. The thing I like is that the album doesn’t sound dated. It all sounds fresh and new.

One of the highlights on the record is the version of “As Sad and Deep As You.”

That’s basically a live cut. It has such a strong emotion and mood. To me, it’s better than the original. That’s why it’s on there.

Read the rest of my
gw_logoInterview with Dave Mason by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Roll with the Changes: Dave Amato Talks Guitars and 25 Years with REO Speedwagon

Since REO Speedwagon’s arrival on the scene 40-plus years ago, the band has seen a lot of musical changes. Touring relentlessly through the Midwest in the 1970s, they finally broke through, scoring a pair of No. 1 hits in the 1980s. They also had the bestselling rock album of 1981, Hi Infidelity.

REO Speedwagon (Photo: Lisa Cuvo)
REO Speedwagon (Photo: Lisa Cuvo)

Some might even say they were the originators of the term “power ballad.”

And although the band also has gone through a few personnel changes over the years, they never cease to bring their lineup of hits to eager fans every year.

The band, which includes Kevin Cronin (vocals, rhythm guitar), Dave Amato (guitars), Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards) and Bryan Hitt (drums), performed 96 shows last year and are on pace to do an equal amount in 2014, including a summer co-headlining tour with Chicago.

I caught up with Amato, who recently celebrated 25 years with REO Speedwagon. I asked him to reflect on his career with REO and his affection for guitars and vintage gear. He also told me about an important lesson he learned from his early years working with Ted Nugent.

GUITAR WORLD: Twenty-five years with REO Speedwagon. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about that?

I think brothers. We’ve been together for 25 years, and these guys are my friends and my brothers. It’s great playing with them every night.

Can you tell me the story of how you joined the band?

My friend Jesse Harms was a keyboard player in Sammy Hagar’s band and was also writing songs with Kevin [Cronin]. Gary [Richrath] wasn’t with the band anymore and they were looking for a guitar player. They didn’t want to put out a “cattle call” for people in LA, so Jesse mentioned me to Kevin and they gave me a few songs to see what I could do with them. I remember I went in on a Friday around 1 p.m. We played a few of the songs together and then played a little basketball. Then we went back in and jammed again until around 5. That was when they offered me a spot in the band. It’s a good story and was just meant to be.

Read the rest of my
gw_logoInterview with Dave Amato by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitarist Nita Strauss Talks Touring with Alice Cooper, Gear and Three-Guitar Attacks

Following the April premiere of Alice Cooper’s film, Super Duper Alice Cooper, at the Tribeca Film Festival and its subsequent on DVD, rock’s greatest showman is hitting the road as a “very special guest” during Mötley Crüe’s final “All Bad Things Must Come To An End” North American tour, which starts in July.

NitaStrauss

But the tour also will mark the debut of Cooper’s new guitarist, Nita Strauss, who recently was listed as one of GuitarWorld.com’s “10 Female Guitar Players You Should Know.” Strauss takes the place of Orianthi, who had toured with Cooper for the past several years.

Strauss — whose influences include Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert and Shawn Lane — has already made her mark with the Iron Maidens and Femme Fatale. She’ll now join Cooper’s three-guitar attack, joining fellow six-stringers Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henriksen.

I recently spoke to Strauss about the upcoming tour, her gear and how she got her start.

GUITAR WORLD: Tell me how you got involved with this project.

Kip Winger was the one who actually connected the dots. We met each other on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, where he saw me play. He later heard through the grapevine that Alice was looking for someone, so he sent them a few links and videos of me performing. I was then introduced to Shep Gordon [manager] and Bob Ezrin [producer] who sent me over a few tracks to learn and from there. Everything just seemed to fall into place. I’m so honored and excited to be a part of this project. It’s hard to put into words.

What was it like when you first met Alice?

I first met Alice in LA when he was recording some material for his new album. Ezrin called and asked me if I’d like to come down to the studio and meet him. So I went down and got to sit in the studio for Alice’s recording session. He’s such a cool guy. The whole experience was pretty incredible.

You can read the rest of my
gw_logoInterview with Nita Strauss by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

The Long Run: Don Felder Talks Soundtrack of Summer Tour, Eagles Highlights and More

Felder

Former Eagles guitarist/songwriter — not to mention multi-Grammy winner — Don Felder isn’t one to simply rest on his laurels.

In addition to penning his best-selling memoir in 2008, Felder’s most recent album, 2012’s Road to Forever, has done incredibly well on the classic rock charts and recently was re-released as an extended-edition package with four additional songs.

Felder is out on the road now with Styx and Foreigner in what’s being billed the Soundtrack of Summer tour. The jaunt coincides with the release of a new album of the same name. It features a collection of hits from the bands, and finishes off with a brand-new interpretation of the Eagles’ “Hotel California.”

I recently spoke to Felder about the Soundtrack of Summer tour, his early years with the Eagles and much more. Check out the interview below.

How did the Soundtrack of Summer project come about?

I’ve known the Styx guys for many years. We’ve done many benefits together in the past and started doing some shows together. Tommy [Shaw] and I became good friends, and he even volunteered some of his time to writing lyrics and singing on my last CD, Road to Forever. So when the idea for doing a Styx and Foreigner tour came up and my name was mentioned, I said “Absolutely!” The catalog of these three bands is just magnificent. I’m excited to be a part of it.

What can fans expect from your set?

I do some of the Eagles songs I recorded and played live with the band for 27 years. Songs like “Hotel California,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Those Shoes” and a version of “Seven Bridges Road” that we used to do with the Eagles years ago. We even do a version of my song “Heavy Metal,” which was something the audience used to yell out for us to do during the Hell Freezes Over tour [laughs].

Read the rest of my
gw_logoInterview with Don Felder by Clicking Here!

1980's, Music

REO Speedwagon Rocks Penn’s Peak In SOLD OUT Performance

REOSpeedwagonIt didn’t take long for REO Speedwagon front man Kevin Cronin to make the announcement. After completing the band’s third song of the evening – the monster hit “Take It On The Run” from their ten-million selling “Hi Infidelity” album – Cronin took to the mic to announce that the band had recently been self-anointed the Kings Of Classic Rock.

Although obviously made in jest it’s hard to argue the fact, based upon the evidence that was presented at last night’s SOLD OUT show at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA.

REO Speedwagon has always been notorious for bringing one of the most magical, high-energy shows around, but the band’s performance last night seemed more like a musical revival than a typical rock concert – and REO preached the gospel as fans were treated to music spanning the length of the band’s 40+ year career.

Kevin Cronin surveys the kingdom. (Photo by REO Speedwagon).
Kevin Cronin surveys the kingdom (Photo by REO Speedwagon).

Front man Kevin Cronin’s vocals never seemed to waver – singing the same songs he’s been performing since the mid 1970’s with both gusto and perfection. For a man who has written an arsenal of classic rock favorites over the years, he’s still at the top of his game.

Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall and Dave Amato deliver the goods!
Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall and Dave Amato deliver the goods!

Guitarist Dave Amato, who just celebrated 25 years with REO is a force to be reckoned with. Not only does he make fellow guitarists (like me) drop their jaws at his playing and collection of Les Pauls and Fender Stratocasters, but he’s also one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

A dapper Neal Doughty performing 'Roll With The Changes'
A dapper Neal Doughty performing ‘Roll With The Changes’

Keyboardist Neal Doughty remains the sole member of the band’s original line-up since its formation in 1967, and one of the most magical moments of the evening came when Cronin introduced him before Doughty began playing the opening intro to their smash-hit “Can’t Fight This Feeling”.

Drummer Bryan Hitt doesn’t miss a beat – literally. Whether he’s playing the intro to “Don’t Let Him Go” or wailing away on the gong while surveying the landscape, there’s no one who can deliver the back beat for REO better than Hitt.

REO is also well-known for unleashing its classic rock heavy artillery towards the end of the set and last night was no exception. Following an audience participation request by Cronin, bassist Bruce Hall took to the mic for the anthemic “Back On The Road Again”.

Bryan Hitt shows 'em how it's done.
Bryan Hitt shows ’em how it’s done (Photo: Lisa Cuvo)

Following another staple of 70’s radio – “Roll With The Changes”, the band came back for an encore of their first #1 hit (“Keep On Loving You”) followed by Cronin’s infamous “Last song people” announcement before launching into a rousing finale of “Ridin’ The Storm Out” – complete with sirens!

I’ve seen REO Speedwagon more than a dozen times since the mid-80’s. From small-town college gymnasiums and theaters to large outdoor theme parks and music festivals. Each time, they just seem to get better and better. But last night’s show at Penns Peak was more than just another sold out, high energy performance by classic rock royalty. It was a kinship of music lovers celebrating the career of a band they love – and one whose songs have helped them through both good times and bad.

As one of the 1,800 loyal subjects who surveyed the REO Speedwagon kingdom last night, I am pleased to report that our future is in good hands.

Long live the kings.

REO Speedwagon Set List (Jim Thorpe, PA)

Don’t Let Him Go
Music Man
Take It On The Run
Keep Pushin’
Golden Country
Can’t Fight This Feeling
That Ain’t Love
Tough Guys
Like You Do
Keep The Fire Burnin’ (Acoustic)
Time For Me To Fly
Back On The Road Again
Roll With Changes

Encore:

Keep on Loving You
Ridin’ The Storm Out

1980's, Life, Music

A Father’s Day Thank You
Sorry Bones. I got the last laugh!
Sorry Bones. I got the last laugh!

It was a warm June day in 1984 when I again asked him the question..

“Dad? Can I PLEASE go with Bones to the concert?”

Bones was my brother –  two-years my senior and someone who was already becoming well versed in the concert ‘experience’. I mean, here was a dude who had already seen The J Geils Band and The Doobie Brothers perform at the Allentown Fairgrounds and The Kinks at Stabler Arena. To say that I was a little jealous for having been relegated to just listening to vinyl records is a bit of an understatement and to be honest, I half expected Dad to tell me “No” — just like he did the last time.

The previous summer, I asked begged my father to let me go with Bones to see The Kinks. After contemplating it for several minutes (along with listening to my brother’s very vocal protest against me going) Dad made it very clear — “No.” Now was not the time to let his 14-year-old son attend his first concert.

But this was now 1984. NINETEEN-EIGHTY-FREAKING-FOUR MAN!!!! I was going to start high school in the fall — and quickly becoming a man of my own. Heck, I had even started showing interest in playing guitar, and what better way to learn than by seeing how its done first hand, right Dad???

“So Dad? Can I go to the concert with Bones?”

Much to my brother’s chagrin, he had to accept the fact that on June 16, 1984 he was going to have to chauffeur me to the Allentown Fairgrounds to see The Scorpions and some up and coming band calling themselves Bon Jovi.

As luck would have it I was familiar with Bon Jovi; having already bought their debut album with my saved up lawn mowing money. At the time, they were mostly known for their song “Runaway” which was getting quite a bit of airplay on Casey Kasem’s American Top 40.  But that wasn’t the song that really appealed to me. As a soon to be 15 year-old boy there was only one song on that record that I could immediately relate to. It was the third song on the album: “She Don’t Know Me”.

I can’t even begin to tell you the countless times those lyrics came into my head during my adolescence. Especially in certain situations where the female persuasion was involved — I’d always find myself thinking: “If only she would look my way…. but She Don’t Know Me.”

It’s kind of ironic (well, actually no surprise) that the first two songs I learned on guitar were “Rock You Like A Hurricane” by Scorpions and “She Don’t Know Me” by Bon Jovi. The other thing that’s kind of cool is that Richie Sambora is playing the same guitar I had in this video…. 🙂

Over the subsequent thirty years I’ve seen a plethora of concerts. Some of the best include: REO Speedwagon, Survivor, Night Ranger, RATT and Mötley Crüe — all of which had huge albums and were at the TOP of their game. I saw Bon Jovi several more times along with shows by Bryan Adams, Whitesnake, Firehouse and Vixen. Then there’s the classic rock giants Boston, Foreigner, Styx and Journey. I saw AC/DC perform at Stabler Arena (a rinky dink college gymnasium) and Def Leppard twice on the Hysteria Tour. So many GREAT shows.

Although I could ramble on dozens of more examples I like to think that first show was the one that laid the foundation for my life as a music lover and metal head.

So, on this Father’s Day I would like to say a special thank you to my late father for the “Yes” answer he gave me thirty years ago.

A day I will never forget.

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitarist Joe Perry Talks Aerosmith, Touring with Slash and His Upcoming Autobiography

Since their start in the early Seventies — when they were fixtures of Boston’s vibrant music scene — Aerosmith have sold more than 150 million albums, garnered countless awards (including four Grammys) and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Aerosmith

They’ve crossed musical genres with their signature song “Walk This Way,” while their most recent album, 2012’s Music From Another Dimension, debuted at Number 5 on the Billboard 200.

There have been ups and downs along the way, but perhaps no band defines success better than Aerosmith. So it only makes sense that Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (lead guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums) would team up with another musical giant — Slash (along with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) — for a summer tour like no other.

The new Aerosmith/Slash North American tour, Let Rock Rule, will start July 10 in Wantaugh, New York, and end September 12 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

I recently spoke with Perry about the Let Rock Rule Tour. He also gave me an update on his next solo album and a first look at his new autobiography, Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith, which will hit shelves October 7.

GUITAR WORLD: Did you ever think that more than 40 years after the band’s formation we’d be talking about yet another killer Aerosmith tour?

No, I really didn’t [laughs]. But in the bigger picture, I don’t think anyone could have predicted that the business would have carried on as long as it did. We’ve seen a lot of changes in this business of rock and roll. We’ve seen it go from an underground meeting for a new generation of people to becoming a social revolution where the music became the theme (and sometimes even helped drive it). Then we watched the whole thing collapse and change with the way people receive their music. It’s tough to say where things are going to go from here, but the good thing is that fans still want rock and new music. When we see the fans out there, they’re as excited as ever to see rock and roll in the flesh. It’s the end of an era and a whole different world.

You Can Read The Rest Of My
gw_logoInterview with Joe Perry By Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitarist Jeff Rains Discusses His New Album, ‘From The Ashes’
Jeff Rains (Photo: Jeff Sciortino)
Jeff Rains (Photo: Jeff Sciortino)

Ever since Jeff Rains first caught the music bug at age 15, he’s been doing things his own way. Even though the Indiana-based guitarist/vocalist wasn’t signed to a label, Rains regularly wrote, recorded and produced his own original music.

Having spent three solid years touring with the likes of Five Finger Death Punch, Hatebreed and Black Stone Cherry, Rains recently took some time off to be with his family and to finish his sophomore release, From The Ashes.

The new album, which will be released June 17, features more of the melodic hard rock sound Rains has become known for. Tracks like “Radio Song,” “Better Man” and “Believe” delve deep into Rains’ psyche while “Hero” crosses over into a more mainstream arena. From The Ashes even includes a dynamic cover of Kanye West’s “Heartless.”

I recently spoke with Rains about From The Ashes and more.

GUITAR WORLD: It’s been a few years since your debut album, Stories, was released. Why such a long wait?

I don’t really have a band, so I do everything on my own. I record all of the instruments, write all of the songs and produce everything. That makes the process of making a record take a little bit longer than most. We also went through a few management changes during that time, and the singles were really lasting a long time on the radio. Ideally, I wanted to get the record out faster but there were circumstances that kept happening and I didn’t want to rush it.

You can read the rest of my
gw_logoWith Jeff Rains by Clicking Here!