Tag: Deen Castronovo

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, Music

Interview: The Dead Daisies’ Deen Castronovo Discusses New Project with Johnny Gioeli – ‘Set The World On Fire’
Gioeli – Castronovo

Deen Castronovo and Johnny Gioeli first joined forces on Hardline’s 1992 debut album, Double Eclipse. Since then, Gioeli has continued to lead Hardline while Castronovo (who had previously been in the super-group, Bad English), went on to perform with such artists as Ozzy and Revolution Saints as well as completing a seventeen-year stint with classic rock legend, Journey. He’s currently the drummer for another hard rock supergroup – The Dead Daisies.

Twenty-five years later, Deen and John have finally reunited for an impressive Gioeli-Castronovo debut album. The aptly titled, Set The World On Fire.

The strength of the new album stems not only from the melodic, hook-laden songwriting but also from Gioeli’s raw vocal talent and Castronovo’s double-shot combination of driving rhythm and his own high octane vocals. Whether it’s autobiographical songs like “Through” and “Who I Am” or surprises, like the duo’s cover of Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now”, Set The World On Fire is a nod to the past and a look to the future for two of music’s finest artists.

AXS recently spoke with Deen Catronovo about Set The World On Fire; The Dead Daisies; his career and more in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: How did this project with Johnny, Set The World On Fire, come about?

Deen Castronovo: It actually started with Serafino Perugino, the president of Frontiers Records. He called me up one day and said, “You know, Dean. If you could collaborate with any singer, who would it be?” I told him it would have to be Johnny [Gioeli], hands down. I’ve always loved Johnny’s voice and he’s one of the most talented singer/songwriters and frontmen I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. Johnny and I hadn’t worked together in nineteen years, and he and I together is pure pandemonium. When we first got together it was a blast telling stories about our time together in Hardline and when we were opening for Van Halen. It was like we’d never left. Johnny’s voice hasn’t changed a bit. It sounds just as good, if not better than when we were both in Hardline.

AXS: The album has a cool, melodic rock vibe. Can you speak a little to the songwriting? 

DC: Alessandro Del Vecchio does much of the songwriting. He loves melodic rock. It’s his forte and he knows just what to write. He and I have this telepathic connection. He knows what I want and I know what he’s looking for.

AXS: Is there a song on the album that has special meaning to you?

DC: The first song I really loved was “Who I Am”. It describes a little about where I was in my life three years ago. Through it all, Johnny never left my side. As a friend, he’s had my back and stuck with me. So, that song is really special.

AXS: The song, “Through” also seems very autobiographical.

DC: That one was a Johnny and Allesandro song. It’s another one that talks about Johnny and I and the things we’ve gone through. If you watch the video, there are pictures of us when we were in Hardline.

You can read the rest of my
Interview with Deen Castronovo by Clicking Here!

Entertainment, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

‘Light In The Dark’: Doug Aldrich Talks New Revolution Saints Album
Photo by Johnny Pixel

For Light In The Dark, the sophomore album from monster trio Revolution Saints, we find Deen Castronovo (vocals/drums), Doug Aldrich (guitars) and Jack Blades (bass/vocals) once again teaming up with producer/songwriter Allesandro Del Vecchio for an infectious compilation of inspired songwriting and tasty guitar work, highlighted by Castronovo’s amazing vocal prowess.

Light In The Dark [which is set for an October 13 release] continues to build off the classic, melodic rock style of the band’s debut and their collective musical resumes (which includes Journey, Night Ranger, Damn Yankees, Dio and Whitesnake), but fans should also prepare for a more unique set of performances, as we all as a few surprises.

In this interview, I spoke to Aldrich about Revolution Saints, his gear and The Dead Daisies.

How does Light in The Dark compare to the band’s debut album?

It’s similar in that everything is representative. It’s a little bit heavier in some songs but it’s still got the melodic rock guitar sound and a real riff rock feel. Overall, it’s a little bit edgier.

I like it because we all had a chance to write on this one. I brought in a bunch of guitar parts and arrangements and Deen threw down an mp3 of him playing guitar that I got a few riffs out of as well. Jack also wrote on a few of the songs and Alessandro co-wrote pretty much everything except for one of the ballads.

Let’s discuss a few tracks from the new album, beginning with the title track.

That originally started out as a song that Allesandro had with simple, blocked down guitar parts, a verse and a chorus. I worked with him on an arrangement and started out by taking the guitars in one direction.

Once I got to Italy to record and started playing against the real drums I changed the riff a little bit to toughen it up. It’s right in the same vein of the last record and a good leadoff track.

What about “Freedom”?

I had brainstormed a song that was kind of our version of Phil Collins’ track, “In The Air Tonight.” That was the initial inspiration behind it. Deen had sent me an mp3 of a drop D riff he had recorded and I took a little piece of that and simplified it. In the end, it has a little flavor of “Separate Ways” by Journey with how the three of us played it.

“I Wouldn’t Change A Thing”?

That was a song written by Richard Page, the singer from Mister Mister. When I first heard it I was excited to see what I could do with it. Allesandro had done a rough demo where the guitar solo broke into a melody. I really liked it but when I picked up the guitar and started to play around it, I got a hit for a completely different melody that really set well with the vocal. I’m happy with how it turned out.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Doug Aldrich by Clicking Here!