MARK SLAUGHTER ON NEW SOLO ALBUM, TOURING STORIES (KISS, IRON MAIDEN), AND THE END OF THE VINNIE VINCENT INVASION (AUDIO)
Decibel Geek podcast hosts Chris Czynszak and Aaron Camaro recently interviewed Mark Slaughter for a talk about his new solo album, Slaughter, touring with KISS, and his days working with now-reclusive guitarist Vinnie Vincent in the Vinnie Vincent Invasion. A few excerpts follow:
On the autobiographical nature of his new solo album, 'Reflections in a Rearview Mirror:'
'As records go by in all of our lives, they really are the soundtrack of our lives and that's really what I was trying to do with this record; to make a record that is not only a soundtrack to where people would identify with it, but I used a lot of sounds that were part of my life. My dog is snoring on the first track. My mom, who is no longer with me and my father who is no longer with me are on the record.'
On the decision to put out his first solo album and the reaction from Slaughter bandmate Dana Strum:
'I really didn't get into it real heavy. I was just recording and recording and then I had [producer] ) Michael (Wagener) do it and I said 'Y'know what, I'm gonna put some stuff out' and he kinda discounted it just as 'Y'know, whatever.' He recorded a record with Vince (Neil), you know he's doing stuff. So, it's me just being an artist.'
On memories of a summer shed tour that Slaughter, promoting their debut album 'Stick it to Ya', opened for KISS in 1990:
'There's something about the air at nighttime in the summertime. You've got your beer, you've got your friends; it is magical and I miss that. A week before we got back with them (KISS), Stevie Ray Vaughan had that helicopter crash. It was Alpine Valley. Literally, that was a week before. So, I get up onstage and you could see the charred lawn where he died. Right before 'Fly to the Angels' I said, 'Look, I'd like to dedicate this next song to Stevie Ray Vaughan. This is 'Fly to the Angels' and the whole place, 20,000 people... there wasn't one lighter that wasn't in the sky. I still get goosebumps to this day where I go 'Wow.' It was almost like a religious experience at that point.'
On his first discussion with Gene Simmons when Slaughter showed up at pre-tour rehearsals in Lubbock, TX in 1990:
' It was so funny. Gene, the first day, he said 'Listen, we are not going to discuss Vinnie Vincent ever on this whole tour.' And I said 'Okay, Gene.' And then 5 minutes later he goes, 'You know what really bothers me (laughs)....I think we were both were in agreement that Vinnie's a very talented guy but stood in his own way.'
On Vinnie Vincent being misunderstood as just a shredding guitarist from the 80's:
'I'll never forget when we were on tour with Iron Maiden and I was talking guitar player talk with him and I go 'I love Jeff Beck' and he starts playing this Jeff Beck stuff and I'm like 'you've got to be kidding me' and the next thing you know Dave Murray and all the guys from Iron Maiden and their techs are standing on the outside of our dressing room watching him play this stuff and going 'Mate, why don't you play like that?' and Vinnie goes, 'Because it's boring.' He was just trying to be recognized with the shredders.'
On the strain in the studio regarding direction for Vinnie Vincent Invasion followup (and Mark's debut), 'All Systems Go:'
'I sang that record twice. I sang with Vinnie the way the he wanted me to do it and I sang with Dana after Vinnie left.'
On the rumors over many years that Vinnie Vincent was kicked out of his own band:
'I had to sign a Leaving Member Agreement with Chrysalis as well as Dana and Bobby due to the fact that Steve Stevens left Billy Idol. Jeff Aldrich, who is the A&R guy for Chrysalis said 'We cannot afford to lose our talent if these people leave. We need to have them sign an agreement that they will record 4 songs and we will have the option to pick up their option under the premise of the record agreement that was done between the artist they're signed under. In other words, in Vinnie Vincent's record deal; when we were done in 1988, when I walked off the stage and never saw him again, we had to record 4 songs for the label which we did in 1988, going into 89 on New Years Eve we were in the studio; Tim, Blas, Dana and I. 'Fly to the Angels' is one of those songs. We do the songs, we give it to Bud Carr, who managed Kansas. We take it to the record label and they go, 'We're definitely picking up Mark's option.' They had already dropped Vinnie because they had disagreements. They didn't like him and he didn't like them and that was done. They, basically, by picking up my option, gave me his record deal.'
'Vinnie refused to do radio interviews. He wouldn't walk up a set of steps. He said 'Is there an elevator? I'm not walking up those steps' It was a long set of steps and maybe he would've been too winded. I don't know what the issue was but I walked I walked up those steps and I did the interview. I was out there meeting people and I was shaking hands and I was doing what arists like Bonnie Raitt, who's a heritage artist, who's done this her whole frickin' life of meeting people and being an entertainer, never stopped doing.'
'I called Mike (Bone) [Chrysalis Records president] at one point when Vinnie and Dana got into it and Vinnie pulled me down, with his manager at the time, and said 'Are you gonna be in my band or are you gonna go with Dana?' I said I'd rather be in the gutter with Dana.'
'In Sacramento, Dana and I were at the bar during the day at soundcheck having a soda and MTV was on and the 'Love Kills' video came on. I looked up and I just said 'Can you fuckin' believe that?' it said 'The Vinnie Vincent Invasion (featuring Mark Slaughter).' I was like 'Wow, okay.' I knew I had the interest of the label at that point. I'll never forget that Dana said 'And of all fucking times, this is the most publicity that the band's got and it's over tomorrow.'
On Tracii Guns being a candidate for Slaughter:
'He called me when we were done; when Vinnie was over. He said 'You know how I play, you know how good I am.' And I said 'I do know, Tracii. But you know here's milk and cookies which is me and Mr. vampire Hollywood. You know one of these things is not like the other. Not saying that there's anything wrong with that but there is a little bit of a different image so to speak. In my mind I was thinking more of just a guys-next-door band and not trying to get too deep into an image.'
The Decibel Geek podcast, started in 2011, is a weekly hard rock and heavy metal music and discussion show. Covering rock and metal bands from the late 60's to today, the show features rotating themes including Year in Review, Radio Sucks Radio Show (music-based), Interviews, Fresh Blood (upcoming bands) and many more.
RICK SPRINGFIELD's upcoming new studio album - a follow up to 2012's masterpiece 'Songs For The End Of The World' will possibly feature as many as 16 tracks.
The singer/songwriter recently stated in an interview that: "It is the best album I have ever made and it will be out in a few months. Recorded in my studio 'The Black Lagoon', it is 16 new songs with big choruses, great grooves..."
On hearing that I had to of course ask Rick about such a bold statement! His reply - "Hahahaha...shameless self promotion!"
Big expectations folks!
Rick has a huge 2015 stillto come, with the new album plus a TV role on True Detective Season 2 and a major movie with Meryl Streep 'Ricki & The Flash'
It is being reported that the upcoming (most likely self-titled) Def Leppard release will feature all members on lead vocals. BUT JUST ON ONE TRACK apparently.
Vivian Campbell has already gone on the record stating he feels it is the best album recorded by the band since his arrival in 1992, but a new interview indicated all members would have a turn on lead vocals for the "diverse and experimental" new album.
In another recent interview, Joe Elliott is quoted as stating that while all will sing, it will only be on a verse or chorus or such, not on an entire song.
The album is expected out before the end of the year.
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of American Trash the anticipated new album featuring Rock & Roll veterans JeanBEAUVOIR and MickiFREE on June 5 in Europe and June 9 in North America.
Best known as the driving force behind the legendary Crown of Thorns self-titled debut album in 1994, Jean Beauvoir and Micki Free’s collective credits read like a “who’s-who” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with a list of collaborations that includes the likes of the Ramones, KISS, Debbie Harry, The Pretenders, John Waite, Lionel Richie, N'Sync, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Bill Wyman, Carlos Santana and Prince to name but a few.
The duo both coincidentally moved back to LA in 2003 and re-connected. They discussed joining forces again for a new project and after a few shows in Europe in 2013, a deal with Frontiers was inked for a brand new album to be recorded in 2014.
The result is American Trash, an album that shaped up as “the continuation of the BEAUVOIR FREE sound as the writing team for the Crown of Thorns debut,” explains Jean Beauvoir. “When we write together there really is this magic. We know we want killer guitar riffs and major melodic chorus... and this is what turns out in our songs, in Beauvoir Free style.”
All the new songs came out like "rocking-babies" in the BEAUVOIR FREE fold. “…And all represent the sound only Jean and I create together. The "inimitable" sound of BEAUVOIR FREE,” tells Micki Free.
Joining forces once again, Jean and Micki can truly unleash the magic that they can only create when they write together, of that there is no doubt!
“We both feel this CD is some of the best work we have done, right up their next to the Crown of Thorns debut” concludes Jean. “We want to get out on the road and bring it to the fans. We receive a lot of enquires of when are you guys coming back out on tour and people telling us they can't wait to hear the new material. Frankly we can’t wait for our fans to hear American Trash as well!”
Enjoy an EPK trailer of the album here:
The American Trash track list includes: Angels Cry; Morning After; American Trash; Whiplash; Just Breathe; Shotgun To The Heart; Never Give Up; Cold Dark December; It’s Never Too Late; She’s A K.O.; There’s No Starting Over.
BEAUVOIR FREE
JEAN BEAUVOIR – Lead Vocals and Background Vocals, Bass, Rhythm Guitars, Drums, Keyboards and Orchestration
MICKI FREE - Lead Guitars, Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars
Following their wildly successful and acclaimed 2014 Let Rock Rule tour, AEROSMITH--Rock's greatest live act--will return to the road June 13 with their 'Blue Army Tour 2015.' The trek will take the band's all original members--Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton, and Brad Whitford--to 15 cities before concluding in Grand Rapids, MI on Tuesday, August 4.
Says Joe Perry: "The name Blue Army came from the fact that 'everyone' in our audience from the 70's were wearing blue denim and it looked like a sea of blue, thus The Blue Army."
Immediately following the tour, AEROSMITH will perform on Friday, August 7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's first-ever Concert for Legends. The concert--part of the 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival--will pay tribute to the legends of the game on the eve of the Enshrinement for the Class of 2015.
On the 'Blue Army Tour 2015,' AEROSMITH will perform a set including their career-defining biggest hits, many of which are highlighted of their upcoming Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014 DVD (Eagle Rock Entertainment). Captured live at Donington Park in Leicestershire, UK, in June 2014 as part of the band's critically acclaimed Let Rock Rule definitive rock & roll experience, the DVD (release date TBD) features 19 of the band's most iconic hits including 'Love In A Elevator,' 'Janie's Got A Gun,' 'Don't Wanna Miss A Thing,' 'Dude Looks Like A Lady,' 'Walk This Way,' 'Dream On,' 'Sweet Emotion' and many more.
AEROSMITH are a living piece of American music history, having sold over 150 million albums worldwide and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are the recipients of countless awards including four GRAMMYs, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Video Music Awards, among many other honors. Their latest honors include the 2013 ASCAP Founders Award and induction, also in 2013, into the Songwriter Hall of Fame at the 44th annual SHOF ceremony. MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION! (Columbia) , the band's latest album, was released in late 2012. Proving that they can cross genre-boundaries with ease, these rock legends have even taken home a Soul Train Award for Best Rap Single for their remix of Run DMC's "Walk This Way." With scores of multi-platinum albums, AEROSMITH continues to inspire generations to get their wings, get a grip and just push play. It is no wonder why they are one of the most beloved bands of all time.
AEROSMITH's 2015 summer tour dates are as follows:
Sat 6/13 Glendale, AZ Gila River Arena
Wed 6/24 Evansville, IN The Ford Center
Sat 6/27 Durant, OK Choctaw Casino Event Center
Tue 6/30 Hidalgo, TX State Farm Arena
Fri 7/3 Stateline, NV Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys
Tue 7/7 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
Fri 7/10 Salinas, CA Salinas Sports Complex
Mon 7/13 Kelowna, BC Prospera Place
Thu 7/16 Victoria, BC Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Sun 7/19 Fort McMurray, AB Shell Place at MacDonald Park
Wed 7/22 Cheyenne, WY Cheyenne Frontier Days
Sat 7/25 Minot, ND North Dakota State Fair
Tue 7/28 Ridgefield, WA Amphitheater Northwest
Sat 8/1 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
Tue 8/4 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
Fri 8/7 Canton, OH Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
For more information, check out the following sites:
In episode 102 of One On One With Mitch Lafon, Mitch is joined by American Rock Icon George Thorogood who discusses his upcoming tour with Brian Setzer, his love of Montreal, opening for the Rolling Stones in the early '80s, his storied career and more. Also, SLAUGHTER's Mark Slaughter joins Mitch to talk about his new killer solo rock album 'Reflections In A Rear View Mirror', looks back at his days with the Vinnie Vincent Invasion, talks about his special bond with Slaughter bassist Dana Strum, Slaughter's upcoming summer tour, taking care of his voice as he agesand much more. This episode is co-hosted by former GUNS 'N ROSES manager, Doug Goldstein.
(speaking of his solo album comapred to a Slaughter album) "You still have to be what people expect you to be." "I didn't want to do the Mark Slaughter Polka record."
This Episode of One On One With Mitch Lafon is brought to you by the Heavy Montreal Festival taking place on August 7th, 8th and 9th at Parc Jean Drapeau in Montreal. This year featuring Lamb Of God, Slipknot, Korn, Faith No More as well as '80s artists Dokken, Lita Ford and Warrant. Visit: http://www.heavymontreal.com
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