Leading independent studio, E1 Entertainment is thrilled to finalize their production and development deal with legendary rock band KISS. E1 will tap the worldwide enthusiasm for the KISS brand, collaborating with founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to create a comedic half-hour kids television series that galvanizes the band’s iconic personas for its young fans.

“We’re honored to be involved in carrying on the KISS legacy,” comments Frank Saperstein, Senior VP of Kids and Animation for E1. “It’s wonderful to collaborate with the creative forces behind one of the greatest rock bands of all time and unquestionably one of the most recognized worldwide.”

E1 has snagged the KISS brand as it eclipses its roots, building energy in new family and youth media outlets. KISS’s role as the face of Dr. Pepper, their significant presence during Super Bowl XLIV, and their appearance on the 2009 American Idol Finale, which reached over thirty million viewers, has made the make-up and leather-clad giants a household name for kids and families today. The KISS tradition continues to grow generation after generation transcending age, race and creed.

“KISS continues to be the juggernaut of licensing and merchandising, from KISS M&M’s to KISS Dr Pepper,” remarks KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, “KISS is a band, but also the only music BRAND. Continuing in our 35 year history of going where no band has gone before, we are proud to partner with E1. Like all things KISS, we intend to make this a very special show for our fans.”

“We couldn’t be more excited. Coupling E1’s successes and ingenuity with the global force of KISS guarantees an express pass into the homes of our youngest KISS Army members with a show of superior quality,“ adds KISS co-founder Paul Stanley.

The as- yet untitled series will be produced and distributed worldwide by E1. Executive Producers are John Morayniss and Frank Saperstein for E1 Entertainment; Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS. E1 and KISS will handle all licensing and merchandise for the series.

Many things can change in the course of a year and life can take you down many unexpected roads. No one is more familiar with unexpected twists and turns that life hands out than Lovehammers frontman, Marty Casey. When we caught up with him a year ago, he was about to set out on a world tour with one of rock’s most notorious bands, LA Guns. At that time, the future of Lovehammers was anything but clear. Flash forward one year and Casey has completed his tenure with LA Guns and the Lovehammers have returned with their amazing new album, ‘Heavy Crown’. Regrouped, recharged and more determined than ever, the boys in the band are ready to take the world by storm. Jason Price of Icon Vs. Icon recently sat down with Marty Casey to catch up on all of the happenings of his whirlwind year. In the interview they discuss his time with LA Guns, the spark that re-lit the flames of Lovehammers, the band’s new album and everything that falls in between.

The last time I spoke with you (in July of 2008), you’d just started with LA Guns and you were getting ready to take off on a world tour, what was that experience like for you?

I mean it was really an amazing year long adventure, it came out of no where. I got to write a record, I got to record a record with LA Guns and producer Pete Thompson, and then immediately upon finishing the record I got to go on tour and go to different continents that I’ve never been to in my life. We pretty much played 13 out of 14 days, we basically got one day off every two weeks that’s how much we played. We did it non-stop through the summer and through the fall all through South America and then came back and took a little time off for the holidays and then were back at it. So it was just full-on insanity and it was great to experience that!

What was your most memorable moment while touring with the band?

I’d say Lima, Peru. The first place we played in South America. Just because we landed and you know there were people waiting at the airport and there was a big party thrown for us the first night before our show for that whole South American tour, and then the next night showing up and playing at the club and the club was amazing. It was packed and we had a great show. It was just such an amazing thing to come from the U.S., land there in a completely different world and the shows were great, the people were great and it was just a great introduction to the continent in general and we had the time of our lives down there.

You mentioned when we originally spoke that the album that you did with LA Guns had been completed, any idea when that record may see the light of day?

That’s pretty much up to Tracii Guns and the label, you know that was their deal. I was kind of brought in from the outside, just having been the songwriter on the record, and then as a result of their former singer leaving and they brought me in to sing. So it really isn’t my deal, it’s kind of like I got to do what I did and I’m happy to be a part of it, but it’s really up to them to decide how and when it gets released and whatever they would like to do. I’m just kind of the add on to the project you know, it’s not my band.

In the time that you were with LA Guns you were taking a break from Lovehammers, you guys seemed to rekindle the spark and keep the band going. Was there a certain thing that kickstarted that process?

Yeah, I think our bass player Dino (Kourelis), who  basically kind of does a lot of business for the band, just said “Well I’m going to release a record of Loverhammers b-sides and different versions of songs that people haven’t heard before just to keep momenum of the band in motion.” And then we got such good reaction from the presale which was way back at the end of last year, we got such an amazing reaction and so many presales that when they mentioned it to me I said “I think we need to do an entirely new record, we’re not the Chili Peppers with a bunch of great b-sides. We need to do a new record!” [laughs] And that is just what kickstarted it, people were like “Wow, a lot of people want to hear what we’re doin next!” We put everything towards making that record and we did it fast. We wrote it and recorded it and put it on the shelves in a matter of months, so that’s pretty amazing.

What was the songwriting process like for this record?

I got back from New Zealand on February first of this year, and this record was supposed to come out in June. It got delayed and was basically July so we had February, March and April to write, record, mix, master, do the art work and get it to Universal. So I just startin sittin down and writing songs every single day, and then bringing them to the band and you know just basically choppin em up and adding to them or taking away or just completely throwing them away. It was fun and that’s how I do that, I didn’t work a job I would literally just wake up every morning and write, go to the studio- write, go to the park- write, and that’s what I did everyday. We just put it all together and there was a lot to say, and the songs are cool and the guys would bring me riffs and I’d work with those and write riffs of my own and it was just full-on I loved it. I liked having that crunch time line, so it’s not just like “Ahhh I’ll do it tomorrow.” There was no time for that, it kicks your ass and puts you in gear.

Where do you think ‘Heavy Crown’ stacks up to your previous albums?

I think it’s the most diverse record we’ve ever done and we took more risks in doing songs that…with the Lovehammers being together for so long it’s like you’re kind of anticipated every move you’re gonna make because there is such a time line, but I think this one was fun that it took in some directions a leap into new shit and then it kind of remained true to what we’ve always done. So I think I like this one the best; it’s the most recent it, sounds the best, has the best production on it, I think everybody offered more to this record than previous ones, everybody actually threw a song into the ring on this one to be worked through. It’s just a lot more of a fuckin’ bonafied group mentality “Let’s make a killer record!” kind of idea than previous ones just kind of floating along and writing tunes and seeing what happens.

What are some of your favorite songs from the new material to play live?

I would say “Heavy Crown”, for some reason it’s really potent to people, it’s very simple and just always gets such a great reaction. I love playing it and by the end of the song just kind of looking around, people are always so in tune and not wandering off, their very much in tune with that one. And I love playing the song “Guns”, usually we open up with that because it’s just so on fire, has so much energy and is kind of what the Lovehammers have always done. Very straight ahead, kind of bad ass powertrip so we just start out with that tune and take it from there, those have always won at the shows. And then I like a song called “Oh My Baby”, because it’s so different than anything else the Lovehammers have really done especially live and being so chill, so mellow with a mid-tempo tune that I kind of like doin it because I like people kind of wondering what’s happening throughout the evening.

You mentioned “Guns” which is the first single off the album, do you have plans for making a video for the song?

Yeah, we’re going to make a video for it, we’re kind of playing catch up. We’ve been trying to get the record done because there was a radio release date, and now the single is being launched to radio and we’re doing a radio campaign which is just about to begin. As we get that going and we’re working with the team that does that now we’re like “Okay we’ve got to get the video together.”, and so it’s always like we’re playing catch up but I like it because there’s always so much to do. It’s not like “Ok now we just sit around and wait for something to happen.” It’s just continually working to make new things happen and give people new things to check in on and be interested in and always forward momentum.

Any idea on a time frame on when we might see that?

I’d say you’d probably see a video in about six weeks.

What about touring plans? I know you have some shows lined up, but are the Lovehammers going to be heading out on a national tour anytime soon?

We offered some opportunities to get out there, but what we were really trying to do is tagteam with somebody that is at a similar level that can go around to the small markets and grab a couple hundred people a night, or go along on the big markets and grab a thousand or more people a night and get a tour together. That’s kind of a similar level band, not an exact sounding band. And you know we had some offers to go on tour with some different groups but it just really wasn’t the right fit, it’s not right for what we wanted to do. Basically running a label, a joint venture with Universal and being the label at this moment is about running the label, selling the cd, promoting the cd, promoting the single and basically working with the teams that we’ve hired to do that. We’re in the business aspect of what we do in the band, which is basically getting this product released. And then once that’s in motion then we get to do the next portion of it, which is live touring. It’s what we’ve always done and always done best. So that’s just the next step. I’m hoping in the fall we get out and are on a good tagteam bill with another band and we just start hittin’ it live- what we’ve always done best.

What role do you think your fanbase has played in the success and longevity of the band?

From the very start, which was 18 to 20 years ago, the great thing is that the Lovehammers has always had such a strong fanbase and a big fanbase. Originally, it was just our friends but we had a lot of them, you know everybody from high school wherever we played they would go. And then eventually you see them move along with their lives or go to college and go do whatever and you see new people that came across the band and start following. When you’ve been together this long you see people that come in and then there’s those that have children and take a different avenue and they come and they go. There’s also people that have never left, and it’s just kind of a continuance of that. When we perform at shows in Chicago I see people that have been watching the band for 20 years, that when I play “Into the Deep End” I know they were there the first night we ever played it in 1988. So it’s really cool, and you know I did the reality television show and a great crew of fans from that now exists, and then I did the LA Guns thing and there’s a crew of fans that exist kind of from the metal scene that now comes out to the shows. So the cool thing about the fanbase is that it keeps evolving, it’s never been the same, it’s always filled with the most random grouping of people in the world of every age, of every different demographic of every color. That’s the cool thing about the band, that we’re lucky enough to work towards but also fall into. The reason that this record got made is because thousands of people bought it and said “We want to hear it.” That’s why it got made and that’s why we continue.

The energy you have on stage and the command you have is mind blowing, with that said have you ever had a “Spinal Tap Moment” where something totally bizarre is going on something completely unexpected happened to you?

One evening when we had a big record showcase when the band had just started, I remember walking out and we had all these smoke machines going and everything is going on and I remember when the music kicked in I had forgotten every lyric, every melody, I had nothing! The music is goin, it’s thumpin along and I look to the left and the right to the guys and I’m just like “I’ve had a brainfreeze, I can’t think of anything, I can’t think of any words, any melodies!” So what did I do? I just made it up! I made up the song on the fly! And I remember my sister running to the front of the stage and just looking at me like “What’s going on, what’s wrong with you!” [laughs] I remember the lights and the smoke and I just blanked out, and then eventually after that I finally kicked back in and everything was fine, but I remember for that brief moment feeling just like Spinal Tap where I’m like “Where’s my mind?!”.

How do you think you and your bandmates have grown musically since you first started out?

We started out not knowing how to play, everybody bought an instrument, so we started out at ground zero with no training no nothing. We didn’t know any songs, we didn’t even know any chords. We just bought the instruments and said “Let’s do this!” That’s been the exciting thing throughout the years, seeing everyone independently get so much better at their instrument. But I think more than anything it’s just collectively as a group and how we play together has gotten so much better. I think that’s why it’s a unique thing and why we’re a unique sounding band. I don’t think you can pinpoint us and say “This band sounds like…”, it’s because we’ve never known anything other than playing with each other and being in this band. That’s the sound that was developed together since 1988, just us playing together. It’s not like we were classically trained and then we joined a band together. We didn’t know shit. We didn’t know notes, we didn’t know progressions, we didn’t know theory, literally we just learned as a group of people being creative at our own institution of music. We didn’t know anything else. We just started jammin and over the years it’s developed into what the Lovehammers sound like.

What is the best piece of advice you have for someone just starting out on their own musical journey?

You’ll make it further than you ever expected if you just stick together with your group of friends. If you have launched everything and can keep it together then you can raise your flag high enough so that enough people will find your band and like your sound and music. It just takes time. There are so many millions of music fans that want to hear great music, whatever your music style it has no difference, it’s just you have to stick together long enough and raise your flag high enough and just say “This is what we do, this is what we’re like, if you dig it come and check us out.” That’s what we’ve done long enough to get a mass of people to find the band interesting and keep checking out our shows. If you’re always changing, and always starting out a new band and always in a different project it’s really hard to lock people into really forming a fanbase. Because it’s always changing and there is nothing to follow, it’s always different. It’s really all about sticking together.

I also wanted to talk about your Silver Elements Collection, how did that originally come about?

A fan came and saw that I was always wearing unique stuff on stage and she mentioned it like “Oh you should have a t-shirt line or something.”, and I was like “I’m not really interested in doing a t-shirt line or clothing line” She pursued it for a while, mentioning different things and eventually I said “You know what would be cool? It’d be cool if we had a dogtag.” I like silver, I like dogtags, there are no sizes and it doesn’t matter if a girl or a guy or a kid that wants to wear it, it’s just one size fits all and something cool. I said I’d like to do that and raise some money for planting trees, let’s do something for charity because that sounds like a cool idea. So we just came up with that idea and we did it, we made our trees dogtags, we sold it and gave money to American Forests and it went so well that we eventually said “Well what do you want to do next? And let’s tie it into music, let’s tie it into a song or a theme of a song.” That’s exactly what we’ve been doing, turning a fun idea of something to do and it’s done well enough where it keeps on continuing. It’s been great to step out of thinking about music every second of the day and get to jump over to another creative side and make some cool stuff and just have fun with it. It’s kind of just taken off and we really haven’t planned anything with it, it just kind of took off. It’s done really well and we’re excited to give a large portion of it to charity, plantin a shitload of trees and it’s just been workin’ out.

Do you have any new upcoming items to the collection? Also, I spoke with Cheryl Spelts, who has done some spectacular photography of you in the past, and she was inquiring about a specific metal and leather cuff bracelet.

We just did a bunch of new stuff that we just launched about two weeks ago, a bunch of different things themed around some songs that I’ve written. So that’s what was just released, the new collection kind of for summer. There are some sunglasses, there’s a really killer necklace called “The Waves Necklace” that is my favorite thing. We’re always coming up with new ideas, we’re coming up on fall and we’re coming up with new stuff.

You know that is the awesome thing about doing this whole thing is that so many people come up with ideas. My niece comes to me with ideas, and Cheryl, who’s an unbelieveable photographer, has come to me with great ideas. That is what it’s all about. This is an open floor, it’s just something great to do and for a great cause for charity. So people come up with great ideas; a leather cuff, I love it, I wear one you know? Maybe we’ll do it, do you have an idea you want to throw in, maybe we’ll do that too? [laughs]

Well now I know how to get in touch with you and I’ll let you know about that! Is there anything we should be aware of coming up on the horizon?

I’m really excited about our live dvd that has concert footage on it from a number of different shows including some full-on over the top, big show rock n’roll and an acoutic show as well. I think it’s probably the best thing we’ve ever done. Not only does the music sound great but you get the visual with it which I think just turned out great and gives the definition of the band the Lovehammers. So that’s gonna be coming out hopefully later in the year and is something to look forward to.

I really appreciate your time, I’ve had your album for about a week and would agree that it’s your best work to date. It sounds amazing with so many great songs and I think this is going to be the big one for you guys that launches you.

I appreciate you keeping in contact from when I was doing the LA Guns metal and now back here with the “Hammers”, and you were mentioning Silver Elements which I think is cool that you actually interview enough to know what’s going on with the person that you’re kind of diving into. So I appreciate and respect that man, thank you!

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RELATED LINKS:
Marty Casey’s Official Site - www.martcasey.com
Lovehammer’s Official Site – www.lovehammers.com
Marty Casey’s Silver Elements Collection – www.silverelementscollection.com

SPECIAL THANKS:
A special thanks goes out to Cheryl Spelts for the use of her amazing photography! Along with being a Lovehammers fan, Cheryl is a Southern California photographer specializing in actors, models and musicians, fresh and modern portraits, and fine art.  Check out her amazing work at www.cherylspelts.com!

The time for�reminiscing�has come and gone! The dedicated staff of Icon Vs. Icon invites you to take a look ahead at the most anticipated albums of 2009!

Steve Johnson’s Pick: As 2009 approaches, there has been a buzz about many metal and hard rock artists that plan to head back to the studio and serve a heaping helping of new material to the fans. Just a few of these artists are KISS, Slash, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden. While I am a huge fan of all of those previously mentioned and would love to hear new music from them, I find myself looking forward to Rob Zombie’s new material the most. I have been a huge fan of Zombie since his days in White Zombie and thought his last album Educated Horses was some of his best work yet. Zombie has stated in recent interviews that this is the first time he has recorded an album with his band since his days in White Zombie. I am interested to see how recording an album with his band affects his music and hope that he tours in support of it, as I have never seen him perform live. There is no firm release date for the album, but Zombie indicated it would be out sometime before the end of the year. I guess �War Zone� from the Punisher: War Zone soundtrack will have to hold me over until then.

Jen X’s Pick: I have three: Queens of the Stone Age, Green Day and Spinnerette. I am stoked that it’s only taken two years for QotSA to come up with more material they feel worthy of their next lp, in addition I’m even happier that this will mean we will be treated to another North American tour. Frontman Josh Homme always has his hands in many projects, one of them being the upcoming release of his wife Brody Dalle’s band Spinnerette. A five-track free download can be found at Spinnerette’s website and their feature-length debut should hit the market in February of 2009. If you haven’t heard the band, do yourself a favor and head over to their site where you can also watch a full-length video of their current single “Ghetto Love.”

It was recently released that Green Day will be putting out their eighth CD sometime in 2009 and that they are currently recording at the same studio in which they recorded American Idiot. I’ve read that their influences for this LP are, to name a few, The Beatles, Springsteen and Bob Dylan. If so it would seem that Green Day is moving on from their punk rock sound, and I find it interesting that this is the spin put out to media outlets about the new project. Still, I am looking forward in reviewing the CD and will believe that Billie Joe Armstrong has left his bad boy image behind when I see and hear it.

Jason Price’s Pick: Legendary rockers KISS have recently revealed that they are goingto release their first studio album since 1998′s Psycho Circus in the coming year. “It’s going to be very much a vintage, classic, ’70s KISS album without much regard to what’s happened since then; it’s back to the roots,” said frontman Paul Stanley in a recent interview. With the right mix of producers, songwriting and marketing, I think we could see yet another second coming of KISS and yet another round of farewell tours. Other notable 2009 releases would be new projects from Lita Ford and L.A. Guns.

As 2008 comes to a close, our staff takes a look back to present you with what they feel are the breakthrough artists of the past year!

Steve Johnson’s Pick: There were a lot of bands that emerged in 2008 who absolutely rocked and are worthy of being named breakthrough artist, but there is one that stands out in my mind as something special. Cockpit is an all female band that reigns from the same streets that gave us Motley Crue and Guns N’ Roses. These women are heavily influenced by 80′s glam metal and their debut EP Mission to Rock shows it. The EP is full of energy and features fantastic riffing and solos that would make any arena rock fan long for a return to the glory days of spandex and big hair. Do yourself a favor and run out to your local record store or visit iTunes and pick up Mission to Rock, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Jason Price’s Pick: The Bronx hail from Southern California and began playing punk rock in 2002. With many years behind them, they have definitely dug in and are looking to make their mark in 2009. The band has done stints on this year’s Warped Tour and has also toured alongside Every Time I Die. The band released THE BRONX in November of 2008 on the it’s own White Drugs label, with help of New York independent label Original Signal Recordings. What do they bring to the table? Simply put, The Bronx bring powerful, blood, sweat and tears style punk for the 21st Century and infuse it into their own brand of hard rock. Their music and lyrics sound fresh and look to break up the monotony of today’s endless sea of cookie cutter radio rock. Look for The Bronx to take rock by storm in the coming year!

Jen X’s Pick: Santogold (aka Santi White) released her first solo project in 2008, former singer of the punk-rock band Stiffed Santogold broke out in 2007 with singles contracted from Martin Heath of Lizard King Records. Her style is reminiscent of catchy new-wave 80′s punk with a pop flair that is refreshing from the current surge of sugary sweet pop rock that has been hitting the airwaves. The year has found Santogold touring in support of Coldplay, Jay-Z, Kanye West, The Streets and the Beastie Boys, as well as headlining her own tour. She has written a song for Ashlee Simpson, and recorded with The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas and N.E.R.D.’s Pharrell Williams, and has already announced upcoming projects with the Beastie Boys as well as David Byrne. I wouldn’t be shocked if the future not only held music notoriety for Santogold but if we end up seeing her on the big screen as well, as she exudes a certain charm and charisma that could hold up to the critics.

The Staff of�Icon Versus Icon�took in many shows this years working alongside their counterparts at Live-Metal.Net. The staff�put their heads together to bring you their takes on the Best Live Performances of 2008. Read on to find out who they think made the grade in 2008.

The Best Live Performances of 2008

Steve Johnson’s Pick: This pick for best live show of the year may seem odd to some of you readers out there, but I can say without a doubt, the best time I had at a show this year was on July 19th at the Bang Tango/L.A. Guns/Faster Pussycat show at Jaxx in Springfield, VA. Every band on the bill rocked and we interviewed Faster Pussycat lead singer Taime Downe. Bang Tango took the stage first and played a great set, which included their hit �Love Injection.� L.A. Guns followed with new lead singer Marty Casey and did not disappoint. As usual, Tracii Guns supplied blistering guitar and the band delivered all of their hits, including: �Over the Edge,� �Sex Action,� �Rip and Tear,� and �The Ballad of Jayne.� Faster Pussycat rounded out the night and delivered a sleaze filled set that included the hits �Cathouse,� �Slip of the Tongue,� �House of Pain,� and �Bathroom Wall.� While the old songs that I grew up on were great to hear live, it was the new material that left me impressed. Faster Pussycat’s new material is far and beyond sleazier than anything they have done in the past and easily allows the band to carry on with the crown of World’s Greatest Sleaze Band. I mean come on, how can you resist songs with titles such as, �The Power & the Glory Hole� and �Shut Up & Fuck.�

Jason Price’s Pick: Without question, the best live performance that I saw in 2008 was L.A. Guns. The band had recently brought on new frontman Marty Casey and embarked on “The Summer Blackout Tour.” Casey, alongside veteran axeman Tracii Guns absolutely blew me away with unmatched energy and an ultra-tight performance. Marty Casey’s intense vocals and showmanship won over fans old and new alike as they played L.A. Guns staples, Casey’s solo work and several covers that they practically made their own. This version of L.A. Guns will surely be back on the road in 2009 in support of a new studio album and there are not to be missed when they head to a venue in your neck of the woods.

For some great photos of L.A. Guns in concert, check out this site:
www.cherylspelts.com

Jen X’s Pick: Without a doubt, even though it’s not metal and it’s not indie, the best live performance this year in my book was Journey. Filipino singer Arnel Pineda is the luckiest sob of the decade, as he “won” is spot as frontman of Journey via Neal Schon seeing him on YouTube singing Journey songs with his band at the time, The Zoo. Pineda should be hailed as the second-coming of Steve Perry, shoes that I never thought would or could be filled. His vocal talent is extraordinary and his energy during shows is incredible, if you find yourself sitting at any point during the set then there must be something wrong with you. Not only did this tour bring back “Lights” and “Open Arms”, but new mixes such as “After All These Years.” Journey toured with opening acts Cheap Trick and Heart, two groups of talented rockers that do not disappoint in the line up. I look forward in hearing more from this “new” Journey and for their tour to make it my area once again as I wouldn’t hesitate to spend the evening listening to the hits that I grew up with and the new hits to come.

The Staff of Icon Versus Icon put their heads together to bring you their takes on the Best Interviews of 2008. Read on to find out what they thought went above and beyond!

Best Interviews of 2008

Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal of Guns N' Roses

Steve Johnson’s Pick: Of all of the interviews in 2008, one stands out as the best from a personal standpoint. Our interview with Ron �Bumblefoot� Thal, guitar virtuoso and current member of Guns N’ Roses is my best of 2008. Conducted at the May Chiller Theatre Convention in Parsippany, NJ, we got the inside scoop on Bumblefoot’s new album Abnormal and a few pieces of information on the then unreleased Chinese Democracy. Bumblefoot spoke of his beginnings as a guitar player and his dedication to helping find a cure for diabetes through his involvement in Rock Against Diabetes. While some serious topics were covered, the interview remained light hearted and even included a reference to Back to the Future 2. Bumblefoot proved to be a humble and extremely generous man, who gave us free autographed albums to give away on the site. If only we had noticed he was wearing that Dr. Pepper shirt during the interview.

Jason Price’s Pick: We have done many great interviews over the years but Live-Metal.Net’s staff definitely raised the bar once again this year. Two interviews that stand out in my mind are Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal of Guns N’ Roses and Marty Casey of L.A. Guns. We met up with both as there were just about to mark career milestones. Ron Thal shed some light on who he was and what a great experience he had in becoming part of the phenomenon that is Gun N’ Roses. Marty Casey talked to us right as he parted ways with his original band Lovehammers and took over as frontman of L.A. Guns. Both of these guys were great, told us a lot and definitely have bright careers ahead of them.

Jen X’s Pick: Out of all of the interviews we have done this year there is one that stands out in my mind: the write up about Metal Mike Chlasciak. Simply put- I had no clue who Metal Mike even was, but after reading such a intelligent, funny and honest interview I wanted to know more about the man and his music. That is what a stellar interview should do for the reader and that is why it gets my vote as Best Interview of the Year.

Adriana Smith is The Rocket Queen

When Guns N’ Roses released their legendary album, Appetite for Destruction, it would change the music scene for ever. It is one of the rare, iconic albums that would come along to a generation and serve as a benchmark for all albums to follow. Not only would the music effect people around the world, it would also help to shape the lives of many who were at ground zero of the phenomenon that was to become Guns N’ Roses. One such person is Adriana Smith. Still in her late teen years, Smith had befriended the band on the Sunset Strip of Los Angeles, California and became part of the tight-knit circle that surrounded the band in their formative years. One late night in a New York City recording studio, her orgasmic moans would be captured for the final mix on Appetite for Destruction’s classic track, “Rocket Queen.” Her identity as the voice on this track would remain largely unknown for years, until she recently broke her silence and came forward to claim her title as “The Rocket Queen.”

Today, over two decades after the album’s release, Smith has ventured out into the music world to carve her own niche. With a story ingrained in rock history and a unique voice, she looks to take Adriana and Ghost In The Graveyard’s brand of raw, energetic and passionate rock n’ roll to the masses. Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently sat down with her and to discuss coming of age on the Sunset Strip, her relationship with Guns N’ Roses, her new album and all the exciting projects that she has in store for the coming year.

Live-Metal.Net: Where did you grow up and how did you end up in downtown Los Angeles?

Adriana Smith: I was born in San Diego, California. How did I end up in downtown L.A.? A girlfriend of mine, that I didn’t know very well, wanted me to house sit her house. So, I went down to L.A. to her house and I thought it could have been a great two week vacation or I could make something out of it because I really didn’t want to stay in San Diego. I had lived in New York for a year, so I kinda liked the big city. I had about fifty bucks then and that is how I ended up in L.A.!

How did music first come into your life?

I was on stage from about the age of three. I was in a dance troupe. Music was always around. My Mom was an adagio dancer, which is the 1950′s “throw them around” style of dancing. She performed all over the place and she kinda bred that into me. She always had music playing and we were always dancing. The next door neighbor taught piano and I always wanted to learn piano but my Mom thought that the house was filthy, so I got dance instead of piano! [laughs] Music is part of a dancer’s life. We would listen to Joe Cocker, the Stones and Earth, Wind and Fire when I was just a wee one.

Where you originally looking to get in the music industry when you moved out there?

Yeah, I wanted to be a songwriter but I was about eighteen or nineteen and I got steered down some funky paths.

How did you get mixed up with the guys in Guns N’ Roses initially?

I had a friend named Adriana Barbour who worked at The Seventh Veil, which is a strip club, and another friend named Gaby Mozeris who worked there also and they were my best friends. Gabby, Adriana Barbour and I used to walk up and down the Sunset Strip looking for Duff (McKagan) because Adriana had a crush on him.

For those who aren’t familiar with the story, how did your “voice,” so to speak, end up on the “Rocket Queen” track on Appetite For Destruction?

I had gone to New York to hang out with Slash, who was my drinking buddy at the time. They were mixing down the final mix of Appetite For Destruction at the time. Basically, Axl propositioned me in the studio. I was really drunk and although we were both seeing other people at the time, he had a really creative interest for this song and wanted to give it an edge and I was the girl to do it. I did it for the band.

It wasn’t widely known for many years that you were the voice on that track. What made you break your silence and was it a tough decision for you?

Actually, it was a decision made of years of progress in my personal life. I had shame and guilt over what I had done and I felt as if I had done something wrong for a long time. Basically, I came out twenty something years later because it was a sense of closure for myself. I realized that it was something that I didn’t have to be ashamed of and something that was really good. I came out and told the world about it. A friend of mine named Brooke, runs Steven Adler’s web page and he is a part time journalist. He said to me “Why don’t you go ahead and tell your story?” and with the release of the Reckless Road book, I just felt that it was time for the story of The Rocket Queen to be heard.

You also contributed to Marc Canter’s book, Reckless Road: Guns N’ Roses and The Making of Appetite For Destruction. What was that experience like for you and did you get to see some people that you hadn’t seen in quite some time?

I did actually. I hadn’t seen Marc Canter in twenty years and no one had seen those pictures in twenty years. I got to reunite with Steven (Adler) and Slash, who I have kept in contact with on and off throughout the years. I got to see my friends Ron Schneider and Del James. The doors were already open from the past but it definitely reconnected us all. It was awesome!

Your life took an unexpected turn and you found a new career path as a drug and alcohol counselor, has that become a really positive thing for you?

It has become a really positive thing in my life. It showed me a lot about myself, because I could see myself in others. It is definitely a caring and giving profession. It isn’t a profession where you will become rich and famous or anything. It is about working with people that have a problem and selling them on one of the hardest sales in life. That sale is to change your life and to basically surrender you life to a power greater than yourself and realizing that your life is unmanageable and that you are insane and that you really can’t stop. It is really something that has to come from the heart and that you have to be passionate about. I really feel that going into recovery changed my life.

One of your current projects is a band that you formed, Adriana and Ghost in the Graveyard, how did that come about?

Myself and Doug Tilley met a treatment center. I had always wanted to sing and have a band. He was playing in a country band at the time. Country is something that I really knew relatively nothing about but we both really liked the Beatles. We started talking and I decided that he needed me to be the singer of his band. [laughs] He had a working band that was playing little clubs and this and that. I felt that it was a creative outlet and something that I really wanted to get into. So he believed in me and it has been eight years! We have gone through several different bands together. We then hooked up with the right person at the right time, who was an old friend of his, Dave Wagner, who is our guitarist. He owns a recording studio and a management company. It all kinda fell into place. It was like the universe opened up and when the time was right, it just all sorta happened!

How did you come up with the name for the band?

My eight year old daughter who was about four or five at the time, thought that we should name the band Ghost In The Graveyard. It is a children’s playground game. We thought it sounded kinda cool and we went with her suggestion! She is the assistant manager of the band, by the way! [laughs] I like to get her experienced in as much as she can be!

The band just put out a CD, “Wars In The Graveyard”, what was the recording process for album like?

We had the basic music and structures for the songs, and Dave (Wagner) who is an awesome player and his son, Zack (Wagner) is the drummer and we made everything a little better. Dave came and put his creative interest in it and we recorded with him. It originally started out us, just Doug and myself recording the stuff but Dave decided that he would like to make more of a commitment to it, so we all formed. It was all of us working together. It was a really creative process and it was almost like this was our “breaking out of the cocoon” stage! We worked on it every weekend. I am a stay-at-home Mom, Doug has a normal job, Dave is a music teacher and has the recording studio and Zack is sixteen and has a job and goes to high school. It was a weekend thing, so we would sometimes go into the studio and end up there for eight to twelve hours. We would go stay at Dave’s and just record and record and record with Pro Tools, over and over and over again. It was very tedious and we wanted to keep it as simple as we could, as far as recording went and not over analyze things. We tried to do the best that we could do in the amount of time that we had and we just really wanted to put something out, so that is what we did. I think that we did a pretty good job hitting the nail on the head with this first one. Now, we really just want to get out there and starting gigging as much as possible and promoting ourselves to see what happens.

What can we expect from a Adriana and Ghost in the Graveyard show?

You can expect to be ROCKED!!! Our songs are danceable, they appeal to a wide crowd, especially for the girls. We are “Pro-Girl Power.” We really want everyone to come out and dance and be part of the show. We are open to creative input. We only have nine songs on the CD, so at a live show we have to fill up the time gap with a couple of covers. We are open to constructive criticism and what people want to hear. People can go to the website, www.therocketqueen.com, and leave us comments and suggestions, because we are open to it. We want to be a band for the people, where everyone is going to have a good time. Music is a lot of different things to a lot of different people but for us it is something to take your mind off of whatever may be going on in your life for an hour or two, and have a good time. It’s rock n’ roll! And that is what rock n’ roll is to me, something to take your blues away!

You even dedicated a song from the album, “Come Find Me,” to Axl Rose. How did that song take shape?

I have been trying to reach Axl directly for a really long time. He’s got his own agenda and a lot of stuff going on in his life right now, especially the last 13 years with Chinese Democracy. With old friends coming in and out of the scene, I just don’t know who to trust and who is passing my message along or not. The bottom line is that I have some amends to make to him and I wanted him to know that I still care about him and that my friendship hasn’t faltered just because we haven’t seen each other in years. He is still a really strong figure and a really important, inspiring person to me. I wrote that song so that perhaps it would reach him. With the internet and everything else today, your message goes farther, easier and perhaps he would stumble upon it. That is really why I wrote it. I have tried for years to get a message through and this is just another medium to do that. I like singing about things that are close to my heart and hopefully the song can inspire someone else to say their true feelings about someone too and to not be afraid.

You are currently working with VH1 on a project. What can you tell us about that?

What I can tell you is that it will be airing sometime in March. It was an awesome project to be associated with! The folks at VH1 really captured the spirit of the rock n’ roll scene from the 80s in it. It looks at the Sunset Strip, specifically the strippers and then the guys who were interviewed were guys who were on the fringes and bands that didn’t necessarily make it. Steven Adler actually joined, and his old friend Ron Schneider who was in the road crew with Slash at the beginning. VH1 got them together and they did the show too. I think it will be a really thorough documentary, especially where the Guns N’ Roses stuff is concerned. I don’t know that anyone has ever really interviewed Steven on his perspective about what happened when he was asked to leave the band or what the Sunset Strip meant to him. I think it will be a really educational, informative and entertaining special. I’d watch it!

You probably have many tales to tell from you days on The Strip and beyond, will we ever get an autobiography out of you to share any of those stories?

I have actually been talking to a few different people about writing an autobiography! It is something that I really feel passionately about and something that I want to do.

Any idea of what you might call it?

If I was going to call it anything, hmmmmmm. “Party Girl of the 80s” or “The Family.” You know, I really like to stress the commitment and friendship that we had going there. It was a really tight circle of people and it is amazing how fame and fortune did some really fucked up shit to some of them, ya know? It is exactly like a family. the dysfunction is exactly the same. I mean, you’ve got people that were living together in different capacities, one bedroom apartments, studio spaces, everyone was screwing everybody, everyone was looking out for and cheer leading for the band. it was all about the band. Then you have band members, people who’ve died, you’ve got people that have gotten screwed out of money and people that have been left behind that maybe don’t want to have been left behind. You’ve got one of Shakespeare’s comedies right there and it’s my life! Maybe that’s what it should be called “It’s My Life”!!! [laughs]

Since she named the band, maybe you should give your daughter a shot at naming you book too!

[laughs] We call her “Princess Rocket Queen.” I’m the Queen, so she is the princess! [laughs] You know, there were a lot of Queens in the story. Certainly, my best friend Gaby Mozeris, still is my dear friend and has always been on my side. Certain people have stuck by each other and my daughter is definitely one of those people who loves me and will always be 100% behind me. Gaby’s daughter, is named after me and the other Adriana. It’s like we have created a legacy. Not only did GNR and those days on The Strip and Hollywood create a legacy, Guns N’ Roses furthered it. I think that there is a lot of education that can come out of Appetite for Destruction and tales about self-destruction and what it does. It is human nature, it is a perfect psychology project.

Being a drug and alcohol counselor yourself and having a tie to someone involved, how do you feel about a show like “Celebrity Rehab”?

I am glad that the show is out there to promote people’s understanding of addiction, however it is really exploitive. Some of the things that they choose to do with their participates, like trying to open up a communication line between mother and son like you have seen with Steven (Adler) on that show at eleven days sober is just inappropriate. I’m sorry but it is just not done in the real world. You don’t take a raw sore and pour salt into it. The fog lifts when it lifts. First of all it takes a while to get the substances out of your system, and second of all to handle things like anger or fear or rage which are normal emotions that people drink and use over. It’s like a broken shoelace or a winning lottery ticket� “What’s going to take me out today and make me dose on heroin?”

A lot of things on the show address certain issues but it looks to me to be more for ratings. I know that Dr. Drew has credentials and I have worked in the therapeutic community for over a decade and I know what his intentions are. However, it still is a business and you have to make it palatable for the networks and for people to watch it. You have to get people of interest and you have to address their core issues so that it is interesting. It is “Jerry Springer of Recovery.”

Steven Adler is putting together a new lineup for Adler’s Appetite. Any chance we might see Adriana and Ghost In The Graveyard sharing a bill alongside them in 2009?

I was hoping for that later this month but I have to see where Steven is at with things. He has a lot of stuff to address. I am hoping for that. Steven has heard the CD, I played it for him personally. He really likes it and is really proud of me and thinks that I have done a good job. I don’t know what his plans are but it is entirely possible that you could see him sitting in with our band or us opening up for him. It couldn’t do anything but be beneficial for both of us.

Well that sounds great and I think it is really admirable that you keep a watchful eye out for your friend.

I really care about him a lot and the world is a better place with him in it. I have lost some really valuable people in my life, like West Arkeen, who was an awesome person and an intricate part of the early Guns N’ Roses days with the songwriting. He took care of those guys in one capacity or another. He OD’d a number of years ago and life just hasn’t been the same without him. When you meet a person that is such a talented musician and has such an open heart and beautiful spirit, it is really horrible to lose them. So, of course I am going to do everything in my power to help Steven stay on the planet.

Having come of age at a very pivotal point in music, do you think music today and rock n’ roll in particular has lost it’s flair from the past?

I think that rock n’ roll today is generated by money. It is really corporate and it has really lost a lot of it’s soul. There are so many talented musicians out there for the one that make it. I think that rock n’ roll has lost it’s swagger. The Sunset Strip used to be packed. It was a meeting place, a place for fashion and people interacting. I think the whole nature of the music scene is about interaction. It is a fellowship. If there is no center for the fellowship, then what do you have? You have a sterile, manufactured, soulless entity. I want to see a show! I want to see a singer, I want to see a drummer, I want to hear it loud, I want to see stage antics, I want to see the crowd, I want to see the chicks, I want to see the guys. I want all that stuff and it is just not there anymore. Now you have tons of pay-to-play shows, places like The Whisky and this and that. It is ridiculous what it has become. It is not possible anymore to go to the The Sunset Strip and make it like The Doors did or like Guns N’ Roses did.

One of the biggest stories in rock/metal this year is the release of Chinese Democracy by Guns N’ Roses. Have you had a chance to check out any of the music yet?

I pre-ordered mine!

What did you think about the album?

I am still thinking about it! I listened to it about ten times last night, no shit! I listened to different songs for different parts. It is like, each time I listen to it, something new is revealed. I totally enjoy it. It isn’t the original lineup of Guns N’ Roses but I am a huge fan of Axl. I think he is an artist of genius proportions. I would really like to see the original guys play together again but I am not disappointed with what was put out. I wish it was put out a little bit earlier but everything is as it should be. The world works in a cycle. The universe is working the way it is supposed to work and for whatever reason it has come out now. I think that there is a lot of controversy over it and I think that is bullshit. I think that people will always have something to say about Axl Rose. I know that there are a lot of people that bitch, whine and complain but if you gave them backstage passes they would surely show up for the show! [laughs]

Do you have any other projects on the horizon that we should be on the lookout for?

We are talking right now about a possible reality show. we are trying to do something like “Sisterhood of The Sunset Strip” or something like that. We are trying to get something cooked up for me and my buddy , so that we can have some sort of reality show. We are putting ideas together where we can actually to go and sell this idea. I get a lot of hits on my Myspace page and people comment a lot about my pictures and people respond to my blog. It seems that people are interested and I think that we are interesting enough people to where a reality show wouldn’t be that difficult to imagine. Like I told you earlier, I am looking into doing my own autobiography and I am looking for someone to help me do that. Everyone has their story to tell and I would like to do that! Ghost In The Graveyard is planning on doing a summer tour and that will take us up the coast, through San Francisco and maybe into Arizona. Hopefully we will make it to the mid-west. We are going to do a pub crawl type of thing, taverns and that sort of thing to see what type of response we get. We are trying to do it the old-fashioned way! We are also looking to the future and hoping to work with Dick Wagner from the Alice Cooper band in the future as well. Dick is a great and a very talented artist.

Is there anything else you want to add or let your fans know?

I would like everyone to check out www.therocketqueen.com and sign our guestbook and let us know what they think. I really want to see people’s honest opinions and comments about our music, our merchandise or anything. Like I said, we are a band for the people and I want to give them what they want! I really enjoy singing, doing the shows and making people happy and if you can’t have fun at it, then it isn’t worth crap!

Thank you for your time Adriana!

Thank You!

Metal Mike Chlasciak lays down some tasty riffs!

Shortly after arriving in the United States in 1984, discovered a whole new world, a world in which he would set his sights on rock n’ roll glory. It didn’t take Metal Mike long to set the wheels in motion, carving out his own “Heavy Metal Cinderella Story.” Along the way, Chlasciak not only became a graduate of Berklee College of Music but became a accomplished solo artist, sharing bills with the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Morse, Ronnie Montrose and Savatage. He has released three acclaimed solo instrumental records, two instructional books, and even helped Rob Halford reclaim his heavy metal throne. Even after accomplishing these amazing feats, he assures us that he has no intentions of slowing down and that the best is yet to come! Metal Mike is truly a man on a mission and one that is living his heavy metal dreams. Jason Price of Live-Metal.Net recently sat down with Metal Mike to discuss his metal roots, his past work alongside rock greats Rob Halford and Sebastian Bach, as well as the other projects he will be unleashing on the masses in the coming year. For those with true metal hearts, our journey starts here – Welcome to Planet Shred!

Live-Metal.Net: How did music first come into your life?

Metal Mike Chlasciak: When I was a little kid, my grandfather liked to play violin and the more drunk he was, the more of a virtuoso he thought he was! [laughs] We would go to weddings and my grandfather would play the violin and play a crazy song. I always got a kick out of it. That is when I realized how people love to see musicians and how they embraced them. I was little at that point, probably about eight or nine years old. It really wasn’t until I moved to the United States in December of 1984 that I was listening to a radio station in New Jersey, WSOU, that I heard Iron Maiden on my Walkman. I fell in love with that kind of sound. I couldn’t really make out how that sound was made but I was really interested in it! I would say that it was somewhere early in 1985 that I really became fascinated with music in general.

What drove you to make music your career?

It just felt like a natural thing. I was interested in soccer. Anybody who grows up in Europe is into soccer, ya know? [laughs] Everybody in the neighborhood plays soccer, but I never felt like I was going to become a soccer player. I was looking for something that I really wanted to do and I couldn’t find it. My Mom said “You should go into computers because there are a lot of jobs there.” I said, “Well if that is what everyone else is doing, then I am definitely not going to do that!” [laughs] I said, “I am going to be a guitar player. Not only a guitar player but a heavy metal guitar player!” From day one, my Mom got me a hundred dollar B.C. Rich copy guitar and from there it became an absolute, instant obsession or practicing up to 8 to 10 hours a day. Really disciplined. I just know that this is what I was going to do! I have never built a backup bridge, so I have to make it happen.

Who and what were some of the influences that have helped shape you, the musician, that we know today?

The first two cassettes that I bought when I was 15 were Motley Crue’s “Theater of Pain” and Twisted Sister’s “Come Out and Play.” [laughs] You are talking about the most obvious, 80′s heavy metal revolution. That was me. I was absolutely engulfed in the whole Jackson Flying Vs, Marshall Stacks, hair bands, smoke and women running around in videos! [laughs] That was me, man! I was into Motely Crue and I had bought enough Motley Crue T-Shirts to wear in school everyday! Then I heard Metallica’s “Ride The Lightning” album and at the same time, I heard Megadeth’s “Peace Sells” album and Overkill’s “Taking Over.” I said, “Now, this is what I am REALLY into!” I got out of the Sunset Strip Metal and got into the other stuff because it was a little more musician based and I was really into guitar playing.

As far as guitar players go, it is definitely Yngwie Malmsteen foremost. Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert from Racer X, Randy Rhoads. Those were the guitar heroes that had the most influence on me. Riff-wise it would be Metallica, Dave Mustaine, Chuck Schuldiner from Death. I loved the Death records that he did. I was always a person who had a really wide range of metal tastes. For example, I would go to school wearing a Metallica “Master of Puppets” t-shirt and come home and listen to Vinnie Vincent Invasion’s first record at night. I was really open to all these styles of metal. I think that really helped me and that it shows in my playing as it is not just one dimensional.

How do you think you have evolved as an artist since starting out?

I guess that I have gotten smarter and a little more mature with things. I guess this is a little bit cliche but I have gotten more interested in substance. I really pay attention to what kind of music I release. I want to make sure that not only the quality of it is good but that it talks about things that I feel strongly about. In other words, I wouldn’t necessarily write an album about Satan because I don’t happen to subscribe to an idea about something like that. I wouldn’t do it just to be crazy and mean. The music has to be more of an extension of my thoughts. It isn’t about how fast you can play on the guitar or how much smoke you can put on stage! [laughs] There is still plenty of that! I want it to be worthwhile and a piece of art.

What is the typical songwriting process like for you?

It varies on the artist that I work with. For myself, it is simple. I come up with all the riffs and I have a drum machine where I program all the drums. It doesn’t involve the most complicated drum patterns but I want to convey my message. For example, when Bobby Jarzombek, who is a drummer that I have been playing with for years, hears a part, he will know what I want. I program drums that would give him the skeleton of the riffs and I will demo everything. By the time a singer, drummer or bass player would hear the stuff, they almost have a mini-album in front of them. It is a very one-man process for me. Working in the basement and creating riffs and completing a demonstration album to make it happen for real.

Are you always working on material?

I am always working but I am working in different ways. There could be a time where I concentrate on getting a web store going. I figure, this might take four days that I have to get together with a graphic designer and a guy who’s going to hookup a PayPal thing for me. It might take four days just ironing that issue. If I hear from Rob Halford or his camp saying that they need a bonus track for something, they might need it in three weeks and I say “Ok, that is what I am going to work on.” It is difficult for me to do to many things at the same time because then I just feel like I am just running around or patching things up.

How did you originally become involved with HALFORD?

It was one of those guitar player Cinderella stories. I did my first solo project with a band called Isolation Chamber. In 1996, when everyone was releasing Joe Satriani-esque albums, I did a really heavy album. It wasn’t a kind of “Look at me, I can play guitar” type album, ya know? It was heavy riffs, there were industrial parts in it, samples and a decent amount of guitar playing but it wasn’t about me putting together chord progressions that I could play arpeggios over. I made this album back in 1996 and back then it was still $3,500 to print out 1000 CDs. [laughs] I put it on my parents credit card and asked my Mom if I could pay her 100 bucks a month while I gave lessons. It was time, no more demos, I needed to put out an album.

So, a year later I put together a band, just a three piece with myself, a bass player and a drummer. Whenever a guitar hero would play the East Coast, a promoter would call me to open up for them. I would open up for Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Morse or Ronnie Montrose. Anytime that a great guitar player would be in town, I would open up for them. I would do things like “pay to play.” I would sell tickets to all my students and family and I would show up with 130 tickets sold and give the promoter $1,800 in cash and get paid like $160 bucks! [laughs] Lesson number one about the music industry, right?!!

I would videotape all this stuff. I remember that I played the Birch Hill in New Jersey. Yngwie had like eight Marshall Stacks all lit up and you couldn’t even see my stack. So, it’s me playing in front of 900 people with no singer, in front of eight Marshall Stacks and that is the video that I sent to Rob (Halford). I heard that Rob was looking for a touring guitarist. He had just come out of the Two project. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for someone to play industrial music and if so, I wasn’t the guy. However, if he wanted to do heavy metal, I felt that I was definitely the guy for him. As luck would have it, Rob wants to go and reclaim his “Throne of the Metal God” and my video comes in with me playing in front of 900 people with 8 Marshall Stacks! [laughs] So, Rob said “Well, if he can do that in New Jersey, he can do that anywhere. Get him out here!” And that’s the story!

Any idea on when we might some activity on a new release from HALFORD?

Rob’s band, the musicians are quite prolific, and probably some of the most professional guys that I have ever been on stage with. There is so much material that has been accumulated over the past few years. It is just a matter of wrapping it all up and cutting out the songs that are not as good as the others, mixing it and then releasing it.

Well it sounds like we definitely have something to look forward to at least!

Yes, certainly. As you can imagine, we have to be very respectful to Rob’s commitment to Judas Priest because we all know what that band means to him. We would all like to have one more stab at going out and playing some new music. We all feel, and this is including Rob, that the HALFORD band was a little more than just a solo artist hiring a bunch of dudes to play cover songs. We really have something to say as a band. It was just a little unfortunate, in my eyes, to release an album like Crucible and not have a fair shot at promoting it. That’s alright and it’s all cool and we have all been busy but when the day comes that we all get together and play as a unit, it is going to be really fun! Not only for us, but hopefully for the fans as well! It seems like there are a lot of them out there.

You also worked on Sebastian Bach’s latest offering Angel Down. How did you first get hooked up with him and what was that experience like for you?

Sebastian lives about an hour and fifteen minutes away from me. He has been a big fan of my work with Rob. Steve Digiorgio, who I met when he was playing with Testament when they toured with Halford in 2003, we ended up becoming good friends. He played on the PainmuseuM Metal For Life album and he ended up playing with Sebastian. Steve called me and said “Sebastian is putting together this metal album, do you want to write a couple of songs?” I am always up for writing metal songs so I told Steve that I would write a song or two for the record. In the next thirty seconds, I got a call from Sebastian saying “I want you to join my band, man!” I couldn’t because I was doing, in 2004, a short run with Testament.

So he called me again and said “I am playing Sweden Rock and Bang Your Head in 2005.” I have such a soft spot for these festivals overseas because they are a lot of fun. I said “Alright! I will go out and play these few shows.” Before you know it, it is 150 shows later and we are on a World Tour with Guns N’ Roses and then Poison and the record is out! It has been fun! It is a pure rock n’ roll experience with Sebastian. Really, what you see is what you get.

Sebastian Bach is currently dabbling in the country scene. Have you checked out any of that yet and is there any chance we might see Metal Mike cross over to “The Dark Side” (Country Music)?

The answer to you is double no. [laughs] I haven’t heard any of it. Well, I heard something he was playing, “Battle with The Bottle”, on the bus. I didn’t even know it was Sebastian.

It definitely has a different sound for sure.

Yeah, it sounded pretty good. At this stage, everyone has a blessing to do whatever they want to do. If he wants to do a country record, then more power to him. I mean, it is a big world and you only live once. I am not interested at all in playing country. One, I don’t really like it and Two, I don’t really know how to play it.

Yeah, you would look a little funny up on stage with an acoustic guitar in front of all those Marshall Stacks.

Yeah, playing “I Remember You” is already a stretch for me! [laughs] But, it is a great song, people love it and it is a wonderful thing to be a part of too. If Sebastian is having a good time doing country that is a beautiful thing for him to do and I would rather go on and make a metal record in the meantime.

What is the current status of your band PainmuseuM?

Well, it was interesting because I really felt that we put out a unique album in the metal world. It wasn’t easily categorized and it was a kick ass metal record. Anytime we got some shows, to be very honest, I got sidetracked. I got sidetracked into going to California to work on some Halford music. I got sidetracked by going on tour with Sebastian. I got sidetracked by going on tour with Testament and just living life. I don’t regret any of those things because they were all really nice things to be involved with but that is what happened. The record has been out and it has become too old to really go out and tour on. That is what happened with PainmuseuM. I was really, really relieved because even though the music industry didn’t know what to make of it, the fans really embraced it. It was a critically acclaimed album which I thought was a really nice for a band’s first album.

To cut to the chase, I already have a whole album done and demoed in the fashion that I mentioned earlier. There are 12 songs, some awesome music in there. I am just not sure whether I am going to make it a PainmuseueM type of release or if it will be my own solo album with half of it being instrumental and half having a singer on it.

Any idea when we can look forward to a release of that material?

I am hoping to for it to see the light around the later part of 2009. While I am working on that I will also be working on my first heavy metal instructional DVD.

You do a lot of clinics and have even put out two books, Monster Coordination – Guitar Boot Camp and Ridiculous Riffs For The Terrifying Guitarist and now you are working on an instructional DVD. Was the transition from guitarist to teacher something that came naturally for you?

When I was teaching music, before I ended up doing music full-time, the thing I recognized about myself as a teacher was that I am patient with my students. I could listen to them and really talk to them. I could gauge their progress and so I could explain at their ability. So that helped me to be a good teacher but now it has been become more of showing the approach and technique of heavy metal. I don’t have a daily student roster anymore. The response to the first two books has been really strong. I felt I had something that people really responded too. I started putting together the idea of “Metal Day.” I grab a rehearsal studio and send out a quick mailer to my mailing list about it and I will take ten people into an open session. We will all talk together and guitar players can meet other guitar players and get in contact later. Every time I have done these things, we have always had a full house. I know there are so many people that want to learn and I really like doing it. The next step is making a guitar DVD that people can take home and put in their DVD player and learn to play.

What do you think about the state of metal music today?

I think there are a lot of positives. I think for one, the scene has become really strong and two, you know the stereotypes and segregation of metal styles that we saw in the 80′s and 90′s is almost gone. You know, now you can have a death metal singer and a clean singer in the same band. You could break into a Sunset Strip riff and then into a Slayer riff and no one is going to tell you that you are kinda doing it wrong. I love that because who wants to be held up in the box. Remember in the late 80′s, it got as bad as “If you liked Iron Maiden, you can’t like Judas Priest.” [laughs] That is so ridiculous, that is how you kill something, by segregating it into small little underground pockets. I love that metal is strong right now. There are always going to be bands that are going to be more commercially accepted or commercially minded with the material that they put out. If that makes them happy, good for them but I really love bands who take the later route. One of my favorite bands of all-time is Death. I thought that Chuck Schuldiner was doing such productive and great things. I really respect that. I think it is important to stand out from the pack because it is all about being individual and doing your own thing. That is really the idea behind heavy metal.

What does a lifelong musician like yourself think of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video game craze we are currently having?

You know, to be honest it must be bigger than even I know about. I know the game and I have seen it and only played it for a few minutes. I felt like “Man, I should be playing my own guitar and not trying to press buttons!” [laughs] I was really bad at it! I thought it was so wild when the packaging (on Guitar Hero) had these metal looking guys and I don’t know if anyone picked up on it, but you basically have Abbath from Immortal on the cover. That is who the guy is. It just blew me away, because now the dude from Immortal is in every K-Mart! I think it is great, ya know! I think that Guitar Hero and Rock Band are great for rock music in general because rock is huge and what is metal? Metal is just a “dark child” of rock music.

One of the biggest stories in music this year is the release of Chinese Democracy by Guns N’ Roses. Have you had a chance to check out any of the music yet?

Well, I hate to brag, but! [laughs] I heard the album two years ago when Axl (Rose) played it for me on his laptop. I heard it and it was a lot to take in and then I heard those songs live when we were on tour with them. First of all, I think that it is absolutely incredible that the record is coming out. It still blows me away, how much of an anticipated album it is. Rightfully so. I heard the first single, “Chinese Democracy,” and I thought it was a great song. It shows you that someone like Axl, like we were talking about earlier, is a true artist and he refuses to bow down. He is the Elvis of today. I think it is beautiful and I think it is a really important album for hard rock and heavy metal. I’m going to get it and I think Axl deserves all of his success!

Is there anything else you want to add or let your fans know?

Most importantly, I want to thank everyone for following all of the crazy paths that I have taken. I get email and good wishes from people often and I really appreciate that. I really appreciate people caring and lending an ear to what I am doing. The last thing is to remind them that there is a whole lot of music that is going to come out from me. I feel that everything up until today has been just a really good warm up. I really have my stuff together and it is going to get really creative, really soon with my record, dvd and potential stuff from Rob. I’m ready and I have stuff cooking! Go over to MetalMike.Net visit me there and check out all the stuff!

Thanks, Mike!