Lemmy-Famous last words (One of his last interviews) 

 Αυτή είναι μια συνέντευξη που πηρα από τον Lemmy (MOTORHEAD) στα πλαίσια της κυκλοφορίας του τελευταίου τους στούντιο άλμπουμ, για λογαριασμό του Rock Hard Greece (Σακης Φράγκος) .Ήταν μια γραπτή συνέντευξη μέσω email και αναδημοσιεύεται εδώ ,δίχως καμία λείανση, όπως ήταν και ο ίδιος ο Lemmy, αυθεντικός και άμεσος.

Motorhead interview 2015

1. 40 years of active service, usually at 35 people tend to get retired and become pensioners, what is the driving force behind Lemmy and Motorhead to keep playing rock n’ roll?

-Motörhead is my life, that’s what I’m doing, that’s what I’m good at. Why should I retire … And what would I do?

2. The new album has quite a few references to the devil, the title song, the rolling stones cover? How did this occured? Has Lemmy recovery from health problems to do with a pact with the Dark Lord? Like the old bluesmen used to do at the crossroads?

-Not really, the lyrics are Motörhead lyrics and what comes to my mind while listening to the music; injustice in the world, war everywhere, politicians trying to screw us, abuse, child molestation, bad people out there – the real world

3. This time you used quite a few guests, Tom Morello, Brian May, do you believe working with guests has any real impact for such a tight band like MOTORHEAD or is it mostly a publicity trick? Especially Tom Morelo seems to copy the old Fast Eddie Clark sound and pay tribute to the Motorhead golden age days.

-I’m not quite sure which album you’ve listened to? Tom Morello is not on our record. Brian May is a friend, he is Phil’s mate. Phil asked him to play on The Devil, Brian made the time to do it.

4. The album sonically has a lot of references to older works like Rock n roll, “Orgasmatron” and general the more “old time” days, is it on purpose, you tried to achieve a more live/organic sound?

-We never try to achieve anything except to make a good record. We have no master plan, we go into the studio, play, write and record and hope that the music will be liked by our fans the same way we like it

5. The sound of the band doesn’t give a hint that this is the 22nd album, is it because of the producer or cause the latest line up seems to get tighter and younger over the years?

-The line- up is the same for more than 20 years. Cameron has been with us for a while too. We have a good chemistry together. And yes, you may say some albums are better than others but in the end it is just a Motörhead record, noting more, nothing less

6. Which are your favorite songs from the latest album? Which songs do you intent to put at the live set?

-All songs are favorites and substantial

7. This time you work live at the studio, are there any real differences you notice at the final songs? Was the procedure easier more difficult?

-Not really, but they’ve made a lot out of this in the press. Sometimes we’d go in together, sometimes Mikkey would go do it. It just depends. We did about 5 or 6 tracks together, so that much is true. We played and recorded simultaniously

8. The vocals are a bit deeper in the mix and sound a little more tired and down than the previous albums. This has to do of course with Lemmy’s recent health issues but do you feel it is also a sign of the new Motorhead style?

-I’ve always been able to sing deep and low, nothing wrong with my voice

9. The title has to do with some specific issue or just came through some kind of brainstorming?

-It’s just a line from Evil Eye. We were looking for an album title, looked through the lyrics and came up with Bad Magic

10. In recent interviews you told that Motorhead will decrease the number of concerts but increase the venue’s capacity they decide to play? This means that playing in countries like Greece will be possible only for festivals as clubs are usually of small size?

-Honestly, our agent is booking all of the concerts. He sends us the list and we agree or we don’t agree. Sometimes we have bigger venues, in the US all venues are much smaller than in Europe

11. You toured recently with Saxon at US and Crobot, what is like to keep the British metal spirit flame alive? What is the response of the audiences at such packages? Do they look at you like nostalgia groups and have older fans or do you continue to attract younger fans?

We are just touring with them. It is a nice package and it is easier to have a band you get along with

12. This year seems like a strong comeback from classic rock acts like Europe, UFO, Black Star Riders, AC/DC, while the new bands are far behind at producing quality material. Now Motorhead and Maiden comes as the latest addition to the old school bands that keep delivering the goods what’s going on? Are the older bands blessed with the songwriting gift or the new ones have too many things to struggle with?

I really can’t answer this question, especially about other bands. We just do our two year turnaround with writing/recording a new album because we think we owe it to our fans

13. What about MOTORBOAT and all this metal cruise fashion? Is it an easy way to make holidays and enjoy rock music or just another bandwagon to get more cash from the fans?

I liked it already last year, on this next one. It was much more fun as expected plus I got the owners suite - that’s already worthwhile going ha, ha

14. (for Lemmy) You have played quite a few covers at cover albums, which one is the most favorite to you?

Probably the ones I play with Headcat

15. Any chance to see some kind of reunion for some special show of the original Ace of spades line up? Are the hatchets buried between you? Do you contact them?

No reunions plans, and no hatchets to bury. All good between us

16. Motorhead is Lemmy but motorhead merchandise the last years has become extremely expensive and I’m talking about cell phone protective cases or high end speakers or even wines. Are all these great otherwise merchandise stuff, initiated by the bands management and just signed by the band or are an answer to the continuous download and profit diminish?

Everything related to merchandising (the rights) are licensed by the band to a merchandise company. They create a lot of Motörhead shit. Sorry about the prices, we do not really have much of a say about that

17. Do you see an end coming to Motorhead due to Lemmy’s health issue? We all know that diabetes and heart problems don’t go along very well with booze, drugs and extensive touring. Is there a plan for less touring, more specific dates and perhaps more studio or live releases?

No

18. The last albums tend to have a ballad., the one at the last album is quite good, but what does the ballad add to the Motorhead fan and to a Motorhead album? Is this a sign of maturity, tiredness or a good way to slow the pace at the live show to give sometime to recovery for Lemmy?

We’ve always had ballads on our albums - or call it a balladesque songs. Normally we don’t play them live though

19. Do you see the future touring plans to be more in the way of package with other bands even co head lining as Def Leppard/ Whitesnake i.e as a way to decrease cost and increase audiences numbers?

If it is a good package, I’m all for it and it’s fine to be second on the bill, too. I like this. Go out play and don’t have to worry

20. Any chance to see you at Greece? Any plans for us?

This is something that has to be arranged through our agent. We would love to come to Greece, the Greek people are a phenomenal audience, real rock guys and very pretty girls

21. Is there something artistically that MOTORHEAD or Lemmy haven’t tried or accomplished yet?

No, maybe a Chart position of Number 1 in the US ? ha, ha

22. You have been given a prize from the City of Los Angeles. Do you expect something like that to happen in Europe as well?

I don’t think so. I suppose the Mayor of LA is a big Motörhead fan and with me living there for more than 20 years , who knows .. maybe that’s the reason? and also, to coincide with our new album, 40.Anniversary , whatever ..? A nice honor!

BLACKBERRY SMOKE (Richard Turner)-Interview from the past (2005)

 This is a long gone interview with BLACKBERRY SMOKE from 2005 . I heard about BS at an online webstore. Maybe it was CD baby. I bought the album and wrote a review at the Metal Invader webzine. By the time they found out,they send a thank you email and we arrange an online (email) interview. The webzine is long gone (actually works the last few years under new management). I decided to repost the interview (i manged to retrieve from my old archives) mostly because it is among the first ones in European press. Long before Classic Rock discover the hype of Southern rock, a webzine in Greece, carried the confederacy flag of Southern rock and i hope you like what you ll read. A promising band at their first steps. Thank you Mr.Turner and co for all the good music and vibes.

There Is no smoke without fire

BLACBERRY SMOKE are one of these bands ,that they need all the luck they can get. They are from the South, playing hard kicking ass southern hard rock, and have released a cd that has been reviewed In METAL INVADER and came as a surprise In the dry land of last years production. They got the music and the attitude, but how far can you go, when you are not In the hype. Hopefully too far as long as people like us like good music and looking for It and bands like BLACKBERRY SMOKE producing It. They found some to to be more accurate Mr.Richard Turner, the bass player, to explain us a few things, about what it likes to play southern rock In 2005.A man of his words speaks freely, about the difficulties of being a musician and what racism, means or not for a Southern. Enjoy a true musician and as It seems a fine man also (as long as you don’t mess with his wife)

Hi Rich

At last I found some time for the questions

First of all a few words about the band, a short bio, when did you start the band, where and why?

We were resurrected from the burnt ashes of alt-country band BUFFALO NICKEL of Universal Records fame…Guitarist-Charlie Starr, brothers Drummer-Brit Turner and Bassist-Richard Turner reformed as a trio for a short period, adding a second guitarist Paul Jackson to form what is now known around the world as BLACBERRY SMOKE. Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2002 and named by none other than Chris Robinson of the BLACK CROWES/NEW EARTH MUD fame

I guess for anyone listening to the cd the influences are obvious, but what about those who don’t know you, who you will describe as influence and how?

We are very influenced by local legends the ALLMAN BROTHERS, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION, as well as some west coast bands such as LITTLE FEAT and the EAGLES. We are very proud of a fella from Waycross, Georgia by the name of Gram Parsons. And who can forget “the Band”? What a great volume of work.

You are releasing a self financed album, how did you choose this option and not using a company?

Having been signed to a number of labels over the years, we came to decide, “Who needs ‘em?” Promises broken, bills blown WAY out of proportion…you’ve heard the horror stories.

Having toured with SKYNYRD,or just open a few concerts for them, how did you get the gig? What is the feeling to play before the living legends of Southern rock?

I was listening to the radio in my car and heard the SKYNYRD show announcement for Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, and I called our agent Craig Newman of A.P.A in Los Angeles, and just out of curiosity asked if he could get us on the show. He called their agent and initially all was good, then the promoter refused us on the bill, so SKYNYRD ,out of consideration, offered us a show in Dallas, Texas. Several other shows came and went and we all got along great, and the rest is history.

All in all, the feeling of standing in front of about 20,000 people is awesome.

On your album you choose to cover a song from another underrated southern/hard rock band, GEORGIA SATELLITES, why?

Well you can’t deny it’s great music, and we like to associate ourselves with great music, so it’s very natural that we would cover a lesser known artist, and speaking of the SATELLITES, I hung out with guitarist Rick Richards last night and invited him to come play on our new record we’re currently working on.

Tell us a little about your album producer, did he bring the experience from JACKAL, did he interfere with the songs?

Jesse Dupree offered us his studio for REAL CHEAP and we accepted and you can hear the lack of funding in the recording, but hell, it was a lot of fun and a great experience and we to this day play shows together and he actually lives about 2 miles from me, so we remain close friends.

You include a few live recordings, I assuming right that it was financial reasons that didn’t let you do proper recordings of these songs in the studio?

I’m going to come clean about this for the first time ever…as you are probably well aware, lot’s of bands fake the audience, or DUB it in…Peter Frampton, is the biggest example. Shooter Jennings' latest record has a canned audience on at least one track. The crowd you are hearing on our record, is from the 1970’s off the ZZTOP live record! You can actually hear someone yelling “ZZTOP!” in the audience if you listen real closely.

Your songs are always about the troubled side of life. Are BLACKBERRY SMOKE a bunch of street kids with heavy southern accent, or the warm hearted guys, South used to be famous for?

A little of both I suppose, we’re not strangers to the occasional bar-fight and were actually attacked between sets on one show a few years ago, but that’s rock and roll! Our philosophy is, we’re all here to have a good time, but if you lay a hand on our women, you will get your teeth kicked in. Pretty simple really.

Playing southern rock in our days is probably the most unfashionable thing you could ever imagine. Why you didn’t prefer some sleaze rock direction or a country direction as both would sell probably more?

Bucking the system is why I was put on earth it seems. Following the trend is suicide, usually, because by the time the trend reveals itself, it’s already over. Plus we were never really hip on wearing makeup and the like. And breaking into country is like robbing a bank, Nashville is filled to the top with the very finest unemployed musicians in the world and if they don’t fit a very particular format, they get ignored.

Who is responsible for the photo and the artwork. Let me guess from your email address you work at some kind of design office , so it has to be you?

You are very correct!

What is the reaction to the album till now?

We steadily sell out of records on tour, and our website is working very well to get the cd into a lot of international hands, like yours.

Are there any plans for a second album, and better promotion?

We are working on the second record right now, as we have some time off. Bradford Todd (Faith Evans #2 Billboard debut) and Sean Groves (SEVEN DUST/COLLECTIVE SOUL) will produce and engineer, and a good handful of talent will be on hand to lend piano, etc. (Joey Huffman of MATCHBOX20/SOUL ASYLUM/WILD CHERRY and Keith Richards, etc.). Rick Richards of the GEORGIA SATELLITES may join in for some guitar ripping as well.

Your sound is guitar oriented, is there any possibility to mix it with some piano or keyboards in the future, to get that honky tonk sound a lot of southern bands use?

When we can afford it! Well actually we are adding a little dobro, more piano/hammond as I already stated and perhaps a bit of banjo and pedal steel.

As a young band you may have heard of DRIVE BY TRUCKERS, MY MORNING JACKET, KINGS OF LEON, get praised by the magazines as the future of southern rock. On the other hand bands like you and the ALLIGATOR STEW, RAGING SLAB, seem to be forgotten, how do you feel about it?

I keep a list of all the people I’m going to punch in the mouth for giving praise to crap.

Do you think the success of bands like NASVILLE PUSSY could give some help to bands like yours?

We have done several shows with NASVILLE PUSSY and will continue to do so, as soon as Blaine and Rhyder get their guitars replaced, (they were just stolen at the Atlanta Airport upon return from France last week!)

How did you felt reading a review good one, for your album in a webzine in Greece?

We add it to the pile of other great reviews we get from overseas…it seems that the road is paved for us to come over to Europe, etc. and deliver the goods. We are always truly thrilled to get a review period.

Your wildest dream as a musician?

Four women in the bed at once…uh…that’s no longer a dream…so it has to be the ability to not worry about financing and to support my family and see the world doing what I LOVE to do.

Any plans for touring outside US?

Absolutely. We’d really like to get on a USO tour, or support some huge assed band like U2 or the Stones, etc.

Southern people are accused a lot of time for conservatism, and racism, gives us your opinion on that ?

Racism exists everywhere…for instance you cannot say the “N” word in Toronto Canada without getting in a fight with a white person… this I have actually witnessed. But it’s a free-for-all to insult the Pakistani man for coming into Canada and taking a job from a Canadian. To continue to single out the South as racist is just plain ridiculous. And as far as conservatism goes, I was taught to turn the light off when I left the room and that was to conserve electricity. That is how I define conservatism. I am a pro-life, pro-family, white-boy and realize that it’s the differences in all of us that make the world a truly wonderful place and I do not believe that I am ‘right’ and the other guy is ‘wrong’, I just do what is right for me and let the other guy do what is right for him. We all have our politics, but to think our own beliefs are the best or to impose them on others is to disregard the differences that make life worth living. Now if the other guy thinks touching my wife in an inappropriate manner is ‘right’, then we have a problem.

Thanks for your time and I hope the next album will give us a chance to speak in person

Stelios

Thanks for the opportunity and we look forward to meeting you!

Richard Turner

Blackberry Smoke

Ron Young-LITTLE CAESAR- The lost interview

Ron Young-LITTLE CAESAR- The lost interview

To everyone concerned, ive been interviewing musicians that i love and admire most of the times for the last 30 years...For various reasons ,some of these interviews never surfaced the light of day, mostly cause of the Editors in chief who preferred others, or the decline of the printed press or in the latest years my own disability as i had to survive financially and didn't have the time to send them translated...The time has come to make up for past mistakes and this one is the first and one of the biggest ones. Ron Young , it took almost 1,5 years to answer and then bout 3 more to upload it. I m apologizing and hope there are still enough people interested as your answers are always great.

Ron Young- Little Caesar Interview

First of all thanks for taking the time to answer the questions

1.Ron LC have been active on their own terms the last decade on the contrary with most of the bands of your era. How did this occur? You produce new material and don’t sit on past time laurels, How do you manage to keep the fire burning

We have always tried to be a more “classic” based Hard Rock band. It has allowed to stay away from a dated Production value or songwriting genre….in other words….we were “dated” in 1990 and so we can still be “dated” LOL. We have always just wanted to pay tribute to all of our collective influences or musical styles and artists and it allows us to weave Rock, Blues, Country, Soul/R&B into our flavor and brand of music. We love to play and play music with each other and getting to still go out and engage with our fans both personally and musically is still very inspiring.

2.Do you feel bit “obsolete” to belong at the hair metal or sleaze rock movement? Do you think this term doesn’t suit the band?

We were never a “Hair Metal” band. It was a term that followed many bands from LA at that time period, but we were always a more traditional “Rock” band because we had way more Blues and R&B in our music like bands that preceded us than the more Pop oriented “hair Metal” bands. We have learned to live with the misnomer.

3.You recently released a double live album? You have lived the high days of records and cds, do you see any point in releasing hard copy material in this age of downloading, especially the illegal one? Is there payback to the expenses to get material in physical form?

   We keep our costs very low and are economically more efficient than bigger bands when we record and release a record. Many larger bands have publicly said they are going to stop releasing new material as they lose so much money. I understand that from a Metallica or Aerosmith level band as they will lock out a studio for months at a time, stay in big hotels and have a very high daily overhead. We go into the studio and knock it out quickly….like they used to make records. Our last studio album was done in a total of 21 days. Albums are no longer revenue generators for any band. They are promotional tools to get people to come to the live shows, where we shine brightest anyway.

4.Why did it take so long to release a live album?

  Recording a live album takes a lot of coordination and expense. Now that there are computers and easy ways to get a good recording via smaller and quality equipment, many venues have the ability to record multitrack performances independent of the live mix. We played such a venue in Holland and was handed a small USB flash drive that had isolated tracks of 21 live songs and we were able to come home and mix it down for a live album.

5.Recently Team Rock collapsed and its magazines and radio stations as we speak are under threat for their survival. A lot of the journalists that were writing there are among the big 80s names that build the metal hard rock scene. What is your opinion on TR demise and do you feel that in these internet webzine days, the printed magazine days are over?

   The sad fact is that while the music business wanes in commerce and reach, so do the outlets that satellite the music. Great writers, photographers, magazines etc, are all struggling and the ways to monetize people’s passion for music is drying up. Unfortunately the tech explosion has made the power, significance and position in people’s lives, on a cultural level, less and less important. I have no idea the answer, or a prediction of where this is all going. One thing for certain is the monetary golden years of music is over. That makes making Rock and Roll like so many other art forms where one makes it because they7 have to for their soul….not for their bank account.

6.You are quite active at your facebook page regarding politics, animal rights and social issues. Is there a part of Ron Young besides the LC frontman we don’t know, as LC lyrics are far away from being political.

       On our last Album, the title track “American Dream” was quite political and socially observant. I usually try to keep my lyrics more about life in general, but as one ages, and as our World is getting so tense and intertwined, I felt it was time to mae an observation musically. On Social Media, I try to be very honest and open and start dialogs between people of all leanings. Trying to create dialog and engagement is one of the few blessings Social Media possesses. I try to be honest and always maintain an open mind. Knowing the difference between “I disagree” and “you are wrong” is the subtlety of a desire to be ever evolving yet possessing an opinion….and you know what they say about opinions! Mine are no different!

7.You had a great comment one day regarding adapting and dressing based on the meeting or work you have to do. You seem one of the most adaptive musicians who keep his business successful outside the limitations of a rock band. Would you like to share your other professional activities. Did they start when you saw that rock music wasn’t enough to keep the money come in?

    I have a wonderful and full life. I have had the blessing to meet or dine with vastly different people in my businesses and endeavors. I have dined with heads of Nations, Presidents of Motorcycle clubs and high level executives of major corporations. Being able to be true to one’s self and still behave and dress “appropriately” is helpful as the above listed aren’t always comfortable around people outside of their “element”. There is always an “edge” present in me that I can’t hide under long sleeves. When I meet with people on business outside of the “Rock realm” they are either a bit stand offish at first, or they want to know what it was like hitting Arnold Schwarzenegger with a pool cue lol.

8.You were part of one of Rock ,best kept secrets. A band that came out  at the wrong time but released a great blues rock album, I m talking about Manic Eden. What happened and we didn’t heard anything, was it all cause of Vanderberg s health issues? Are there any outtakes or non-released songs we could hope to listen one day? Now that Adrian is back with his new band, have you been in contact?

 I speak to ADRIAN VIA Facebook. He’s a great guy and talented player. Manic Eden came out at a very weird time. The “grunge thing was exploding and folks at labels were fixated on signing and promoting the next Pearl Jam or Nirvana. All the bands and members of bands from the Eighties had a hard time releasing music. The labels were so myopic that they discounted people that had proven to be part of millions of sales for chasing fads. That was a big problem for Manic Eden which some A&R guys wouldn’t even listen to because of the member’s resumes. When we finally released it and it was tough getting some momentum, Adrian went back to working with David Coverdale. His health wasn’t an issue. The project just kind of fell apart. It was an honor and privilege working with all those guys.

9.With Earl slick you sang on his solo album, another soul classic and along with chain of fools , this brings the right question to my mouth. Is there a “suppressed” Soul singer in Ron Young? Also do you know Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel Aaustralia) who has a real soulful voice, I think in a way your re both music soulmates, bringing soul to hard rock along with Glen Hughes of course.

Thanks for the compliment. Yes, if I had a time machine I would be singing Soul wearing a shiny suit in 1968!!!

10.The bands hiatus was because of the musical circumstances or differences between band members?

Were we always a family. There was never any tension within the band. We faced an incredible amount of bullshit from a Corporate level. Whenever you put the egos of men like Jimmy Iovine, David Geffen, John Kalodner, etc. on one project, there’s most likely going to be drama way before the band enters the picture. The whole thing broke down our Spirit pretty bad and put such a bad taste in our mouth we just stopped making music as a band…..that and because Geffen would only release us from our contract if we promised not to reform and release an album on another label. It seems Mr. Geffen doesn’t like it if a band goes somewhere else and becomes successful. It makes his business look bad.

11.Did you at any point felt limited by the tattoo biker image of the early days? Circus of power and you are among the bands with the most  impressive e tattoo image. Was this a set back for LC back in the early days? Are you a biker yourself or just a fan of motorcycles? And what is your opinion on the SOA series, which I think is overrated and full of useless violence plus no real rock music.

In the “early days” I didn’t own a car, only a Harley. You can do that year round in Los Angeles. Motorcycles were never an affectation or prop for me and some of the guys in the band. It stared to become very trendy….all the tattoos and bikes in videos. Also, facial hair wasn’t popular at all back then. Geffen tried very hard to get us to shave. Having a rough image has always been typical for Rock bands. I think the fact that we had 3 part harmonies, did soulful ballads etc, went against our look. Geffen tried for years to blame our lack of success on that. The fact is we sold more records than the Black Crowes coming out of the box. When the label gets sold 3 weeks into your release, when your records are sitting at one companies warehouse and not in stores while you are in heavy rotation in MTV, when your Label Manager gets fired a week after that, when your Manager has a fight with the owner of the label 2 weeks after that etc etc etc…..someone has to be blamed for the lack of success on a band with such high expectations. Somehow I think that our hard image while singing songs like “In Your Arms” was the least of our issues to overcome.

12. Among your studio albums which is your favorite album and song? 

I couldn’t pick one….I have many songs I adore singing depending on my mood. Usually the more soulful the better.

13. How difficult is to manage the band on your own these days and still be creative?

I handle everything. I am the bands Accountant, Financier, Publicist, Graphic Designer, Merchandise Manager, Travel Agent, Social Media Director etc etc. Personally, I love most of it. It’s nice being able to be a lot more in control of your own destiny. We don’t rely on the income as a way to pay our mortgages. It allows us to make music purely. We wish we could be out there most weeks playing all over the World….but very few bands….especially the ones that can’t just throw their equipment up on a stage and start playing without the expectation of a high Production value, can pull that off anymore. Many bands try to convince on Social Media they are out there “rockin’ and partying” everynight, but those days are over. It’s a really rough life consisting of hotel room mates, crappy food, long drives, lifting gear, setting up gear, tearing down gear….and doing it when the fans aren’t looking. Every crew guy you pay is less money in your pocket. If you have a family at home and aren’t living on someone’s couch like when you were 22 and doing anything you had to become a “star”, you feel every expense….and there’s a lot of them on any level of touring.

14. Are there any artistic plans unfulfilled?

I would someday love to be up fronting a big huge band filled with horns and strings like Etta James did in the 60’s. The lush sounds combined with great Soul songs would be such a treat to do.

15. 2016 was a real bad year regarding death of artists, especially musicians, Which one was the most hurtful for you and do you think we re coming to the end of an era  as biologically the heroes of the 70s wont be able to keep up  longer?

It was a terrible year for musical loss. The realization that so many great artists will now be silent, combined with the natural reflection on how the years are advancing had a profound effect on many I know.

16.Ron if you have  the chance to sing at a tribute artist, for who would it be?

I could sing Bad Co or Ray Charles songs until I die and be a very happy and fulfilled Singer.

17. A lot of sleaze/hair metal artists accuse grunge for the demise of their genre. Do you believe it was time for musical change, or just coincidence that turn out for bad luck for the hard rock musicians when grunge came. How do you feel about grunge and punk?

I respect all music for what it says and makes you feel in a given mood. I get a lot of heat for saying by many of my peers, but music in the late 80’s early 90’s turned to over produced crap with weak songs and pretty caricatured approaches to music. Grunge or “alternative” came into fashion because people wanted an alternative to the Corporate crap Produced by the same 5 Producers. Rock Song and then a Ballad….over and over again, with mediocre tracks in between. I have always had a great affinity for roots rock and the Punk rock that emanated from it in the late 70’s. It’s honesty and emotion reminded people just how primal and energetic music can be. I liked Nirvana and loved Sound garden. Great songs, fresher Production and a new voice of anti Corporate rock….which of course made the Corps sign 5 more Nirvanas, Pearl Jam’s, and Soundgarden’s….they learned nothing from the whole demise of Hair Metal….and now look where the business is!

18. Your musical influences and how they re interpreted through LC music?

I love the honesty of Country and he simple accessible songs, I love the pure power to make you feel something in Soul and R&B. I love the total “fuck you” in Punk. I love the power of early Metal. My greatest influence is certainly Blues and Soul based music of the 50’s and 60’s though.

19. You re coming from time to time to Europe any chance to see you in a country like Greece, taking under consideration the economical recession.

My Mission every day is to try to get a few more fans. To reach folks that have never heard of us and that would find something in our 6 albums as being something they find attractive. The more I can do that, the more opportunities we might get to do what we love, with those we love, for those we love. I am deeply grateful that I still get to do something so essential to my Spirit. I know many who can’t even get the opportunities we get to make heir music. We are very lucky and we know it.

20. Tramp will be the new US president in less than a month. I think you vote against. How do you feel of all these protesters who don’t accept the  elections results, especially when some of them didn’t even bother to go and vote.

Politics all around the World is very interesting and also disturbing. The truth is that Americans take their ability to vote and have their “say” with a ballot for granted. They seem very good at complaining than they are voting. Only 48% of our citizen’s vote. It’s shameful. It’s also ridiculous that those that don’t vote then want to go out and protest and be disruptive. They had that chance on election day and squandered their opportunity. They aren’t helping the rest of us that want to engage in thoughtful and respectful debates of ideas for the betterment and future of all of our futures.

21. Your dog Tank left us you a few days ago, how difficult was for you to let  him go.

I was very difficult on an emotional level. I have such a deep love for what animals, their personalities and qualities bring to my life. He was old and broken down. It was time for me to do what was right for my beloved companion and help him leave me with dignity. He deserved that. He did his job as a companion for all those years. It was my time as his guardian to do mine.

Thank you so much for the interview and hope to see you on stage at some point.

Thank you!!!!!!