Pic source: Simon Wright facebookpage... copyright by photographer!
SIMON WRIGHT (DIO DISCIPLES, Hallion)
***Simon Wright***
Hello Simon, very happy and honored to have you talking to me and the fans. First I want to tell you that I am totally proud of you and the guys for doing what you are doing! I really have no words for it. For i know it must be a hard journey without your good friend Ronnie. But be sure me and all the fans are 100 percent behind you.
1. Simon, you were in AC/DC before you joined the DIO band. Why did you leave the band back then?
Simon: Well, I had been in the band about eight years,quite a long time and I was becoming complacent, I guess it happens, I also felt I needed to expand on my playing a bit more.Were still friends and they are a brilliant band and I mean no disrespect but I had to move on.Now Phil is back they sound better than ever.
2. And what was different between playing in AC/DC and playing in DIO?
Simon: I think DIO music is more fill orientated and I got to create a bit more,don`t get me wrong both bands are bloody amazing to play with obviously and there are some killer songs as we know, ACDC is a bit more straight forward four on the floor kinda thing,which can be as difficult as playing complex fills, it`s just 2 different styles of playing and attitude I think.
3. Well AC/DC were much bigger than the DIO band. But from what I think it was more challenging to play drums in Dio than to play in AC/DC. But surely it was a huger audience to play for. But did you have a ball to play the straight stuff more than more variable Dio sounds?
Simon: Well, they were both as challenging just in different ways, I try to approach every gig in the same way though, that is to be consistent every night, anchor the band and play tight regardless of the size of the crowd, there could be 8 or 80000, it doesn`t matter I try and play great every night, it`s my job to do that and I owe it to the musicians around me.
4. You are also playing in Tim Owens solo band are you still playing for Tim? And will you keep up working with Tims Solo Band? Is there any news bout this?
Simon: Nothing planned at the moment for solo stuff with Tim,we are concentrating on the DIO DISCIPLES project,but at some point maybe.
5. What are you doing besides the Dio Disciples? I read that you aren`t playingmwith Rhino Bucket anymore. So are there any other projects you are involved with?
Simon: Well I sort of jump in and out of Rhino Bucket,were good friends and it seems to work that way, if they get stuck and need a drummer and I am available I`ll help them out, thats kind of our agreement, they are a great band. DIO DISCIPLES is my main project at the moment, so no other projects at the moment.
6. Whats your opinion about the Dio Disciples. Do you think that most of the fans like the idea that you guys keeping Ronnies legacy alive or do you have negative feedback about it too?
Simon: Well we expected some negativity and there was, but it`s getting less and less.We are very passionate about DIO DISCIPLES and I think the fans at the shows see this, were there to celebrate and honor Ronnie and his amazing legacy of music with the best fans in the world. Ronnie always said fans come first and we totally agree.
7. The Dio Disciples concert in Bochum, Germany was amazing. And it was very emotional and overwhelming for all of us. From what I read there were about 300 people who attended. So what do you suspect for the USA dates... surely more people to come?
Simon: Thank you Susi I`m glad you enjoyed the show, it gets emotional for us too, there are always things ,besides obviously the songs, that remind us of Ronnie, whether it be stories from fans, our stories on long bus rides, I`m always thinking about what he would have done there or what he would think about a certain situation, he was such a wise man. Were are hoping for bigger crowds, were kind of a new band and I think with any new band there is a growing process, the fans that saw the shows in Europe seemed to really enjoy what we are doing and hopefully word will get around about how we are honoring and celebrating Ronnie in a respectful and sincere way, I`ve said before I wish we didn`t have to do DIO DISCIPLES, instead we were doing a new DIO album and touring, now we have to honor him by keeping his music alive.
Susi: I exactly know and understand what you mean about your wish! I truely understand. Me and all the Dio-Fan Family feel the same way. And we think about it every single second and still couldn`t believe it... Simon, we are with you and forever will!
8. Which is your fave drumset and which one do you usually play when you tour?
Simon: The drums I use when we tour the US are mine, I have two DW kits one chrome finish, which has slightly shorter depth toms and sounds great and my other has a burnt toast finish, kinda like a les paul sunburst finish, looks cool I think, and slightly longer depth toms, they both sound amazing. DW make superb drums, always consistent and great quality,they also provide me with a kit when we do shows outside the US, which is something I was looking for in a drum company, the cost of shipping drums around the world can get a little expensive.
9. So you also toured with ANVIL. And you are now a member of the Anvil Pounders too. So when did you join and since when are you friends with ANVIL?
Simon: Yeah we did four Spanish shows with them, great guys, Robb decided I should be an honory member of Anvil Metal Pounders Union in Barcelona, still waitin for the T-Shirt Robb, haha.We first met at a festival, I think in Finland, memories not what it was, there good guys ya know, very commited to the metal cause and a great band.
10. Some last words you would like to share with my readers?
Simon: Just to thank you all for reading this. DIO DISCIPLES will hopefully be back in Europe next year, we look forward to seeing you all at the shows, to help us celebrate and honor the greatest singer in rock, Ronnie James Dio.
All the best.We Rock!.
Simon Wright.{ Drums.DIO-1998/2010}
Thank you so much for taking your time talking to me and my readers. Wishing you all the best - keep up the good work, and thank you again for the amazing concert in Bochum. Hope to see you again in Germany soon would like to stop by to say hi again, I DEFINATELY WILL BE THERE! - Susi
DIO DISCIPLES @ FACEBOOK please give THEM a "LIKE" by clicking here and joining their FB PAGE. THANK YOU ALL!
ROCK N ROLL AIN´T NOISE POLLUTION - Bon Scott der Blitz in der Mitte!
Ein großartiges Werk, dass Englands bekanntester Musik Journalist Mick Wall hier an den Start gebracht hat. Anhand von Recherchen, Auswertungen, Analysen, eigener Interviews und Gesprächen mit Zeitzeugen bringt er dem Fan die aus Sydney, Australien stammende Rocklegende AC/DC näher. Die Young-Brüder jedoch haben ihren eigenen Kopf und beantworteten Wall`s Anfrage ihm etwas für sein Buch beizusteuern gar nicht erst.
AC/DC ist ein eingeschworender Clan, der keine Fremden zulässt - ist man einmal verstoßen bleibt man es auf alle Zeiten. AC/DC ist eine eingeschworene Gemeinschaft, die die Regeln einfach selbst aufstellt und sich von wirklich niemandem belehren lässt.
Das Buch berichtet über die erste Band des Young-Bruders George namens EASYBEATS. Über den Aufstieg und den Fall von AC/DC durch Bon Scotts mysteriösen Tod im Februar 1980 - hier werden weitere Fakten und Theorien zur Todesursache Scott`s analysiert. Wall sprach hierzu mit zwei bekannten Ärzten, die namentlich nicht genannt werden wollten, die jedoch bereitwillig zum Thema Stellung nahmen. In den Medien wird überall, wo das Thema aufgegriffen wird berichtet, Bon Scott wäre nach Alkoholabusus an seinem Erbrochenen erstickt. Aber gibt es vielleicht eine andere Erklärung? Bon war ein Unikat. Und hätte man gerade vom großen Bon erwartet, dass er liebend gerne Postkarten schreibt? Für einen Rocker eher ungewöhnlich und richtig liebenswert.
Eindeutig wird klar gemacht, dass Malcolm und Angus bei AC/DC das Sagen haben. Für Angus war heißer Tee, Cola, Chips und Zigaretten das Nonplusultra während die anderen in der Gruppe eher tranken und Anderes konsumierten. Am 27. März 1976 gaben sie ihr Abschiedskonzert in ihrer Heimat. An besagten Abend geschah das, was von nun an als Showeinlage bei allen nachfolgenden AC/DC Shows stattfinden sollte: Angus zog vor versammeltem Publikum seine Hose runter und entblößte seinen Hintern. Am 1. April 1976 hieß es dann für die Band "going to London" und man kehrte seiner Heimat den Rücken zu.
Die Beatles gaben einst für ein Apfel und ein Ei ihre Rechte am "Merchandising" ab. Somit tat sich für AC/DC ein ernst zu nehmender Geschäftszweig auf. AC/DC waren es, die als erste mittelgroße Band das Merchandising mit Erfolg durchgedrückt haben. Nach Bon Scott`s Tod war die Band sehr geknickt, doch schon am 1. April 1980 stand Brian Johnson als neuer Sänger in den Startlöchern. Mit den Songs "Hells Bells" und "Back in Black" gab es noch eine Ode an Bon Scott. Shine on! Die 90-er Jahre bis heute wurden leider weniger ausgedehnt wiedergegeben. Für Fans und Liebhaber von Fakten ist dieses Buch eine klare Kaufempfehlung. Nicht viele Journalisten haben das Talent so großartige Bücher anhand von Fakten, Interviews und Berichten auf die Beine zu stellen.
Mick Wall AC/DC - Die Bandgeschichte Seiten: 528 Cover: Hardcover Format: 13,5 x 21 cm Ladenpreis: 24,95 Euro (D) / 25,70 Euro (A) ISBN: 978-3-8419-0259-7 Pressekontakt: Lena Borowski @ Edel.com
Speaking with BB, Rhythm guitarist and band leader for BACK:N:BLACK. The Ultimate All-Girl Tribute to AC/DC. Starting in 2010, the band has played for audiences as large as 6,000, and as small as 100. Five girls, one vision: to rock. Hi dear BB, thank you so much for taking your time for an interview. Hope you are fine? Here are some questions for you:
BB: Hi Susi, doing very well, thank you!
With all due respect to the Gods of Rock N Roll, why do you want to copy a bunch of old men?
BB: Of course, we are not trying to copy a bunch of old men! First of all, we would have a gender and age problem…! We play AC/DC’s music for one reason: because we love the songs! AC/DC has been going strong for more than 40 years now, and their music is still very relevant to people of all places, genders and ages. They have a massive fan base--probably the biggest in rock. We all are part of this fan base and want to share our love for this music with other fans. Rock’n’roll is best when played live. When we are on stage playing these songs, the energy exchange with the people from the audience who love this music as much as we do is fantastic. It is electric. It is high voltage. This is how we pay tribute to AC/DC.
You are all over the internet – where are most of your fans based?
BB: Most of the people at our shows are from around the way, but our fans come from all over the world –Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, UK, USA, Brazil, even Indonesia!! The support is overwhelming! What is amazing is that even if people don't share a common spoken language, so many people from so many places around the world speak the language of rock'n'roll! It is crazy when you type "LTBR" (Let There Be Rock) and people all over the planet know what it means and start feeling the same adrenaline-rush!
Where can the fans buy band merchandise like a BACK:N:BLACK T-Shirt / DVD/ poster?
BB: We try to always have t-shirts and DVDs at our shows. For those who cannot make it, they can order them on our website www.backnblackgirls.com to help us pay for gas to drive to our shows and spread the BLACK! We have a really cool section on our Facebook page where you can see fans from all over the world showing off their BACK:N:BLACK pride. It is really heart-warming.
Are there any upcoming tours? When is your next live show?
BB: We just had a year of great shows in Switzerland and the UK. We even played at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, along with Deep Purple and Brian May! This was an extraordinary experience for us and we are truly thankful for this opportunity. I can't even begin to explain to you how it felt to stay in front of the same stages where Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nirvana, and even Prince played! What an honor! I'm just glad that none of us peed our pants! Another highlight was the Verbier Bike Fest where we played for the third year in a row. I have a very special place in my heart for the Verbier stage. With so many fans, and so many friends, it is like a homecoming for us when we play. Next year, we will continue touring in Switzerland and probably go back to the UK, because our first concert at the Big Red in London has been a great success. We also look forward to shows in Italy, France and all over Europe. I think it would be a real kick in the balls to play cool places like Turkey and Greece where we could hang out at the beach (and of course, play a concert is absolutely necessary)!
What was the biggest show you ever played?
BB: Just considering the size of the audience, I think the biggest show we have played to date was Rock Oz’Arènes in Avenches, Switzerland, when we rocked right after ZZ Top. We were the last band of the night, and the whole ZZ Top crowd came to see us too! I like to look at it as a wild rock’n’roll party with a few thousand of our closest friends. Seriously, there were about 6000 people there, I would guess. But I can tell you, after you see the first ten rows of people going absolutely apeshit-crazy, it doesn't matter how many people exactly are there!
You have lots of pictures with BNB fans. Do you like meeting fans?
BB: Yes, we love to meet fans and talk about AC/DC! The cool thing is that we are all fans of the same thing. Personally, I always hated it when bands refused to talk to fans, or pretended they were somehow superior to the people who are watching them. If you ask us, we are all here because of one reason: because AC/DC rocks balls! If you look on YouTube, you can find a video where Brian Johnson even talks about one of his worst memories in rock'n'roll: when he asked Chuck Berry for his signature. Apparently, Chuck Berry treated Brian Johnson like absolute garbage. And now, 40 years later, Brian Johnson the fan has never forgotten it.
Please tell us some funny backstage story.
BB: I can tell you two stories. The first one is funny and the second one is tragic. One time when we were playing at a beer fest, our "backstage" was located right beside the men's bathroom. And, unfortunately, there was no way to lock the door at all! Now, at a beer fest, if you are in the audience, the basic concept is very simple: you try to visit the bar as frequently as possible, take whatever liquid is available there, pass it through digestive system, then try to dispose of it into the closest urinal as fast as you can -- then repeat. Of course, if you're in the band, the basic concept is to try to change your clothes as fast as possible before one of these drunk concert-goers accidentally comes backstage. I think we all learned two important tips that night: 1) that it is possible to change your bra and panties in less than 4 seconds, and 2) that most men actually jump the gun, so to speak, and take matters into their hands before they even get through the door of the bathroom. The combination of shock, surprise, embarrassment and guttural fear of giant tattooed bikers afraid of peeing their pants is something I don't think I will ever forget! I won't even start to explain what was in the cups backstage there, or why there was a stuffed beer-head on the couch. The sad story just happened about a week ago. This time, the backstage was up on the 4th floor and we had no elevator to carry up all of our stuff. Roberta, who was playing lead guitar that night, finally slipped after the 20th march up and down the stairs and twisted her ankle badly. She wanted to play while sitting on a chair, but we insisted that she had to go to the hospital. In the end, she got a giant cast all the way up her leg, and is recuperating from a broken ankle. When they said it was a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll, they didn't lie. By my calculations, it's about 160 flights of stairs...
Are there any other tribute bands in your surrounding?
BB: Yes, we have played a few shows with the best Aerosmith tribute in Europe: Eurosmith! They are amazingly talented musicians and Luca, their singer looks so uncannily like Steven Tyler you won’t believe your ears or eyes. Very recently we played a show in Switzerland, with a band called Reckless Roses. They are a Guns N’Roses tribute band from Hungary, and very cool guys! Not only do they sound like GN’R, they also look a lot like them! It was a great show! Also, when Carrie had a problem with her voice and couldn’t be there, Norbi (“Axl”) helped us by singing some songs with us on stage. That was the same night when Roberta broke her foot falling down the stairs backstage. The people were waiting to hear some AC/DC, so Randy (our most excellent constant tour companion and close friend) and Csabi (“Slash”) jumped onstage and did their best Angus style guitar playing with Kat, Angie and me. They saved the show! If there is one thing that I have learned on the long road of rock'n'roll, is that good deeds (and bad ones) are never forgotten. On the road, and onstage, everyone is a family, and helps make the show as cool as possible for the audience, no matter what happens.
Do you know AC/DC personally?
BB: I actually have met Angus Young. He was a very friendly guy, taking his time to meet fans and take pictures. I would love to meet the other guys too. It would be a dream come true to be able to sit down and talk to Malcolm about his stage setup, sound, and songwriting.
Does AC/DC care that you cover their songs?
BB: Brian Johnson said once in an interview that he loves all AC/DC tribute bands, so I guess they don’t mind. I would not understand how any band would mind another an other band playing their songs. It is a sign that they touch people’s souls so deeply with their music that they want to play it themselves. Also, I don’t think that AC/DC is afraid of our taking over the scene. Because there is only one AC/DC! We know this, our fans know this, and AC/DC knows this. One of my favorite videos on YouTube is of Brian Johnson just jumping onstage with a small bar band who was playing AC/DC songs at a local pub. You can tell by the look on Brian's face that he just loves rock'n'roll, no matter how big the audience.
BB You sound a lot like Malcolm Young. Tell us about your guitar rig. What is your secret?
BB: Thanks! I don’t use the same guitar and amp as Malcolm Young. I use a Les Paul Custom Shop and a Marshall JVM210 because this has a very nice crunchy sound. I play mostly in loud mid-range, that is to say not too bassy and not too trebly. Many people feel that the most important part of getting a good AC/DC sound is to buy this equipment or that vintage equipment. But for me, the most important thing is to have your own sonic space in the band and that no one competes with the others' frequencies. If you have two people playing the exact same amp with the exact same settings, they will probably bury each other, even if they have the most classic awesome vintage signature special whatever amps. But apart from equipment, the “secret”, if you want to call it that, is that I have listened to Malcolm Young’s playing obsessively. To me, how he moves his right hand is even more important than the guitar or even the amp he plays. His right hand is the secret to how he and Angus complement each other’s lines. It is how Malcolm stays rock solid in the back and fills the song with his ballsy riffs while Angus fiddles away like a madman. Many people may not realize it, but Malcolm Young is as important to Angus Young sounding cool as Angus himself is.
Do you use a wireless on stage?
BB: Yes, I do. I love that this is possible. Sometimes I like to jump off the stage and bang my head with the people in the audience. Even if the stage is giant, I'm going to jump off that stage the first chance I get and rock out with people eye to eye.
How long have you been playing?
BB: BACK:N:BLACK has been playing AC/DC since 2010. I have been playing for 10 years. I started with classical guitar, but had to give that up because they made me put my foot on a little stand and told me I had to sit still. So I got my first very ugly electric guitar and taught myself to rock. That same guitar is hanging on my wall right now, albeit in three pieces.
Where and when was your latest video filmed?
BB: Our latest video was filmed at the Verbier Bike Fest. The atmosphere was really great -- we all had a great time! It’s always such a pleasure to play that place! Friendly people, mountains, rock’n’roll…! Good times! Although Randy, who was filming us on the stage had a little misunderstanding with a biker during the show and almost kicked that guy’s ass. I am glad this didn’t happen and everything went smooth and happy. We love to play bike fests and get along great with bikers!
What are you spitting at the audience at the middle of the video?
BB: If you want blood… you’ve got it!!
Your singer looks like a serious headbanger. Is she into Slayer or what?
BB: Hahah, good question! Carrie gets really into it when she’s on stage. It’s so much fun to play with her, she has a really good energy and enjoys being onstage and singing these songs. I never asked her about Slayer, but I know she listens to a lot of different music, including some pretty heavy metal. For all of us in BACK:N:BLACK, we just bring to the stage the passion and rock'n'roll that is in our hearts and blood, so what you see in the videos is what you get on stage. No camera tricks, no patched-up sound, no studio guitars, no MTV magic, just straight-ahead rock'n'roll: dirty, sweaty, sexy and loud - just like we like it!
But it is very important to us that it is not all about the lead singer! Everyone in the band is important to make the show and the music what it is. Just like in AC/DC, everyone plays an irreplaceable role! No filler, no fluff, no printing beauty queens you can't play. Just balls out rock 'n roll. She looks great in pictures, but be clear, Angie Dee is a one powerhouse of pure rock 'n roll fire on the drums! Some people say she’s good-looking female version of Phil Rudd, but she has his unmistakable swing – something I have never heard in any other rock 'n roll drummer. Kat too, on bass is absolutely rock solid, and lays the foundation with Angie that we all ride on. It's funny, many fans only know her from her beautiful face in photos. But she would not be in the band if she didn't know how to rock serious balls. Same goes for Ely on lead guitar.
This the way it goes in our band – if you can't play really well, you just have to find another band. The great thing is that the audience knows this. The pictures are great fun and all, but for us, it is all about good music. And we have some serious music fans following us, which makes it all worth while!
What is that guy doing in your video? I thought you kicked people in the head if they tried to climb on stage!
BB: That guy’s name is Bison and he was there to help us do that show. Carrie unfortunately had a really nasty infection on her vocal chords and couldn’t sing all of the songs, so Bison stepped in to help. I do kick people off the stage when they dare come into our space. I love AC/DC, it's true, but I also love Nashville Pussy. And if you have ever seen how Ruyter takes care of drunks and fools who try to weasel onto her stage, you will think twice about getting on our stage uninvited! This being said, stick to the front row at our shows because you never know when we're going to share our beer with you, or you even get a free one, compliments of the Ladies from Hades.
Now the floor is yours... please leave a message for all your fans!
BB: All us girls in BACK:N:BLACK would like to thank our fans for the great support that we have gotten over years now. We are totally blown away! We hope to see you all on the road very soon! And don’t forget: If you want us to not only be friends on Facebook, tell your local clubs and venues about us – we’d love to come over and rock your socks (and your panties) off!
Thank you so much for the interview dear BB was nice talking to you... keep up the awesome work and rock the nations. Susi
BB: Thanks Susi! Thank you also for your great support to the rock’n’roll scene! Rock’n’Roll… It will survive!
