Interviewrepost from 10.2012: MATT BARLOW (Ashes Of Ares)

~ Matt Barlow ~

1. First of all I cannot say how great it is to do this interview with you and your brand-new band!!! Please introduce your new band Ashes of Ares to my readers. 

 Matt: THE BAND AT THIS POINT CONSISTS OF FREDDIE VIDALES, VAN WILLIAMS, AND ME.  WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE OTHER GUYS SOON.

2. And second it would be great if you could please give a little track of the musicians playing in your new band. As I know some of my readers are new in the metal scene... and I am sure some of the older ones 50+ are curios to learn more about you too. 

Matt: VAN IS THE FORMER DRUMMER OF NEVERMORE AND FREDDIE IS FORMERLY OF ICED EARTH, AS AM I.

3. Who got the idea to name the band Ashes Of Ares? And what does Ashes Of Ares stand for?

Matt: I KIND OF HAD THE NAME IN MIND AND SOLD THE IDEA TO THE GUYS.  TO ME IT HAS A DUEL MEANING, BUT I DON’T WANT TO SPOIL SOMEONE ELSE’S INTERPRETATION.  LET’S JUST KEEP THE MYSTERY FOR A WHILE.

4. Could you please describe the musical feeling inside of your band? What kind of musical delicacy could we expect?

Matt: WELL, MOST FOLKS KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ME, FROM MY WORK WITH I.E. AND PYRAMAZE.  SO YOU TAKE SOME OF THAT AND MIX IT WITH VAN’S BRAND OF CADENCE AND FREDDIE’S RIFFAGE….BLAM-O….IT’S ASHES OF ARES!!!  IT’S JUST STRAIGHT UP HEAVY METAL!


5. What is the progress on Ashes of Ares for example when can we expect your first album. Which secrets on the album can you already share with us?  

Matt: WE ARE WORKING ON SHOPPING OURSELVES AT THIS POINT.  HOPEFULLY, WE WILL HAVE A SCHEDULE FOR RELEASE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

6.  I really understand that family goes first. Matt, so what made you tick to team up with another band and entering the music business again? Is there a special reason? Or do you plan to Ashes Of Ares as a non-touring band for example to make more time with the family. Your thoughts on  this? I just noticed the announcement Freddie made on your Facebookpage by the way... but please leave a statement for my readers.

Matt: THE REASON WE ARE ALL DOING THIS IS FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC.  WE ARE METAL GUYS AND THIS IS WHAT WE DO.  ASHES OF ARES LIVE SHOWS WILL BE LIMITED, BUT THERE WILL BE LIVE SHOWS FOR FANS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY TO COME TO AND ENJOY WITH US.  WE REALLY JUST WANT TO CREATE MUSIC THAT WE ENJOY AND HAVE THAT TRANSLATE TO OUR LISTENERS.

7. Who is the main songwriter in the band? And where did you get positive vibes to write your songs? Which places inspire your writing for example? 

Matt: THE THREE OF US ARE CO-CREATORS.  WHEN WE CONCEIVED THIS IDEA, THAT’S HOW WE WANTED IT TO PLAY OUT.  ALL FOR ONE, AND ONE FOR ALL…THAT KIND OF THING.

8. By the way do you miss your times with Iced Earth or did you already file this chapter of your career away? 

Matt: THEY WERE GREAT TIMES, BUT IT WAS TIME FOR EVERYONE TO MOVE ON. THERE ARE NO ISSUES AND CERTAINLY NO REGRETS.

9. What are the next steps your fans can expect from the new all-star band? I am sure that there is a huge interest from magazines, TV, webzines etc. also record companies in working with you and signing you? 

Matt:  WE WILL CERTAINLY SEE.  TIME WILL TELL A GREAT MANY THINGS, BUT I REALLY HOPE THAT WE MAKE MUSIC THAT OUR PEOPLE WILL BE PROUD OF.

10. And now on to a non band related question. Which kind of music do you listen to at the moment. Is there a special album you have on rotation at your CD player as we are talking? Me, I have the new Adrenaline Mob in rotation ;) 

Matt:  I HAVE REALLY BEEN DIVING HEAD FIRST INTO ASHES OF ARES AT THE MOMENT.  OTHER MUSIC HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  I JUST DON’T LIKE TO BE INFLUENCED (CONSCIOUSLY OR SUBCONSCIOUSLY) BY OTHER PEOPLE’S STUFF.  THERE’S ALREADY TOO MUCH GOING ON IN MY SKULL AS IT IS.

11. Last but not least the floor is yours. Leave a message for all your German fans and for my readers from all around the world. 

Matt:  MY HEAVY METAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS!  IT HAS BEEN MY ABSOLUTE HONOR SHARING THIS LOVE OF MUSIC WITH YOU FOR ALL THESE YEARS.  I HOPE THAT OUR COMMON FRIENDSHIP WILL CONTINUE FOR MANY MORE.  ALL THE BEST, TO ALL OF YOU!  CHEERS!!!

ASHES OF ARES WEB

© 10.2012 by Rocket Queen Promotion SM

Interview repost from 7.2011 - SIMON WRIGHT (DIO DISCIPLES, Dio, Hallion)

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!

© 07 2011 by Rocket Queen *Promotion*

Supertramp John Helliwell Interview from 2012 (repost)

Interview 8_2012 - Supertramp - John Helliwell

Pic Source: www.johnhelliwell.com by the one who took this pic! 

Dear John, be welcome to the interviews with Rocket Queen. It’s an honour having you. I hope you are fine and got the following questions for you:


1. Supertramp has got a huge musical history and you got tons of experiences you made throughout many years in the music business. Can you still remember the day and the feeling you had when you joined the band?

John: I went to an audition/rehearsal in the summer of 1973 in London and was immediately struck by the songs of Rick and Roger - so different and sometimes quirky!  I especially remember being impressed with “From now on”

2. Back in the days rock music was a new thing and not that explored. Today many many years later all is existing and so you can’t hardly invent new styles etc. What are your thoughts on this? I mean you started in a world where there was soooo much to discover and to invent. So it must be some great kind of experience you must have made being there and inventing your kind of music for example?

John:  In Supertramp we all brought to it our different ideas, ideas and influences.  My background was jazz and soul mainly, Roger and Dougie were Beatles fans, Bob came out of the Californian surf scene and Rick, who used to be a jazz drummer, liked blues and R&B.  We all liked the British groups like Traffic and Spooky Tooth.

3. Lots of kids today are not that familiar with the 60s/70`s and 80s music. How would you familiarize someone with the music of Supertramp?

John:  I would ask them to listen to “Crime of the Century” and the next three or four albums.  Then I would ask them to watch the DVD “Live in Paris 1979”

4. What do you think you liked more back in the 70`s and 80`s compared to the year 2012? And what would have been better in the 80`s comparing to now?

John:  I liked the fact that we toured and recorded a lot in the 70s and 80s compared to now.  My cycling times were shorter in the 80s - I am slower now in time trials due to my being 30 years older - I don’t like it - but I have to accept it!

5. In 2010 you celebrated 40 years of Supertramp. That has been 40 years of great music and your passion for music and a wide range of experiences you made, people you met and shows you played. How were the anniversary shows?You also named your European tour 70-10 s it was 1970-2010. Which places you like best in Europe by the way?

John:  I think that the band in 2010 and 2011 was on top form - we played well, produced a great sound and entertained the audiences. I like to be in Paris and Munich for my breakfasts!  Paris -croissants and coffee.   Munich - weißebier, weißwurst, pretzel and senf.

6. What was the best story from on the road you remember and would like to share with us?

John:  During the 1983 tour, Bernard, our piano technician, went skiing on a day off  (it was forbidden) and broke his leg.  Subsequently he was using crutches.  Each day when he was resting we cut about 2cm off the end of each crutch and replaced the rubber foot - he was having difficulty using them after a week or so. This went on for a few weeks - much to our amusement. We never told him.

7. What was the worst experience you made in your career with Supertramp?

John:  In one of my announcements during our show at the Toronto Blue Jay’s Stadium in 1979 or 1983, I forgot where I was and refered to the crowd as being from Montreal.  This is something you really do not want to do - it was lucky that no-one shot me!

8. What is Supertramp doing at the moment - do you plan to record new material? What could the fans expect from you in the near future?

John:  Rick Davies is in comtrol and we may tour next year. There are no recording planned at the moment.

9. How do you keep fit for your shows? Are you having any warm up rituals you usually do?

John:  I ride a bicycle every day - sometimes I take my bicycle out on the road.  If I am not riding on tour, I like to have a morning walk.  Before a show I like to relax, have a small meal about three hours before we play.  I may have one glass of wine before the show too!

10. John - I am kind of curious now. Which bands are your favourite ones you are listening when you drive in your car? And which new age bands do you like? 

John:  In my car at the moment I am listening to Mike Stern, Donny Hathaway,  Muse,  and Keith Jarrett. I have just checked out the Wikipedia’s list of “new age” artists and bands, and I don’t listen to any of them!

11. And now the floor is yours... please leave a message for all your German fans and for my readers as well.

John:  I like travelling and playing in Germany - the people are friendly and enthusiastic, everything works and is usually on time.  I like the food - what better that a good Gulaschsuppe when you are hungry after a gig!  I will come over and play some jazz with my group “Crème Anglaise” if you like.  Don’t let the French sounding name put you off - we will play German jazz all night for you!

(www.johnhelliwell.com)

Thank you so much for taking time for this interview. I wish
you and the band all the best. Have a great week. Susi

© 8 2012 by Susi Müller Rocket Queen *Promotion*
www.rocketqueenpromotion.blogspot.de re-post!