John O'Reilly Inaugurates New Online Music School, Talks Career

Welcome to a new April 2013 interview with drummer John O'Reilly. Perhaps most well-known for his tenure with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with whom he's been the West unit's drummer since 2002, John's recently started an online drum instruction vehicle called Stanley Spector School of Drumming, based out of his homebase of Milford, PA. John was a student of Spector's and wanted to keep the master's brilliant teaching methods alive, and has taken all of Spector's lessons and incorporated them into a secure website and online correspondence format. John talks in-depth about the school, as well as his career in general - his time with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Peter Noone's Herman's Hermits, and of course, TSO, is talked about in the 30-minute chat. Make sure to check out all of John's endeavors and full career background at www.drummentor.com.

Listen To The April 2013 Interview With John O'Reilly:

Andrew Ross Reveals Chameleon Project

Welcome to a new March 2013 interview with vocalist/instrumentalist Andrew Ross, notably of Trans-Siberian Orchestra fame, but currently, involved with Chameleon. Chameleon is a New York City-based eclectic rock/pop/electronic animal unleashed by Andrew and fellow TSO vocalist Chloe Lowery, with their debut EP set to be released March 5th. Here, Andrew talks in detail about the Chameleon project - it's inception, writing/recording process, and live ambitions. He talks about the collaborative effort with Chloe, and how the duo works together. Andrew also talks a bit about his involvement with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as well as some of his personal musical background. Make sure to visit Chameleon online at www.wearechameleon.com for more on the band, as well as to download their debut EP for free, on March 5th. Thanks so much to Andrew for the chat, and I wish him and Chloe the best of luck with their new endeavor!

Listen To The March 2013 Interview With Andrew Ross:

G. Love Talks Growing Up Philly, Career Overview, In New Chat

Here's an interview I did with Philadelphia garage-blues/hip-hop mashup innovator G. Love. In the nearly 20-minute interview done last fall before G's solo gig at Allentown', PA's Crocodile Rock, he talks about all things career-related, including finding his unique sound/influences, making records, the 20 years since his first album, collaborating with The Avett Brothers, and his band - Special Sauce. G's influence can be felt today on artists like Jack White, and even Kid Rock, of whom G talks abut meeting here. He also says that after his "Fixin' To Die" effort with The Avett Brothers in 2010, his next album will be of the Special Sauce variety. Thanks so much to G, and I promise, the article that this interview was supposed to be a part of will be out soon! Check out G at www.philadelphonic.com.

Listen To The November 2012 Interview With G. Love:

Tom Keifer Steps Out With "The Way Life Goes"

Welcome to a new interview, finally. It's been a while. Writing gigs have been taking up much of my time, which is exactly where this interview comes into play. This is a new interview with Cinderella frontman/guitarist Tom Keifer, done for an as-yet-to-be-named magazine article. The focus of the interview is Tom's upcoming debut solo album, "The Way Life Goes," due in April. The album, has been years in the making. The most serious detour occurred when Tom experienced vocal cord problems, almost silencing him completely. Eventually working his voice back into shape, he set to work in his adopted hometown of Nashville with wife Savannah and some hardcore Music City writers to make the record - all of which he talks about here. Tom also chats about the inspirations and instrumentation found within the record, which is a blend of rock, blues, country, and pure troubadour soul - longtime Cinderella fans may find the record closest resembling "Heartbreak Station." Looking further into the nearly 30-minute interview, Tom talks Cinderella, and his reflections of the band's club days in Philadelphia - it's a complete chat that goes full circle into his career. Tom's about to embark on his debut solo tour. Look for dates at www.tomkeifer.com.

Listen To The January 2013 Interview With Tom Keifer:

 

Doro Gets Ready To Raise A Fist

Here's a new October 2012 interview with Doro Pesch, in advance of her new CD "Raise your Fist," due out in North America November 6th. In the 20-minute interview, Doro talks up her latest CD, including the writing and recording processes behind it, and why she's maintained a somewhat prolific musical output. Other topics include the standout guest performances on the record - this time out she teams up with Lemmy and Firewind's Gus G. She also talks about her past collaborations with people like the late Peter Steele and Tarja Tarunen. Doro uses the term "anthem" to describe her music quite often, and she talks about the impact her "anthems" have on a live audience, as well as what they mean to her. She also talks a bit about a non-music endeavor with a movie role in the second installment of  "Anuk: The Path Of The Warrior, for which she recently wrapped filing in Europe. Doro is set to begin a North American tour early in 2013. Her live dates can be seen at her website, www.doromusic.de. Thanks so much to Doro for the chat, she's an artist full of life and pure enthusiasm for her fans and her music.

Listen To The October 2012 Interview With Doro Pesch:

Lil' Ed Part Of Blast Furnace Blues Festival

Welcome to a new September 2012 interview with Lil' Ed Williams of Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials. For 25 years now, Ed and the boys have been cranking out that genuine, houserockin' music that has made Ed synonymous with his label home, Alligator Records. In this nearly 30-minute interview in advance of the Blues Imperials' appearance at the Blast Furnace Blues Festival September 15 in Bethlehem, PA, Ed talks about his career in the blues. He gives insight into his beginnings in Chicago, working at a car wash, to his influences (which include his legendary uncle J.B. Hutto), his initial meeting with Alligator's Bruce Iglauer, and the chemistry that makes his band tick. Ed also gives an honest assessment of career longevity, songwriting, recording, and the state of the blues in 2012. A funny, warm, and genuine guy, Ed's one of the true characters in the blues today - do try and catch the live show, as he never disappoints or leaves a single person sitting down. Ed's latest album, "Jump Start," is out now on Alligator. Thanks to Ed for the chat and the fine folks at Alligator for setting it up. The Blast Furnace Blues Festival link is located here. The man behind it is Michael Cloeren, also head cat at the Pennsylvania Blues Festival and Philadelphia Folk Festival - Michael knows how these festivals work, and he does some great stuff behind the scenes. Lil' Ed's Facebook is located here - check out him and the band online.

Listen To The September 2012 Interview With Lil' Ed Williams:

 

Steve Vai Continues Musical Trilogy With "The Story Of Light"

Here's a new August 2012 interview with master guitarist Steve Vai. August brings the release of Vai's "The Story Of Light" album, the second installment of a seemingly cryptic trilogy, began on his 2005 release "Real Illusions: Reflections." In this 20-minute interview, Vai talks about the trilogy's inception, and what he'd like to do with the remaining third part (and the release after that as well). This second installment is notable as it contains some very cool "Vai blues," if you will. A very cool, haunting cover of Blind Willie Johnson's "John The Revelator" is given the maniacal Vai treatment, with a lead vocal by Beverly McClellan, finalist of TV's "The Voice" competition. That track segues into the equally gripping Delta voodoo of "Book Of The Seven Seals," Vai explains how the two tracks are intertwined and what he did sonically to achieve the effects on each. Other topics include his love of composing, his thoughts on young musicians and music theory, and his career to this point (Whitesnake, David Lee Roth, Frank Zappa, etc.). Steve's in the midst of a North American tour - visit www.vai.com for dates and more.

Listen To The August 2012 Interview With Steve Vai: