Category Archives: Interviews
Ryan Roxie – Rock Zone Exclusive
Ryan Roxie, Casablanca and Alice Cooper guitarist, recently joined me on the line from his home in Sweden to talk about Casablanca, his work with Alice Cooper and to chew the fat about rock and roll and his career in music.
Interview With Micki Free
We recently reviewed the new CD by Micki Free (http://www.rock-zone.co.uk/2012/04/04/micki-free-electric-blues-tattoo-burn/) where his awesome take on the blues visiting all the influences of his amazing career (discovered by Gene Simmons, part of Shalamar, Grammy award winner, etc, etc, etc) was one of our favourite releases of the year so far.
Philip Sayce Talks to Rock-Zone UK
Philip Sayce has made a big impact in the music world, with great things written about him in various aspects of the music press. Guitar magazines rave about the sublime guitar work whilst the likes of Classic Rock talk about the singing and songwriting. Philip’s new album Steamroller has just been released and now we are pleased to say he has taken time-out to talk to Rock-Zone UK.
** EXCLUSIVE – Rock Sugar Talk to Rock-Zone UK **
1989 should have been the best year ever for Rock Sugar, the big haired heavy metal band that had just broken the top 41 on the rock radio charts with their solid brass debut album “Bang You Like A Drum”. But instead of headlining concerts, Rock Sugar made the headlines when they were presumed lost forever after playing an extremely ill advised gig celebrating the bat mitzvah of 13-year-old Lisa Rosenberg.
Shortly after the chorus of Rock Sugar’s second song “Nail You Like A Hammer”, a drunken and violent brawl broke out involving the band, the rabbi, a clown, the captain, a guy in an Smurf costume, Schlomo and well over a hundred infuriated and now thoroughly sexually confused children. In the midst of the fight, as Jesse, the lead singer, was pummeling the Smurf and no one was steering the damned ship anymore, it struck an undersea stone wall. As the boat was sinking, the extremely unhappy and now yacht less Schlomo refused to let Rock Sugar climb aboard the life rafts to safety.
** EXCLUSIVE – John Parr talks to Rock Zone UK **
Few musicians from England have made such a mark on America as John Parr. Calling the USA his second home, he has spent decades building a successful career working with some of the biggest stars in the business, including Meatloaf, Heart, The Beach Boys, Celine Dion, Rob Lowe, Tina Turner as well as writing songs for films including ‘Three Men and a Baby’ ‘Running Man’ and ‘St. Elmo’s’ Fire’, where his song became a No. 1 hit Worldwide and gained John many awards.
Currently touring the UK in the musical “American Anthems” and recording his next album, John kindly took time out of his busy schedule to talk exclusively to Rock Zone UK.
Toby Jepson Interview
Toby Jepson Interview
Toby very kindly sat down and did an interview for Rock Zone UK discussing social networks, tattoos and of course the reformation of Little Angels.. among other things!
First off thank you for agreeing to do this interview with us it’s much appreciated! How are you and where are you right now? Very well thanks, enjoying a lazy Sunday morning.
Do you still live in Scarborough? I do, and have for nearly 12 years now. Love it here.
Where is your favourite place to be in the world? Home. My wife calls me the reluctant Rock star, in as much as I’m a home bird and love being here with the family more than anything, but have this calling to sing and perform which takes me away quite a lot of the time. It’s a balancing act.
INTERVIEW – Drew Stevyns
Rock Zone UK has taken to this young man quite a lot in the last couple of months. The CD blew us away and yes we’ve
been raving about him ever since! Drew Stevyns very kindly took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his experience on American’s Got Tallent and what it will take to get a UK tour out of him!
Where are you in the world right now?
I am in Baltimore, MD which is about 45 minutes from Washington D.C.
Tell us a little about who Drew Stevyns is!
I am a singer/songwriter who believes in the authenticity of music. I have been singing since the age of 2.Music has to be honest. It has to be based on what the writer feels or has experienced in their own life.
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Who are your musical influences?
Nirvana, Beatles, Elvis Presley
Does it upset you when you’re ‘compared’ to another artist? (Such as me saying you sound like a more intense Chad Kroger! lol)
No, it does not upset me at all. It is natural to be compared to someone else that a person can identify with.
Now, as you know I stumbled upon your music quite by accident (And what a great accident that was!) But I’ve since discovered you were on America’s Got Talent!!!!!
I usually stay WAY clear of those shows when they’re shown in the UK basically because of the way they treat the ‘underdogs’. I really do not like those shows but… now you’ve gone and messed up my rep man!!! LOL
What was it like? You got right through to the final right?I made it to the Top 10 on Season 4 of America’s Got Talent. It was a roller coaster of emotions. There was a lot of waiting and rehearsals but I got to meet some really cool people.
I saw a few of your appearances on Youtube covering The Fray and The Pretenders; both awesome songs! Do you get to choose those songs and which of all the covers you performed on AGT do you like the most?
Thank you. You do not have a lot of say in which songs you perform. It is mainly up to the producers of the show.
What has happened since the shows finished have you had an enormous response? (Like we think you should have!!)
I have had a couple of opportunities that have come as a direct result of the show but mostly I have just continued trying to be the best singer/songwriter that I can be.
I read you spent some years in England as a child how did you come to be over here and please come back!!!
I spent several years in the UK as a kid because of my father’s work.
So are you signed and ready to take the world by storm?
I am not signed to a label. I am still working hard to put out good music and hope that it speaks for itself. We are all hoping for out big chance but the reality is that there are a lot of very talented musicians out there.
Have you had much response from this side of the pond?
I have some really great fans from the UK.
What will it take to get you touring over here? (Well do anything to help that happen!!!)
I would love to be able to someday perform in the UK. As with all artists, it takes resources and the fans making their voices heard.
Anything else youd like to add?
Thank you very much for this interview. I hope that people will check out my music on my website atwww.drewstevynsmusic.com.
Thank YOU Drew for taking the time to do an interview for us. We hope you do get over to the UK sometime soon and anything we can do to help make that happen we certainly WILL!
Everyone go check out Drew’s website and youtube and facebook and EVERYTHING because his music is awesome and he’s a bloody nice bloke aswell! ! 
Haha thanks Drew!
Interview with Paul Phillips – Puddle Of Mudd
Puddle Of Mudd are set to release an album of covers AND tour the UK in October after a long time away! Guitarist Paul Phillips gave us a few minutes of his time to tell us what Download was like and what’s going on with the band!
How was Download?
It was a little rough for us. We had extreme technical difficulties that sometimes happen on festival dates with no soundchecks and quick set changes. We basically had no monitors and my pedal board and wireless crapped out on me. We got through it and were honored to be there though. Looking forward to another one.
Do you think anyone noticed what was going on with your pedal and wireless? It hasn’t been mentioned in ANY reviews that I’ve read!
You know…I’m not sure. Probably some did and some didn’t. You just have to try and put on your happy face and keep going. I’m not always the best at that, but I try.
Did you get to see many of the other bands that were on?
I actually didn’t get to see one band. We had a shitload of press after our set and then I headed off on vacation.
Was it strange playing so early in the day?
It was a bit…yes, but that is what happens when you have great success somewhere and then “business associates” prevent you from going back for 7 or so years. You have to rebuild, so it’s all good.
Don’t worry you guys will be MUCH further up the bill this time next year !!!
Sounds good
I’ve seen a couple of interviews from the festival, did you do much press while you were over here and what vibe were you getting from the stuff you did do? Were you made to feel welcomed back to the UK?
Yeah, we did a bunch of press, and most of it was positive and welcoming. Most wanted to know why it had been so long. It was funny, a few asked if we had broken up and gotten back together. I was like…sure, whatever makes this sound more interesting. Ha
You told me previously that after Download you went to Paris and Amsterdam, was that a tourist thing or were you doing some PR work over there?
A little of both, but mostly vacation. I did some business with Monster Energy.
I saw that Doug was back with you guys is that a permenent thing?
I hope so.
In a recent interview you (or Wes) mentioned that you have new management. How is that working out because it seems to me as a fan, you really needed someone that was gonna go to bat for the band and particularly as a British fan, that wasn’t happening as far as we could see.
Night and day better. Obviously, our old management did some great things for us, but the relationship was frayed and the ideas were stale. We needed someone new with new ideas to come and give us the attention we need.
Does that mean we in the UK will actually get a CD release date for the next album?
Yes, and hopefully, all albums from here on out.
About bloody time too! All hail New Management!!Talking of the next album, I’ve heard it’s covers; what made you guys decide to do that?
We ended the last record cycle on such a bad note. Management problems, label problems, and we had come of a ridiculous tour called The Carnival of Madness. We needed a break, so we took 4 or 5 months off. It wasn’t long though before we started getting offers for summer tour dates. Since, we had nothing written, we thought we would do a few covers, so we would have something out there. Well, two lead to 14 that got cut down to 11. It was really just a fun idea that we dreamt up along with the big band tour to support it. A quick fun little thing. Something different to tie people over until the next original release.
Ive heard Shelter and it’s awesome. What’s the release date for the CD?
Thanks…August 30th in the states and a little later in the UK
Karen from puddleofmuddfanpage.com would like to ask: What song of Puddle of Mudd’s do you think has been covered the most?
Probably She Hates Me
From Karen: How do you think the fans of the original band songs you covered are going to react when they hear them, with respect POM did a great job, or that some songs just shouldn’t be redone by anyone?
I’m sure a bit of both. We tackled some heavyweights, and everytime you do that, you are asking to be crucified. We did everything we could to be respectful to these classics and not murder them. I think some will see that and be pleasantly suprised and I’m sure some will never give it a chance. So far, people seem pleasantly suprised with Shelter.
The UK tour is coming up in October and we can’t WAIT! There are quite a good selection of Dates there!
Not too many. It is just a quick little two week run, but we are trying to lay the groundwork to come over more frequently.
Last but not least, do you have a new Drummer and what happened with Ryan?
Yes we do his name is Shannon Boone, as for Ryan it was just one of those things that wasn’t working out, it happens sometimes.
Thanks SO much for the interview Paul!
The tour dates for October UK Tour with Soil are as follows:
Tickets at all usual outlets!
