Tweet
WE LISTENED TO BLACK COUNTRY'S NEW AFTERGLOW DRIVING TO ARTSAKH - DEREK SHERINIAN
http://news.am/eng/news/121356.html
September 18, 2012 | 00:23
Live performances of Derek Sherinian and Glenn Hughes in Yerevan and
Artsakh's capital city Stepanakert last week have been welcomed. While
they stayed in Armenia for a week, gourmets were anxious about the
setlist a month in advance: Variations of Burning My Soul or New
Millenium? Planet X harmonies? Platypus-style jazz licks? Sherinian
doesn't mind to be part of onstage democracy with an Armenian Dorians
band and contributes to their tracks onstage. Apparently there is
more than meets the musician's eye: Sherinian is open to producing
Dorians' next recording and to eyeing more Armenian bands, he told
in the interview to Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Half of Black Country Communion - you and Glenn Hughes - was there
in Yerevan and Stepanakert. Did you think about performing BCC with
Dorians?
Dorians wanted to do BCC songs and Deep Purple songs. They pretty much
knew how they wanted their set to go, and it looked pretty good. I
rehearsed with the band for a week, just prepared for the show. I
thought the show was great; it was a fantastic concert in Yerevan,
having Glenn come up with a bonus. Then we had a travel to Artsakh,
which was quite a drive, and the show there was great as well. And
then we had a meeting with the President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan.
Is he a rock music fan?
Yes, of course.
So the trip was cool, and I hope I can come and perform in Hayastan
[Armenia] much more in the future. There is a lot of talk about
me producing the next Dorians' record, which I am very excited to
do. And I would like to start working with more Armenian artists in
a production capacity.
Is the sound of Dorians close to what you are used to produce?
Yes, they are progressive rock, so I think it's great. I think Gor,
the lead vocalist, is incredible, and he's gonna be a superstar. I
think they need a great record to take them to the next level, and
I hope I can help them with that.
Frankly, there was slight disappointment about your piece of the
performance. There were only two large solos for the entire show...
Well, they have a great keyboard player, Arman, and I didn't want to
step on his toes at all. So my role was to lay a lot of B-3, and some
B-3 solos. I thought it rounded out the sound nicely.
Still it was great... But wonder how that would sound on your trademark
Nord synth.
Oh no, I didn't bring any equipment. I just played what they provided.
But you took your Monster lead pad?
Yes.
Can you please tell about the upcoming album of Black Country
Communion, the Afterglow? Is it already finished?
It is, and it will be out on October 30th, you can pre-order it now
online. The record sounds great, we listened to it driving to Artsakh,
and it sounded great. I think this is the best BCC release.
But it is not going to be the last one, is it? Glenn Hughes once told
that it could be the final record...
Yeah, in rock'n'roll you never know. I hope not. We'll see what
happens.
Is it like the previous two albums, bearing Deep Purple/Led Zeppelin
signature?
Yes, there was no departure from the sound.
...and the same dramatic lyrics by Glenn Hughes?
Yes.
Any guest performers?
No, just the band.
Can you tell about your new tour with Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan
and Tony MacAlpine?
Yes, actually I am practicing the songs now in my hotel room in
Yerevan. I'm very excited, I think this is going to be a great tour,
everyone is great, I have worked with all of these guys in some
capacity in the past, and I think we're going to have fun time.
How did you decide to team up?
Mike called me and Tony and Billy last January and asked to play at two
shows that were related to drum events. We played, and it was great,
a good vibe. And so we figured that it would be nice to bring the
show up to the world. And we put it together, which is very exciting.
You have been playing with MacAlpine for years. Has he changed in
style since?
He plays an 8-string guitar now, and is constantly getting better.
Has the lineup changed the architecture of the band?
Well, Virgil is a different drummer than Portnoy. So the music is not
like Planet X. We're doing a Planet X song, Apocalypse, from my first
solo record. But overall, it's a different band, and it's good thing
working with Tony. We work together for many years, and we know how
each other plays. It's a good thing.
Did you rehearse a lot together for the tour set, or have you composed
an entire setlist from scratch?
Mike pretty much figured out the setlist, he set us the songs, and
we'll have 2 days to rehearse in Poland before our first show.
Did you think about paying keyboards on Mac Alpine's self-titled
2012 LP?
Well, Tony plays his fantastic keyboards. I think he does all he needs.
What about a keyboard battle? As far as I remember, you have never
performed one on stage.
Oh, no. I'm battling him on guitar (laughs).
Would you like to have a more dominating keyboard sound, maybe in
some ELP-type power trio?
I don't know: I make music that I like to listen to. If you listen to
my 7 solo records, even though it is my record and I am in charge of
writing and producing it, I always have guitar as being a dominate
sound. I am just a fan of that. I don't listen to keyboard albums,
I get bored. I think keyboards have their place. Definitely I'm an
aggressive player, and I want my sound to be heard, but I don't want
to have everything backing me. I'm more of a team player. As long as
I am able to apply my style, I am content with that.
Still do you think there is any room for a keyboard hero in progressive
or metal world?
You know, keyboard hero is more like 70s - Keith Emerson etc - but you
can be a strong force in a band, be a keyboard player that is not just
some guy in the background. If that is what they call a hero, it's OK.
What do you think of the latest Dream Theater's A Dramatic Turn of
Events with Mike Mangini on drums?
I honestly haven't heard it. But I'm sure they put a lot of work in
it, and I'm sure it sounds great.
With exception of BCC, you have been performing instrumental music for
the last 12 years. Don't you miss vocal compositions, after parting
with DT and Platypus?
I love working with great vocalists, that's what I preferred. But a
lot of times I liked doing instrumental music. So, there are both.
It's cool working with Glenn in the Black Country Communion because
he's a fantastic singer.
Would you like again to lay a keyboard part on a piece of sophisticated
lyrics, like A Change of Seasons, or an entire concept album?
I don't know. Not really. I'd rather just play more 'normal' songs.
I'm finding my tastes are getting less and less progressive as I
get older. I just want to play more straightforward and memorable
stuff. I played a lot of notes in my career, and Planet X was even
more progressive, in some ways, than Dream Theater. That's just my
tastes changing as I'm getting older.
Would you like to be a leading force in some keyboard counterpart
of G3?
It would be great, I would definitely be open to that. But I honestly
think that it's all been talked about before, and I don't think this
will be successful enough to tour and that enough people will come.
But they come for Joe Satriani and others in G3.
It's different. Guitar is a different animal than keyboard. And I
don't think that a K3 would work. But if someone put it together and
it made sense, I would definitely be involved.
Have you thought about playing guitar parts of your own on your
albums? You play some guitar...
Me play guitar?..
Yes, in Nightmare Cinema...
Yes, but I'm just messing around, I don't play for real.
Any guitar players of the older generation you'd like to play? Jimmy
Page?
I'd love to play with JimmyPage. I think he's one of the greatest
ever. I'm always up to play with great musicians.
What about Jeff Beck?
I'd love to, I do all the time. I hope that it happens.
What's his first song on your wishlist to perform with him on stage?
Well, any of the classics: Wired, Blow By Blow... It would just be
great for me to play with my hero.
Has the music of the 60s influenced you in any way?
Absolutely, my parents always played The Beatles in the house when I
was a kid, so it's very present in my musical upbringing. Bob Dylan,
The Doors were in my house.
Have you ever thought about playing Fender Rhodes like Ray Manzarek?
I have a beautiful Fender Rhodes in a 1974 suitcase, I just bought it
six months ago. That's gorgeous, I love it. I won't take it on tour,
but it's in my studio for recording. I play Rhodes on Oceana and some
on the new Black Country record.
Do you think that the usage of Rhodes is fading?
Maybe so, but l love it. I have all vintage instruments - a beautiful
B-3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, clavinet, mellotron. I do love the
sound of these vintage instruments, it's great.
What about playing harpsichord on synth?
I'd love to. I played a real harpsichord, it's great.
We are anticipating your appearance on stage in Yerevan with Glenn
Hughes, Joe Bonamassa and Jason Bonham.
I hope so, I hope we can put it together soon because we've already
talked about it.
By Aram Gareginyan
http://news.am/eng/news/121356.html
September 18, 2012 | 00:23
Live performances of Derek Sherinian and Glenn Hughes in Yerevan and
Artsakh's capital city Stepanakert last week have been welcomed. While
they stayed in Armenia for a week, gourmets were anxious about the
setlist a month in advance: Variations of Burning My Soul or New
Millenium? Planet X harmonies? Platypus-style jazz licks? Sherinian
doesn't mind to be part of onstage democracy with an Armenian Dorians
band and contributes to their tracks onstage. Apparently there is
more than meets the musician's eye: Sherinian is open to producing
Dorians' next recording and to eyeing more Armenian bands, he told
in the interview to Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Half of Black Country Communion - you and Glenn Hughes - was there
in Yerevan and Stepanakert. Did you think about performing BCC with
Dorians?
Dorians wanted to do BCC songs and Deep Purple songs. They pretty much
knew how they wanted their set to go, and it looked pretty good. I
rehearsed with the band for a week, just prepared for the show. I
thought the show was great; it was a fantastic concert in Yerevan,
having Glenn come up with a bonus. Then we had a travel to Artsakh,
which was quite a drive, and the show there was great as well. And
then we had a meeting with the President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan.
Is he a rock music fan?
Yes, of course.
So the trip was cool, and I hope I can come and perform in Hayastan
[Armenia] much more in the future. There is a lot of talk about
me producing the next Dorians' record, which I am very excited to
do. And I would like to start working with more Armenian artists in
a production capacity.
Is the sound of Dorians close to what you are used to produce?
Yes, they are progressive rock, so I think it's great. I think Gor,
the lead vocalist, is incredible, and he's gonna be a superstar. I
think they need a great record to take them to the next level, and
I hope I can help them with that.
Frankly, there was slight disappointment about your piece of the
performance. There were only two large solos for the entire show...
Well, they have a great keyboard player, Arman, and I didn't want to
step on his toes at all. So my role was to lay a lot of B-3, and some
B-3 solos. I thought it rounded out the sound nicely.
Still it was great... But wonder how that would sound on your trademark
Nord synth.
Oh no, I didn't bring any equipment. I just played what they provided.
But you took your Monster lead pad?
Yes.
Can you please tell about the upcoming album of Black Country
Communion, the Afterglow? Is it already finished?
It is, and it will be out on October 30th, you can pre-order it now
online. The record sounds great, we listened to it driving to Artsakh,
and it sounded great. I think this is the best BCC release.
But it is not going to be the last one, is it? Glenn Hughes once told
that it could be the final record...
Yeah, in rock'n'roll you never know. I hope not. We'll see what
happens.
Is it like the previous two albums, bearing Deep Purple/Led Zeppelin
signature?
Yes, there was no departure from the sound.
...and the same dramatic lyrics by Glenn Hughes?
Yes.
Any guest performers?
No, just the band.
Can you tell about your new tour with Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan
and Tony MacAlpine?
Yes, actually I am practicing the songs now in my hotel room in
Yerevan. I'm very excited, I think this is going to be a great tour,
everyone is great, I have worked with all of these guys in some
capacity in the past, and I think we're going to have fun time.
How did you decide to team up?
Mike called me and Tony and Billy last January and asked to play at two
shows that were related to drum events. We played, and it was great,
a good vibe. And so we figured that it would be nice to bring the
show up to the world. And we put it together, which is very exciting.
You have been playing with MacAlpine for years. Has he changed in
style since?
He plays an 8-string guitar now, and is constantly getting better.
Has the lineup changed the architecture of the band?
Well, Virgil is a different drummer than Portnoy. So the music is not
like Planet X. We're doing a Planet X song, Apocalypse, from my first
solo record. But overall, it's a different band, and it's good thing
working with Tony. We work together for many years, and we know how
each other plays. It's a good thing.
Did you rehearse a lot together for the tour set, or have you composed
an entire setlist from scratch?
Mike pretty much figured out the setlist, he set us the songs, and
we'll have 2 days to rehearse in Poland before our first show.
Did you think about paying keyboards on Mac Alpine's self-titled
2012 LP?
Well, Tony plays his fantastic keyboards. I think he does all he needs.
What about a keyboard battle? As far as I remember, you have never
performed one on stage.
Oh, no. I'm battling him on guitar (laughs).
Would you like to have a more dominating keyboard sound, maybe in
some ELP-type power trio?
I don't know: I make music that I like to listen to. If you listen to
my 7 solo records, even though it is my record and I am in charge of
writing and producing it, I always have guitar as being a dominate
sound. I am just a fan of that. I don't listen to keyboard albums,
I get bored. I think keyboards have their place. Definitely I'm an
aggressive player, and I want my sound to be heard, but I don't want
to have everything backing me. I'm more of a team player. As long as
I am able to apply my style, I am content with that.
Still do you think there is any room for a keyboard hero in progressive
or metal world?
You know, keyboard hero is more like 70s - Keith Emerson etc - but you
can be a strong force in a band, be a keyboard player that is not just
some guy in the background. If that is what they call a hero, it's OK.
What do you think of the latest Dream Theater's A Dramatic Turn of
Events with Mike Mangini on drums?
I honestly haven't heard it. But I'm sure they put a lot of work in
it, and I'm sure it sounds great.
With exception of BCC, you have been performing instrumental music for
the last 12 years. Don't you miss vocal compositions, after parting
with DT and Platypus?
I love working with great vocalists, that's what I preferred. But a
lot of times I liked doing instrumental music. So, there are both.
It's cool working with Glenn in the Black Country Communion because
he's a fantastic singer.
Would you like again to lay a keyboard part on a piece of sophisticated
lyrics, like A Change of Seasons, or an entire concept album?
I don't know. Not really. I'd rather just play more 'normal' songs.
I'm finding my tastes are getting less and less progressive as I
get older. I just want to play more straightforward and memorable
stuff. I played a lot of notes in my career, and Planet X was even
more progressive, in some ways, than Dream Theater. That's just my
tastes changing as I'm getting older.
Would you like to be a leading force in some keyboard counterpart
of G3?
It would be great, I would definitely be open to that. But I honestly
think that it's all been talked about before, and I don't think this
will be successful enough to tour and that enough people will come.
But they come for Joe Satriani and others in G3.
It's different. Guitar is a different animal than keyboard. And I
don't think that a K3 would work. But if someone put it together and
it made sense, I would definitely be involved.
Have you thought about playing guitar parts of your own on your
albums? You play some guitar...
Me play guitar?..
Yes, in Nightmare Cinema...
Yes, but I'm just messing around, I don't play for real.
Any guitar players of the older generation you'd like to play? Jimmy
Page?
I'd love to play with JimmyPage. I think he's one of the greatest
ever. I'm always up to play with great musicians.
What about Jeff Beck?
I'd love to, I do all the time. I hope that it happens.
What's his first song on your wishlist to perform with him on stage?
Well, any of the classics: Wired, Blow By Blow... It would just be
great for me to play with my hero.
Has the music of the 60s influenced you in any way?
Absolutely, my parents always played The Beatles in the house when I
was a kid, so it's very present in my musical upbringing. Bob Dylan,
The Doors were in my house.
Have you ever thought about playing Fender Rhodes like Ray Manzarek?
I have a beautiful Fender Rhodes in a 1974 suitcase, I just bought it
six months ago. That's gorgeous, I love it. I won't take it on tour,
but it's in my studio for recording. I play Rhodes on Oceana and some
on the new Black Country record.
Do you think that the usage of Rhodes is fading?
Maybe so, but l love it. I have all vintage instruments - a beautiful
B-3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, clavinet, mellotron. I do love the
sound of these vintage instruments, it's great.
What about playing harpsichord on synth?
I'd love to. I played a real harpsichord, it's great.
We are anticipating your appearance on stage in Yerevan with Glenn
Hughes, Joe Bonamassa and Jason Bonham.
I hope so, I hope we can put it together soon because we've already
talked about it.
By Aram Gareginyan