Interviews

Adrian Smith on Smith Kotzen, 50 Years of Iron Maiden & Playing Metallica Legend's 'Greeny' Guitar

15/12/2025

As guitarist and song writer for Iron Maiden, Adrian Smith has forged a path as one of the most revered players in metal. His long partnership with childhood friend Dave Murray, and amigo Janick Gers has endured for decades, but in 2021 he joined up with Shrapnel shredder Richie Kotzen to form hard rock blues duo Smith Kotzen. Two and a half albums in, they show no signs of slowing. "Working with him really brings out the best in me", he affirms as we sit down for a chat over Zoom. We joined Adrian to talk about Smith Kotzen, how it felt to play Metallica man Kirk Hammet's legendary 'Greeny', deep tracks, and Maiden's 50th anniversary celebrations. Scars; Eamon O' Neill.

Photo; Darren McLoughlin

Thin Lizzy & Dare Man Darren Wharton Reveals Why He's Still a Renegade

9/12/2025

Joining Thin Lizzy in 1980, Darren Wharton added a new sonic layer to the band's tapestry. Featuring on studio albums including 'Chinatown', and 'Thunder and Lightning', he's named his Lizzy tribute act after their 1981 set 'Renegade'. The band are now set to headline a special concert in Dublin remembering forty years since Phil Lynott's passing, for what promises to be a very special event. "It's going to be a hell of a night", he enthuses, as we settle in for a chat. We caught up with Darren to talk about the show, his Thin Lizzy memories, and the highs and lows of post-Lizzy project Dare. Cold sweat; Eamon O'Neill.

Members of R.E.M, Queens of the Stone Age and Mad Season Unite as Drink the Sea

2/12/2025

The term 'supergroup' is all too freely bandied about, but in a band where its members have been involved in such towering releases as 'Automatic For The People', 'Songs For The Deaf', and the self-titled albums by Screaming Trees and Mad Season, Drink the Sea are truly worthy of the moniker. Coming together with a focus on song writing, they've released not one, but two albums ahead of their debut tour. "It was just this very natural, organic process of recording songs with some of my favourite people that also happened to be incredible musicians", says mastermind Barrett Martin casually, as we sit down for a chat. We caught up with Barret, and bandmates Peter Buck, Alain Johannes, and Duke Garwood to talk about the project, their pasts, and what lies ahead. Meteors; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Tad Fettig

Dave Hill Delves into Slade's History & Why He Had to Carry On Alone

22/11/2025

There's living legends, and then there's Slade. One of the biggest bands of the '70s, they scored a run of hits to rival the greats, going on to influence everyone from Oasis to Kiss to Twisted Sister. It wasn't always a given however, particularly in the wake of the horrific car crash suffered by drummer Don Powell that almost ended the band; "we survived and moved on to make more records, and we carried on together until obviously, we had a massive comeback", he says almost unbelieving as we sit down for a chat. Telling us why he's continuing the band's legacy with a new tour, and forthcoming solo album, we caught up with the guitarist and singer.

Photo; Barry Plummer

Betty Boo on Life, Loss & Why She's Back Doin' the Do

9/11/2025

A cartoon explosion of sound and vision, rapper, singer and producer Betty Boo made her mark with debut album 'Boomania', and hits 'Doin' the Do' and 'Where Are you Baby?' in 1990. Awards and platinum albums followed, yet she stepped away from it all following the release of 'GRRR! It's Betty Boo' in 1992. "I gave away all my recording equipment", says the artist better known as Alison Clarkson to those closest to her; "I thought; that's it done and dusted, finished!" But she wasn't, and with the re-release of her first two albums in 2025 she's going out on her first proper British tour. We caught up with her to discuss her success, working with Blur's Alex James, and why she's back doin' the do. Hoodlum; Eamon O'Neill.

Back After Personal Tragedy, Steve Morse Sets the Record Straight on 'Triangulation', Deep Purple & More

4/11/2025

Steve Morse has been through it all since stepping back from Deep Purple in 2022. Initially taking a temporary hiatus from the band to tend for his wife Janine who was battling cancer at the time, he eventually announced his permanent departure a few months later. However with 'Triangulation', his new solo release, the Ohio native is getting back to what he does best; tasteful licks, wailing leads and rocking riffs. "Picking up the pieces and finally having that sense of purpose and drive again after seeing the band I was with for twenty-eight years, Purple just ride off into the sunset without me, it feels really good to have my musical gang again", he confesses as we sit down for a chat. Talking the album, the emotional impact of the track 'Taken by an Angel', and his favourite Deep Purple album, we caught up with Steve Morse.

Photo; Nick Neresov

Hugh Cornwell Talks about the Creation of 'Nosferatu'; his 1979 Collaboration with Robert Williams

30/10/2025

Hugh Cornwell has always subverted expectations, whether as a solo artist, front man for The Stranglers, or in his collaborations. There's perhaps no greater example than 'Nosferatu', the cult classic created with Captain Beefheart drummer Robin Williams in 1979. A challenging release, Hugh's performing it in full, for the first time on his 2025 UK tour. "I never thought that it could ever be played live, but here we are able to do it", he confesses, as we sit down for a chat. We joined the original Maninblack to talk the album's creation, reflect on the enduring pull of hits like 'Golden Brown' and 'Nice 'N' Sleazy', and how his new record promises to challenge and surprise his audience once again. Walking on the beaches; Eamon O'Neill.

From The Royal We to Faith No More; Roddy Bottum Discusses His New Memoir

29/10/2025

As founder Faith No More alongside bassist Billy Gould and drummer Mike Bordin, Roddy Bottom brought the "pretty" to the band's abrasive sound. "My band was taking pride in our disdain for each other", even at the height of their fame however, as he discloses in his new memoir 'The Royal We'. A vivid dive into his life, his art, and his years with Faith No More, the book captures the band’s raw energy, their ground breaking sound, and the chaos behind it all; from addiction and personal turmoil and more. But this is Roddy's story, not the band's and it goes much further, and is bursting with honesty and emotion. We caught up with the keyboardist, song writer, and actor to discuss the process. Just a man; Eamon O'Neill.

Vernon Reid Summons 'Hoodoo Telemetry' on New Solo Album

3/10/2025

Vernon Reid needs little introduction. Best known as a founding member of Living Colour, he's also one of the most respected players of a generation, having worked with everyone from Mick Jagger to Donald Byrd to Public Enemy, Jack Bruce, and many more. Readying his first solo release in two decades, we were supposed to be talking 'Hoodoo Telemetry', but the discussion got so much deeper; from dissecting the history of recorded music from jazz to hop hop to metal, to blurring the lines into philosophy and art. Touching also on his appearance at Ozzy Osbourne's final stand at Back to the Beginning, we caught up with Vernon Reid. Cult of personality; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Justin Borucki.

Alex Skolnick Discusses his Journey into Jazz & His Trio's New Album

26/9/2025

As guitarist for Testament, Savage, and - briefly - Ozzy Osbourne, Alex Skolnick more than made his mark in the '80s and '90s, but it wasn't enough. Returning to study at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music in 1998, he focused on jazz guitar, forming The Alex Skolnick Trio as the new millennium arrived. About to release their sixth album 'Prove You're Not a Robot', we sat down with the guitar player's guitar player for a chat about his musical journey, the recording of the album, and why his return to Testament in 2008 is better than the first time around. Asking for a friend; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; D. Randall Blythe.

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