Interviews

From Elvis to AC/DC via Jimmy Page; Chris Slade Takes Us Through His Timeline.

24/9/2024

Chris Slade, as will transpire, has nothing left to prove. Having played with some of the biggest names in music history, the drummer now spends his time with his own Timeline; a band he loves with the same passion as any of his others. Back with a new album, 'Timescape' has seen him become more involved in the song writing, as well as singing. "It was a revelation to me that that was coming, and it was coming fairly easily", he reveals as we sit down for a chat over Zoom. Talking the new material, his early days of being headhunted by Elvis, to working in the '80s with Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page, to his stints with AC/DC, we joined Chris for a chat about his storied career. On the razor's edge; Eamon O'Neill.

Metal Queen Doro on Surviving the '80s, Working with KISS & her 40th Anniversary Plans.

10/9/2024

With almost four decades spent fronting both Warlock and her own solo band, Doro is the undisputed metal queen. Making waves in the '80s with the celebrated metal act, Ms Pesch was the fist woman onstage at the Monsters of Rock Festival in the U.K., a fact she still finds hard to believe even today. Taking to the stage at Stonedead Festival, we sat down with Doro for a chat about her current work, plans for the future, the messy court case that ended Warlock, and working with Gene Simmons. Burning the witches; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media.

Riverdog Rob Lamothe Talks His New Solo Album & Working with a Def Leppard Legend.

15/8/2024

Singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Rob Lamothe rose to fame as the lead vocalist for the Los Angeles rock band Riverdogs. His 1996 soul-stirring debut solo album, 'Gravity' introduced an introspective side to his song writing, exploring the human experience and blending folk, rock, blues, and Americana with deep, reflective lyrics. An award-winning artist, he has shared stages with everyone from Guns' n' Roses to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra & Ron Sexsmith. He continues to create soulful, raw and authentic new sounds for music connoisseurs. We caught up with Rob for a chat about collaborating, working closely with Vivian Campbell, and his current projects. Riverdog; Eamon O'Neill.

Back with a New Band, John Bush Talks Category 7, Plans for a Rockabilly Album & the Ever-Lingering Busthrax Question.

19/7/2024

With veteran musicians from bands as Anthrax, Armored Saint, Adrenaline Mob, Machine Head, Overkill, Exodus, and Shadows Fall, it’s hard not to think of Category 7 as metal's newest a supergroup. Releasing their self-titled debut album in July 2024, they're ready to unleash a new era of heaviness; "It's really heavy and powerful", says front man John Bush as we sit down for a chat. Talking how the new band came about, the creation of the album, and giving an update on his plans to tour his Anthrax era, as well as an unlikely rockabilly collaboration, we caught up with the nicest man in metal. In a zone; Eamon O'Neill.

"A Blessed Trip": Billy Ocean Talks the Songs that Shaped his Career.

18/7/2024

Billy Ocean is a musical treasure. Decorated for his work with an MBE, a Lifetime Achievement Award from MOBO, an Oscar, and countless other accolades, the Trinidadian-born British singer and songwriter has more than made his mark on music. Scoring his biggest hits in the 1980s, he's preparing to hit the stage at this summer's celebration of that most colourful decade, Rewind Festival. Talking his fascinating career, recording with one of rock's biggest producers, and working with some of the world's biggest movie stars, we sat down with Billy for a chat. On the run; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Press.

Tony Hadley Talks Summer, Swing, Spandau & Supergroups.

8/7/2024

With a voice as towering as the man himself, 6 ft 4 in Tony Hadley made his mark on a string of hits with Spandau Ballet in the 1980s. From 'True' to 'Gold' to 'Only When You Leave', the Londoner gave the new romantic act a classy edge that he's now carried forward into his latest swing and big band projects; "Sometimes I put my swing head on, and other times I put my rock head on", he tells us as we sit down for a chat. Talking this summer's touring plans, his love of hard rock, and a tantalising supergroup featuring members of Toto and Blondie, we caught up with Tony Hadley. Through the barricades; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Press.

Clare Grogan On Reclaiming Altered Images & Playing Father Ted's Most Infamous Feminist.

5/7/2024

Clare Grogan has worn many hats; actor, author, presenter, but music is her first love. "Nothing quite compares to walking on stage in front of those crowds.", she says as we sit down for a chat. Looking forward to her appearance at Rewind Festival this summer, the Altered Images star chats the return of the band, their album first album in four decades 'Mascara Streaks', and playing Craggy Island's Niamh Connolly. In the land of Tír na nÓg; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Ed Fielding.

'80s Sensation Katrina Looks Forward to Rewind 2024 & Discusses the Massive Success of 'Walking on Sunshine'.

7/6/2024

With over 750 million plays on Spotify at the time of writing, Katrina and the Waves' 'Walking on Sunshine' is among the biggest songs of the 1980s. Featuring the vocals and guitar of Katrina Leskanich, it's the perfect distillation of happiness. "It's an occasion song, so when the sun shines, or it's a party, it's a feel-good thing", says the singer as we sit down for a chat. Previewing her appearance at Rewind Festival in August, we caught up with the American-born, UK resident for a chat about the recording of the monster track, her unlikely connection to Ozzy Osbourne, and nostalgia for "ugly dad dancing". Back for the weekend; Eamon O'Neill.

Thin Lizzy Gunslinger Scott Gorham Discusses His Artwork, 21 Guns & Some Lesser Known Lizzy Gems.

22/5/2024

Best known for his incredible work as "the man on the left" with Thin Lizzy, Scott Gorham has put down the Les Paul and picked up the paint brush for the launch of his first ever art collection. Featuring a series of surrealistic images conceived as far back as the 1980s, the guitarist is showcasing a new side to his talent; "I hadn't even shown my wife anything until three and a half years ago", he says, as we sit down for a chat over Zoom. Talking the collection, some lost Lizzy gems, the failure of 21 Guns, and how he's putting pen to paper to tell his life story, we sat down with the one and only Scott Gorham. Waiting for an alibi; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Jimmy Little Jnr.

Billy Idol Guitarist Billy Morrison Steps Out With Star-Studded Solo Set.

10/4/2024

London-born guitarist Billy Morrison has worked with the best. Spending the last 15 years as co-gunslinger to Steve Stevens in Billy Idol's band, he's also worked with The Cult, and was a key player in Camp Freddy; the legendary jam collective that featured some of the biggest names in music. Releasing a new album under his own name, for 'The Morrison Project' - released 19th April 2024 - he's even roped in best mate Ozzy Osbourne, as well as a number of others from his impressive phone book. Chatting the album, as well as his storied career, we caught up with Billy via Zoom.

Photo: Jane Stuart.