HARDLINE
"My favorite band of all time is Thin Lizzy"
(Interview mit Michael T. Ross, Mai 2009)
Hi
Michael
“Leaving
the end open”, the new Hardline album sounds very “old school” in a
positive way. Many bands try to add new influences to their music and forget
about their “trademarks”. So personally I was really lucky to hear, that
Hardline still sound like Hardline J
Did you guys sit together and discussed the songwriting for “Leaving the end
open” or was it all a “natural proccess”?
Guitarist
Josh Ramos worked directly with our singer Johnny Gioeli on the material. Josh's
style of writing seemed naturally in line with the Hardline sound, so not sure
if it was a plan of action to lean more toward the original Hardline sound, but
I believe it just came about that way.
What’s
the meaning behind the title “leaving the end open”? Sounds like: “If the
album doesn’t sell good, the band will no longer exist!?”
I don't think it was intended to have that meaning but more simply looking at is as something indefinite.
How
long did it take to realize the new CD and where did you record it?
Well,
it has taken several years to complete this record, as Johnny has been so busy
with running his own company and continuing his duties as the frontman for Axel
Rudi Pell, which they put out a couple albums and many tours since starting
"Leaving The End Open". We recorded the drums at a studio in Orange
County, California (about one hour inland of Los Angeles). The vocals, guitars
and keys were recorded at Johnny's home studio. It was nice having Johnny
produce me on this record because he has such a great ear for melodic rock and
directed me well. Josh was there for many of the sessions and gave me a lot of
advise along the way, which made me sound as best as I could.
Even
if you probably LOVE every single song on “Leaving the end open”… do you
have a favorite track?
"Start
Again" is one of my favorites because it is a straight forward melodic rock
tune without being over-produced and not a million overdubs. Johnny's voice is
raw and crystal clear on the record and this song really shows that.
When
we did read the booklet of the new album, we missed the name Joey Gioeli… what
happened?
Although
Joey Gioeli (Johnny's brother) is a big part of Hardline it was an executive
decision between them not to have him apart of this record but not sure exactly
the reasons why. I do miss Joey on this record, as he is an amazing guitarist
and singer. I hope he does join us live when we eventually go out to tour.
Besides, seeing the two brothers together is something very magical between them
too and that is something so special, as we heard on the first two releases.
You
will tour with Lita Ford – the tour starts in a few days… Lita and you.. do
you know each other and do you already worked together?
I auditioned for Lita Ford last year this time in New York and got the gig. Ex- W.A.S.P. drummer Stet Howland also go the gig. We have JC on bass, and Greg Hampton on rhythm guitar completing the line-up.
(Michael & Lita Ford)
While
touring with Lita, you will share the stage with bands like Motley Crüe, Saxon,
Journey and Judas Priest – just to name a few! Any bands you’re looking
forward to see them playing live?
Beside talking ‘bout the tour… What’s your favorite bands actually?
My favorite band of all time is Thin Lizzy. The bassist Phil Lynott as most of us know passed away like 20 years ago but I still find myself listening to their cds weekly. Can't get enough of them. Some people just know them for their hit "Boys Are Back In Town", which is an amazing tune but I also like tunes that never seemed to get airplay like "Johnny The Fox" or Emerald." Another favorite of mine is Scorpions, even though they don't have keys, it is simply rock music at its best in my opinion.
What was the first and latest CD you have bought?
I can't really remember my first cd actually but it must have been either Deep Purple's Machine Head or Ted Nugent's Double Live Gonza. My last cd I purchased was China Blue "Twilight of Destiny". Tony Mill's vocals on it is awesome!!!
Please tell us about the cover artwork of “Leaving the end open”. It looks a bit “progressive”, so it would also fits perfectly to an album from Queensryche or Dreams Theater…Who made it and and what would you say with it?
This is the fine work of Nello Dell'Omo, who I only recently met. I had to email him congratulating him on such a great job. He is from Italy and works directly with our label Frontiers Records. I think it is very edgy and progressive looking and yet a bit mysterious as well.
A few questions before we talked about your tour dates with Lita Ford. What about live shows with Hardline? In these days of internet piracy isn’t it worth playing live?
You don't have to twist my arm to play out live with Hardline, haha. I have this conversation all the time with Josh Ramos and we've approached Johnny more than once about taking the band out live. Johnny has recently expressed his interest in playing live later this year in I believe Europe, so I have my fingers crossed. With a new album out and not touring since 2002, it is a win-win situation all the way around.
On the official Hardline myspace site is still a picture of the old line-up – also the site doesn’t look really professional (sorry) with a blue background and red letters… So how important is the the world wide web and of course myspace for a band like Hardline?
Although it is important to have updated sites, it is difficult to find a loyal webmaster who can take the time to keep everything current. It's not like you get a record deal and get a budget for one. We have had in the past fans who volunteered to do this task but eventually they drop off and we have to start all over. It can end up more of a headache when we have the music to worry about. with all the recordings and gigs. For us, I don't think a not so good looking myspace is going to slow down the popularity of the new release. Fans are directed to Frontiers' website and there are tons of CD reviews and interviews online to provide plenty of updated news. I remember when the .com site was so important to have, yet today, I see many top rated bands who don't have updated sites. There are so many shifts in what's hot and what's not. I found that myspace traffic has slowed down in favor of facebook, and I'm being told lately to start with twitter. When is it going to end? Besides, who wants to sit there for free and manage hundreds of emails and invites to events for several sites. I personally have an updated myspace and facebook and take pride in keeping it updated and looking good, but it is also time consuming and the codes are a pain in the ass.
You played in the Band Angel now I’ve heard that you’re working on a CD… is that right?
Yes, drummer Barry Brandt and I locked ourselves in a studio in Burbank California for about 2 years and wrote about 8 tunes that we are using for the new record. It is old Angel sounding and very epic with some of my progressive influences in there. Singer Frank DiMino sang scratch tracks on most of them and it sounds awesome. Our guitarist Steve Blaze wrote 5 songs along with Frank and bassist Randy Gregg wrote two songs. I really can't wait to get everything in order and get into the studio. This is a very special band to me, as I grew up listening to the mastermind behind the band Gregg Giuffria and been really influenced by his rock keyboards. So, to take his place like 20 years later has been a blessing to me.
You guys saw it all – the rise and fall of grunge, the comeback of traditional rock music, you guys played live all over the world… So if you’re thinking back… any highlights or painful stories to tell?
One time Angel played at the Dallas Hard Rock Cafe in Texas and after the show, we went back to our hotel. In the lobby, there was a big football game on the big screen tv with hundreds of drunk college guys. We were still dressed in our white outfits they all started talking shit. The highlight with Angel was when we played at Z7 in Switzerland with Sebastian Bach because it was Sebastian's first solo tour to Europe and the fans went crazy at the shows.
Michael & Johnny (2002)
Let’s talk a bit about the music biz… What do you think personally about the whole download-thing?
I think it is a good thing. It gets the music out there to markets where as before, the fans had trouble buying products if their local retail store didn't carry them. I always remembered in the past how I found myself searching for my favorite CDs in the local import shop anyway. I don't understand how composers complain about downloads, when these same guys were the ones complaining how the record labels ripped them off in the past. There is no immediate solution. I like how you can purchase just one track, instead of having to buy the entire CD. Before downloads, didn't the record labels keep all the money? If I'm not getting my share of it, I'd rather see the fans getting it for free, then the money going to a big corporation.
When you aren´t playing music what do you do in your spare time?
I don't get much of it with all the recording and traveling so this is going to be a short response. Hanging out with my girlfriend, playing with my cats and going on long walks in Venice Beach. And hanging out at the Rainbow on Sunset Blvd. on the weekends!!!!
At the end of our interview we sometimes have some kind of a game. I´ll give you some words and you tell us what comes to your mind…
Switzerland- Clean
USA- Sunset Blvd.
Casting Shows- Not for me
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens- YJM
Groupies- love 'em!!!!
Barack Obama- New beginning
Family- Important
Grunge- No thanks
Money- Makes the world go around
Holiday- Valentine's Day
Well that´s it... Any final words to our readers?
I appreciate being here and getting share what's going on in my keyboard world. You can catch me on the new LILLIAN AXE "Sad Day on Planet Earth", with the track "Within Your Reach" out June 2009 on Blistering Records.
Michael will be performing live with LITA FORD at the following European festivals
June
5th- Sweden Rock Festival
June 21- Metalway, Spain
June 26- Bang Your Head, Germany
June 27- Gods of Metal, Italy
June 30- Rockwave, Greece
For more information, please visit me at www.myspace.com/michaeltross.
(Interview by Ralph/Patrick)