WARRANT
Nothin'
to say?
(an interview with Erik
Turner)
Link
to WARRANT:
http://www.warrantweb.net
Hi Erik,
Let's talk about the current album UNDER THE INFLUENCE. Which one‘s idea was
UNDER THE INFLUENCE?
We were doing the Poison tour and wanted a record to go along the tour. We thought it would be cool to do covers that we grew up on.
And what’s your favourite cover version on this record?
My favorite is... i think some of the songs we play live are cool like SURRENDER.
The band added two brandnew songs on this album. SUB HUMAN and FACE are really great tracks – maybe a bit "back to the roots" and would also fit on an album like DOG EAT DOG. So what can we expect from the upcoming album?
Hard to say until we get into the studio and start recording – never know the direction until we start.
Hell, and I thought you're actually recording... I mean, the last regular record was BELLY TO BELLY (1996), since then WARRANT only released a live-album and a BEST OF (LATEST & GREATEST) and a few months ago the cover album UNDER THE INFLUENCE. What did you take so long for going to the studio for recording NEW songs?
Good question no specific answer – schedules and touring are the main reasons for. It’s hard to record with our tour schedule. Then when we get off the road, you want to rest, but then another tour comes up!
Has the band already found a label for the new WARRANT record?
No we have not – we’ll see what happens.
Can you tell us some song titles / working title of the album?
Not yet!
How many records did you sell all over the years (your fans want to know if you are doing fine)?
Over 7 million world-wide – 5 top 40 hits, 5 top 40 MTV videos.
In 1995 WARRANT played the OUT IN THE GREEN-Festival here in Switzerland. Maybe I am wrong, but I guess this was the only time the band played in Switzerland. Can you still remember shows like this or is this something like "Who cares, maybe we've played there!?"?
That is the only time we were there and we did have a great time – we always remember the cool places we have been!
Must be more than 5 years since WARRANT played in Europe. Did you forget about your european fans?
Never forget – not right opportunities to go back yet – soon we hope to go back.
The first BEST OF album the band released was called BEST OF WARRANT (what else?). Had the band the opportunity to chose the songs containing this album?
No we didn’t choose, that was the label – I didn’t even hear about it till after.
The second Best Of album called LATEST & GREATEST from 1999 contains some remixes of Warrant Songs. Specially the remix of SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK surprised me. How did the band get in contact with Tony James of SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK?
Through deadline records – they did alot of of remixes on that label and they hooked us up.
WARRANT have been part of the Glam Slam Metal Jam. How were the fans´ reactions on this?
The tour was fun – crowds great – good package that we put together.
Any funny story from the Glam Slam Metal Jam tour?
Not really – a lot of traveling and work!
Anyway... WARRANT will do the ROCK FEST TOUR 2002 together with DOKKEN, L.A. GUNS, RATT & FIREHOUSE. What do you expect from this tour?
Hopefully it will go well and we have a good time. That’s what we want the most.
Will the ROCK FEST TOUR 2002 also come to europe one day?
Never know – it depends, I guess – on what? I am not sure. It would be great to take it there.
Yeah... and we'd love to see you guys here in Europe! Does it really bother you to play "Cherry Pie"? To me this song is sort of THE Sunset Strip Anthem...
It never bothers me to play any of our songs – they are my babies – I love them all!
Personally, I like BELLY TO BELLY, unfortunately WARRANT failed with this record. Was the reason the change of style? Was a change of the band name never a topic?
Lot of different factors can be the reason – a lot liked it, like you, but I guess not enough did – if you are known for a certain sound then people expect you to never change – some people don’t like changes.
My favourite WARRANT albums are DOG EAT DOG (with some of the best lyrics ever) and BELLY TO BELLY. Which ist your personal WARRANT masterpiece? And why?
I love them all = they are my kids.
What happened to the JABBERWOCKY project from Jani? Do you know anything about it? Does it still exist?
Ask Jani – I don’t get involved in anything he does seperately.
Well, we'll do so - if we'll ever get the chance to talk to Jani. Is there a Warrant album you regret now?
No – What was recorded was what was going on each moment of our career – It is like a recorded timeline of where we are at.
Let’s talk about the official WARRANT website. I think a lot of fans would love to see more updates, specially in the news section...
All we do is tour – go to the tour page – that is our updates. If they are looking for a monthly newsletter, that would be tough for us personally, due to our commitments.
Everybody is talking about rock music becoming "hip" again. Do you see any chances for a new band with 80s glam or sleaze influence?
Of course – if the song is good, they get a big label and mtv – there is a definite chance!
Well, that’s it! Thanx 4 takin‘ time, Erik! Hope to see you guys here in Europe very soon!
Questions/Thoughts? (or whatever):