Erik Turner Talks the Warrant Reunion

 Yesterday, I gave you a little update on the Warrant reunion, courtesy of my friend Gerry Gittelson. Today, a little Bring Back Glam! interview with Warrant guitarist Erik Turner. Erik chats about being back with Jani, playing guitar and a new Warrant CD and DVD. Transcription follows.

Bring Back Glam! What is the band vibe like now that singer Jani Lane is back behind the microphone?

Erik Turner: Authentic, kick ass pure Warrant, now that we have the original line up. The vibe is rock n roll!

BBG!: Are you planning on releasing an album of all new material with Jani?

ET: Hopefully next year there will be a brand new Warrant CD. We are planning on recording in the fall. We do have a new DVD in the works filled with classic footage.

BBG!: Tell about your reunion tour...and playing Rocklahoma.

ET: We are launching our tour in Nashville. The big summer tour will be with Cinderella, Lynch Mob and Lynam. See our site for tour dates: WarrantRocks.com.  Rocklahoma will be awesome.

BBG!: You are going on the road with Cinderella, Lynch Mob and Lynam. How did that tour take shape and what can fans expect from the quadruple billing show?

ET: Party Time!! The very first conversation took place between myself and Cinderella manager Tim back in November I believe.

BBG!: Warrant played Rocklahoma 2007 with Jamie St. James. This year, you'll play with Jani and Jamie will sing with his band Black n' Blue. How is the relationship between the two bands? Is there any chance Jamie will sing a song with Warrant as well?

ET: I don't think there will be a jam, but we all get along great and we are looking forward to seeing Black n' Blue.

BBG!: Give me some hints into the Rocklahoma set list.

ET: Songs from the first three CD's only.

BBG!: Warrant has a bit of a volatile past. Is this reunion a permanent arrangement?

ET: Ha, ha! Is anything permanent? Do I have a crystal ball... I wish! We all hope this line up lasts 'till Warrant plays their last show, but you never know in a rock n' roll band.

BBG!: You've been playing guitar for a very long time now. How often do you practice - outside of rehearsals before Warrant gigs?

ET: Since the reunion came together I have been inspired to practice again. I'm even taking lessons to learn how to read music. I look forward to rehearsals which is a big change!

BBG!: Do you have any advice for someone just picking up guitar?

ET: Have fun guitar hero! Play it loud and drive your neighbors crazy!

BBG!: Finally, where do you see Warrant one year from now?

ET: Hopefully, still together, rocking, recording and making some killer music for our fans!

Where the Down Boys Go

My good friend in Hollywood land, Los Angeles Daily News rock and sports writer Gerry Gittelson, has been a big supporter of Warrant since the group's early days on the Sunset Strip. Gittelson says he is thrilled singer Jani Lane has rejoined the band.

Gittelson hung out with the Down Boys on Wednesday in Los Angeles while the band was doing the Rockline radio show with legendary D.J.Bob Coburn.

"I haven't seen Warrant sounding this good and being this fired up since their first arena tour backing-up Motley Crue way back in 1990 or 1991," Gittelson reports. "It felt like we all fell into a time capsule. Everyone in the band looks great and is well-fit: Jani Lane, guitarists Erik Turner and Joey Allen, bassist Jerry Dixon and drummer Steven Sweet. Jani's voice sounded amazing. Listening to 'Heaven,' it sounded so believable it was like the band had wrote the song that afternoon!" Gittleson added.

Lucky Gerry is working on a Warrant feature for the Los Angeles Daily News and offers up a few quotes he jotted down.

From Jani: "I feel excellent. It was a little uncomfortable coming back after all this time, but once we had our first rehearsal a month or two ago, it just clicked. It was awesome. ... There was a part of me that thought this would never happen again, but I think we've all grown up. Eventually, we saw it was just a matter of time..."

From Erik Turner: "It's great to have all the guys together. This is the authentic Warrant. I used to dread going to rehearsal, but now I actually like going to rehearsal again. ... I started the band when I was 19 and I' m 44 now, so there are a lot of good memories and few blurry ones, too!"

Remember the 1991 Blood, Sweat and Beers tour? Yeah, I don't either, but it featured Warrant, Firehouse and Trixter. Thinking about the reunited Warrant led me to - where else? - YouTube to hunt down some of that concert footage. At the end of one of the shows, all the bands gathered on stage for a jam session to perform "Fight for Your Right" by the Beastie Boys (great tune)!

I believe this was shot in Lafayette, Indiana but I'm not sure. If you were in the crowd and saw this live - leave me a comment!

By the way...you can read Gerry's article in the coming weeks in both the print and online editions of the Los Angeles Daily News.  

I Guess Rocklahoma is Helping the Travel Industry...

So, the Rocklahoma organizers have added yet *another* day to this year's festival. That might be a good idea in theory...but in practice, it creates a travel nightmare for just about every person holding tickets. Right now, we're just over sixty days away from Rocklahoma. It would be one thing if the organizers announced some actual specifics for the "extra-extra" day, but they didn't and this has a lot of people up in arms. Most of the press release is posted below.

What do you think? I don't know if I'll be changing my travel plans...I hate to use yet another vacation day. I figure it will be another four hundred bucks for me to change all my travel plans. Sort of sucks considering money is hard to come by for everyone these days. Also, UFO isn't on the release, but I am guessing that was just an oversight...then again, I'm not sure.

PRYOR, OK— Catch the Fever Music Festivals announced that due to the overwhelming response from members of the rock community and their fans, a fifth day has been added to Rocklahoma.  Director of Operations of the Pryor Creek Music Festival Dave Giencke enthusiastically stated, " Rocklahoma is bringing to the world what cannot be found at any other festival in the world!"
 
Details of Wednesday's events will be announced in the upcoming days.
 
Over 100 bands will be performing on three giant stages over the five days.  Rocklahoma's current lineup on the main stage is: 
 
Thursday (opening night for those who have bought three day tickets) Bret Michaels, Sebastian Bach, Dokken, L.A. Guns featuring Tracii Guns, Enuff Z' Nuff, Vain, House of Lords and Jet Boy.
 
Friday:  Triumph, Extreme, Lita Ford, Night Ranger, Kingdom Come, Armored Saint and XYZ.
 
Saturday:  Cinderella, the reunited Warrant, Kix, Lynch Mob, Trixter, Black N Blue, Tora Tora, Every Mother's Nightmare and Pretty Boy Floyd.
 
Sunday:  Axe, Zebra, Tesla and Queensryche performing Operation:  Mindcrime.
 
The current lineup is subject to change as bands are added in the upcoming weeks.
 
An additional sixty bands are going to be playing on two giant side stages courtesy of Retrospect Records and Tri-Label Group.

Visit www.feverfest.com for more information.

Cat Stevens vs. Mr. Big

I had absolutely no idea Mr. Big covered “Wild World” by Cat Stevens. I heard the song for the first time this week while listening to the 90s channel on satellite radio. I’ve got to say…the original is better. I typically enjoy Mr. Big, but I was not impressed with this rendition of the song at all.

Yes, the cut is on Bump Ahead and I did own a copy at one time...but I guess it never registered with me that this was a cover. Either that or I always fast-forwarded through the track.

I am having a hard time pinpointing what I don’t like about Mr. Big’s cover…maybe it’s a lack of sincerity? Maybe it’s because the original is too damn recognizable? Apparently I’m the only one who doesn’t like the Mr. Big version because it was a big Billboard hit for the band.

Mr. Big’s version:

Cat Stevens' version:

That said, I think Mr. Big are a phenomenal band comprised of top notch musicians. Did I mention Billy Sheehan is on bass in these clips? Yes, he owns just about every other bass player on the planet. Of course you love "To Be With You." I mean, we already know none of us care about little boys that talk to much, so what else is there to add?

Now, for my very favorite Mr. Big song "Just Take My Heart." I am not sure why every video this band makes looks the same, but maybe they all have the same director or something. At any rate, I think this track is superb - no matter what the haters say.

Alright, spill it. I figure some of the comments will be interesting today.

Songs I Need to Hear Again (and Again…)

Yesterday, I wrote about songs I can’t stand anymore because they are literally played out. Today, the handful of songs I can listen to on repeat without care for the mindless repetition. As yesterday, these tunes are in no real order.

“Hooligan’s Holiday” – Motley Crue

“Burn In Hell” – Twisted Sister

“Runnin’ with the Devil” – Van Halen

“Don’t Walk Away” – Danger Danger

“Waking the Demon” – Bullet for My Valentine

“Restless” – Alison Krauss and Union Station

“Everything She Wants” – Wham!

“Who Are You?” – The Who

“I Want A Woman” – RATT

“(You Drive Me) Crazy” – Britney Spears

So, which songs do you never get sick of listening to…either on the radio or your iPod?

Songs I Never Need to Hear Again

You know the songs: the ones that are played on classic rock radio over...and over...and over. The same songs get into the rotation and never seem to leave. Usually, a great song is run into the ground.

So, here is my list of songs that I never need to hear again. This doesn't mean I think the song sucks...just that I can't really take it anymore without the grave desire to gouge my own eyeballs out with a spoon.

AC/DC - "You Shook Me All Night Long"

The Eagles - "Hotel California"

George Thorogood - "Bad To The Bone"

Golden Earring (or White Lion) - "Radar Love"

The Rolling Stones - "Angie"

Tom Petty - "Refugee"

And lately...as much as I hate to admit:

Poison - "Talk Dirty to Me." The Boneyard has absolutely played the living hell out of this song. It's getting to the point where I click the dial when I see this song pop on the display. Poison has a fairly deep catalog - play something else!

Do you agree with my list of overplayed songs? Give me your list.

Every Mother's Nightmare Interview

Bring Back Glam! recently interviewed drummer Jimmy Phipps of Every Mother's Nightmare. The Tennessee based band is back on tour and gearing up for a main stage slot at Rocklahoma. Jimmy talks about the old days, a potential Rocklahoma set-list and the trouble with outside songwriters. Transcription follows.

Bring Back Glam!: Tell me what Every Mother’s Nightmare has been up to recently.

Jimmy Phipps: Basically we’ve toured on and off through the years. We took a break from touring – but we’re always writing, like constantly. Rick’s (Ruhl, vocals) got a couple studios and he’s just been writing. We’ve got a catalog that is huge – filled with material. The last record we did was Live Songs from Somewhere and here lately our tour manager has gotten us back together to do a reunion tour, so we are doing a string of dates leading up to Rocklahoma.

BBG!: So, you are touring to try out the new songs or to practice the old stuff?

JP: We are definitely going off the old records and [also] playing some new material.

BBG!: You are playing around 1 or 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 at Rocklahoma?

JP: That is what I hear. I am not sure of the exact time…I think we are second.

BBG!: Yes, you play after Pretty Boy Floyd.

JP: The last time we were in Oklahoma, we played the Diamond Ballroom and that was years ago. I don’t think we’ve been back since then!

BBG: How did you get on the Rocklahoma bill?

JP: Our tour manager kind of knew a dude who knew the promoter and they got in touch. Turns out, the promoters said they were looking for us…and that was that. We are stoked about it.

BBG!: How long ago did you know you were you locked in to play Rocklahoma?

JP: I think on the press conference day (March 4)…when they had the lineup announced in L.A. That’s when I knew.

BBG!: So, you didn’t actually know you were playing until your name was called?

JP: Exactly. We didn’t have a representative to go out to L.A. We were going to, but schedules conflicted. I figured that if maybe we’d had a representative there we might have gotten a better slot…but I’m not terribly uncomfortable with the slot – because we get to play a festival!

BBG!: You’re in Tennessee and Every Mother’s Nightmare came along at the end of the Glam craze, so did you ever venture to the Sunset Strip to play gigs?

JP: We did a lot. Our first couple of records, we spent a lot of time out in L.A. We played Hollywood Teaser, the Spice Club, the Roxy, The Palace…I think we played the Viper Room. After EMN was released from Arista in 1995, we kept touring in both L.A. and Vegas. Our last run was in 2004…and we did 26 cities and it was pretty fun. We had great responses some nights, and some nights little response. You know how that goes.

BBG!: Did you tour with other bands, or was this all on your own?

JP: It was all on our own. We had a management company that booked us and we got into about 26 or 30 cities and just had a really good time.

BBG!: What are some of your favorite memories?

JP: The biggest buzz for our band –just four guys from Tennessee – and we had a manager by name of Doc Fields, and he got us everything we wanted. He made our dreams come true. We wanted to be rock stars. So, we put a band together, wrote some songs, and played Nashville. The manager liked us and he moved us to Memphis. Within a year we had a major label deal. There was a bidding war between [several] labels.

BBG:! Which labels?

JP: Capitol, Atlantic, Arista and back then…Chrysalis.

BBG!: Why did you pick Arista?

JP: The best way to describe that is Atlantic had 5,000 rock bands and Arista had two…plus Clive Davis signed Aerosmith, so we thought “How can we go wrong?” And we made a good decision. Arista pumped the hell out of us. They put us in every industry magazine…they did a good job. Our songs were on the radio and they put us on tour. Four kids from Tennessee: our dream came true. To me, that’s incredible. That was a great ride. I’m around every day people now, and in the back of my head I think “hey – I did something pretty cool!”

BBG!: Do you think it was harder to get a record deal being in Tennessee versus the west coast?

JP: I think it was not. We went from Nashville to Memphis and I think it was easier there. Rock n’ roll was predominant there.

BBG!: Rock was everywhere back then, period. What do you think of music these days?

JP: I think there’s some clever stuff out there. There are political bands and bands with things to say and I like a lot of it. There is some stuff I can do without…I think all the urban and suburban and skate bands…there are just way too many. They all have the same message and they have the same haircut – and I guess people can say that about us back then... Creativity is creativity.

BBG!: Do you still play drums everyday?

JP: Pretty much, when I can. We started rehearsals a month ago.

BBG!: How many times do you get together during the week?

JP: We go every weekend.

BBG!: Tell me about your Rocklahoma set list.

JP: Well, I know we’ll play a couple off the first record. “Love Can Make You Blind” was a big hit. “Walls Come Down” was a big single. “Long-Haired Country Boy” is a cult favorite for us. Second record: “House of Pain…” and I don’t know the extent of that record. That record was a weird time in our lives.

BBG!:Weird how?

JP: A lot of negativity. There was negativity between label, drugs and alcohol. We took a year off from our first record to record our second. It was tough, Arista was pushing us. We were pumping out material left and right and they hired song writers for us!

BBG!: How did that make you feel?

JP: Not very good at all.

BBG!: What was that like, trying to collaborate with someone outside the core group of members?

JP: We ran them all away.

BBG!: Are you still with Perris Records?

JP: I am not sure. I haven’t had any contact with them.

BBG!: You’ve recorded quite a few albums for Perris.

JP: I think we owe them a record! I’m not sure.

BBG!: Have you considered making a live DVD?

JP: That is in the works right now.

BBG!: Will you be using your Rocklahoma footage for that DVD?

JP: Absolutely.

BBG!: Do you have a tentative release date planned?

JP: I am thinking August.

BBG!: I’m assuming you have friends from the business. Is there anyone you are looking forward to seeing again at Rocklahoma?

JP: Well, I am friends with the guys in Cinderella. They live down the street from me. I haven’t seen their show in a couple years. Kix is a band I used to love! Are they playing Saturday night?

BBG!: Yes.

JP: Great! I really want to see Kix. They are a real band…they were out before we were. They rock…they have longevity. I have never seen them live and I am excited about them being on the bill.

BBG!: What else do I need to know about Every Mother’s Nightmare?

JP: Just that we’ve never left and that we’re America’s hidden secret. We’re really excited to be a part of Rocklahoma.

Visit Every Mother's Nightmare on Myspace.