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 Posted: 28/02/2007 14:30:02 Post subject: Alex Skolnick Interview |
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Alex Skolnick is one of the most creative guitarist in the Bay Area, He is a member of the thrash metal band "Testament", formed in San Francisco 1983. The unique sound of alex had played a very important role to make Testament grow up faster in their musical level, we can also find some jazz melodies in his playing which make the Thrash sound of Testament very tasty. After leaving Testament in 1992 he fronted several bands/projects such as Savatage, Attention Deficit...to name a few. In 2005, Alex and old classic Testament lineup reunited for tour. The tour was successful & the band has continued touring with this lineup and there are plans for a new album.
Alex leads currently the Alex Skolnick Trio with Matt Zebroski on drums, and Nathan Peck on bass, The Trio is known for its inventive jazz take on hard rock and heavy metal "standards".
Chaos-Music : Hey Alex, Let me first say that's a total honor to make an interview with such a musician like you.
Thank you. My pleasure.
Chaos-Music : When did you start playing guitar , and Which influences made you want to become a musician?
I was ten and liked early rock'n'roll (Chuck Berry, Bill Haley etc...), The Beatles and Kiss.
Chaos-Music : Were you involved in other bands before Testament? How did you meet with Eric Peterson, Louie Clemente and later with Chuck Billy?
Testament was my first band. I joined in high school. We had a mutual friend who introduced us.
Chaos-Music : Did you remmeber your first apparence on stage, and how was it ?
My very first appearance on stage was at Summer camp when I was 12 years old. I played 'Smoke On The Water.'
Chaos-Music : Please can you comment on "The Legacy"...Tell us a bit more about the recording process as well as The cover artwork, The lyrics and how was the reaction of the Thrash Metal lovers after that release???
It was our first recording. We were all nervous, especially me. It was fun and terrifying. The cover was based on our flyers. The reaction was good, but it took us being on the road for about a year fora lot of people to discover the album.
Chaos-Music : Which albums had been & (still have) the biggest inspiration on your musical life?
The Beatles 'Revolver', Kiss 'Alive', Cream 'Disraeli Gears,' Pat Metheny 'Question And Answer'
Chaos-Music : Did you get a lot of criticism in the Bay Area or elsewhere as you were one of the first Thrash bands to come up with a ballad? I mean your early Tracks "The Ballad" and "The Legacy"?
Not really. But the respose to those songs got better over time, so people had to get used to them.
Chaos-Music : Although, bands like MEGADETH, FORBIDDEN, SLAYER,TESTAMENT, HEATHEN were already well known around 1986/91 , I want to know if you were already aware of the existence of bands like DEATH, CYNIC whose influence on the metal field was huge ?
Not at that time, no.
Chaos-Music : By listening to " The Ritual", everyone noticed that it's different comparing to old albums, and that Testament direct itself towards a new kind of Metal, how came this idea, and how can you describe this new kind of Metal?!
It was just an attempt to be have more melody and harmony, not a different kind of metal.
Chaos-Music : Why did you leave Testament after that release ? Is it due to some proffesionel issues of to personnal stuff ??
It was both. I wanted be a diverse musician and that meant taking time to develop my skills in other styles. Also, there were a lot of personal issues within the band at that time.
Chaos-Music : After that you played with Savatage in Handful Of Rain...Was it hard to adjust with the others members of the band ?
It was a very different situation. But I really liked the guys a lot and enjoyed doing the album.
Chaos-Music : You also appeard on several bands/projects as a main guitarist and a guest...You didn't fear that experiment to different styles will hurt your musical evolution and that your old fans won't able nor willing to follow you and identify with your new style ?
I just did what felt right to me. My evolution was all about experimentation. Some fans didn't get it but I think more of them do now.
Chaos-Music : What can you tell us about Attention Deficit ?
It was Michael Manring, Tim Alexander and I. We went into the studio not knowing what we were going to record and did an experimental, unusual record.
Chaos-Music : How did you get invited to play in "First Strike still Deadly" and what can you tell us about the featured material?
I had played for Chuck's benefit concert and he invited me to do the recording. It was my first time in a long time playing that music, but it felt good to come back to.
Chaos-Music : What do you think about the comeback of the old members of Testament? I think it is very good that they are back again; is not it?
It feels good to be playing with everyone again. We'll see how it goes, but so far so good.
Chaos-Music : We heard that Louie Clemente will be unable to perform with Testament on the upcoming shows , can you give us more details about that ?! and how is he doing right now ?!
He's doing good. He has his own business, didn't play for several years and playing in Testament again just takes more time, energy and focus than he's able to give right now.
Chaos-Music : Did he do some drum sessions on the upcoming Testament record??? Give us please also some information about this album, the recording process and when it will be released?
No, nothing has been recorded yet. We've written a lot of ideas and are going through them. We hope to have it done this year.
Chaos-Music : How are things in AST at the moment?
Great. Our new album 'Last Day In Paradise' comes out in the US on March 13. You can hear songs on our MySpace page.
Chaos-Music : What was the reaction of the media and the crowd when "Transformation" showed up? Give us also some information about the recording process of this album
Great reaction. It's less of a pure 'jazz' album but still has those elements. Most of it was done live in the studio.
Chaos-Music : How important is Alex Skolnick website/Myspace and the internet in general for a musician like you?
It's been invaluable. It's an easy way to let everyone know what's going on with me and to keep in touch with the fans.
Chaos-Music : And if you dont mind me asking you..How about your personal life? How is it going ?
Personal life is good. I have a special woman and lot's of close friends.
Chaos-Music : Which books that have been the most influence on your life?...And to what extent?
Robert Pirsig/Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance, Erica Jong/Fear Of Flying, Kenny Werner/ Effortless Mastery. All of them are about finding and accepting your true self and making the most of it.
Chaos-Music : Lets go back to your musical life, I was wondering if there's been a band that you really enjoyed working with (apart from the current ones)?!
I really enjoyed working with Ozzy Osbourne. Ultimately Sharon felt I wasn't the right guy, but the one show I did with him was an incredible experience.
Chaos-Music : Do you feel now that your playing has changed over the years?
My playing has changed drastically over the years! Yet I'm still able to do all my old licks. I just think I have more control now.
Chaos-Music : Kreator , Moonspell and other bands played here in Morocco , is there any possibility that Testament or AST will be the next especially that your reputation is well known and well respected on our field?!
Testament may get there soon, as we're doing a lot of international dates lately. It may be a while for AST as we're just now trying to establish it outside of the US.
Chaos-Music : What were the best/worst moments you have witnessed in the 24 years you have spent in the Metal scene
The best were seeing people come to the aid of others. For example, there were a couple terminally ill children that wanted to meet Testament, and it was great to be able to do that. Also, when Chuck had cancer, seeing so many people rally around him and lend support.
The worst were examples of senseless violence. A couple times I saw people get assaulted for no reason, just because someone was drunk and angry and chose to take it out on someone else. There were also one or two times I saw t-shirts and tatoos of the Nazis. Fortunately, most of the time, especially recently, the metal scene is above that kind of behavior.
Chaos-Music : What can we expect from you in the next coming decade?
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More jazz, more metal and possibly more projects which bring together different style.
Chaos-Music : Thanks so much alex for your precious time, These last words are yours, feel free...
You're welcome. Thanks to all the fans in Morocco. I hope to visit one day soon.
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