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An Exclusive Interview With: |
Rock
drummer Eric Singer has been a name in the business for 25 years now.
Growing up a major rock fan in Cleveland, Ohio, Singer moved to Los Angeles
and would go on to play with numerous rock legends, such as Tony Iommi &
Glenn Hughes [in Black Sabbath], Bob Daisley, Gary Moore, Kiss, Brian May
[Queen] and at present [and off & on] since 1990 - with Alice Cooper.
Alice Cooper is presently on a world tour, and you can catch Eric in action with Alice live. Eric also played on Cooper's excellent new concept album "Along Came A Spider". Thanks to Eric for taking his time out on a very busy tour to answer my questions! The man also spent his days on the Canadian tour making numerous in-store appearances Pearl Drums.
Check it all out: www.eric-singer.com ; www.alicecooper.com & www.kissonline.com
All photos courtesy of eric-singer.com except Alice Cooper band photo courtesy of sickthings.co.uk
Q- Prior to moving to LA, did you have any local gigs in Cleveland of note?
ES: I played in
my Father's band growing up and in a few local "original" bands such as
TASKMASTER, which became Beau Coup. They ended up with a record deal and
were a very good band.
Q-
After your first pro gig with Lita Ford, you joined Tony Iommi's Black
Sabbath in 1985. What was your big break; having gone from Cleveland
to joining Lita's band and onto Sabbath [which also featured Glenn Hughes at
that time]?
ES: I lived in
L.A. for about a year and entered Carmine Appice's drum battle competition.
Someone spotted me there and asked me to do a video for PLAYBOY "Women of
Rock" and got the Lita Ford audition out of that experience.
Q- You did a couple of albums with Sabbath and then played with Gary Moore
and Badlands in the 80s. What can you tell me about going from being unknown
to working with such rock legends as Iommi, Moore, Bob Daisley and others;
all in a fairly short period of a few years?
ES: It all
happened very fast; I went from being so "green" and inexperienced to
learning the business and touring in a crash course on the job! Bob
Daisley and I remain great friends to this day.
Q- Gary Moore is a huge name overseas, but only talked about amongst real
classic rock fans in North America. What can you tell me about Gary and your
time working with him?
ES: The guy is an
amazing player and the most intense guitarist I have ever worked with. He
makes you a better player and I really raised the bar on my own self during
that tour.
Q- Seventh Star is a pretty underrated album IMO, being a Sabbath fan and a
Glenn Hughes fan. You also worked on the next Sabbath album, which featured
Tony Martin, having replaced Ray Gillen. This being one of Sabbath's
craziest periods as far as personnel went. How was it from your perspective?
ES: I was very
young and learning as it happened. This was a time when the reality of the
"business" aspect of music really reared it's ugly head. Although I feel
fortunate that I got to work with some great musicians and legendary people.
I would love to be able to play with Tony Iommi again!
Q- Any favorite tracks, stories or Sabbath people to work with?
ES: The song
Eternal Idol was a kool track and Turn to Stone from those 2 records I did.
Loved working with Bob Daisley - the very best in the biz. The guy is John
Paul Jones, Jack Bruce & Paul McCartney wrapped up in one.
Q- You played on the 'Stream' album. Now, was this mainly a session job as
opposed to an actual band project?
ES: That was
exactly just that. A session. Always great to work with Daisley!
Q- How did you land the gig with Paul Stanley's solo tour in 1989 and do you
recall any of the non-Kiss material performed live [anything you
particularly liked]? And how much of a step was it to eventually join Kiss?
ES:
I was recording in New York and was referred to Paul by Dennis St. James
(bass player on that tour) That was a great fun band and led to my
relationship with KISS. I was not much of a transition other than to learn
to work with a new set of people i.e.: Gene & Bruce, who were very helpful
to me thru the transition period.
Q- Of the Kiss albums and tours you performed on, what are your favorite
musical moments [songs, album]?
ES: Loved
recording the REVENGE record since Bob Ezrin was the producer. The
most recent European tour was great. Super crowds, band got along fantastic!
Q- Peter Criss and then Neal Smith [original Alice Cooper band] - were 2
legendary and influential drummers. Eric Carr was also a great drummer! Who
would you say influenced your own drumming style more?
ES: I respect all
the previous drummers from any band. All you can do is try to play in
the spirit of that style since those records were recorded many years ago.
Q-
How was the adjustment to taking over the 'Catman' persona, with the
make-up, etc..? Is it [applying the costume & make-up] a strange ordeal?
ES: It is no
problem for me. I actually like the whole KISS experience of doing the
shows. It makes for very long days and it is hard work. But, the fans love
the band and this makes it worthwhile!
Q- You seem always busy, either with Kiss, Alice Cooper, ESP or other
projects. Do you keep up with any of the outside stuff of your
bandmates - like take up golfing, watch Gene's reality show or check out art
shows?
ES: I do not golf
(yet) I have been on Gene's show (twice ?), and I know nothing about art
other than I know if I like something when I see it (isn't that the essence
or idea anyways...?) I think it is great that others have found extensions
of their personalities and outlets for expression. They are all very
talented people and have more to offer than just their musical side.
Q- Both Gene and Paul released solo albums in recent years. [I actually
haven't heard Gene's], but thought Paul's was great, very overlooked. Any
thoughts on either of these releases?
ES: They are
exactly that. "Solo" records and this gives them the chance to do exactly
what they want. I played on 2 tracks off Gene's record and loved his video
for "Firestarter". Paul's record has some great stuff on there and the
production value is really good. Paul has always delivered the goods in my
opinion as a writer.
Q- I've read you really enjoyed working with Brian May of Queen. They were a
great band that really didn't get to North America a lot, especially in the
80s.
ES: Brian is my
Fave guitarist next to Hendrix! The guy plays the perfect solo on anything
he touches. Brilliant musician and an even nicer human being you will not
find... QUEEN is one of my most cherished bands of all time. Getting to play
some of those songs with Brian (and Roger Taylor on a few occasions) will
always be one of the best highlights of my career!
Q- You've obviously kept up a friendship and working relationship with Bruce
Kulick. Do you guys have any plans in the near future? He is a great player,
very adaptable [saw him with Grand Funk - sounds great].
ES: Bruce is the
consummate musician and dear friend... We work together with ESP when time
and schedule's permit. Hopefully more in the future.
Q-
Now, you worked on the Trash and Hey Stoopid tours, correct [Last
Temptation?]? [You've also kind of played on every other album since Brutal
Planet]. How did the association with Alice come about?
ES: I auditioned
for COOP in Jan 1990 to replace Jonathan Mover on the Trash tour & have
worked on & off with Alice since then... (this year is my 12th tour) I have
also recorded 3 albums and been on 2 "live" concert long-form videos with
AC.
Q- Aside from the Alice Cooper albums you played on, do you have any
favorite Alice classic songs to listen to or play and any favorite AC albums
from Way back? [Ever see AC live in your early years, especially with Neal
Smith?]
ES: Billion
Dollar Babies is a "classic" record and one of my fave all-time records. In
fact, all the early stuff is great and enjoy playing anything from that era.
Never saw AC live in the early years :-( FYI, my mom would not let me
go to the BDB tour in 1973!
Q- Brutal Planet was a very heavy modern metal. What can you tell me about
those recordings, and the sound that was being looked for?
ES: The record
was done very quickly on my part. I came in and replaced drum machine parts
with "real" drums in just over 2 days. I liked the heavier approach but did
not have a lot of time to absorb the music or think about my drumming other
than to play what I felt or was directed by the producer.
Q- The Eyes of Alice Cooper was real return to old school hard rock, and
included a number of great songs that should've been hits [if we had radio
that still played decent New music]. [Again] can you tell me a bit about
those sessions and a few of the songs that stood out for you?
ES: Great record
IMO, and was fun making that record. We had a real band vibe with Mudrock
the Producer who encouraged us to play "live" in the studio together as a
band with no click tracks. He had a real vision and direction, which was a
much-needed fresher approach, IMO from the previous record I had recorded
with Alice (Brutal Planet).
Q- "Along Came A Spider" is quite a masterpiece. You played on all but 3
tracks. What can you tell me about these sessions?
ES: Again, the
recording of drums happened very quickly. I played what I felt for the songs
even though the vocals were not done yet which makes the approach sometimes
harder. I like to play off the lead vocal melodies whenever possible to be
more musical/melodic.
Q- You aren't credited as a writer on the Alice albums you play on. What
exactly is your involvement & input, aside from the drums? Are you generally
[or with the new album] there for most of the recordings and part of the
main ideas and suggestions of what sound is being taken and what direction
the project is going in?
ES: I "write" my
drum parts which is sometimes overlooked by most people...
Drummers contribute a lot when it comes to arrangements and vibe to songs.
Last time I looked out into the crowd during a show the people pump their
fists in the air to what? The beat or rhyme :-)
Q- Any plans for any future ESP recordings? You guys seem to have a
following, especially in Japan and Europe.
ES: Possible
European dates next year... We play where we can make it work for everyone.
Q- You were a big rock fan growing up in Cleveland. Can you give me a 'Top
10' list of favorite albums from your youth, as well as a few favorite bands
and favorite shows you saw back then? [Have you kept an album collection?]
ES: I still have
a turntable hooked up at home! Cleveland was a great city to grow up in and
be from. There is a reason they say "Cleveland Rocks". I saw so many great
bands and shows in the 70's early 80's - I'll name a few concerts that stick
out in my memory... Queen 1975 Music Hall / Led Zeppelin 1975
Richfield Coliseum / Mott The Hoople 1974 Allen Theatre / KISS 1974 Allen
Theater (they opened for the New York Dolls) KISS 1975 Akron Civic Theatre
(RUSH was opener "Fly By Night" tour) Edgar Winter Group 1976/Public Hall
(they opened for J.Geil's Band) David Bowie 1975 Public Hall //Diamond Dogs
Tour / Van Halen, Music Hall 1980 VHII tour / Ozzy Osbourne, Diary of a
Madman 1983 w/ Randy Rhoads, Richfield Coliseum and so many more that I
could mention...
Q- Can you give me a few of your favorite drummers growing up - either on LP
or live?
ES: Denny
Carmassi, Tommy Aldridge, Carmine Appice, Steve Smith, Aynsley Dunbar, Billy
Cobham, Simon Phillips, Bobby Caldwell, Cozy Powell, Brian Downey, Neil
Smith, Alex Van Halen, Lee Kerslake, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Lenny White,
Max Roach, Bill Buford, Neil Peart, etc...
Q- You're familiar with Uriah Heep, I presume - have any favorite Heep
albums, songs or drummers?
ES: Yes, I saw
Uriah Heep in their "heyday" 1975 Cleveland Stadium "World Series of Rock".
The bill was: Rod Stewart & The Faces / Uriah Heep / Aerosmith / Blue Oyster
Cult & Mahogany Rush. I remember Lee Kerslake was an animal behind the drums
and Heep were great!
Q- Growing up not too far from Canada, were you a fan of any Canadian bands
way back?
ES: RUSH! In
fact, Cleveland was the first American city to "break" the band in the
U.S.A.
Q- Anything else you have on the go, or anything you'd like to mention or
plug?
ES: Look forward
to more drumming in 2009!
Thanx to all for so many great years and all the support throughout my
life...