Hi Bumblefoot! What’s new?
Heeey! All is well, been making lots of music at the studio and loving it, happy to be back in the creative environment…
What are your plans for 2011? Rumor has it that you are planning to release new material in the near future…
The main goal for 2011 is to release a song-a-month digitally, covers and originals. Would like to get back to teaching too, I’ve missed it. Did some teaching while on tour, visiting music schools, and it reminded me how much I enjoy teaching, how much I’ve missed it.
You just released a cover version of “Bernadette”, a Motown hit dating back from 1967. Why this song?
Yes! One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands, The Four Tops. Into a lot of old 60s/70s music – rock, punk, funk, R&B, all great stuff.
Any other cover songs you would definitely want to record?
I did a cover of the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever”, that’s available now too, the info’s at www.bumblefoot.com. I have a long list of songs I’d like to do if there’s time, from Ozzy, Maiden, Yes, Queen, Kiss…
To some not so informed, can you tell what was the first indication of you wanting to become a guitar player in the first place?
I was 5 years old and heard the KISS “Alive!” album for the first time. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a musician. At first I wanted to be a drummer but instead went for bass, and was too young to handle a bass so started on guitar. My goal was more about songs, making songs happen, and any road that got me there was ok. And it’s still like that, whether I’m writing, playing, singing, producing, the goal is to have a great song in the end.
You have stated that you were a huge KISS fan growing up. What’s your greatest moment regarding KISS? Favorite album? Is Paul Stanley a human being?
I love their albums from the first one to the solo albums and “Alive! II”, that’s my favorite era of Kiss music. My greatest memory was seeing them live in NYC in 1979, was my first concert, and one of the best. I still remember feeling the heat of the 40-foot flames on the stage hitting my face from up in the balcony seating. Ace’s smoking guitar, the mobile drum riser, Gene breathing fire, spitting blood and flying up to the lighting rig… and the opening act “New England” was phenomenal, a band Paul Stanley produced. What a great show!
If you weren’t a guitar player, then…
I’d maybe be playing bass, writing songs, engineering, producing, teaching, managing and helping other bands reach their goals. There’s so many ways to be part of the music-making process, I’ve worn just about every hat and have learned and appreciated what goes into every aspect, and the creativity that can be involved with each aspect. As it is now, doing everything DIY, I’d say playing guitar is about 5 or 10% of it all.
Do you have any non-musical heroes/idols you look up to?
Always been a fan of science, math, invention, would make for a long list. Start with the guy that made the first wheel and finish with Apple Thunderbolt for the new MacBook Pro… everyone that made life better for those who followed. Everyone in the labs trying to cure diseases. Everyone going the extra mile to care for animals. I meet people like that all the time and they never stop inspiring me.
Guns N’ Roses finished its world tour last year. Can you tell us of a really fun moment you encountered whilst on tour?
The last year of touring had so many high points and fun moments. The first thing popping into my head was celebrating my birthday on stage (and off), there was all the quality time spent with fans in South & Central America, a lot of time exploring different cities in Australia & Asia, Europe, Canada, Russia… ah, Russia… racing around sand dunes in Abu Dhabi, that was a blast.
What’s the most fun part of touring anyway (doesn’t matter if GN’R or solo)? Is it fun at all or does it wear out fast, doing everything just the same, only different city?
The best part is when ya feel a real connection throughout the venue, when the audience and band are like one entity feeding off each other, nothing beats that. That doesn’t get old, ever.
You had an unfortunate accident in Rio when the stage set up collapsed due to severe weather conditions. Do those moments make you think about life and how fragile it really is?
I never forget that we’re all guests in this world. As guests, we should do our best to be gracious ones, and appreciate whatever we have.
What’s your take on the music industry nowadays? Do you miss the old days when you just went out and bought yourself a record (then proceeding to listen it to shreds) or are you comfortable with the digital way of running things?
The internet has allowed artists to be self-reliant, independent, empowered – there’s no longer the need to be an indentured servant and give away your rights. I’ve wished for this for a long time, I was never a fan of the old structure. The downside is that we’ve given up quality for convenience – we get it quick, but we lose the beauty of art held in your hands, the sense that music was more than a service. Evolution is a trade-off, a gain and a loss. I think the good outweighs the bad, as long as people are willing to embrace it and not fight for a romanticized past that no longer exists.
You have released several albums. Two of them, however, called “Normal” & “Abnormal”, respectively. Is there a background to this? Is the transition from “Normal” to “Abnormal” somehow related to how you were developing as an artist or as a human being?
Both albums are pretty auto-biographical, loosely based on a theme, starting with “Normal”. It was about taking depression medication and losing the creative edge, and having to face the choice of which I’d rather have – a musical life, or a ‘normal’ one. “Abnormal” was the next chapter of the story, a little more intense, edgy.
Aside from touring and recording constantly, what are your favorite pastimes?
Sleeping and eating. Not necessarily in that order. Everything else would be inappropriate to speak of.
Your fans have had the chance to interact with you directly. If I’m not mistaken, you still answer to fan mail from time to time. Do you think this is what every artist should do?
No. Every person should live how they choose, or as close to it as they can. I like to keep connected and share ideas, make plans, and include fans in what I’m doing. For me it would be unnatural if I didn’t do that. But every person is different, and their choice should be respected.
Is there a particular up and coming act you are really fond of?
Two I’ve worked with that are very interesting. Return To Earth ( www.returntoearthmusic.com ) with drummer Chris Pennie (Coheed and Cambria, ex-Dillinger Escape Plan), has elements of NIN, I mixed their two albums. Another band called Thank You Scientist ( www.thankyouscientist.net ) that I really love – a former guitar student of mine Tom Monda, the band reminds me of a mix of Dream Theater, Dave Matthews, and Incubus. Incredible band. I mastered their debut ep, love this band.
Have you ever had a case of a nasty writer’s block? What’s your formula of overcoming this?
Every time I’m on the road. What gets me out of writer’s block is time, just waiting it out. That, and if something really pisses me off – then the words start flowing, haha.
If you could record a duet with a famous person (not a musician), who’d it be? Why?
Stephen Hawking. Unmistakeable voice and a genius mind.
If you were a rapper, how would you like to be called?
BumbaFoot. Would do rap/reggae.
Two last questions (we ask those everyone):
What is love?
This. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpwK3vFGJp0
What’s your view on Justin Bieber?
I don’t think my opinion carries much weight, I don’t know him personally. From what I’ve heard, he taught himself to play a bunch of instruments as a kid, he was doing his thing, he got noticed, the rest is history. Fine with me.
Thank you so much, Bumblefoot!
Thank you, and thanks to the readers at unplugged.ee , tänan väga – nägemist!
Federic Giet caricature:
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal. Copyright by © Federic Giet. Buy this print on: http://gilderic.deviantart.com/
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