During the eighties we were exposed to so many hard rock bands from L.A. and surrounding areas that it was hard to keep up with who was who. Few bands lasted more than there first album but those who did became household names & chart toppers over night such as Bon Jovi, Poison, and Cinderella and of course Warrant. Releasing their first & finest album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich back in 1989 Warrant were nothing short of an overnight success with classics such as Down Boys and Big Talk. There was never any doubt that these guys were going to be around for a while. By 1991 Warrant had released their second album and biggest seller to date Cherry Pie which kept the band at the top of the charts across the globe thanks to the smash hits Uncle Toms Cabin, I Saw Red & Cherry Pie. The massive success of Cherry Pie saw the band also jetting off to tour Europe, Japan and Australia. Over the years Warrant continued to release albums but nothing has stood up to those first two albums for many hard rock fans around the globe. By 2004 cracks started to show in the group’s line-up & front-man Jani Lane decided to leave the group to pursue a solo career. Warrant enlisted former Black n Blue vocalist Jamie St James to fill Jani’s shoes. Two years on fans are still talking about Warrant stage shows & classic catchy songs. Warrant will release their long awaited, much anticipated new album ‘Born Again’ this week. ‘Born Again’ is the album that is sure to take Warrant right back to the top of the charts with those kick ass melodies that we all love. I had the pleasure of speaking with Erik Turner a couple of weeks back in regards to the new album, touring, choosing Jamie to front the band and much more. Lay down on your Bed of Roses, grab your Machine Gun and check out what Erik had to say! Metal Fanatix: First of all thank you for putting some time aside to answer the following questions for all of our readers. I would like to talk to you first about Warrant of course. Jaime St James is the new front man for the band. How did Jaime get involved with you guys? Erik Turner: We have known each other for a long time. We have always thought he was a great singer and front man. When Jani quit, Jaime seemed like a natural fit for our band. After two years and over 100 shows, I guess we were right. Metal Fanatix: [laughs] I guess so, I agree he is a great front man. Can we expect to hear some new material from you guys soon? Erik Turner: Well, we have a brand new CD coming out in Europe, Japan and South America on March 31st. It comes out in the USA around June 1st. We will be releasing a new DVD in the US at the same time. The new CD is called ‘Born Again’. It is 80’s hair metal that is “Born Again” on this new CD. Metal Fanatix: After all these years of writing & recording how do you constantly come up with new fresh sounding material without falling into the trap a lot of other bands do by repeating themselves? Erik Turner: We haven’t been writing much music in the last five years, so when it came time to work on the new record, we had a lot of music built up inside us! We wrote twenty three songs for the new CD & we picked the twelve best that made it on ‘Born Again’. Metal Fanatix: How hard is it to get the band co-coordinated & motivated to go into the studio after taking so much time off from writing & recording? Erik Turner: It is hard to keep us out of the studio when we are this excited about our new music. We can’t wait for everybody to hear the new CD; we are very proud parents of the new music.
Erik Turner: No not really. I’ve been writing a bunch of new songs. Hopefully some will land on the next Warrant CD. I don’t know what will happen to the rest. Metal Fanatix: There are probably quite a few fans that don’t realize that you also sell your own art online. I have seen a few really good pieces that you have done & I loved the individual Kiss paintings. How long have you been doing this for now? Erik Turner: To be honest, I started painting in 1995 just for fun. I put some on my website to show people & then people started buying them. I am always honoured when somebody wants to hang one of my paintings in their house. Golf took over my hobby time. I don’t really paint anymore except on special requests. Metal Fanatix: Erik I’d like to talk to you a little about touring; what is the most ridiculous thing you have ever asked for on a tour rider? Erik Turner: That is a good question! I don’t think anything that we have asked for is too outrageous. The obvious thing was condoms back in the day. Metal Fanatix: What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage? Erik Turner: I was on stage playing in front of a huge crowd & my leg was on a stage monitor, I felt a cool breeze around my crotch area. My wife was on the side of the stage & she was laughing because my balls were hanging out of a rip in my pants, very embarrassing [laughs]. Metal Fanatix: [Laughs] Oh that’s great! Do you do anything specific to warm up & prepare for a show? Erik Turner: Grey Goose Vodka & I yell GO once very loud. [Laughs] Metal Fanatix: [Laughs] Hey, nothing wrong with drunken motivation [laughs]. Erik tell us, what was your first experience of playing outside the USA like? Erik Turner: I really did not like leaving the homeland the first time. As we travel more & more outside the US, I really enjoyed it. Metal Fanatix: Going back a number of years now; what comes to mind when you think back on your Australian tour? Erik Turner: Unbelievable amounts of alcohol & bar fights [laughs] a broken collarbone & one of the best weeks of my life. I love Australia even though I have only been there once. Metal Fanatix: Are there any future plans to have warrant play here in Australia anytime soon?
Metal Fanatix: When the time comes to work out the set list, do you find it hard to choose the right songs, I mean there will always be fans who want to hear the old stuff & the occasional obscure song & of course you have to play some new tracks. Do you find it hard to make a set that is for fans of all eras? Erik Turner: We only play songs from the first three records. We play one Black and Blue song &* we play two songs from the new record even though it is not out yet. We play eighteen songs total when we headline. Metal Fanatix: Over the years you have shared the stage with so many great bands. Who have you enjoyed touring with the most & could you share a funny road story with us from the tour? Erik Turner: Our whole career is a funny tour story. We have been blessed to play with a lot of great bands & it is too hard to pick just one. Just to name a few, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Poison, Paul Stanley, Queensryche, Tesla, Cinderella, Firehouse, Ratt, Skid Row, Slaughter, Whitesnake, Etc. It’s impossible for me to single out just one. Metal Fanatix: Erik you have grown up influenced by some of the greatest bands in rock ‘n’ roll history such as the Aerosmith, Kiss & Led Zeppelin. Do you feel you have played a large role in influencing many of today’s hard rock acts? Erik Turner: I have met a few different members of a few popular bands & they have said that they used to listen to Warrant & still like 80’s rock. That is always nice to hear. Metal Fanatix: In a few words can you tell us the first thing that comes to mind when I mention the following Warrant tracks! Erik Turner: Uncle Toms Cabin: Motley Crue Tour Down Boys: Our first Video Machine Gun: We should have released Hole in My Wall Blind Faith: My wife Bed Of Roses: Beau Hill recording sessions
Erik Turner: Our new DVD that is coming out is twelve videos, one for each song on our CD ‘Born Again’. It has funny road outtakes & in the recording studio footage. I can’t wait for people to see it. It is called ‘Born Again DVD.’ (Devils Video Diaries). I think it is still worthwhile to make videos. The true Hard Rock fans love them. Metal Fanatix: Yes, we do love em. Which record/song would define Erik Turner to a complete stranger? Erik Turner: I don’t really understand the question but check out my Demos for Diehards CD available at ErikTurner.com How is that for a shameless plug? [Laughs] Metal Fanatix: [laughs] yeah that was pretty good [laughs] In your honest opinion what do you think about the direction that hard rock & heavy metal music has taken over the last few years? Erik Turner: Well I love the new Avenge Sevenfold CD. I like a lot of new music actually. You just don’t hear most of it on the radio or TV. Metal Fanatix: Are you currently listening to any of the newer hard rock/metal bands? If so who? Erik Turner: Well as I was saying Avenge Sevenfold. I also think Beautiful Creatures new CD Deuce is amazing. Metal Fanatix: What advice do you have for up and coming rock/metal bands? Erik Turner: Wear condoms! [Laughs] Metal Fanatix: Good advice [laughs]. There has been so many highlights in your career, what would you say have been your greatest achievements to date?
Metal Fanatix: If you could put a band together consisting of musicians passed and/or present who would they be and what would you call the band? Erik Turner: John Bonham on drums, Bon Scott on Vocals, John Entwistle on Bass, Jimi Hendrix on lead guitar & of course I am the rhythm guitarist. God knows what I’d call it. Metal Fanatix: Any last words you want to share with our readers? Erik Turner: Thanks for all your support & keep Rocking and Rolling with Warrant! All the best! Cheers! To keep up with all the latest warrant news & current tour dates head to the following websites http://www.warrantweb.net - Official Warrant Website http://www.erikturner.com - Official Erik Turner Website http://insideout666.mysite.freeserve.com - Dedicated to 40 years of hard rock & metal music Make Sure You Catch Warrant Out On Tour at the Following Venues Sun 05/28/06 Winnemucca, NV Model T Hotel & Casino Sat 06/03/06 Anderson, IN Jamz Fri 06/16/06 Sioux City, IA Awesome Biker NIghts Sat 07/08/06 Shade Gap, PA Harper's Memorial Park Rockfest Sun 07/23/06 Cadott, WI Cadott Rockfest Fri 08/11/06 Three Forks, MT Rockin The Rivers Sat 08/19/06 Lapeer, MI Lapeer Days Sun 09/03/06 Ignacio, CO Rally In The Rockies All dates are correct at time of print © Cameron Edney March, May 2006 Not to be re-printed in any form without written permission. |
