Detritus
Mini-Issue #412.5 - May 25, 2007
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*** CAST OF CHARACTERS ***
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Patrick Brower, Editor
patrickbrower@...

Sean P. Gahgan, Editor
lof@...
http://www.lakeoffire.net/

Tim Wadzinski, Owner
tsw512@...

Steve Shumake, Co-owner
vongoober@...
http://www.vongoober.com/

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*** LET IT BE KNOWN ***
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-Wow, it's been over a year since I got to write the "Let It Be Known"
section! Welcome to an interview with the legendary Jeff Pilson! -
Patrick

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*** SPECIAL REPORT ***
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by Patrick Brower (patrickbrower@...)

-Interview w/ Jeff Pilson
May 13, 2007

If you're a hard rock/heavy metal fan, you most likely own some of
Jeff Pilson's work. Originally know as the bass player for Dokken in
the '80s, Pilson has gone on to work with more high-profile bands than
I have room to name here, as well as fronting his own project War &
Peace. Currently on the road with Foreigner, Pilson took time out of
the tour to chat about future projects, his impressive credentials and
life on the road.

DETRITUS: It's May, 2007. Where are you?

JEFF PILSON: I'm in Vegas, we went to the VH1 Rock Honors awards last
night, and have a show at Mandalay Bay tonight.

D: Foreigner has a pretty full tour schedule for the rest of the year.
Are you in for the long haul?

JP: Absolutely. I'm real excited about the band right now and can't
wait to work on new material.

D: Does this leave you any time for outside projects? Like releasing
the long-awaited War & Peace live CD?

JP: I do what I can, but it's tough. My current plan is to spend the
summer tour (I'll have my studio out with me) writing for a new War &
Peace CD I'll record in the fall and winter. Then whoever puts that
out I'll hopefully get to finally put out that live CD! I also am
producing a new record for Benedictum right now as well. This record
is gonna be killer -- and hopefully comes out in the fall.

D: Is it one show start-to-finish or was it recorded over several
shows?

JP: War & Peace was recorded between two shows, one in Liverpool,
England at the Cavern Club and the other in Oakland, CA.

D: Who is in the War & Peace touring band?

JP: Mitch Perry on guitar, Michael Frowein on drums and Brad Lang on
bass -- monsters all!!

D: Speaking of War & Peace, do you find it difficult having a band
name that contains an ampersand? I'm never sure, when looking for
stuff online, if the "&" symbol will be recognized or if I should just
use "and?" Does it ever cause you any confusion?

JP: (laughs) I've never given it that much thought.

D: Have you heard the "new" Dokken live CD? If so, are you happy with
both the sound quality and your performance? Did you have any part in
its release?

JP: Yes, I've heard most of it and think Wyn Davis did a brilliant job
on the mix. My performances are okay, but some of my vocals are pretty
bad -- I think those were songs we never planned on releasing.
Anyways, no I had nothing to do with releasing it, or else I would
have insisted on it being accurately stated to be from 1983, not '81!

D: Would you be part of Dokken again if the chance arose? With or
without George Lynch?

JP: I'd never say never, but I don't see it happening at this time.

D: Where does Lynch/Pilson stand? Any plans for a follow-up disc, and
would you guys ever consider touring?

JP: We talk frequently and both desire to do another record. It's a
matter of schedules. Hey, if Led Zeppelin decides to do a tour and
Jason joins them for it, that might be a good time! (laughs) Actually,
we would like to do another disc someday, and hopefully would get a
chance to do at least some shows if we did.

D: Seriously, how much discussion went into the name Lynch/Pilson? I
remember reading that even the "/" mark was a specific point of
discussion, but, you know, everything you read on the Internet.

JP: We went through pages and pages of name ideas -- L/P just seemed
the most applicable -- as well as people liking it from a
marketability angle. I still don't think George really likes the name!
(laughs)

D: So many tours. It seems that you live your life on the road. How
hard is it to raise a family while touring? How often do you get home?

JP: It's real tough -- my biggest dilemma really. But the last few
months haven't been too bad -- I get home often. The summer will be
brutal however. But the tours will be a lot of fun.

D: Is touring now so second-nature that you don't mind it? Do you plan
on touring, with whichever band, for a long time to come or are you
looking forward to staying in one place for a while?

JP: Honestly, I am looking forward to the day when I stay home and
write, produce, do jingles, soundtracks, whatever -- but in the
meantime I just want to make whatever touring I do count, with great
bands and great people and friends.

D: It was many years before we were able to hear you sing in a lead
vocal capacity, yet you've got a great front man voice. Did you always
want to sing? Why did it take so long?

JP: Yes I always planned on singing. Had the "alternative" revolution
not occurred in the early '90s, you would have heard me sooner -- but
then the opportunities dried up for a while. The ironic thing is that
now I'm not so concerned about singing. I just want to make great
music.

D: I know nothing of what it takes to get music up on iTunes, but
there is no War & Peace available for purchase. Is that by your
choice?

JP: I don't choose not to, I just haven't pursued a deal for it. Maybe
with this next record.

D: You've had a great career thus far in the music industry. Are you
happy with your legacy or are you just getting started?

JP: I'm proud of what I've accomplished and the people I've worked
with, but I have a lot of unfinished business. In some ways I do feel
like I'm just hitting my stride.

D: You are associated with a number of great rock and roll acts. When
you see your name in print, which band do you feel should come first,
i.e. "Jeff Pilson (Dokken, War & Peace)?"

JP: Well currently Foreigner of course, but I can't deny the
importance of Dokken in my career. So I would (if asked) like to be
known as: Jeff Pilson of Foreigner (Dokken, Dio, War & Peace, MSG).

D: Sorry for such a broad question, but what do you feel you have yet
to accomplish? Any specific goal as of yet unattained?

JP: Writing a classic on the level of "I Want To Know What Love Is," a
great jingle, or a great soundtrack. Also -- producing a classic album
like a PYROMANIA or a Metallica black album. That's all!!!

D: Ever thought of putting out (an) instructional DVD(s)? I'm sure you
have a lot you could teach.

JP: I haven't looked that far into that, someday perhaps.

D: Is your long, metal hair a thing of the past?

JP: I think trends change so fast now that the past becomes the future
faster than it becomes outdated!

D: How full is your in-home studio? Can you handle recording
everything? Do you have room to mike all the drums?

JP: Yes, as of a few months ago it's a full-on studio. I'm elated with
all the gear!

D: Alright, man, I don't want to take up your whole day here. I really
appreciate your graciousness with this and all the f'n kick-ass music
you've produced! Thanks a lot!!

JP: Thank you -- great questions!

Relevant Links:

Benedictum
http://www.benedictum.net/

Foreigner
http://www.foreigneronline.com/

Jeff Pilson
http://www.jeffpilson.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jeffpilson

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*** OUT ***
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