http://www.abrasiverock.com/interviews/05/11/DoroPesch.mp3
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transcript of
the interview below:
Abrasive Rock: You have a new EP coming out called For Love and Friendship. I'm
not even
going to try and pronounce the German pronunciation if it. I'll leave that to
you. What can
fans expect from that?
Doro: It's just an EP to get them excited for the new record that will come out
in March,
April of next year. It's ????, but it's really sweet, and very sensitive. I
think people will like
our songs and Für Immer, and I think they will like it. There are two songs from
the new
album on it, and one long version of "All We Are" on it from this great
festival. It's the
Bang Your Head festival and they had like the ten year anniversary, the show
that we
played it, and it was great, & Chris Caffery is the guest guitar player on the
"All We Are"
video.
Abrasive Rock: Who was the guest guitar player?
Doro: Chris Caffery from Savatage.
Abrasive Rock: Oh, okay. Yeah.
Doro: And I can see all the fans singing. It's really great. It's really great.
And For Love and
Friendship, there's two versions. One for English, one in German. We just put it
out to
make the time pass quicker and stuff for the die hard fans.
Abrasive Rock: You recently did "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" on an ABBA tv show
tribute, as
well as an album. How did you get involved with that?
Doro: They asked me if I wanted to do it, and at first I thought, 'I don't know.
I grew up in
the time they were really successful. I don't know.' Then they said 'you can do
it any which
way you want, you can even do it like in a very heavy way.' And I thought, 'oh,
okay.' Then
when we went into our studio and we fiddled around, We actually we got some
really
grindy sounding guitars, recorded a little bit like the Rammstein guitars. So I
said 'okay,
let's try it.' It came out really good. The tv show will be aired this November,
and it will be
on a compilation album, not on our album. It was just a special thing. Here,
actually, in
Germany to get on tv is like so hard, and so difficult, and we thought if we
have the chance
we'd better take it. The version came out really good. I really like it a lot.
Abrasive Rock: So this is definitely a more metal version than traditional ABBA?
Doro: Yeah, actually not traditional at all! similar melody, but everything else
is really cool.
It's really cool.
Abrasive Rock: Is this going to be released in America, or is this going to be
an import
only?
Doro: I don't know. I don't know. I'm so excited that the last Classic Diamonds
is coming
out in America. That was actually-I didn't even expect it. I'm so excited that
it's coming
out, the album and the DVD. I was waiting for this for a really long time. I
think it's out. I
think it came out at the end of September, and the DVD is coming out sometime
soon. You
never know. I did so many records especially in the 90's, which actually we
always did in
the States, but then it didn't come out, and each time heartbreaking so whenever
stuff
comes out, even when it's later, I'm so happy, so, yeah.
Abrasive Rock: I think in America, at least the hard core metal fans, we've kind
of gotten
used to getting our releases about two years after Europe. (both laugh)
Doro: And visa versa. Sometimes I remember the cool movies in the States that
were great
and here in Europe they came out one, two years later, and then in an edited
version,
actually, but now we have the Internet. All they fans, they are pretty much up
to date and
stuff, and it's great. Even though buying imports are expensive, but still you
can get it. It's
fantastic. Even in countries where I've never been to before, well, the last
couple of years
we started touring like Russia and Romania, and Bulgaria, Hungary, which was
impossible
before, and then people just grabbed it. You know, the States, you can get it
over the
Internet. It's 1-2-3 quick. That's great. Now that you talk about the single I
didn't think
that anybody would know about it, since it's in a German version. I'm really
surprised that
you asked me about it.
Abrasive Rock: I try and do my research, and surprise the artist with my
research on them,
and ask about more than, you know...
Doro: That's great.
Abrasive Rock: One question that I was wondering right off the bat when I was
watching
the DVD for Classic Diamonds was the Metal Classic Night Orchestra. Is that
something
you put together? Is that something specific to you? Or do they exist outside of
Doro
shows?
Doro: Actually, they existed before, and they were asking me if I want to
participate in,
they wanted to do some benefit concerts, and it was actually for a good cause,
an
organization here it's called Animals In Need and they help people who can't
bring their
pets to the doctor and stuff, and they want to do like free treatment and free
medicine. I'm
an animal lover, and I thought this was such a great idea, and they were asking
me if I
would do a concert with them. And I told them I'd love to. They're all
metalheads and
diehard rock fans, and at first the Orchestra was very small, and then we did
some
rehearsal and we did some concerts and it was so great. It was really, really
great. The fans
loved it, and it was always a great atmosphere, everything sounded great with
new
arrangements. Then after doing it a couple of times actually we thought `We
gotta do a
record'. Then we searched for more people, and actually I think we did on the
DVD, the
Wakken festival we did. I think there were forty people, and there were actually
new people
put together. Then we started to tour, and there were some other people coming
on tour.
Only the really die hard fans, they got used to the touring stuff with like
thirty people in
one bus. It was very exciting. They came from all over the world, actually. I
think there
were ten different languages on that tour bus. It was great. Plus a couple of
people… a
handful of people and the guy who was putting together, he was the pub owner
which I
remember I was playing in that club 20 years ago. He's still a guy I'm working
with, like
we're still working together for the new album, which we're in the middle of
doing,
actually. He's a great guy. He has a very good talent at doing different
arrangements and
stuff. If we wouldn't have played live concerts I never would have even thought
of doing a
record or a DVD. But it's so special, and having been a good life experience,
and a good
feedback that would make me want to do like a record.
Abrasive Rock: Blaze Bailey is on this, and one thing that I find really
interesting is, why
did you guys do a Bruce Dickinson era Maiden song as opposed to a Blaze Bailey
era Iron
Maiden song?
Doro: He was with us on the whole tour, and he did like a half hour set before
we went on,
and actually we played all kinds of songs. Like his own songs from his solo
project, and
some from when he was in the band. And we thought, I always loved "Fear Of The
Dark"
the most. It was my favorite Maiden song, and we thought maybe we got to try a
different
arrangement, and then we did, and actually, yeah, that's my favorite song, it
was the
reason why. and I knew Blaze always loved it, too. We asked him if he wanted to
come on
tour with us, and if wanted to be a special guest on our Wakken show, and he
said, 'yeah,
sure.' And we just played all the songs, like all the songs he liked, arranged
it, and then on
the Wacken show we decided to deut for one song, and then it was "Fear Of The
Dark". I
loved it so much. I wanted to people to sing along. There's just nothing like
it. That song's
the reason why.
Abrasive Rock: I've got to say, I've never interviewed somebody that sounds so
excited
about their music as you do right now.
Doro: I thought everybody is like that. No?
Abrasive Rock: No. You sound like you're actually talking-you sound like you're
a huge fan
and that you're talking about another band that you're a huge fan of.
Doro: That's very well put. I tell you I'm very excited. Like, every single
record I always,
there's always so much heart and soul in it. I always am inspired and motivated
by the
fans. That's really the reason why I do it, and will go on doing it no matter
what it takes,
and that's my true inspiration, I guess. I know for a moment I can do it, and
it's like the
most exciting part of it. and when you see even at Wacken, that was like the
first time that
somebody was there with an orchestra, and at first I was a little bit nervous,
and we taped
it four times before at Wacken and it's an awesome festival and then I thought,
man, I
hope the fans will like it, because it's different and it's sounds different,
and I think it's
very special. But I was really nervous. Then when we started and immediately
everybody
was singing and I felt so good about it, and it was great. I really appreciated
that they liked
something special. Something different. Yeah it was good. And that was actually
the
reason for the DVD, because when I saw the footage from Wacken I thought `This
looks so
good, it's DVD worthy. So that's why we did the DVD.
Abrasive Rock: I know from watching your DVDs and being a fan of you for a long
time, I
know that your fans are extremely important to you, so I have to ask this
question. On the
Classic Diamonds DVD, in the extras section there's a tour documentary, and just
past
seven minutes the picture freezes up and the audio keeps going. Were you aware
of this,
and what do you want your fans to do about it?
Doro: Actually, I think, the manager, he told me there is a problem-towards the
end of the
DVD, right?
Abrasive Rock: Not the main program, but just in the extras section.
Doro: Yeah, a few days ago the manager told me there was a problem, and if the
fans want
to get it returned, it should be no problem at all. They should just send it
back and ask for
a new one. I think the second edition will not have this mistake. I think it
came about from
the switching from Europe format to the American one. That's what I heard. I'm
terribly
sorry. I had no idea. I only found out a couple of days ago that there is a
problem. I didn't
know how severe it was, and I couldn't check it. I came back from ??????
yesterday, and I
didn't have a chance to check it. I went into a couple of record stores to pick
it up, and
they didn't have it, it sold out. If they want to send it back to the record
company, they will
get a new one. I'm very sorry. I apologize. Some of those things can screw up.
It's
definitely our fault. Yeah, they should just send it back and ask for a new one,
and then it
will be no problem. When we hang up the phone I will call the manager and ask
how can it
be done in like an easy way. Maybe I can tell you and you can tell the fans what
to do, I'll
give you a call back and tell you exactly.
Abrasive Rock: We actually run-I don't know if you're aware of the website
DoroRocks.net?
Basically it's a Doro fan site in America.
Doro: Yeah, Tony Cannella is the guy who's working on that. Right?
Abrasive Rock: Yeah, and Abrasive Rock is actually the host, the official host
of that forum.
Doro: Okay. That's good. Then should I tell Toni or give him…I'll just email him
exactly
what the fans can do, that it's not complicated.
Abrasive Rock: Right.
Doro: Good.
Abrasive Rock: We will definitely let fans know and get the word out. That was
the whole
purpose of the question. It wasn't to catch you off guard or anything. I'm
trying to help the
fans and connect you for them.
Doro: Mark, I appreciate that, because there is always something. I heard one
incident here
in Germany. There was a band, or somebody left a band when they did the record,
and
when it came out and nothing was on it. A couple of weeks ago somebody screwed
up so
bad. It was actually terrible for the record, because all the retail, all the
stores were upset,
and the fans of course. But things just sometimes happen.
Abrasive Rock: You also recently, hosted a German tv special Hitgiganten – Rock
Classics
Doro: Yeah, actually it was a pretty cool show. The whole thing. A hundred or so
came,
and it was great. You could see video clips, some bands performed live, and Thin
Lizzy
were there, of course without the singer, and Nazzarath and ????. It was great.
It was like a
classic rock show. Some other band's had video clips. It was really fun to do.
It's very rare
that they want to have rock shows, and stuff, and I'm really surprised, and
wondering if it's
a good sign that rock is getting more respected again, and more attention. In
Germany,
you have a chance to get on the radio Played on TV So I'm really surprised they
are doing
it, and I was glad to be a part of the show. The Scorpions were there, as well.
It was fun to
do.
Abrasive Rock: The last Scorpions album, that's my wife's favorite new album of
last year is
Unbreakable. Just an amazing album. You just did a movie debut with Anuk - The
Path of
the Warrior. Is there any chance of an American release for that?
Doro: Yeah, next year, actually it will come out in October. We do like the
synchronization
in the next couple of weeks, and they're just in the middle of cutting it. I saw
some little
footage before, and I think it looks great, and I think the fans will love it.
It's a great part. I
have a star, and it's good, and a girl, she's like a normal girl. She's actually
a hunter, it
plays like 2000 years before Christ. In the ??? time. And of course some enemies
come and
they destroy the village, and they kill like her brothers and her father, all
the people in the
village. And she becomes a warrior. It's such a great story, and I'm so glad to
be a part in
that movie. The guy who is doing it, his name is Luke Gasser, and he's a
musician himself,
he has like ten records out. I met him on our last tour, and he came to one of
the concerts
and surprised us. He said here's a script. maybe you want to do something, like
maybe
writing a song or something. And I said 'oh, okay.' And then I read the script
and it was
great. It was so great. And I called him back and said "Man, after reading the
script I
definitely would like to do something. And then he said, 'well, did you want to
play a part?'
I told him I never did something like this before. I did some little stuff on
the side, but not
even worth talking about. And then I said, `Yeah if you think I could do it.'
'yeah, just
check out which part you want.' And then there was this girl and her name is
Anuk and
then we met for a second time, and he said, 'so, what part would you think would
be
good?' And I said, 'Well, Luke, what do you think?' And he said, 'Well the
warrior Anuk
right?', and I said, 'oh, yes, that was exactly what I was thinking, too.' And
it was like the
main female character, and I learned how to shoot with bow and arrow which was
so much
fun. I love doing it. We were filming a couple of weeks ago in the mountains of
Switzerland, and it was so cold, and it was so tremendously hard and difficult.
I have no
idea. I tell you, going on tour for a year was nothing compared to doing that
movie.
Actually, after it was all done, I was so happy. I think it will come out really
great. All the
people on the set, involved in this project. Yeah, and I think it will be good.
I'm so glad
that this is the first movie where I can totally be comfortable and I can
totally relate.
Abrasive Rock: Now you and the boxer Regina have become extremely close friends.
Would she ever sing, and would you ever box?
Doro: I did a show on television, it was kind of like some show fights, and I
did it a couple
of years ago. Actually, I did it while we were on tour with our Fight record. At
first I
thought it was just fun. And I tell you it was pretty hard muscled. I thought,
'I hope no one
gets hurt,' because I had like fifty concerts in front of me, and it was fun. I
was a big fan of
boxing, and I used to do Tae boxing. It's like fists and feet and elbows and
knees, and it's
like great work for getting in shape and fit for a tour. So I did it once.
Regina, she actually
sang on the last single, she had her ten year anniversary. She'd been undefeated
for ten
years, and I thought maybe we should do something special for it. So we did a
single, and
we remixed, `She's Like Thunder' for a couple of different versions, and I
called her up and
asked her if she'd like to sing on one version. So we rewrote some lyrics. And
now it's
`We're like Thunder' and she sang on the song and it came off so sweet. It
sounds very
sympathetic, and very charming. So we did some shows together. I read it in a
book that
she'd always wanted to sing. So we kind of lived each other dreams for a while.
It was
great. She is a great lady, really, really great girl, really great.
Abrasive Rock: This next question I hope I'm not getting too personal, but last
spring you
had surgery and fans kind of went crazy about the rumors of what was wrong with
our
great Doro? Do you mind talking about what happened? Are you okay?
Doro: Yeah, Mark, yeah. Actually it was a combination of all kinds of things,
and now
Checking into that it is a thing which I heard many women have when they don't
have kids,
and it's called endomitriosis. It's something only women get. I didn't know it
would get so
bad. I've never had a problem. Then I wanted to go a to a Football game
actually, and early
in the morning I got so much cough and severe pain, and I thought, 'shit, man',
and I was
thinking something is not right, and then for like ten hours I was like laying
in bed and I
thought 'oh man, it doesn't go away'. It got so bad and I called the ambulance.
I hardly
could crawl to my telephone. I was taken to the hospital and I got an immediate
operation.
It was a combination of many things, and actually they found a tumor as well,
but it was
good, it was not cancer. I tell you, I had a hard couple of days. I was really
in shock. I
thought `This is it now'. Thank god. It was really shocking. I have to go back
to the
hospital when I finish this new record, which I think we'll finish it in
January, and then I
have to go back to the hospital and get it checked. They've got to check, they
can only do
another operation, you can't do it by x-ray. Make sure everything is okay. When
I got the
operation, and six weeks later we did all the summer fests and everything else
okay. It was
just like 'POW!' There are things which sometimes are just another shocking
moment. I
think everything will be fine.
Abrasive Rock: Cool. The most important part is that you're fine.
Doro: Yeah. Sometimes it's a good life lesson, because I know how quickly it can
come and
go. One day before I was totally okay, planning the tour and the summer
festival, and then
one day later everything changed. And I thought, you have to appreciate every
day and
make the most out of your time.
Abrasive Rock: What are the chances of us seeing you do a coast to coast tour in
the
United States?
Doro: Hey, very good, Mark, really good. I think it's really possible it will be
next summer
in the States, and there are a couple of options, and they're fucking great. We
were talking
with a couple of management of some bands, and it looks really good. And Mark,
if I say it
now, I'll blow it, because they told me not to say, but I can tell you but you
don't have to
write it, how about that?
Abrasive Rock: What's that now?
Doro: I can tell you what the plans are, but hide it, Mark.
Abrasive Rock: Don't say it right now, then, because we're actually recording,
and this mp3
is going to be-wait until I turn the recorder off.
Doro: Okay. But the chances are looking really good. We're definitely coming
over for
another tour in the States.
Abrasive Rock: I've got two questions. The next one is, many of the women that
I've turned
onto Doro's music, they really want to know what your secret is, how you keep
looking so
young and so beautiful. What is your secret?
Doro: Oh, Mark, that's so sweet of you. Women always love to hear that stuff,
but I tell you
it's not worrying too much about it, and living life to the fullest, and doing
something that
I love. I'm so happy that I can still do music. I love it so much, and actually
going on tour.
On one hand it's very stressful and I like it so much that there's positive
energy, and when
I see the fans it makes me so happy, and I think trying to stay happy and
healthy, that
does more than any creams or facials and stuff. And keeping good people around
you who
you can talk to, and really good friends you can trust. I think that's it.
That's the secret of
surviving it all. Whatever makes me happy, I always try to not let it go so
quick. I keep
good memories in my heart, and I think about good stuff, and I try not to let
the bad stuff
weigh me down so much. You have to try to keep a good attitude even when there
are
problems with stuff, and heavy times. I always try to give it my best.
Abrasive Rock: This is the final question that we ask every single artist we
talk to. This is
always our final question. If you could wipe any rock or metal band off the face
of the
earth, who would it be?
Doro: If I could wipe them off, you say? (both laughing) Do I have to really
answer that? I
could tell you all my favorite bands, but what one I would wipe off? God. Oh,
Mark, it's very
difficult for me to even say something so harsh! Oh, man.
Abrasive Rock: Honestly, we have about only half the people answer it.
Doro: Oh, really. Oh, Mark, can I pass on this one? Because I tell you what,
like even when
people do music I don't like, then they make other people happy, and I'm happy
for them.
And it's always up to taste, whatever floats your boat. Yeah, I think I'll pass
on this
question.
Abrasive Rock: I thank you for the interview, and let me press stop on the
recorder.
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