|
G:
To tell you the truth, I’ve wanted to release them for quite a while…
when Suncity contacted me it sort of pushed me into action. How
the story goes till you signed a deal with Suncity records. Did they
persuade you to go on releasing those songs or it was something that you
were planning to do all those years? Do you think that Suncity Recs was
the best choice for you and for Blue Tears? G:
No… they didn’t pressure me at all… they are such nice, trustworthy
friends of mine. I liked Suncity because it’s a newer company… and
also because I’m very close to them… so that’s a good thing. Why
did you decide to go on with Blue Tears again, instead of releasing a new
album with Attraction 65? Does this band still exist? Will you continue
releasing albums with both bands in the future? G:
It’s very possible, right now I’d say no… Attraction 65 … just
because it was simply me exorcising my demons… and I’m in good shape
now… no worries. A
second album is going to be released soon from Suncity Recs again. I know
that you are going to tour with Blue Tears and you will come to Europe as
well. After that what will be the next step? G:
Well in Jan or Feb. Our brand new studio album will be released… I’ve
been working hard on it for about 3 months… the writing was easy this
time… Have
you ever thought of giving up music? I mean that times were tough for
you’re the past 15 years or am I wrong? G:
Yes I have… around 92-93 .I was taken advantage of… lost everything I
had… cars… house… wife…. etc. Since
you have already talked o others about the songs of the album can you tell
me a small story for 5 of my beloved songs from the album? G:
“Long Way Home”: We were just kidding around one night… the vocals
are large than life… “With You Tonight”: I wrote
“With You tonight” in college… special song for me. “Misty Blue”: Just wanted
to do something hypnotic… with a great story. “Kisses In The Dark”: What
can I say… “Russia Tonight”: Another
song I wrote just out of college… basically saying that we are all the
same on this earth… no matter where you come from. Do
you think that hard rock music is so popular nowadays as it was back in
the late 80’s-early 90’s? G:
Not at all… I don’t see or hear anyone doing that … the 80’s were
a golden time for everyone… Are
you totally satisfied with the album? Do you think that the production
could have been better or you did the best that you could? G:
This album is just a collection of demos I recorded in my studio… on an
analog tape… so I think the production is just as good… because of
what I had to work with. By
the way, what’s your opinion about those mp3’s and CDs that are all
over the internet and contain demo songs of Blue Tears? G:
If they want to get them, more power to them… the quality is terrible on
those bootlegs… Now
let me take you some years back… If you hadn’t disbanded in the early
90’s how do you imagine that Blue Tears’ carrier would have been like
today? G:
I don’t know… we certainly would have evolved over the years… I
guess we are about to find out. To
set it straight, what do you think that went wrong and you didn’t made
that big breakthrough that everyone was expecting from you in the early
90’s? G: One word… Nirvana…. Pearl Jam… etc. even if we had stayed together… it couldn’t have gone far. That’s the year that even Bon Jovi and Def Leppard had trouble getting on the radio. Do
you believe that the comparison with Def Leppard and Bon Jovi was good for
the band indeed or it just made you more anxious about people’s
reactions in the future about your music? G:
I t doesn’t bother me… never did… we don’t do impressions of these
other bands. I learned how to sing along with Bruce Springsteen…
that’s probably where the Bon Jovi comparison came from… Jon sings so much like
Bruce… just in a higher key… I love Jon’s voice… and Bruce’s
voice. So,
what we should wait from Blue Tears in the future? G: Well, the new album is almost finished… it’s really going to please… I do believe… and I can’t wait for all of you to hear it…. some very big songs on there. Do
you consider your debut as a classic hard rock release as many people do,
like me? I have also presented it in our site’s Hall Of Fame section. G: I’m flattered by that… but I don’t really think it is… although there are obviously. Have
you ever imagined that people’s love would have kept Blue Tears alive
all those years and would make them a cult band in the “underground”
music scene? G:
I had no idea… I’m really exited about playing in Europe and meeting a
lot of the fans. What
was the big secret that made people never forget and love so much Blue
Tears despite their long absence from the music scene? G:
I don’t know… maybe the songs really reached some of the people…
songs about growing up and coming of age…? And
some weird Questions now!!! Which kind of rock music do you prefer the
most? G:
Music with intelligent lyrics… good melodies… U2… Bruce and the E
Street band… Bon Jovi… John Melancamp. What
is missing from today’s music industry and most albums have not that
quality that they used to have back in the 70’s and 80’s? G:
Well bands, singers… all the dancers on stage is just something to add
to the show since there really isn’t anything else going on… and these
young kids don’t know the difference, unfortunately, between music made
with instruments… hip hop… is basically disco! Which
are the top 5 hard rock albums of all time according to you? G:
Bon Jovi - “Slippery When Wet”. Def Leppard – “Pyromania”. AC/DC – “Back In Black”. Meatloaf – “Bat Out Of Hell”. Kiss – “Destroyer”. Do
you prefer the 80’s era of metal music or not? G: I prefer music that is very melodic, great lyrics… great musicianship… most of that happened in the late 70’s and 80’s… there have been some good bands since then… Creed, for example… and Bon Jovi certainly carries on with that type of music. What
would you tell to someone to convince him to buy your album instead of
hundreds others that are being released every month? G:
I would just tell him to listen to it… then make your decision. If
you were obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that which
would represent the whole human music… which album would it be and from
which band? G:
Two of them… U2 the “Joshua Tree”…and Springsteen’s “Born To
Run”. Do you believe that
internet has helped the bands to become more popular or has caused many
problems? G:
Well, it’s certainly easier to get your music out there these days,
that’s for sure… I don’t really see it as a problem. Which
band do you consider that can take a leading part in rock music in the
future? G:
U2 for sure… there aren’t too many bands in the major markets doing
anything so that’s a hard question. Which
are the things that piss you off from today’s music industry? G:
Dancers… what’s the point? Lip
syncing… songs that take old song samples and then just talk over them. Which
is the most overrated band today? G:
I don’t know… I don’t know of any off the top of my head. Do
you consider yourself a rock star? G:
Nope,
never have. Imagine
that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy for
herself an expensive ring. How would you react? J G:
Divorce… ha ha!!! Gregg, thank you so much
for everything. Please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care! G:
Just looking forward to seeing everyone at Firefest… and the tour that
will follow in the Spring… thanks for listening!
by Thanos Aggelakis |
Hi
Gregg… After 15 years you finally managed to release the follow up to
your fantastic debut. It’s better late ever huh? Why did you take the
decision to release those demo and unreleased tracks after all those years?
Do you believe that now is the best time to do it?