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R: Hey there! I’m doing great! Leash Law consists of myself on lead guitars, Wade Black on vocals, Richard Christy on drums, Emo Mowery on guitar and Stephen Elder on bass. Wade and I were tossing around a few band names and Leash Law sounded to be the best name for us. It all started when Wade recorded “Towers Of Babylon” for my solo CD, “Until The Bitter End.” I had a wealth of material and we spoke about putting a band together. I gave him a CD of 13 songs and he stated writing lyrics. From there, it was just making phone calls to the rest of the guys and getting it all together. What
is the response of the media and the fans so far? R:
The response has been excellent. Everywhere, people are talking good
things about the band and the CD. I always see a smile on people’s faces
after they listen to it. Surprisingly, German critics have been most
harsh. Scoring much lower than expected, but it doesn’t matter because
the fans truly love it. Nowadays, when you hear a CD, you either love it
or hate it. I’m very happy for the great response. How
would you characterize your music? I think that is a mixture of the
American heavy metal and euro-power metal but I want your opinion about
this. R:
Yes. You are very correct. We take the best elements of US metal and
combine it with the melodic wonder of Euro metal. Also, we make it
original, trying not to copy anyone in particular. We try and create a
fresh sound. Is
this the style of music you all like to play or it is just the music that
came out of you when you were composing? R:
It’s a style that has not been put out there yet. We knew if we wanted
to be something different, we were going to have to create something very
different. Everything came together very naturally for us. We have such a
wide range of Metal influences, it was very easy for us to just sit down
and start writing. It all comes directly from our Metal Heart and Soul. What
are your influences as a band? R:
I would say Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Primal Fear, Metalium, Yngwie, Dio
etc… Who
is responsible for the music and the lyrics? R:
On this record, Wade has written all the lyrics. As for the music, I
solely wrote 5 songs and co-wrote 2 more. Emo created 1 song of music and
Richard solely wrote “Paving The Way”. Now
I would like you to tell me a few words about each one of the songs. R:
Fight: The flagship of the album. Every element of Leash Law is here. The song deals with the eternal battle for a free world. Ok!
Which song do you consider as the best of the album and why? I have to
tell you that my favorite track is “Stealing Grace”, because of the
excellent guitar work and Wade’s great vocals! R:
I would have to agree with you. Although, I love listening to every song.
“Stealing Grace” is one of those songs that have it all. Very catchy
and a major chorus hook. All the members of the band play in other groups too. What does this mean about Leash Law? Is it only a project of you and Wade or it is a normal band? R:
It’s a normal band. Our schedules aren’t so busy that we have to
commit to just one thing. Like me, along with LL, I still tour with Rob
Rock, work on my next solo record and also work with Tiwanaku a spawn of
LL. Richard, of course is in Iced Earth and Burning Inside. There have
been no conflicts yet. Do
you believe that there will be any problems with the obligations that the
other members have with their other groups? R:
You never can tell. Everyday is different and opportunities may arise.
But, we make sure that if we need to schedule shows or recordings, it
doesn’t conflict with anyone’s schedule. Tell
us a few words about the production. Are you totally satisfied with the
final result? R:
I am very satisfied with the end result. We used an SSL 4000 recording
console that was previously owned by Giorgio Moroder (Top Gun, Scarface).
We were the first Metal band to ever use it. Although, I am a
perfectionist and would have liked maybe a week or 2 more for mixing, we
had deadlines and things have to be done and sometimes you just gotta let
it go. I love the record. It sounds fantastic and massive and I can say
you will have a smile on your face after you hear it. What
are your plans for the future? Any videos, tours etc… R:
For sure, that will happen. We are in negotiations right now for a world
tour and you can count on a tour dvd to follow. What
more can you contribute to the metal scene as a new band? I would like
your personal comment about this. R:
I feel we can add something fresh to a very saturated scene. More and more
bands are coming out and they have nothing new to say or play. It is the
same stuff over and over and over again. We are going to make sure that
the music stays heavy and aggressive, with the Euro feel. But, we will
ensure that every song sounds like nothing else. I
know that you and Wade were in Greece a few months ago for the promotion
of the album. What is your opinion for the Greek fans and did you like
Greece? R:
Yeah, that was awesome!! The Greek fans are excellent and I think they
were even more impressed after our show. Apparently, no one has ever done
an acoustic version of Priest and Maiden there. Many jaws hit the floor…
hehehe. It was great fun and everyone there was very appreciative and very
respectful. Lets
talk about label now. You have signed a contract with the Greek label
Black Lotus Records. How did this happen? R:
After Wade and I created a 3-song demo, I put up a webpage with an email
address and some samples. We started shopping it around and got an email
from BLR. Wade had a mutual friend that worked closely with BLR and the
conversations started. Are
you totally satisfied from Black Lotus? R:
More than satisfied. Being with BLR has been a very positive experience in
more ways than one. They are excellent people to work with and hold the
highest respect for Metal. They have helped make our dreams come true, so
I am always grateful. Do
you think that there will be any problems because of the distance between
the base of the band and Greece? R:
No, there’s no problem. It only takes 10 hours to get there by plane.
Just get me a ticket and ready to go anytime!! Ok
then. What are your influences as a guitarist? R:
Yngwie, Ritchie Blackmore, Uli Roth, Vinnie Moore, Ronnie LeTekro, Al
DiMeola and Andy LaRocque. And
some more Weird Questions now!!! If you had the chance to give only one
album that you have participated in someone so that he can have the best
opinion about your guitar plying and generally for your job… which album
would it be? R:
As much as I love LL, I would have to give my solo record for the best
interpretation of my playing. It is one big solo… hehe. But, I have to
say, the solos I did for LL are the most creative ones I have ever
written. Do
you consider yourself as a guitar-hero? R:
I don’t consider myself a guitar hero. That would be egotistical.
Although, it has been said in the press that I am a guitar hero, it’s
very flattering. But I feel I am a very talented guitarist and hope people
can be inspired of what I can do and have done. Do
you believe in luck and in coincidences or do you believe that the human
mind and will can affect all the things in life? R:
Good question!! Well, Everyone needs a little luck in his life and it
happens all the time. But, we have to first methodically think everything
out and have a set goal in mind. After that is when the luck comes in. Do
you earn your living from your music, or do you have to resort to other
jobs too? R:
I have been living off music for the last 5 years. I used to work a lot,
but it took time away from my playing and writing. I had to make a
decision and thankfully it has been working out. Although, I did get a job
a few months back for about a month. I was testing video games for
Electronic Arts. But again, it took time away from my playing so I had to
quit. How
do you imagine that the music world could be, one thousand years from now?
And why? R:
Wow! I don’t even know where it will be in a 100 years. Music is a
cycle. Trends come then go. Even now, it’s like an album is released and
2 months later no one talks about it. Here today, gone tomorrow. I think
1000 years from now, the music will be like classical style but without
conventional instruments. More atmospheric with unheard of sounds. I wish
I could go into the future and check it out! What
would you do, if you had supernatural power? R:
I would use mind control and tell everyone to get Leash Law’s “Dogface”
now!!! Hehe! Ok
Rick! That’s it! I wish you the best for your album. The last words of
this interview belong to you. Thank you again for your time! If there is
anything else that you would like to tell to Grande Rock readers, just do
it!! R:
I would like to thank you and all the great readers of Grande Rock for the awesome support!! I’m very much looking forward to seeing you all on tour very soon!! by George Kouvelis |
Hello
Rick! How are you doing? “Dogface” is the debut album for Leash Law
and I would like to tell us a few words about this all-star band.