Photo of Jeff Pilson

Jeff Pilson's Blog

  • Back for the Attack!

    Hello friends! Its been a whole year since I've posted here - hopefully you have been able to follow me on Twitter (I'm random, but I have my moments where you'll get a whole blast of tweets). I'm also trying to manage my Facebook Fan Page as my main site for the time being... its a lot easier to post in FB and keep everyone interacting there than it is to manage a custom site!

    One thing I DO like about this MySpace page, however, is the blog integration for longer thoughts and interviews, like the one below. Michael Regan and I have done a few of these together, and I always enjoy them - he asks great questions and it helps me capture a lot of stuff in one swing.

    A lot has happened since our last exchange, and I hope you'll enjoy the details... and hope to see you on the road this fall with FOREIGNER!

    Hi Jeff! It's been a while since we've done an interview together, and as usual, you have plowed thru a LOT of work in the process... Seriously, where do you get all of your artistic energy from?

    The love of music. It really is what propels me.

    Most of your fans know that you started touring with FOREIGNER back in 2004, and the band has been an amazing force over the past 8 years together... What is the secret to this band's prolific success?

    Great songs, no doubt about it. It doesn't hurt that the band kicks ass, but it really is the timeless power of the songs that brings people back.
    Even in an era of touring to make a living, the band has still managed to get back in the studio and record together, most recently the "Feels Like the First Time" release. Any great stories from your sessions that give us a glimpse of Foreigner in the creative process?

    My favorite story comes from the recording of the Acoustique portion of the record. We were recording at a very nice studio in New York, and Sting was in the studio right below us. As many of you know, I get very "into it" when I play, so when we finished a particular take, the guy from the studio came in and said Sting had asked for whoever was banging their foot in the studio above, to please stop. That would be me!!!! Anyways this studio is used to recording full-on bands all the time, so how my foot stomping was the louder than a drum kit is beyond me. But I guess Sting is very sensitive!!!
    Some fans will also ask about the motivation to re-record the songs that originally defined FOREIGNER... What can you tell us about why some artists like Mick Jones have recently chosen this route with their classic catalog?

    Originally Mick didn't want to do it, he worried it could be conceived of as cheesy or exploitive. But then the demand came from fans who have fallen in love with this line-up and really wanted to hear us do the classics. It really was out of devotion to the fans that Mick agreed to do it. And that's a big thing and says a lot about Mick. People probably don't realize how painful it can be for an artist (who also, remember, was pretty much the producer the first time around) to revisit such a huge part of his life and work. And it's not exactly like the original versions are easy to top. I think doing it was a bigger struggle for Mick than people realize. How do you replay your life's work and success without pain and a struggle?

    Speaking of Mick Jones, how is he doing? The fans of his music have be incredibly grateful that he has kept this band going as a touring band, because these songs are just amazing in a live venue... Can you share any updates on his health or his future plans for the band?

    He's doing great. I don't have all the details on his health, but I know he's looking and feeling the best he's been in years. We're hoping he's back soon, but only when the time is right. I know he's mentioned he's anxious to get "back in the saddle again"!!!!!

    Let's shift gears and look at another aspect of your future by taking a brief look back... You have told us in the past about the good efforts to reunite Dokken in 2010, but most fans have now accepted that this may never come to pass. Any thoughts about ever working with Don again?

    Well never is truly a long time, so I would never say never!!! I actually have a feeling that someday a situation will present itself where either myself or the band work with Don again. There's just too much history there. And it's not unfriendly at this point. George and Don see each other at mutual gigs and talk and laugh together. But it probably won't be any time too soon. These days plans have to be made fairly far in advance to coordinate effectively, so with Foreigner, Lynch Mob, T&N, etc., I just don't think it's a Don or Dokken time for me anytime soon. But that's not a negative, nor is it aimed at Don- it's just the way it is.
    Clearly a positive experience from those efforts was getting you back in the studio with George Lynch again. Tell us about the original recordings you captured with George & Brian Tichy last year... How special is making music with your friend Mr. Scary?

    George and I have a chemistry which has only grown through the years. He's really my musical soul mate- and I tell him so. Something magical happens when we concentrate- and it's a huge creative high for both of us. The genesis of this record (T&N) was that when the Dokken thing didn't happen, George and I had already started writing with Dokken in mind. In fact Don had even come out and worked with us on a few things- quite successfully. But when the reunion went away, George then asked if I'd like to write on a new Lynch Mob record- and of course I said yes! Oni was in Switzerland at the time, so the plan was to have all the music ready by the time he arrived (there was some kind of a deadline at that point) and he'd write and record the vocals and be done. So George and I got very inspired and wrote an album's worth of stuff. We then got Brian (Tichy) to do the drums and we had the music ready. Then one thing led to another, and Oni really couldn't get himself wrapped around the music. He wanted to start from scratch, so we were left with an album in the can- unfinished- but something George and I loved very much. I do, in retrospect, see where from Oni's point of view this wasn't really Lynch Mob material, but we did have a strong vibe about it nonetheless. Then it was Brian who suggested we do a record calling ourselves Tooth and Nail and getting Mick Brown. The name issue aside, I then thought it'd be cool if we left the stuff with Brian alone (his drumming is positively brilliant on this) but got Mick and redid some Dokken songs (gee- I wonder where I got THAT idea???!!!). Next thing you know, 12 Dokken tracks later (5 of which are on this first release)- and with the new stuff we had (we settled on 7), we have a record. By that point I had gotten all inspired and wrote a bunch of lyrics and melodies, then worked with George (and on one song with Brian as well) and finished the vocal tracks. We were over the moon. We then got guest vocalists involved, all of whom really delivered the goods, and now we have quite a record here.

    At some point one of you decided to call Mick Brown and revisit some classic Dokken tracks... And then someone said, lets get dUg Pinnick to sing one, and Sebastian Bach, and so on... That must have been fun. How did the three of you feel back in that familiar studio territory together?

    With Mick it was exactly as it's always been- which is great. The three of us had so much fun cutting these tracks, and I think it really shows in the arrangements. There's an energy that comes through in the music which can only be described as that "X factor"!!! And the vocalists- wow did they blow me away. Sebastian came in with a cold, but ended up delivering a vocal track that gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. He was amazing. Doug, a favorite of George and mine for many years now, was absolutely on fire. Ripper, Robert- all great! It was so fun watching these guys do their magic. Those are the moments that make me feel so lucky to be doing what I do.
    So we have original tracks with George and Brian that feature your vocals, and then classic tracks with you, Mick, and George with guest vocalists... That's an interesting mix. What drove you to add Dokken songs to the process, and what do you hope your fans will experience when they hear this release from start to finish?

    Well I really did get the idea from Foreigner, and seeing how much fans love that. Plus it's a great way to honor the legacy while introducing new material. Why separate them? I think enough time has passed where we can accept how important the Dokken material is to our legacy and fans, but still keep it fresh and alive. We did take a few turns on the material that probably couldn't have happened on a record in 1984, but which felt real and inspired today. That's one upside of where we are in our careers today- we can do that sort of thing. And I think as long as it comes from the heart, our fans are right there with us. Our hope is that when people hear this whole record, they hear new music and hear a relevance to the Dokken material that ties it all together.
    Lets face it -today your tools in the studio are pretty amazing. Is it tempting for you or George to take a song written 25 years ago and completely change things or was there a consensus to work hard to retain the creative elements of the original recording?

    On most of the songs we essentially started with the original arrangement, but then when we felt it, allowed our inspiration to take us wherever it was going. So we stay pretty true to the original recordings, but add a few elements that give it a freshness to keep it exciting. I'm very happy with the results, and extremely anxious for people to hear it.
    With a whole batch of songs in the can, you had two major issues to address - naming the band and finding a label that would release the recording. Let's start with the name... That was a bit of a fiasco - what can you share?

    The original idea (Brian Tichy's) was to call it Tooth and Nail, for obvious reasons. But let's just say we chose to call it T&N. That's a happy medium.
    With the name now secured, tell us about the second step - distribution. Many artists today self record, produce, and promote. What led you to catalog these songs as a traditional CD and seek a label to promote the T&N brand of hard rock music?

    We're not in a position yet where George and I could distribute a record as effectively as a good label, so it was important to find one. And I think, fingers crossed, we struck gold. In Europe we're on the label Foreigner is on, Edel Records, and they do such incredible work. They have the old school mentality of building an artist and standing behind the record, but they're savvy enough in the new school ways to get the record out there effectively. In Japan we're on a label I don't know much about (WHD) but have heard only great things. They've so far shown to really get the record and be strongly behind it. Then in America we're on a relatively new label but one that has us very excited and that's Rat Pack Records. Their owner is a visionary who is on a mission- and we want to be his army!!!!! There will be lots of exciting things happening for T&N this year!

    Tell us about some of the tracks... I'm sure there is a story behind your lyrics. Are you inspired by the groove of something you and George create, or do you have stories waiting to be told and the music just brings them out of you?

    What really drove us on this record is the inequality we're seeing all around us. The fact that poverty is starting to rise, people are out of work losing their savings, homes, etc. while banks and corporations are experiencing record profits- and holding on to enough cash to get a real recovery going- that's what drives us. With political Super PACs being able to contribute endless funds, we're really entering a dangerous era where money, more than ever, buys power and influence like never before seen. I believe there's a way we can come together, right and left, to stop the threat to democracy that our founders tried so hard to avoid. See, don't get me started!!!!!!

    The release date is now aimed at 10/31 - the buzz is already starting... Will you, George, and Mick make time to promote the release with a winter tour or will this look more like your previous L/P project with George and Fro?

    The plan is for George, Mick and I to hit the road in November and December while Foreigner has some down time. We're very anxious to take this band live.
    Speaking of projects, you also had some fun this spring working on a new recording with Steven Adler. First of all, tell us about his band, then tell us about the music and the role you played in bringing Steven's style of hard rock out into a place where his fans can experience it.

    That record was a true joy- and wait til people hear it!!!! His band is absolutely phenomenal! The singer, Jacob Bunton is not only a great singer, but a truly gifted musician and writer as well. He even did some of the guitar solos on the record- the boy can shred!!!! And Lonny Paul, guitarist, is Steven's secret weapon! He's a great guitarist, fabulous writer, and he's the one that keeps everyone together. I played bass on the record, but new bassist Johnny Martin (who joined after the record was done) is absolutely great. And wait'll you hear Steven on this disc. He really does have a quality to his drumming, that when he's locked into a track, it actually becomes greater than the sum of its parts. It's become so evident to me that he really is a tangible reason why Appetite for Destruction has the energy it has, and why it's appeal has become so universal. And isn't that what a recording is all about? Plus the songs are great. Jacob and Lonny are a wonderful songwriting team, and the whole band just has the right attitude. There's a rawness, ala old GnR, but a sophistication to the tracks that makes it all very timeless. I think their fans are going to absolutely love it- and it could appeal to a huge market. Needless to say, I'm very excited about the record and can't wait til they find a home (they're talking to labels now) and the world gets to hear it.
    This raises another question, which comes from your many diverse relationships in 30 years of professional recording... You've clearly played with some monstrous talents, but let's focus on the pocket - who are some of the drummers who have truly pushed you to become a better bass player, and what is the secret to an amazing rhythm section?

    Great question. That's one area where I've truly been fortunate. I think I've learned from most of the drummers I've played with, but this is what sticks out the most. Mick Brown was the first guy who I really got to learn about deep groove with. He really lived to serve the song which taught me a lot. People think he's a more simple drummer than he actually is, because to him it really is all about the groove. That was a huge lesson. Then with Vinny Appice, I learned heaviness and intensity and he took me to places I'd never been. A lot of magic playing with Vin. Lots of session work with James Kottack that really taught me quickness and intuitiveness- locking in quickly and naturally. Then with Jason Bonham I started learning how to swing in a track. He has such a unique and musical feel- we became quite close. And recently with Mark Schulman, we worked on combining an RnB flavor with a rock feel (I've been going through a "Motown phase" the last few years) that totally got me off. And of course there's Brian (Tichy) who is one monster drummer. Deep grooves, heavy and intense, but spontaneous and creative. Yes, I've been very lucky with drummers.
    Beyond drumming, is there any artist that you'd love to collaborate with who you haven't yet met?

    Does Paul McCartney count?
    How about artists that are influencing your style right now... Whats on your iPod in regular spin cycle, and who are you planning to see in concert when you're not on the road?

    I LOVE the last Black Country Communion CD (BCC 2) and can't wait for their new record to come out. That record has me more excited than anything I've heard in years. There are other relatively new things, Muse, Slash's new record, but for the most part I've been listening to a lot of oldies lately.
    Ok, so we've covered Foreigner, T&N, and influences... Let's shift gears to another area of passion in your life - the political process. I think it's fair to say that you have, at times, been fairly transparent about your support for our President. He's up for re-election - has he earned the right to lead us for another four years?

    While I have my disappointments in the President, I still think he's a far better choice than the alternative. I'm all for paying down the debt (I personally would love to see much of Simpson-Bowles enacted), but I think it's far more reasonable to increase the tax rate on the rich to 39.6% from 35% (not that that would solve nearly everything) than it is on making Medicare a voucher program that really only enriches insurance companies. I'm one of those that believe that the case for supply side "trickle down" economics has never been met. It only seems to increase the separation between rich and poor and usually leaves us in further debt. All the non-partisan analyses of Romney's budget say that, unless growth were to become vastly greater than projected, it would increase the deficit significantly more than Obama would. It only makes sense that decreasing revenue with tax cuts (unless they're vastly surpassed by spending cuts- which are politically difficult) results in greater deficits. Besides, we tried redistributing to the rich with W, and that didn't create the jobs we were promised under that plan. Those are just some of the stark differences that affect my decision.

    Let's make it a little more personal... When do you suddenly decide to throw your ring in the hat at some level of public service? And if you did, what would make you a great lawmaker or leader?

    I don't think I'd ever be much of an actual public leader, I'm not strong enough a personality. But I'd love to see George (Lynch, not Bush!!!) run for something. He's extremely knowledgable and passionate about so many things. He'd have his heart in the right place and he's willing to fight for what he believes. If T&N can just be a voice of support for true democracy, I think we'd be real happy. I encourage debate and think the country as a whole needs a lot more of it. Our biggest problem right now is that our leaders are so politically motivated that the good of the country comes second. THAT is wrong.
    Finally, open season - as we head into the fall of 2012, anything you'd like to tell us about before we wrap up?

    Just make sure and vote- but make an informed decision. Don't just listen to the sound bites- investigate. So much is at stake. With a much better informed citizenry, both left and right would have to act more urgently and practically. Yes it is my belief that Republicans in Congress- the extreme right in particular- have done a huge disservice to the process by making obstructionism a priority. But I don't believe I have all the answers, or that Democrats have been saints either. I think both sides need to be heard, but in a rational way- not so infused with idealogy and politics that nothing gets done. It all comes back to the people, remember We The People? That's still where the power can lie- if we don't allow apathy and ignorance to let it get away!


    Jeff, you are a man of many gifts, and your fans have always appreciated your passion for music, your transparency about the business of music, and your ability to see beyond music itself - you really see the voice of the soul in this artistic expression. Thanks for all you do to share the love of hard rock music in the many diverse ways you are able to it - and thanks for your time!


    Thanx so much. GREAT interview. And when they're like that, it's absolutely my pleasure and privilege!
    11:44 PM
    • Post a comment...
      • Jeff Paxton

         Nothing but tons of respect for you Jeff ... 

        5 months ago
      • Kyoko

         I love reading your blog :) 

        8 months ago

  • Summer Q&A w/Jeff & Michael

    I've been trading some emails recently with Michael Regan (our old friend "Pynch" from the Dokken, Lynch & Pilson Message Boards) that have led to another interview. Michael feeds them to me Q&A style, so he asks, I answer... we just hope you enjoy!

    PYNCH: Hi Jeff - thanks again for agreeing to do this. Your fans have always valued your candor, and we need someone from Dokken to set the record straight so let's cut to the chase: There have been some nasty interviews out there recently with Don & George. What's really going on?

    JEFF: Yes, a little good old fashioned Dokken nastiness, it's like a comfortable old sweater!!!!!

    LOL Anyways, here's the lowdown. The Dokken reunion has been scrapped, and I take a lot of the initial responsibility for that because of my schedule and commitment to Foreigner. I was, however, up front about that from day one. We did talk, though, and I think we all thought it was going to happen somehow at some time. Then Don and George got in some nasty email fights, which I'm not really in a position to evaluate but they did get ugly and seem to put an end to further reunion thoughts. The two of them had their own business outside of the pending reunion and something just went south. For whatever reason, it was time to move on. Then George asked me about working with him on the next Lynch Mob record- and I jumped at the chance. He and I started writing, got into a groove and wrote an album's worth of stuff, all with the intention of Oni writing lyrics and it being their next record. Brian Tichy laid down some incredible drums at his studio (and cowrote some music on one track)- and we had an incredibly strong start. Then Oni just wasn't feeling the music as being Lynch Mob- so it was shelved. We figured it'd be the start of another Lynch/Pilson record some day. Then actually it was Brian who had the idea that Mick, George and I should do a band, similar to what Heaven and Hell was to Sabbath, and call it Tooth and Nail. Because of everything else we have going, it'll be just a recording project at first, but sure sounds fun. We'd record the classics keeping true to the originals but make them fresh and organic. Then the idea of doing new songs came up, and it grew from there. Now I've been working on lyrics and melodies the last couple weeks on my laptop in hotel rooms, and I haven't been this inspired in years. I can't wait to get home and lay these tracks down. I have absolute belief that the music George and I make together (along with Brian Tichy in this case) is real and inspired, and that's what it's really all about. So out of a mess of a reunion attempt, I think we'll end up with a really fabulous record, and what could be better than that? But make no mistake it was NEVER intended to be a diss on Don. Don't confuse George's sense of humor ("Dump the Chump"- LOL) for the attitude and energy we all have for this project. Don is, and will always be, the singer of Dokken and an invaluable part of the Dokken chemistry. No one ever wants to take that away or dispute it one iota. But the three of us do have time tested amazing chemistry, and because we were writers on these songs, I feel we have a lot to express. If anything I think this will be a show of respect for Don, not some kind of competition. I only hope people enjoy it in the spirit for which it's intended. Whew- that was a mouthful!!!


    PYNCH: The working title is Tooth & Nail... Is this Dokken without Don?

    JEFF: I think I've explained that. Don't think of this as Dokken without Don... that's misleading. Think of it as a band with great chemistry coming up with new music that excites them, and also paying tribute to Dokken - music which the members all are heavily invested in emotionally.


    PYNCH: George has publicly stated that you already have some new songs and you plan to re-record some of the classics. George tried this once before with Robert Mason on the Lynch Mob REvolution record with mixed reviews... What will make this a really cool recording that the old fans will dig?

    JEFF: We're not going to try and reinvent the wheel. But we plan on making them rock, and giving our all on it. Remember, these songs are a deep part of our psyches as well, regardless if we're playing them with Dokken or not.


    PYNCH: George always seems to frustrate Don and his recent "Dump the Chump" comments about this project have now seemed to frustrate some of the old fans as well... Is George trying to be agitating, or does he just have a unique sense of humor?

    JEFF: That's George's humor - totally. He just forgets that when you say that along with some of the other comments he's made about Don, people may not recognize the humor in it. That boy can be so silly sometimes!!!!


    PYNCH: Fair enough. As long as we have you here, let's dig back into the past a bit... Many of your fans became aware of your work as the energetic bassist from Dokken, starting back in 1983. What were you doing musically up to that point?

    JEFF: I did the usual dues-paying in clubs, etc. Then I made my first major label record in 1980 on a rock opera called Rock Justice. Then I played with Randy Hansen in a band where we played half his songs, half mine. It was great, but the climate wasn't right for what we were doing, so I moved to LA where a few months later I joined Dokken.


    PYNCH: So you were already a hard-rockin, melodic-singing, bass playing starving artist waiting for your first big break... Who from Dokken saw/heard you and gave you the call to try out for this band?

    JEFF: Mike Varney got a call from Don because Juan Crocier had just left to join Ratt.


    PYNCH: What was your audition like - did you feel like you were in the Mark Wahlberg scene in "Rock Star" coming in to cold-audition with these guys, or was it more like a jam session in a studio?
    JEFF: It was a 20 minute jam session... then we blew the power and they offered me the gig.


    PYNCH: Tell us how this works, you get invited to join a band... Is this like getting hired by a company where you get a salary, or do they bring you in as partner right off the bat?

    JEFF: At first it was a salary (a whopping $125 a week- woo hoo!!!), but by the time of Tooth & Nail we became an equal partnership.


    PYNCH: Don, George, and Mick had already recorded some early promotional videos from "Breaking the Chains" with Juan in the band... Why did he leave, and why were you a better fit for where Dokken was going?

    JEFF: Peter Baltes from Accept plays on most of that album (BTC recorded in Germany 2 years earlier). Juan left for Ratt, and I don't really think of myself as a better fit - but it worked out well for all of us, really.


    PYNCH: You came in to tour the BTC record with Don, George, and Mick... Who did you open for and is the set basically what we hear on the "From Conception" record (that Don still thinks was recorded in 1981)?

    JEFF: We opened for Blue Oyster Cult, Aldo Nova, Dio, Steve Walsh's band (Streets, I think was their name), then headlined some clubs. Yes the set list was basically the Conception record.


    PYNCH: How did the Tooth & Nail sessions come together? Were those songs you four worked out on the road? Who in the band drove those sessions and who was involved in the studio mix?

    JEFF: George and I did do some writing on the road which became part of T&N, but much of the writing was done in a month period at George's house, which was a breakthrough moment for George and my (and also Mick's) musical relationship. We solidified and found our voice. I also did some writing with Don on that record (Alone Again, Into the Fire) which helped establish his and my chemistry, so the record was pretty well rounded. We were all pretty focused at that point. We rehearsed and did preproduction as a band, and everyone had big contributions. In some ways George and I were a bit of the driving force on that record (and I'd credit Don for being the biggest driving force on Under Lock & Key), but still everyone had big moments. One cool thing that happened on that record is I was given a lot of trust in working with Don on vocals for the record- and it set up our chemistry for the rest of our days with the band. But the honest truth is we had, at that point, a real chemistry that, even though flawed, helped bring the best out in the music.


    PYNCH: Tooth & Nail is really an amazing record, and many fans still say it is the Dokken gold standard... Do you feel proud knowing you were such an important part to those classic songs? Tooth, Lucky, Into the Fire, Alone, Heaven Comes Down... Wow.

    JEFF: Yes- it was magic for us as well.


    PYNCH: It's 1984 and suddenly your band is getting hot, you have a great record, you record several videos, and you head out on the road - are you thinking... This is it! We've made it to the top!?

    JEFF: Absolutely not! Motley and Ratt were way bigger than us, so we felt we had a lot of unfinished business.


    PYNCH: The photos and videos from the UL&K era certainly felt fluffy, yet the music was crisp, hard, and melodic... How much pressure is Elektra/Warner Bros putting on the band in 1985 to look glam? Were you into it?

    JEFF: The pressure was all internal- not from label or management (who actually discouraged the glam thing). Yes I was into it... I've never been particularly adept at fashion!


    PYNCH: What a great record, by the way... Unchain is my favorite live opener, then comes Hunter, Dreams, Lightning, and the classic It's Not Love. At that time did you feel like part of a hard rock hit machine?

    JEFF: No, but I felt like we were a great band that found it's niche.


    PYNCH: The liner notes for Under Lock & Key were certainly that - we never got a glimpse of who deserved credit for the music or the lyrics with ever song "written by Dokken". Is it fair to say that you and George were the primary driving duo behind most of that music, too?

    JEFF: No, this was a bit more equal writing-wise, and as I said before, Don was very motivated on that record and was the most focused in his drive. He really lifted his game on UL&K. George and I did have some great song contributions on that record (Its Not Love, Unchain), but there were even great band moments, like the Hunter which was magical for us. And though Don, Mick and I wrote In My Dreams, that's one of George's finest solo moments. It just felt like we had the right momentum at that point.


    PYNCH: We all enjoyed the peek into Scrotum Sound Studios on the Key Tour as captured on the Unchain the Night video... Is it fair to say that 1986 was the pinnacle for the band creatively and relationally?

    JEFF: Yes.


    PYNCH: BFTA was a really heavy record for Dokken in 1987 when most of your contemporaries were going bubble-gum. It almost felt like the band and image said "forget glam, we're DOKKEN!" Did Elektra/Warner dig that?

    JEFF: Probably not, but our management did. They always encouraged us to be heavy and progressive.


    PYNCH: That tour w/Aerosmith was amazing... What a one-two punch! Here the American hard rock kings of the 1970's have their first big record in 10 years and paired with you guys, now in overdrive - who was thinking this could all be over in just a year?

    JEFF: Certainly not me until Halloween 1987 when Don first told us he planned on leaving. But I still didn't believe him when he first said it.


    PYNCH: The summer of 1988 brought the Monsters of Rock Tour to a stadium near you, but really not near your fans. It felt like the band was distant from the audience and each other... What happened?

    JEFF: After the long European tour with AC/DC we were burnt and not really in the right place to be on that tour. The end had begun!


    PYNCH: Somehow, someone writes and gets the band to record "Walk Away" for the BFTE live record. Was this an omen song, or had Don already thrown out his famous resignation? And how does a band as big as Dokken at that point just stop?

    JEFF: Theoretically we were done, although I distinctly remember working with Don on Walk Away, and it still seemed very vital to me. But basically we just lost contact and fizzled.


    PYNCH: Jeff, as always, thank you for being so open with your fans. I appreciate you trusting me to help set the record straight on some of the current events. Plus, it is always fun going back and digging deeper into the 83-88 era that defined you, George, Mick & Don as a band.

    JEFF: Thanx for everything, and hope this clears up some of the recent confusion. Take care.
    12:36 AM
    • Post a comment...
      • chromazone.de

        Yipp...cool infos at all hi to everybody from the Dokken Clan...Hope to see yaall again in Germany/Hamburg soon.!! Cheers ...a day one fellow...Jesco

        1 year ago
      • Don Dokken

         or did you eat it just to have your own bathroom, cum on tell me the truth! my best to Ravinder and your adorable daughter

        1 year ago
      • Don Dokken

         good interview Jeff you always were the one with the best memory and statesmanship, you summed it up very well, its a crying shame it all turned to darkness right when the sun was shining for us the brightest, take care watch out for that strip mall Sushi,  but then again you had a private cabin all the way to Japan LOL peace out

        1 year ago
      • Jim Hoefelt

        Always a treat to read these...Thanks for posting this. Jeff!

        1 year ago

  • Q&A w/Michael & Jeff

    Hey all - hope everyone is enjoying a great Memorial Day weekend! No matter what you think about war, peace, or the military, please set it all aside tomorrow to remember the men & women who have been lost fighting for our freedoms. We may not agree on everything, but these brave souls gave us the freedom to even talk about it, so let's remember our fallen heroes and their families!

    I recently traded some emails with my friend Michael Regan - you may remember his "Pynch" handle on the old message boards. His great questions led to answers that we thought would be a perfect blog update heading into Summer 2011. Hope you enjoy our Q&A...


    PYNCH: Hi Jeff - first, thanks for doing this to help us reconnect with your fans. They love you, by the way... how comfortable are you knowing that you have inspired so many followers in your 30 years of making music?

    JEFF: :)


    PYNCH: You are incredibly energetic on stage and incredibly hard working in the studio... where does this passion come from and how hard is it to get out of bed every day to do this?

    JEFF: What gets me out of bed each day is MUSIC!!! I love it and have never lost the drive to make the best possible music at all times. I also never take a single day of making music for granted. It's an honor and one I fully intend to live up to.


    PYNCH: You are also a family man... your wife and your daughter must miss you terribly when you are on tour... how do you stay in touch, and has technology helped in any way?

    JEFF: Thank God for skype- that's all I can say! But yes, I miss them terribly and that's the, by far, single most difficult thing about touring.


    PYNCH: Your history is rock music has had many diverse moments - let's start with the band we all know you are devoted to: FOREIGNER... how did you originally get introduced to Mick Jones, and were you a fan of his?

    JEFF: Yes, big Foreigner fan. I met Mick in 2004 when Jason Bonham got me involved in a benefit show, which served as the catalyst to get Foreigner back together. Our musical chemistry was immediate.


    PYNCH: This is your seventh summer on tour with FOREIGNER... does it still "feel like the first time" every time you step on stage and hear Mick riff into "Long, Long way from Home" or "Hot Blooded"?

    JEFF: Wow- 7th summer, haven't heard it put like that yet!! Anyways, it still feels amazing and in many ways, this version of Foreigner is taking things to new levels.


    PYNCH: The band has some amazing talent, and you are a huge part of that... what is it like playing with a musician as versatile as Tom and a vocalist as consistent as Kelly?

    JEFF: It's the best. The whole band right now is a dream come true. We're having the time of our lives and I think the shows are evidence of that.

    PYNCH: The band has had a few drummers in the pocket with you since you joined... who hits harder between Jason & Brian, and is it fun to find a new groove with a new drummer on old songs?

    JEFF: Brian hits a little harder, but Jason has a certain finesse that's all his own. Our newest drummer, Mark Schulman, is a bit of a cross between the two. Great rock hitter, but with a real flair for the R&B side of Foreigner. His feel and groove are simply amazing. So when the drummer is great, I don't mind making the change, but I do hope Mark is here for good cuz we're on a real groove right now.

    PYNCH: You have been on tour recently with some of the 70's heavyweights... Kansas, Styx, now even Journey... these were bands that influenced YOU! What is it like to tour with them and share an audience with them every night?

    JEFF: It's great because I really do love their music, particularly Kansas. All the bands you mentioned are superior musicians, songwriters, and to top it off- great guys!!


    PYNCH: I know you have been in the studio a lot this spring... tell us about some of the new recording we can look forward to experiencing that you have been working on?

    JEFF: Well the Foreigner 3 disc package is gonna be jaw dropping! The live DVD (recorded last March in Chicago) is a fabulous show. The re-recording of the Foreigner classics is truly amazing, wait'll you hear Kelly on this, and the unplugged stuff is some of my favorite music the band has recorded during my tenure. The depth of the music is awesome. From sax to stand-up bass, to Latin percussion there's so much great stuff on this record. And plus I believe Kelly's voice is really shown off on this record. The in-your-face emotion he displays takes the songs to new places, even when he stays pretty true to the original melodies. But the delivery is mind-boggling! So yes, I'm excited for this record to be released (due Aug. 2).!!!


    PYNCH: Let's shift gears to another artist you have enjoyed working with for over 25 years... George Lynch. Aside from your friendship, what makes this working relationship stay fresh after so many years together?

    JEFF: Our sense of humor! George is, and probably always will be, one of my dearest friends and my musical soul-mate. We just have chemistry together, and I don't think I could ever put it into words- hence we make music!!!


    PYNCH: George seems to have many sides to his style, and he seems to enjoy stretching out in diverse musical directions... where do you feel you and George still connect best in style after all these great songs together?

    JEFF: That's a tough one cuz we both like to stretch out, but we have to be careful of that. I think we're at our best when we do things that are very melodic but have a powerful groove. That's our sweet spot.


    PYNCH: Speaking of great music with George, the word on the street is that you may be trying to get your next L/P record together this coming winter... last time was a trio w/Fro - what would the band mix be this time?

    JEFF: Well much of the music is already recorded (it was originally going to be a Lynch Mob record- but it sprang a life of its own) and it has the great Brian Tichy on drums. And let me tell you, his laying is so friggin good. I can't wait to finish these songs- it's pretty exciting stuff. Anyways, the rest of it is George and I, and we'll see what happens when we finish it. Keith St John was involved with some of the writing, when we still thought it may be Lynch Mob, and I like a lot of what he did, so maybe he'll be involved as well- who knows??

    PYNCH: Jeff, George, Wild Mick... seems like only one piece is missing... we all thought a Dokken reunion in 2010 was possible, but it never happened... can you tell us just how close the four of you got to one more tour?

    JEFF: Oh we were talking, but nothing concrete ever came of it, mostly due to scheduling. I recently read a post by Don which states that right before the Eddie Trunk show he and George did, I asked them not to make an announcement on the show. Well that is true, except that we had never really finalized anything to begin with, my schedule had been an issue from the beginning. I was very up front about that from day one. But most recently we had talked about possible 2012 plans that I think are no longer in play. You just never know.


    PYNCH: Is it fair to say that there is "Nothing Left to Say" when it comes to a future, full-band Dokken reunion with George and yourself?

    JEFF: I don't think it'll ever be NOTHING left to say.


    PYNCH: Seems like you have made the shift to social media in the past year... is this an easier way to stay in touch with your fans and keep them updated on your recordings & touring?

    JEFF: Yes, and now that the bulk of my work is done on the Foreigner record, I plan on checking in a whole lot more.


    PYNCH: How about technology that helps you record your music... what is really helping you expand the vision you have for what you can create, and what is on your "wish list" for new studio tools?

    JEFF: I can't wait til the day, not too far off, when we can work on the same session together from large distances, but in real time. Having a studio on the road with me has saved my butt. There's no way this new Foreigner record could have been finished in time, and even our last record (Can't Slow Down) I used my road studio to record the bass tracks.


    PYNCH: Tell us about your equipment these days... we know you have a long endorsement with Dean Markley strings - what about your amps, your bass, and your guitars... what feels really good right now?

    JEFF: Well I still love my vintage Fender P Basses- and no one does endorsements for vintage instruments! But my Ampeg amps are still cranking and of course Dean Markley are still the best. I'm also playing a Takamine 12 string on our unplugged shows- and it is gorgeous.


    PYNCH: In the past you have helped a lot of other bands in the studio, and you certainly hear about new artists every day... who is really inspiring you that the hard rock torch still has a flame that will keep burning for a while?

    JEFF: Well even though I wasn't able to produce their last record because of scheduling, I still have mad love for Benedictum. All their records are worth checking out.


    PYNCH: One name we expect to see in the future is James Durbin from American Idol Season 10... did you catch any of his work, and how easy will it be for him to get a band together thanks to the exposure of the Idol Machine?

    JEFF: Yes I saw him and I really hope he can take the music he obviously loves (hard rock/metal) and mold it into something contemporary. Wouldn't that be great. Music needs that right now. Rock is kind of stale and needs a shot in the arm- maybe James could do it. I LOVE the fact that he brought Zakk and Judas Priest to Idol- gotta give him major props for that.


    PYNCH: Before we go, let's throw out a few names - you remember this game... just tell us the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name:
    Elvis- The standard bearer

    John Lennon- the template for singer/songwriter/rock band performer

    Jimi Hendrix- modern guitar ultimately owes it all to him

    Paul McCartney- the template for great singer/songwriter/bassists for all time

    John Entwhistle- took bass to a whole new place

    Roger Waters- lighten up, bro!

    John Paul Jones- severely underrated- the glue of Zeppelin

    Geezer Butler- same with him and Sabbath

    Chris Squire- my all time favorite bassist- took what Entwhistle did and expounded on it

    Glenn Hughes- what a voice!!! That man has soul!!!

    Ritchie Blackmore- tasty soloist

    Eddie Van Halen- the first "shredder"

    Randy Rhodes- Tasteful shredder

    Finally...RJD- Phenomenal singer, musician and human being- I miss him every day, and that's not exaggerating.


    Hey, that's it for now - I hope you all enjoyed this format! We'd love to read your comments - Michael has more questions, so who knows... we make this a regular thing! Hope to see you all somewhere our on tour this summer!

    Peace,
    Jeff
    10:51 PM
    • Post a comment...

  • 2010 and Beyond!!!

    Current mood:excited

    Hey friends, lots going on in my world I'd love to share with you. First off, Foreigner is returning to Europe on July 16th and will be doing a week of television and promo in Germany. From there we head off to Zurich for a show, then on to London for the High Voltage festival. That will be bittersweet for me as it was to have also included Heaven and Hell with Ronnie, it's gonna get emotional I'm sure. But the fact that the Heaven and Hell line-up, with Glenn Hughes, will be there is a huge comfort. Especially if I get to hang with Vinny Appice- he's one of my favorite people in the world! Then the next day we're recording the itunes festival (not exactly sure when it "airs") which ought to be great. I love when we record the band because I'm so proud of how it's sounding these days. We really are in a great place right now. Then we're back to Germany for more shows and the Rock of Ages fextival (also to be recorded). So lots of Foreigner stuff in the weeks ahead, and I plan on tweeting as much as possible. Thanx for everything and you'll be hearing from me soon.

              Jeff
    12:32 AM
    • Post a comment...
      • Yossi

         Awesome!!

        1 year ago
      • Don Dokken

         great interview i hope you have a great summer 'all the best' D D

        1 year ago
      • chromazone.de

        See ya soon, Jeff! Ciao Jesco
        ......


        ......


        2 years ago
      • ღB♥bcatღ

        Re: ..We really are in a great place right now.........
        ..........Yes you are! I am so happy for all of you! Have a good time with Vinny~..........
        ..........Bobcat~..........
        ..........ps... try to post to the board once. You know how jealous all us US fans are over the German tarts! (my bad) Huggles~


        ....

        2 years ago
      • El Kapitan

        It's good to be busy. Rock On!!..
        ....Kaptain from NAMM..

        2 years ago
      • Ratt and Daniel's

        best wishes to you,jeff

        2 years ago
      • Good Times Bad Times

        Awesome!
        That is sad about Dio, only the good die young.
        Best Wishes
        xoxo

        2 years ago
      • Zuly

        Great to hear of what going on with u wish u the best!!! God bless!!

        2 years ago
      • Jim Hoefelt

        Thanks for the update, Jeff. You're right...Foreigner are kickin' major arse, these days. Ya sounded INCREDIBLE a few weeks ago in Connecticut. Safe travels and much success to you and the boys. Please give Vinny and the Heaven & Hell crew my best. There's only ONE Ronnie James Dio but I'm sure Glen will fill those shoes with honor, talent and respect. Best wishes to you, my friend...

        2 years ago
      • Steve Plaw

        All-right, sounds good. Missing Ronnie, too.

        2 years ago
      10 of 13More

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