FIB MUSIC: Other than the Keel reunion, what are you up to these days?
Ron Keel:The KEEL reunion has been pretty much a full time job since we made the decision
to move forward, almost a year ago now. I turned over my production interest in the
Vegas country show and put my previous rock band K2 on hiatus in order to focus on
KEEL. It got even more intense when we decided to create a new album, because we
were determined to do things right and make every aspect of this reunion special.
FIB MUSIC: Describe a typical day in the life of Ron Keel.
Ron Keel:I take each day as it comes, and try to work as hard as I can to accomplish the
tasks at hand. The only time a day becomes 'typical' is when we're doing shows
- then you get into the grind of traveling, airports and vans and hotels,
soundcheck, gig, meet & greet, partying, then start back at the top.
Right now I am deep into the vocal sessions for the new KEEL album. Those days are
very ritualized in terms of how I prepare for the session - after a pot of coffee
I have a tuna salad sandwich on wheat with tomatoes, and listen to the demos of the
song of the day, making final adjustments to the lyrics and getting my lyric sheets
organized. Each line is numbered for reference, and I highlight certain parts where
I want to try harmonies. I try to do all my thinking in advance so by the time I get
to the studio I can just feel it. I like to start early, by 11 AM. I'm recording
the vocals at my good friend Paul Shortino's home studio, and the vibe is great,
we're making some magic and it's a very fun process. I'll actually be bummed
when we're done with this record because I'm having so much fun singing and
working with Paul.
After a session, there's not much left of me. I leave it all there and exhaust
myself physically, mentally, and vocally - then dinner and couch time, and a vain
attempt to catch up with e-mails and phone calls that I missed while screaming my
guts out all day.
FIB MUSIC: What are the last two CD's you bought?
Ron Keel:The latest from Nickelback, "Dark Horse," which is fucking brilliant, and
"Black Ice" from AC/DC, which is also brilliant. I stopped listening to new
music when I started writing new KEEL songs earlier this year, so I have a list of
stuff I'm looking forward to getting when the sessions are done. A lot of people
don't realize that when your making an album, a lot of the work is constantly
listening to what you're doing, evaluating, tweaking stuff, getting inside the
tunes and inside the tracks. There's not enough of me left to listen to outside
music during a phase like the one I'm in right now.
FIB MUSIC: What are the last two CD's you bought?
Ron Keel:The latest from Nickelback, "Dark Horse," which is fucking brilliant, and
"Black Ice" from AC/DC, which is also brilliant. I stopped listening to new
music when I started writing new KEEL songs earlier this year, so I have a list of
stuff I'm looking forward to getting when the sessions are done. A lot of people
don't realize that when your making an album, a lot of the work is constantly
listening to what you're doing, evaluating, tweaking stuff, getting inside the
tunes and inside the tracks. There's not enough of me left to listen to outside
music during a phase like the one I'm in right now.
Ron Keel
KEEL at Rocklahoma - July 11, 2009
Ron in the Studio with KISS' Gene Simmons who produced "The Right to Rock"
Ron with Kevin Dubrow, late Quiet Riot vocalist
FIB MUSIC: Tell us about the Brooks and Dunn Tribute.
Ron Keel:In order to tell it right, it'd be a long story and I want to keep the focus
on KEEL. I have been working the Brooks & Dunn tribute for four years now; it
started as a fun diversion during my off time in IronHorse and became much more. For
me, it's like an acting role, and it's very liberating to step out of my own
boots and into that role, plus it's a hell of a lot of fun. It works because I
have a love for the music and a lot of physical and vocal similarities to my
character, Ronnie Dunn, whom I consider to be the best tenor in the history of that
genre. It's a role that very few could play, and I'm proud of my ability to pull
it off.
FIB MUSIC: What can you tell us about the K2 project?
Ron Keel:K2 was my band right before we pulled the trigger on the KEEL reunion. An
incredible union of the best rock musicians in Vegas, performing all the KEEL
classics and music from throughout my career. I fully intended it to be a recording
act and create new music, and perhaps we'll still be able to do that. I'm good
friends with the guys in that band, they've all been very supportive of the KEEL
reunion and we're still working together on a few other things, including my
"RockStarz" hard rock tribute show that I'm producing.
FIB MUSIC: How did the reunion come about? Who contacted who to get the ball rolling?
Ron Keel:Marc, Dwain, Bryan and I have remained close and talked about it through the
years, but it was really due to our agent, Sullivan Bigg, whose excitement and
enthusiasm gave us the spark we needed. Each year the guys in the band would talk
about it, but we were determined to only do it if we could do it the right way, in a
manner we could be proud of. This being the band's 25th Anniversary it felt right
to pull the trigger, make it a real event, and celebrate the music, the friendships,
and the good times.
FIB MUSIC: Any details regarding the new KEEL album you can discuss?
Ron Keel:First of all, and most important, we are promising to deliver a kick-ass album
full of hard rock anthems just like our fans would expect - music you can pump
your fist to. We're not re-inventing ourselves - we're taking the fun and
excitement of the reunion and recording it to share with fans of this music.
When we first expressed to each other that we wanted to make a new album, we
weren't even sure how many new KEEL songs we could come up with - but when we
flipped that switch, the music started pouring out of us. Bryan, Marc and I started
writing together and I had no idea that in six months we'd be finishing up the
best batch of songs in our career. I honestly don't even know where some of it
came from, it was like a force that developed a life of its own and every day there
were new songs being born. It has been an amazing ride creating and recording this
material.
The album is titled "Streets Of Rock N Roll" and it will be released in January
by Frontiers Records. Frontiers will also be releasing "The Right To Rock - 25th
Anniversary Edition" which includes a brand-new version of the title track with an
all-star chorus. In fact, fans can sing on the album with us by e-mailing us an MP3
- check out the web site
here and MySpace page
here
for details.
FIB MUSIC: Tell us about the Keel reunion show in Hollywood. What was it like playing live with
the guys after so many years? Any highlights from the show?
Ron Keel:It felt great, an incredible rush - but there was also a lot of pressure.
I've done thousands of shows in my lifetime, but rarely has one carried so much
weight; I personally felt a huge responsibility to the other guys in the band, our
loved ones and friends, our fans from all around the world who believed in us and
deserved a great show. Dee Snider said it best - "A good reunion show will make
you feel young; a bad reunion show will make you feel old." Well, after that first
gig in Hollywood, I felt like I was 23 again. KEEL has always been about good times
and fun, good music and real attitudes and emotions, and that night was a
celebration of all that.
FIB MUSIC: What was the vibe around the whole reunion? Any cool stories?
Ron Keel:I'm not blowing smoke when I say the vibe has been incredible. Everyone has
the perfect perspective on this, we've taken care of our business properly, we get
along like brothers, we communicate well, and everyone is even better musically now
than we were before. The players are all even better with some maturity and
experience under their belts, and I believe I have come a long way vocally as well. The whole thing is a cool story - a story about a band that has come full circle
and is having the time of their lives reliving the dream.
FIB MUSIC: Any cool stories from the Southwest festival in San Antonio?
Ron Keel:Nothing unusual, unless you call getting no sleep, flights almost cancelled and
the concert being delayed due to bad weather, cool. It was another day at the office
for us, and we enjoyed Texas immensely despite the logistical challenges. We had
played in Phoenix the night before, our flight to San Antonio was delayed, and at
one time the pilot actually came on the loudspeaker and told us we might not be able
to land there and we'd be diverted to Amarillo. But we made it, unfortunately
everyone except the headliner (Queensryche) had to cut their show length due to the
weather delay but we loved every minute of it.
FIB MUSIC: Besides M3 and Rocklahoma, what other festivals will you guys be playing?
Ron Keel:We are already starting to lock down some events for next year. I am going to
the U.K. in October/November to open 9 shows for Y&T, doing my solo acoustic gig and
hopefully paving the way for KEEL to return to the U.K. and Europe next year. We
also have high hopes of returning to Japan. I think we proved this year that KEEL is
a solid addition to any festival bill, and hopefully there will be a lot more in the
future. We're not setting any limits on this thing; we have a great new album
coming out in 2010 and hope to keep rocking on the Streets Of Rock N Roll for some
time to come.
Keel Guitarist Marc Ferrari
FIB MUSIC: Other than the Keel reunion, what are you up to these days?
Marc Ferrari:Staying busy running a division of
Universal Music Publishing called MasterSource, being a devoted
Dad to my 6 year old daughter, husband to my wife and trying to put as many miles as
possible on the hiking trails.
FIB MUSIC: Describe a typical day in the life of Marc Ferrari.
Marc Ferrari:Up at 6:00 am or so and then either
working out or taking my daughter to school. Head to my local Starbucks for my daily jolt
then to the office all day. At night I am usually writing new songs or working on Keel
business.
FIB MUSIC: What are the last 2 CD's you bought?
Marc Ferrari:The first Montrose release and Rick Derringer Live.
FIB MUSIC: On the band's website, Ron is quoted as saying he would
never perform under the name Keel without Bryan, Dwain, and yourself. What does that
loyalty mean to you?
Marc Ferrari:I think we all realize that the
group "Keel" was special and that all our talents combined to make it what it was. Every
time bands go out with less and less original members, it dilutes the legacy.
FIB MUSIC: Have you hung out with any of the Pantera boys lately?
Marc Ferrari:I actually participated in the book
signing here in L.A of the Diamond Darrell book the family just released. Was great to see
Vinny, Rita and their Dad, Jerry. I had lunch with Rex about 3 years ago but have not seen
Phil in over a decade.
FIB MUSIC: Any contact with George Lynch or Oni Logan since the last
Fullinbloom interview?
Marc Ferrari:I actually was standing in line
next to George for the Van Halen rehearsal a year or so back. All is fine between us and
the whole issue way in the rear view mirror. I think people want to make more out of that
whole situation than it actually was.
FIB MUSIC: What's going on with MasterSource? Do you have music in
any big movies? Also, have you discovered any songwriters that went on to make it big?
Marc Ferrari:We are always placing songs in big films, TV shows, video games, etc. The big movie right now is Wolverine, which has 2 of our songs. Stick around for the credits, you'll see my name.
We've had a few writers who have gone on to major label deals, such as Rob Daiker (Slow Rush), and conversely, a lot of guys with major credits come write for me, such as Kip Winger, Mark Slaughter, Phil Lewis, Robin McAuley, Steve Plunkett, etc.
FIB MUSIC: "Rock Star 101" was influential to a lot of young
up-and-coming musicians. Any thoughts on writing any more books?
Marc Ferrari:I have enough on my plate right
now with our reunion dates and a new record, but maybe after this has settled down a bit.
I was toying with the idea of writing a 'tell-all' backstage book.
Marc Ferrari partyin' with
Vince Neil from the Crue and the KISS cat Peter Criss
FIB MUSIC: Tell us about the Keel reunion show in Hollywood. What was
it like playing live with the guys after so many years?
Marc Ferrari:Just awesome. It's like that old
saying about never forgetting how to ride a bike... you never forget how to rock either!
FIB MUSIC: What was the vibe around the whole reunion? Any cool stories?
Marc Ferrari:We're all very happy to be back
with each other, there are no ulterior motives or outside pressure, just 5 guys who want
to rock and are enjoying each other's company more than ever. I am looking forward to a
lot of shows...
Keel Drummer Dwain Miller
FIB MUSIC: Other than the Keel reunion, what are you up to these days?
Dwain Miller:I have two kids, both totally
rock. My wife is also awesome. I have been at the phone company for 15 years, but have
been playing drums and gigging with the best classic rock band in Arizona for about 12 years Dr Ruth.
I also did a new Rox Diamond CD about 2 years ago, and played the Nottingham Firefest
last year with them. While I was in Nottingham, I got requests to bring Keel there.
FIB MUSIC: How have you been keeping yourself busy the last couple of years?
Dwain Miller:By playing with a multitude of musicians, subbing for drummers in other bands, traveling to LA to record. Going to England with Rox Diamond.
I played in Mexico with an Ozzy Tribute band I was with - Ozzmosis
Spent the entire Summer playing Keel gigs every weekend, or recording the new CD.
FIB MUSIC: Describe a typical day in the life of Dwain Miller.
Dwain Miller:I wake up about 5:30AM, crawl to the shower, get out and shave,
Eat a piece of toast, go to work, after work, I usually go straight to a rehearsal room I keep some drums at and jam for a while.
Go home, and either hit the gym or just hang with the kids.
Go to bed around 11:00
FIB MUSIC: What are the last 2 CD's you bought?
Dwain Miller:I usually buy one song at a time
from itunes, but the last two CD's I bought were probably Ozzy, and/or Sabbath, for that
project I was working on.
FIB MUSIC: Who were some of your biggest musical influences?
Dwain Miller:Kansas, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple.
I'm an old school rock drummer.
That's why people really dig Dr Ruth. It's like watching the original band in concert.
We've had some world class players in the band.
FIB MUSIC: What is the story behind you joining Keel? Didn't you replace
drummer Steven Riley?
Dwain Miller:Absolutely. Steven was in the band and played drums on The Right to Rock album. I wasn't in the band yet. He finished his tracks, and quit the band to join W.A.S.P. Ron called me to audition. I loaded a Uhaul, and my AMC Pacer, and drove to LA to audition. I got the gig before the album was finished. They put my name on the record as the drummer with Steven Riley as "additional drums" because they were mad at him, but I had nothing to do with that record, except the picture.
Steve and I are friends though. I think he's an awesome drummer, and I told him so.
FIB MUSIC: Any memories stand out when thinking about the day you signed your first record contract?
Dwain Miller:I don't know where we were, but it was a blur. I was 19, and thinking "this is it", but it wasn't me on the album, so it kind of felt like a lie. I was still excited though.
FIB MUSIC: How much was your signing bonus and what did you do with the money?
Dwain Miller:Ha! Our management thought we were a bunch of kids, and our money was kept in a band account. We got a weekly allowance. I bought food with it.
FIB MUSIC: Any cool moments stand out from the "Right to Rock" recording sessions?
Dwain Miller:When I got in the band, the drums
were already recorded, but I was there for mixing, and mastering etc. The first time I met
Gene, etc. It was the same night I met Rick Derringer, and didn't know it was Rick
Derringer.
FIB MUSIC: How was it working with Gene Simmons?
Dwain Miller:I was great! I wasn't intimidated. I just worked out the parts, and went in to play them.
We had a lot of laughs.
FIB MUSIC: Did you ever notice that every band that Gene Simmons
recorded, the drums always sounded like KISS drums? Did you like the sound that Gene got on your drums?
Dwain Miller:It was mostly Dave Whitman who
actually got the sounds. Gene would describe something and Dave would achieve it.
FIB MUSIC: Tell us one good Gene Simmons story.
Dwain Miller:We were recording and Cherokee I
think, and within two or three days, Eddie Van Halen, Greg Giuffria, Joan Jett, Michael
Des Barres, all came down. Shannon Tweed used to make soup and bring it to us to eat on
break. I was totally star struck, when Eddie Van Halen offered me and Kenny one of his
Shlitz talls. He had one left, and we fought over it.
FIB MUSIC: Any cool moments stand out from the "Final Frontier" recording sessions?
Dwain Miller:That was one of them. Another was; We were at Village recorders in Hollywood recording the drum tracks. We were so well rehearsed that I recorded all the songs on the album in the small room on the first day, and all the songs on the album in the big room the next day.
Gene picked the best sounds from that.
FIB MUSIC: Who were some of the bands you toured with to promote the
"Final Frontier"? Tell us a favorite story from that tour.
Dwain Miller:Dio, Krokus, Bon Jovi. I was in
school. I watched Dio 25 times one year. How can you not learn something.
We did about 16 Bon Jovi shows. I was also studying those guys.
FIB MUSIC: Any cool moments stand out from the "Self-titled"
recording sessions?
Dwain Miller:I wish I had taken more pictures.
Michael Wagner had something like 27 mikes on the drums. 32 tracks just for the drums.
Mic's on the tops and bottoms of each drum. Inside the bass drum, outside the bass drum.
10 feet in front of the bass drum, 20 ft in front of the bass drum. Two sets of room mic's
in different locations.
He likes to be able to get different mixes on command.
FIB MUSIC: Why did you leave Keel in the 80's? What did you do after
that? Were the 90's an easy adjustment, or a hard one?
Dwain Miller:A lot of things happened. We
fired our management. We got dropped. People started leaving. Ron was already starting
his all girl band.
We were trying to replace members. It was me, Ron, and three new guys.
Ron and I decided to call it a day.
FIB MUSIC: What are your 3 fondest memories from the old days with Keel?
Dwain Miller:Doing a performance in the main
room at the United Nations Building for MTV Japan. I enjoyed touring Europe, and Japan.
And The Texas Jam!
FIB MUSIC: Out of all the bands you toured with over the years, which
ones were the best
Dwain Miller:All the other bands were cool. Dio, Queensryche, Loudness, Accept, Helix, Anvil, Bon Jovi, Black and Blue.
FIB MUSIC: You are transported back to Keel's hey-day in the 80's
and must do something differently. What would it be?
Dwain Miller:I would be stone cold sober. You
make better choices when you're sober.
THE FAST 5
FIB MUSIC: What is your most disgusting habit?
Dwain Miller: Picking my nose.
FIB MUSIC: What is the most feminine thing you do?
Dwain Miller: Shop for shoes.
FIB MUSIC: If there is a God, what is the first question you would ask
God when you arrive?
Dwain Miller: There is a God, and I would probably be speechless.
FIB MUSIC: Greatest Rock band of all time?
Dwain Miller: Led Zeppelin
FIB MUSIC: What were you doing 40 minutes before you sat down to do this
interview?
Dwain Miller: Buying Diet Coke from the grocery store.
Keel Guitarist Bryan Jay
FIB MUSIC: Other than the Keel reunion, what are you up to these
days?
Bryan Jay:I have been in the music library
business for the last 7 years. Licensing music for TV, Film, Commercials, Etc. This year
I have started a brand new music library called Digital Assassin Music.
FIB MUSIC: Describe a typical day in the life of Bryan Jay.
Bryan Jay:These days producing, composing,
mixing, editing, phone calls, administration, networking, etc. Also recording a brand
new Keel record entitled "Streets of Rock & Roll". Due to be released in January 2010.
FIB MUSIC: What are the last 2 CD's you bought?
Bryan Jay:Chickenfoot, Heaven & Hell
FIB MUSIC: Who were some of your biggest musical influences?
Bryan Jay:Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie
Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker, Brian May, Tony Iommi, Michael Hedges
FIB MUSIC: What are the last 2 CD's you bought?
Bryan Jay:I usually buy one song at a time
from itunes, but the last two CD's I bought were probably Ozzy, and/or Sabbath, for that
project I was working on.
FIB MUSIC: You are very accomplished in the study of music. Who
were some of the teachers that made a big impact on you?
Bryan Jay:So many teachers over the years
have had a huge impact on me. One teacher that opened new doors in how I look at music
is Steven Scott Smalley who taught a class at UCLA called The Art Of Orchestration.
Bryan and Ron hangin' with Gene Simmons and Joan Jett in the studio
FIB MUSIC: Do you have any tips on direction in musical studies for aspiring
young musicians?
Bryan Jay:Stay in school and never stop
learning.
FIB MUSIC: Any cool moments stand out from the "Right to Rock"
recording sessions?
Bryan Jay:Barbra Streisand was in the studio
we were scheduled to use. So we had to sit there and wait several hours before we could
get in to set up. So we didn't start tracking until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. She was
very cool to us.
FIB MUSIC: How long did it take to record the "Right to Rock"?
Where did you
record it?
Bryan Jay:It only took a few weeks to
record. We recorded at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, CA. and Media Sound in New York
City, NY.
FIB MUSIC: Who were some of the bands you toured with to promote
the "Right to Rock"? Tell us a favorite story from that tour.
Bryan Jay:Loudness, Accept, Triumph, Helix,
Great White
FIB MUSIC: How was it working with Gene Simmons?
Bryan Jay:It was really cool working with
Gene. I learned a lot from him.
FIB MUSIC: Tell us one good Gene Simmons story.
Bryan Jay:When I went to New York City
during the recording of "The Right To Rock". I didn't have a guitar to record with, so
Gene took me to Sam Ash and said pick a guitar, any guitar you want. So I looked around
like a kid in a candy store and saw one I liked and said I'll take that one. And then
we walked out the door, jumped in a cab and went straight to the studio. That was
awesome!
FIB MUSIC: Any cool moments stand out from the "Final Frontier"
recording sessions?
Bryan Jay:Having Eddie Van Halen coming down
to the studio to hang out with us a couple of times. None of us wanting to play guitar
in front of him. So we tried to get him to play something but he wouldn't. It was cool
to hangout with one of my guitar heroes.
FIB MUSIC: How much was the budget for the "Final Frontier"? How
much did the band spend on that record?
Bryan Jay:I don't know.
FIB MUSIC: Where did you record the "Final Frontier"? How long did
it take to record it?
Bryan Jay:Over a couple of months time we
recorded the "Final Frontier" in several different studios. Electric Lady in New York
City, Ny. Baby-O in Hollywood, CA. and Village Recorder in Santa Monica, CA.
FIB MUSIC: Any cool moments stand out from the "Self-titled"
recording sessions?
Bryan Jay:There are a lot of moments that
stand out but working with the great Michael Wagner was very cool.
FIB MUSIC: Why did you leave Keel in the 80's? What did you do
after that? Were the 90's an easy adjustment, or a hard one?
Bryan Jay:Left Keel because I had a headache.
So after that I scored some aspirin and in the 90's I had to buy more aspirin.
FIB MUSIC: What was your initial reaction when you were contacted about a Keel reunion?
Bryan Jay:We'd been talking about it for
the last couple of years and my initial reaction was we have to do it right. This year
everything has come together on the business side and in our personal lives so we
decided to move forward with it.
FIB MUSIC: What are your 3 fondest memories from the old days with Keel?
Bryan Jay:Sex, drugs and rock & roll. Not
necessarily in that order.
FIB MUSIC: Out of all the bands you toured with over the years,
which ones were the best?
Bryan Jay:Bon Jovi, Dio, Motley Crue, Van
Halen, Aerosmith, Black N Blue, Loudness, Accept, etc.
FIB MUSIC: You are transported back to Keel's hey-day in the 80's
and must do something differently. What would it be?
Bryan Jay:If I knew then what I know now
everything would be different.
THE FAST 5
FIB MUSIC: What is your most disgusting habit?
Bryan Jay: Picking my nose.
FIB MUSIC: What is the most feminine thing you do?
Bryan Jay: Dude, have you seen my hair!!!
FIB MUSIC: If there is a God, what is the first question you would ask
God when you arrive?
Bryan Jay: Where are Darrell, Randy, Jimi and Stevie?
FIB MUSIC: Greatest Rock band of all time?
Bryan Jay: The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles...
FIB MUSIC: What were you doing 40 minutes before you sat down to do this
interview?