Starwood interview with drummer Joey Scott
By Joe Florez and Scott Alisoglu -
livemetal.com
Music for the past ten years has been nothing but serious, bleak
and depressing. Once in a while, it’s a good idea to lighten up
and just have fun again like we did back in the 70s and 80s.
Well, Starwood, from Hollywood nonetheless, have been fired out
of the cannon and giving the people a shot of adrenalin which is
so desperately needed right now. These guys are the real deal
and not a bunch of posers like in the past. They bring to the
table their brand of raw power, punk, pop, glam and rawk all
fused together that makes their debut CD If It Ain’t Broke,
Break it! a sure fire hit with fans who enjoy this surge of
decadent rock and roll. Live4Metal was able to whip up a bunch
of questions and, thanks to 21st century technology, send them
out via email. Drummer Joey Scott quickly responded and got
right to the point, just like his music.
This is exactly what the rock world needs, decadent rock and
roll for the 21st century without being lame like Poison. Being
from Hollywood, you guys aren’t your typical rock band painted
with glitter all over your faces or have your hair teased to the
moon. How has Hollywood and the rest of the U.S responded to
your brand of raw and energetic rock?
Great so
far!! Everyone seems to think this is what they have been
waiting for. Something for everyone in this record.
It’s obvious that classic glam rock bands
like T. Rex, New York Dolls and all things classic inspired you.
Was it at all important to incorporate the past with your
current sound?
Yes, it
was important because it's part of what inspires us. So for us
to create something that is fresh and new, it must be something
that takes all of our influences and inspirations and meshes
them all together. Like building a ceramic piece of art out of
old clay and new clay mixed together both add to the textures
and over all feeling of the piece. Even the name Starwood
represents a place where we feel was the mecca of the current
state of music and where many music lineage's can be traced back
to.
By the way, who are your biggest musical
influences?
Deep Purple, ACDC, Cheap
Trick, Sex Pistols
Not
only do you mix the classic with your sound, but contemporaries
as well like Brides Of Destruction. It's very noticeable on
‘Subculture.’ That song seems to combine Sex Pistols with
Brides. Would I be far off with that assumption?
Actually,
most of these songs were written long before Brides were around,
but you got the Sex Pistols right.
What I like about the songs on here is
that not only are they infectious with the melodies, but there
is this raw and slightly unpolished sound to them that is not
only memorable, but they stand out as well. Is Starwood all
about raw power?
Well,
that's part of melding all the influences from past decades. The
bands that have the longest and strongest influences often have
power and conviction. Also, it's our debut so it needs to be
more then just a firecracker in the street of life; it needs to
be a dirty bomb that leaves a lasting impression. If it ain’t
broke, break it!!
The band is
signed to Metal Blade records which is really cool, but unusual
because the label is more known for black, thrash, death and
power metal. It’s obvious that Brian Slagel has expanded his
horizons and this deal was right for you. How do you feel about
being on a label with such a diverse style of music?
It's
great, I feel if music is good it's doesn't matter what other
types of music or music cultures it get introduce into, it will
stand on it's own. MB seems to really like what we've done and
believes in it so hopefully it will all work out well for
everyone.
How did
Metal Blade find you? Or did you find them? What's the story
here?
We've
known Brian Slagel for years. He came in and heard the tracks
and loved what he heard so he said "lets put it out".
Were you looking at offers from other
labels too?
Not
really. We need full creative control and that's hard to find at
other labels.
The music on
this debut CD is just about having fun set to hard rock. Are you
just trying to relive the 80s or improve on the sound and
whatnot that came from two decades ago?
No, just trying to make the music business fun again. It's been so long since there has been music that wasn't so serious or depressing to the point of the musicians putting a gun to their head. Music doesn't have to be depressing and it doesn't have to remind you of how depressing life can be sometimes, just to be interesting. We don't have to feel guilty about having a good time.
Who do you think your music will appeal to most? Can you define your core audience?
Well,
since our music has soooo many colors and textures we can appeal
to just about anyone who has ears. And because our music is
somewhat eclectic we could appeal to anyone from punk fans to
metal to hard-core even. Basically we are trying to transcend
all that past, present and future.
This is your big break with this CD.
Before this band, what kind of bands were you all involved with?
Mostly
metal.
Thanks to MTV 2 bringing back Headbanger’s
Ball, can we expect the band to shoot a video anytime soon?
Yes, that
is currently in the works.
Not only does the band fuse punk and glam
with your rock, but even a little bit of blues manages to make
it in your music. “Social Zero” is proof positive of this. I
think it adds a little bit of flavor to your sound. Can we
expect more blues in your music on future CD’s?
Yes, that
is a big influence for us so that will always play a part.
I am a little surprised here that on this
CD that there was really no ballad of any kind. I would have
expected at least one power ballad on here. Did you purposely
stay away from it or are you just saving it for a future
release?
It's just
the way it worked out. We have a backlog of songs and the way we
choose them is what works for the over all feel of the record
not really the selling points or formulas.
According to the press release, it said
that you guys bring a lot of energy to the stage when you
perform. Just what exactly will I get when I see Starwood?
Music being fun again! It is possible you know.
Will you be spending much time on the road
in support of this album?
I hope so!
I look forward to spreading the good word that even in these
troubled times we live that we can take time to celebrate our
lives and feel good inside and just forget all the crap and
problems that divide us and just let go even for one night.
When you look at the world of rock in 2004
– MTV, mass media, you name it – what positives and negatives
come to mind?
Positives
- You can get anything you want when you want it.
Negatives - You can get anything you want when you want it.
Any closing comments?
Starwood Rules!