ALEX SKOLNICK
FORMER MEMBER OF TESTAMENT
I have spoken with Testament's legendary lead guitarist Alex Skolnick. Alex and Testament recorded The Legacy, The New Order, Practice What You Preach, Souls of Black and The Ritual together before he decided to leave the band to pursue other musical ideas.
After the release of The Legacy Testament established themselves as the top act of the second wave of thrash metal that started in the later half of the eighties. Testament has truly cemented themselves as one of the best and most popular thrash metal bands of all time and Alex Skolnick's melodic guitarplay became the trademark on Testament's early albums. Now over to Alex Skolnick...
So Alex, What are your plans for the future?
The trio has several tours coming up, including a spot at the Rochester Jazz Festival. We hope to keep touring for a week or two each month, then record another album in the fall. Afterwards, I'll do the Winter tour with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
You have been in a few bands now which one is your favourite?
Definately the Alex Skolnick Trio. These guys are young but among the best players I've ever played with.
Why did you leave Testament?
I was going in different directions. I knew I wanted to play jazz and be good at it, so I was putting more time into that. Also I was writing for guitar magazines, doing workshops at music schools and playing with guys like Stu Hamm and Michael Manring. I think it was hard for them that I had a life beyond Testament and eventually it made sense to go seperate ways. On top of that, the band members weren't getting along well, and Louie was gone a month or so after I left. Greg was gone a couple years later.
Have you ever regret leaving Testament?
I don't regret leaving Testament. I don't regret joining either.
How was the early Bay area-days when Testament was called The Legacy, before securing the record deal?
It was a lot of fun. I was really coming of age because I was still in high school. I went from being this shy kid to performing in front of wild metal crowds.
You recorded "First strike still deadly" with Testament? Don't you miss the old Testament-days?
I had a great time hanging out with them and reliving the old days. But I'm happy where I am and have no desire to go back in time.
How was it to play Thrash of the titans? After being away from Testament for so long?
It was a lot of fun. The style I play now is so different and not as fast and loud. But I enjoyed it.
What's the plans for your current band Attention Deficit?
Hopefully the record label will ask us to do another record.
Have you got any plans of returning to your thrash roots?
At some point I could see working some thrash into my jazz, maybe in more of an avant garde way, like John Zorn (jazz musician who produced 'Mr. Bungle.')
What is and was your main influences?
Now my biggest influences are Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Pat Metheny. When I was younger it was Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen.
Of all albums that you have released which one is your favourite?
Definately my latest one: Alex Skolnick Trio "Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation."
What's the highligt of your career?
It was playing in Japan for the first time. But now it's getting a ****1/2 star review in a magazine I thought I'd never be in, Downbeat.
Got any funny metal-story to tell?
One time during the Thrash Of The Titans tour, there was a piano player at a hotel bar in Europe. We got to talking and he invited me to get my guitar. So we started playing together. All of a sudden, Tom and Jeff from Slayer and Rocky from Suicidal Tendencies came in totally drunk. They were covering my eyes, singing out of key, detuning my guitar and being completely obnoxious. The pianist had liked my playing but I think he was horrified by the people I was on tour with.
Any last word to our readers?
It's great to have so many supporters out there, even though it's been a long time and I've gone some unexpected places. Thanks guys!
/Ruthless
No comments:
Post a Comment