February 01, 2004
Interview with Chuck Wright
A musician, a song writer, a producer and a graphic artist are sitting in a plane, the stewardess walks up and says "How's it going Chuck?" OK, so my humor could use a little work, but I just wanted to illustrate how diverse our current guest on Inspiring Minds is! Chuck Wright of Quiet Riot, Giuffria and House Of Lords is not only a great musician ... He is a multi talented, diverse person who has taken the time to give his thoughts on his newest album, "The Power and The Myth" and some insight into the other areas of his life. I find it truly inspiring what this one individual has done while maintaining a great out look on life and music! His official website is www.chuckwright.com and the new House Of Lords album is expected to be released March 15, 2004!
1. The name Chuck Wright appears on many great albums as a world-class bassist, producer, singer/song writer and graphic designer! We would like to start this interview by having you tell us a bit about yourself, in your own words; the talented man behind the name...
Wow, thanks for the kudos. Without going into too many personal details, I'll touch on how I got to where I am now.I was born in Southern California, I found myself in Hollywood at age 5 and then off to the San Fernando Valley where I've lived ever since. My first instrument was a toy organ that my mother bought for me when I was 7. The first song I ever learned was The Animals' "The House Of The Rising Sun." When I was 14, I was asked by some friends in the neighborhood if I could play bass. I wanted so much to be in a rock band having just seen Woodstock so, I said "Yeah, sure, that only has four strings right?" My first band was called "Black Snake". The important thing to remember here is that this changed my path in life. At the time, I had been in a military academy for 9 years and was being groomed to go to the Air Force Academy. (see photo) I was a Captain at my school and second in command of the battalion, but because of this new found excitement when I played my bass, I asked my mom to let me become a musician and leave the military world behind. When I was 18, I put an original project together called "Satyr". We started playing the Hollywood clubs and landed ourselves a backer/manager. We knew of a guy who was the first one to develop Crypton lasers so we got him to join forces with us to put on a real elaborate sci-fi rock show complete with costume changes, smoke machine, flash pots and staging all in chrome paneling. We stayed together for 6 years packing the most popular club in Hollywood called The Starwood. Unfortunately for us, it was the time period of New Wave music. The guitar player joined up with Kevin Dubrow replacing Randy Rhodes in his band, which had changed their name from Quiet Riot to DuBrow. I was later asked to play with Kevin as well. We did some demos that got producer Spencer Proffers' interest but he wanted a different guitar player, so I suggested Carlos Cavazo from the band Snow. Done deal - we went into the studio and cut the majority of what became the 6 million seller "Metal Health". So, many bands, tours and almost 60 releases later, here I am writing to you about one of my favorite bands I was ever a part of House Of Lords.
2. "The Power and The Myth" will soon be available and in our homes, can you tell us what this album means to you and how it has been working with the original line up of House of Lords?
I was really looking forward to getting together with James and Gregg again after all these years. Ken, Lanny and I have worked together on many projects together over the years since our earlier days with HOL. We were all eager to cross-new boundaries with this record and I think we did to a degree. We had tightened reins on us throughout the making of the record however. All in all I do feel that this record stands up to others in the genre and has some amazing performances on it. It's always a pleasure to work with such fine talent. Unfortunately and to our surprise, Gregg Giuffria dropped a bomb on us. 2 months before completion, as we were still awaiting any ideas what so ever, keyboard parts anything from Gregg, he signed a solo deal with our label (Frontiers) and said, "now that I have my own deal I'm not doing this House Of Lords record". He didn't seem that into it anyway since he didn't partake in the compositions. He did have plenty of opportunity to contribute however - 2 years should be enough time to come up with a song idea I would think.
After this, the label said our deal was now diminished by what they still owed us because Gregg was not on it so we had to finish the record asap and now being under budgeted to not be able complete it the way we originally intended.
3. The original House of Lords album is regarded as one of the finest works of anthem rock and has definitely earned its status as a classic, how is The Power and The Myth different from the 1989 release?
We tried to make a record that would sound the way we would if we stayed together for the past decade. We wrote a lot of new material, actually over 30 songs. We actually covered Bjorks song "Army Of Me" but of course our label would have none of that. If we made a truly modern record it wouldn't be House Of Lords would it? There was a style, a high level of musicianship and sound we were known for so we had to try and stay within those guidelines to a degree or we would have our material rejected by the label. We found this out in the early goings. We did use a couple songs that were intended to be on a mid 90's release that we re-recorded. We didn't care when or where the songs came from we just wanted the strongest material that the label would accept. The difference is time and where we are at now as people. We can't write a song like "Looking For Strange" and take ourselves seriously at this point in our lives.
4. With that in mind what would you say has carried over to the newest release from the very beginning?
We always had a chemistry that was there, that continues now, we have a majestic sound but we also rock hard when it's called for. These are all traits that were there in the beginning and are here no on "The Power And The Myth".
5. Of the songs on the new album is there one in particular that you can share a bit of the history with us, where it came from and why it is special to you?
Lanny and I are both really fond of "The Rapture" because it's so unique for a House Of Lords track, the variety of instrumentation and James sings his ass off on it. Lanny, James and I performed it in London for the Gods festival in the mid 90's and we intended on doing it on a new record at that time. Lanny plays a lot of unusual exotic instruments so we took advantage of that. This instrumentation was integral to getting across the musical landscape and mood of the lyrics. There's some amazing violin playing by Charlie Bissoret (from Bob Dylans band). All the instrumentation is real, no samples: Sitar, Bazouki, Cello, and ethnic percussion. It's a biblical piece about Armageddon. I'm glad it finally found it's way to the House Of Lords record where it was intended to be.
6. What other projects have you been working on; do you have anything else coming out in the near future?
Something new coming out: Matt Sorum (from Guns and Roses, The Cult and now in Velvet Revolver) has a solo release called "Hollywood Zen" that I played bass on, created the art work and layout for is now available through his web site at www.mattsorum.com and will soon be at retail. I recorded the bass tracks for French Warner Brothers recording artist Audrey Forrest last fall. She has some amazing material and a very fine voice. I just finished a rock rap project called "The Good, The Bad and The Heavy" with Lanny and Pat Torpey. We covered a lot of classic rockers like "The Immigrant Song", "Back In Black", "Paranoid", "Hey Joe" and more with a couple original pieces thrown in for good measure. Rappers from Cypress Hill, Crazy Town and other notables do their take on the tracks. Everyone should check out Mr. Bigs/Influences and Connections that I worked on with Lanny. It's a very unique project in which Mr. Big classic songs have been revisited featuring all-star vocalists and guest musicians as well as Mr. Big band members. I played bass on the majority of the tracks. Billy Sheehan, Tim Bogert and Keeanu Reeves all do a track. Ann Wilson of Heart, John Waite of The Baby's and Bad English, Deep Purple alumni, Glen Hughes, Joe Lynn Turner, Mickey Thomas from Starship, Doug Pinnik and Ty Tabor from King's X, Guest guitarists include Steve Lukather of Toto, Marty Friedman,and Yngwie Malmsteen. Currently, I have a new production company that is involved in a new music driven movie project and we're shopping some music projects overseas. As you might know, I'm also a graphic artist. Recently we had the NAMM show in town. A big a event but bigger for me this time because I created all the graphics for a sound companies booth exhibit. I've never seen my work on that huge of a scale. I mean some of my art pieces were 8 foot by 10 foot. A side note: I also did the CD package for the "The Power And The Myth"...you asked..lol!
7. As a musician you live the life so many dream of, would you say it is everything it is cracked up to be, and if it wasn't music in your life what do you think you would have pursued?
It has been a roller coaster ride for sure. I'm very rich in experience but the money side hasn't happened for me yet but that's ok, I wouldn't trade where I've been and what I've done for any amount...it's priceless really. I shudder to think about what I might have become if I didn't catch the music bug ... Maybe a Stealth fighter underneath me or a 747 and a stewardess.
8. Your music has taken you around the world and given you the opportunity to work with amazing artists, what memories do you look back on as being "the best?"
Working with legends like Greg Almann, Ronnie Montrose, Gene Simmons, and Carmine Appice was special but the 5-month, 17-country tour I did with Alice Cooper in late 2002 was unbelievable. A killer band, great crowds and seeing places like Moscow, Paris, London and Barcelona, who could ask for more. I felt very blessed to have been a part of it. Nothing beats being on stage with a great band in front on a huge appreciative crowd.
9. Along with your music you are also a talented graphics artist, would you tell us a bit about New Age Graphic Design and how you got started in to that?
I was always drawing on anything when I was a child, my desk, the wall etc. I discovered the art programs available on computers about 9 years ago and the sky was the limit. It's been a great way of creative expression for me when I'm not out on the road or in the studio recording. This past weekend was the NAMM show. A big a event but bigger for me this time because I created all the graphics for a sound companies booth exhibit. I've never seen my work on that huge of a scale. I mean some of my art pieces were 8 foot by 10 foot. I've also had a few CD releases where I was a writer, musician, producer and graphic designer. Feels good when it all comes together like that.
10. Do you have a favorite cover you have done so far, what makes it stand out above the rest for you?
I did a very erotic cover for MTM records a couple years ago and they rejected it saying it was way to risque'. Maybe it'll show up somewhere down the road. It stands out for obvious reasons ... say no more ...nudge..nudge...
11. Will you be doing the album artwork for "The Power and The Myth"?
Yes, it was finished in September. I'm very proud of it and feel I kept the integrity and feel of our first two records.
12. What can you tell us about the experience of working on a film sound track as opposed to creating music for an album?
It's always different from film to film. Sometimes a director will give you a temp track and want you to knock off that music capturing the same feel, mood and sonics of the song they used. Sometimes, you get a free hand to create the score without the producer or directors input but that's rare. What is nice is how diverse you can get with styles of music and instrumentation. The trick is to not overshadow the movie. Lanny, Matt Sorum and I worked on a film called "The Last Marshall" that aired on HBO that really stands out. I really think we took the movie to a higher level using a David Lynch stylized approach.
13. Many of our visitors are new bands or musicians looking for advice from people like yourself on what to do when trying to break into the music industry do you have a message for them?
As you might know, the music industry is changing rapidly and quickly going in the wrong direction for varied reasons. One being, people downloading music for free and the other is the major labels not really developing talent the way they use too. The band U2 for instance would have been dropped after their second release the way things are today. If you're going to try and make a career out of this, you have to do it 110%. If you have doubts, get out or have a really good back up plan.
14. Is there any thing we have not touched on that you would like to bring up, or do you have a closing message for the fans?
I hope the fans out there will judge this record from a clean slate and not thinking it's a follow up to "Sahara", as if it were 12 years ago. Also, we'd love to get back to Europe and play where this kind of music is really appreciated. Until then, turn it up!!
1) At the end of your interview on hugomusic.net you released a very candid statement concerning the similarities between you and Steve Perry. We would like to start this interview in our tradition of asking you to tell us about yourself, Hugo; the man behind the music.
Well, first of all I love making melodic rock!! It's been a part of me forever and I will always keep this a priority in my life!! It is the greatest feeling when someone writes saying that my music has helped them through a certain time or they used a ballad for a wedding song!!! I'm really happy to be having a new album coming out now!!! My life is real good and music is one big part of it!!!!!! I'd say I'm a pretty happy guy, Kathy!!!
2) We see a lot of music that is described as being "in the style of ..." but when we listen to your albums starting with Valentine and most recently the samples from Fire in the Night we feel an original style coming through clearer and clearer with each release, what's your take on the overall feel of this new album?
This album is a next step for me!! I have John Mennen producing with me!! He is a great producer. I have given John total creative freedom to make this album rock, but also take a more updated approach to the production itself!!! John has produced R and B artists as well as metal bands so he has the ability to keep a rock track loud and in your face and use this cool drum loop for a ballad!!! I think you'll be happy with the final mixes-God knows it's only been a year!!!!! We just wanted it to be the best that we could deliver!!!
3) We understand that on top of having a great line up of musicians performing on Fire in the Night we see that you have played nearly every instrument on one song or another! Can you tell us a bit more about what your inspiration was for doing this and how it feels now that it is done?
My good friends from the Evolution band played on it as well as some other friends!! It was a natural choice! We have been playing live and getting real tight - they really play well!!!! Basically, my decision to play some instruments is that being a songwriter, you kind of have an idea of how the song that you are recording should sound like!!!! There is a song on this album called "Just So You Know" and it is an acoustic guitar ballad. Eddie Jelley is one of the greatest players that I have ever heard but when he didn't quite feel the way the song was meant to be played, I just picked up the guitar and played it down and we rolled tape. Honestly, I am not a good guitar player, but the part worked and we kept it!!!! I guess that being a songwriter requires playing an instrument or two! --- just in case someone doesn't show up that night to record!!!!!? ha ha
4) The production of Fire in the Night is Outstanding; even the samples online sound better than many albums do from disc! Are you as pleased with the finished product as you had hoped to be?
Actually Kathy, the small bits on the site that you heard were just pre mixes - John and I though it would be great to get some of the tunes to the people just to let them know that we really were alive and recording!! Some people heard this stuff and thought it was final mixes - We have been tweaking these songs for 6 months after those songs were put up on the site. I am glad that you liked what you heard -- I do promise you a great album!!!!!!
5) Now that the album is complete can you tell us which tracks are your favorites and a bit about the one you had the most fun recording?
I really don't know how to answer!! I really love to sing the ballads. "I'll Learn To Live Without You" and "Just So You Know" - my favorites!! The others just rock out!! "Dawn" was fun to sing as well as "Its The Love"
6) You said after the break up of "Open Skyz" that you were excited about the prospects of a solo career away from "the corporate bullshit" that had been such a nightmare through the years. You have since continued with positive feedback on a solo career, would you say that the key factor is the freedom from the labels or are there other aspects to consider?
Absolutely!! It's really amazing what can happen when an artist doesn't have someone telling them how to sing a certain song or how to wear your hair!! In the past with my other bands, we always had people tell us what they thought was the thing to be doing --We never really had the opportunity to let go and really tap into ourselves as musicians/writers!!! As great as it was, it was so frustrating -- I am really happy to be where I am now!!!
7) To many people music is their personal release from the stresses of the work world, but for you music is your work; with that in mind what do you do to "Strike A Balance" in your life?
My life is good -- I have a beautiful, understanding wife who supports me in anything I do --We are expecting a baby in May -- I cannot wait!!! We're having a girl and she's not allowed to date any musicians ..... ever!!!!!
Posted by Kathy at February 1, 2004 11:36 AM