November 15, 2004

Interview with Ted Poley

Ted Poley is an artist that not only has stuck to his guns and created the music he loves through the good times and the bad, but is also a person who feels and believes that while life may have its ups and downs things will work out. There is the common misconception that artists, especially rock and roll artists, maintain in some sort of different world than the rest of us, but in my experience this isn’t true. They get up in the morning and deal with a world much like ours. What I think makes artists like Ted Poley great is that they give the rest of us a gift, a sound track for our lives and share their lives with us. I have truly enjoyed the experience of interviewing Ted and am excited to bring you this candid look into one of today’s true “Rock Stars”!

1. I would like to thank you Ted, for taking the time to answer these questions
and would like to start by asking you to take a moment to introduce yourself, the voice behind the songs, Ted Poley; the man behind the music …
For some of my own musical history, anyone can go to my site at http://www.TEDPOLEY.COM , but to introduce myself personally …Let’s see, I don’t know … I am a rock singer and lifetime musician, happily married, I love my pets and I collect old toys for a hobby. I live in Pennsylvania and love it here. I drive an MR2 Spyder convertible which I love and also a beat up old Ford truck because it is a 4X4 and gets me around all winter. I go to Jamaica when I need to relax, but that’s rare. Otherwise I work 6 to 7 days a week between music and my other businesses.

2. Your career has been full of great music and success, but for starters perhaps you could tell us what you have been up to lately?
Thanks I appreciate the nice words … Lately I have been doing a lot of live shows both with Danger Danger and with my excellent “solo” band. That requires a lot of training, physical and vocal, so even when I am off the road it takes a lot of time to work out to sty in shape for the shows. I am also working on 2 studio projects, both of which I will promote further when they are ready, but I can say that some of my best work ever is on the way!

3. It's great to hear that D2 is back together and on the road again ... I’m sure that the fans would be excited to hear what plans are on the horizon?
We did some fun work last summer. Played the huge Sweden Rock Festival and some U.S. shows and we plan to continue on a world tour in the spring of 2005, probably starting with some U.S. dates and then U.K., Greece, Italy, Spain and more summer festivals too, those are the most fun because I get to watch all the other bands.

4. Your recent albums have all created quite a stir in the industry and have, of course, got some great reviews! What would you say each new album does for you as a musician and what does each new release give to your fans?
I have had some great reviews and some not so great reviews over my 25+ years as a pro musician, but so has every artist ever in history so I just keep doing my thing and I don’t worry about reviews, good or bad … What count is that I have a very loyal and large fan base who I love, and they support my art so I do it for them, not the critics.

5. With each progression in your career you have shown your depth as a musician and a performer, but also you gain new fans every step of the way, what role do your fans play in your quest to continue creating music?
They play the role of remaining fans forever, getting old like me, getting married and “banging” each other and having kinds and then they subject their kids to my music because their kids are too young and have no jobs or money to go out and buy what they would really like to hear so if they want to go to a concert guess who they get to see? If they wanna go to the zoo, they are gonna see whoever Mom and Dad want to see in concert that’s who! And these days that seems to be me! I am finally back in style after a “Nirvana and goatee filled” decade of musical horror. So I am still gaining fans because some of the new ones actually like my music. I am like the Raffi of melodic rock.

6. Looking back over your career there have been many great moments, is it possible for you to pinpoint some of the best; perhaps the greatest show, greatest recording, or a moment that made you stop and think Wow! This is incredible?
I have had some wonderful moments, too many to mention but hanging out with Kiss was so cool and the bet was having Paul Stanley sing my name once. This was the coolest. He is my hero and even though I warmed up for him every night, I still was scared to speak to him backstage because he is one of the few people that I consider a real rock star. One day I found myself at the long end of a hallway of an arena and he was coming in my direction from the far end. I didn’t know what to do or say so I acted like a little fag and just passed him. I was too scared to say hello so I just looked down and kept walking … He passed me without a word and walked down the hall and then stopped and at the top of his famous Paul Stanley voice he sang “Ted Poleeeeeee" to the tune of “Unholy” and then he started laughing while I probably wet my pants. My idol knew my name! That was it for me … I still think he is the coolest, Gene is cool but in a different way. He is more like a King than a rock star. I am blessed to have spent quality time with both of them.

7. Along the road of life there are many people who influence us, who do you give credit as being your inspiration both musically and personally?
Everyone who I have ever seen or heard; from Elton John to the Simpsons and everything in between.

8. The stresses of a career in music can seem over whelming what activities do
you enjoy away from your work that help you to stay focused and bring a balance
to your life?
I am stressed all the time … I was born stressed. As soon as I popped out, some asshole slapped me on the ass and I have been stressed ever since … Every few years I take a real vacation and just relax and forget all of my words and lyrics. Otherwise I am always busy.

9. Are there particular songs that you hold as your favorites from your career;
could you share one songs story and why it is special to you?
Some of my favs are “Life and Times”, “Missing You”, “Deep Inside”, “The Song”, “Anisha”, “Don’t Mean Shit”, “Lovemetal”, “Summer Nights”, “You’re The One” … A lot of D2 songs are special to me and also the stuff I wrote for SEGA Games is fun and special in its own way. I sell millions of Sonic The Hegehog Games around the world with my voice and songs on them. I have done 3 so far.

10. As a musician who has made a name and a place for yourself in the industry
do you have any words of advice for those young or unsigned bands or artists
out there reading this interview?
Yes … Stay in school and choose another career.

11. If you could go back and do the whole ride again what would you different
and what would you do the same :) ?
I always appreciated everything at the time, and I still do very much, so I have no regrets, I feel blessed to have had that ride, and am still taking that ride even though its in more of a *go-cart* than a limo these days, but I had a heaping taste of the big time and it was delicious!!!! It didn’t last quite s long as I had hoped, but I am still having fun and loving music so I am happy.

12. Do you have a closing message to your loyal fans world wide to close out the
interview?
Thanks for your continuing support, I love you all, I hope to see as many of you all as possible on tour over the next few years and please visit my website at http://www.TEDPOLEY.COM to get my music and support my work. Also to get solo tour dates and buy lots of other quality merchandise and other crap which I will gladly autograph for you and also visit http://www.DANGERDANGER.COM for D2 world tour dates … Stay safe and Keep Rockin!
Best Wishes
Ted

Posted by Kathy at November 15, 2004 10:22 AM