BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 26th July 2010.
Black Country Communion is THE supergroup of 2010. Line-ups don't get much better than Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian...do they?
Joe answers questions about the band, and about himself...
Photo credit © Christie Goodwin
What is it like being Joe Bonamassa in 2010? Are you surprised you’ve become as big-a name as you have, or have you always been self-assured enough to have belief in yourself?
JB: I'm really happy about what's been going these past 3 years. I mean who wouldn't be? Being JB in 2010 means you have taken a vow to spend as little time at home as possible. Saves me loads on utility bills.
How does it feel being mentioned in the same breath as people who were and, presumably, still are your heroes?
JB: Again I have been very lucky and people have been kind to me. It makes me strive to work harder though. Never rest on your accomplishments.
Although you have been part of a band before, you’re obviously best known for your solo work up until now. Before BCC came along, did you have a raging urge to play in and record with a band once again, or did the right situation simply present itself at the right time and tempt you down that road?
JB: The only urges I have are for my girlfriend. It was strange in less than 10 months BCC went from conversation to release. That's fast!
Were you fully familiar with the work of the other guys before the band become a full four-piece?
JB: Of course I was. I was a fan of Derek before I met him. Jason played on my record called You and Me and Glenn is Glenn freaking Hughes.
Photo credit © Robert Knight
What was the bonding process like between you, Glenn, Derek and Jason? Has it been an emotional, creative roller coaster, or did you gel insanely easily with other? Does BCC already feel like it has existed for years?
JB: Well in the case with Jason and Glenn I was friends with them prior to doing BCC. Derek is a great guy. We all had a lot of laughs but then we'd focus (thank you Kevin) and there would be a explosion of sound.
Do you think the ‘Return Of The Supergroup’ with bands like Chickenfoot and Them Crooked Vultures, as well as BCC, is paving the way for a new era in big projects, or do you consider BCC simply another rock band doing its thing?
JB: Comets come around once in a determined amount of time. I have been very successful by not paying attention to what the music business was up to. We share friends in Chickenfoot and TCV's and both of their records are great. We have our work cut out for us. But if it inspires others to do the same, that's great. We are a band. No more no less.
Is BCC already a long term proposition, or are you going through the process with the first album and first round of live dates...and then looking at what the global response is – i.e. are you taking this one day at a time?
JB: I would gladly record another 10 records with Glenn, Jason and Derek.
Onto the music itself...I’ve had a couple of listens through the debut album and there is some amazing music on there. Did it feel special as you were creating it? Was there a buzz in the studio?
JB: The buzz was we had good songs. Glenn did some very good work here. It was manic. Unlike you would think, we didn't have a massive budget or tons of time. I think it helped the record. First impressions are my favourite way to record. It was old school from day one.
How quickly did the BCC sound come together? Did you make a conscious decision on what you wanted to play, or did you all just go with the flow?
JB: 5 very strong personalities, (Kevin included) and a small amount of time. Preconceived doesn't enter the equation.
How were the songs written? Was there a set formula for each member bringing something to the table, or was the creative process more organic?
JB: No formula, Glenn did some, I did some, Glenn and I did some. It all worked.
You had the awesome production talents of Kevin Shirley involved. What did he bring to the process?
JB: Kevin is not only an A level producer. He is the best musician in the room in my opinion. It's like working with Tom Dowd. Inspiring and a challenge to keep up sometimes.
Did you and he do anything special/experimental in the studio, or would you consider this more of a traditional, old-school record?
JB: I don't know any other way to record. I hate overdubs. I get very nervous. So I record the solos live. I mean there is a methodology to bands like Sigur Ros and Coldplay. But that style of recording would drive me nuts. They make good records, both of those bands respectively but my A.D.D. would get the best of me after awhile.
Has the BCC experience affected you on a personal level? Do you see yourself heading down musical paths you may not have tried before? Is a Joe Bonamassa solo gig still a Joe Bonamassa gig or is there another dimension in there now?
JB: It's inspired me to get back to writing; rejuvenated my confidence so to speak. The only difference between my solo gigs then and now will be that I've stole a few vocal phrasing techniques from Glenn.
I mean you would too if you stood right next to him and watched him sing live! In the studio, he does takes that any singer would die for.
Photo credit © Robert Knight
Is a big BCC tour in the works?
JB: 2011
Do you plan to continue being a part time radio DJ too? I assume sharing your love of other artist’s music is an important part of your life?
JB: I do my radio show on Planet Rock. I love those guys and gals over there. They have been über nice to me. There's a truly American word for you.
What would your fantasy band be, assuming no members of BCC can be in it?
JB: Two words: Blind Faith. Even Rick Grech rocked in that band.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
JB: If I was a journalist and asking myself a Barbara Walters question. It would be, "If suddenly the world hated all guitar based music, what would you do for a living?"... My answer: Why what have you heard? Is your firm hiring? I know lots of useless info about guitars.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
JB: Truth or spin?
Spin, I'll be feeding starving kids in Mumbai.
Truth: Riding a posh tour bus on the way to my next show.
Anything else you would like to mention?
JB: I'm considering going to flip flops as my exclusive choice in footwear. What? Jack Johnson already does that? OK Never mind...
Thanks again to Joe for his time.
Joe Bonamassa’s UK tour starts on October 9th at the Folkstone Leas Cliff Hall. The tour dates also take in – Cambridge Corn Exchange (Oct 10), Bridlington Spa (Oct 11), Ipswich Regent Theatre (Oct 13), Bristol Colston Hall (Oct 14), Manchester Apollo (Oct 15), Newcastle City Hall (Oct 17), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Oct 18) and Leicester De Montfort Hall (Oct 19). 24 Hour Box Office: 0871 230 1101, http://www.seetickets.com/, http://www.thegigcartel.com/.
Bonamassa’s latest album, “Black Rock”, is out now; Joe’s new rock supergroup Black Country Communion will release their self titled debut album on September 20th via Mascot Records. For further information on Joe Bonamassa and Black Country Communion please visit http://www.jbonamassa.com/ and http://www.bccommunion.com/
Photo credit © Robert Knight
