RACER X INTERVIEW |
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Paul Gilbert is probably one of the hard rock scene's best known guitarists, and possibly also one of the most talented ones. He has been playing in the hard rock scene for something that seems like ages, with his biggest success in the band Mr.Big that propelled themselves to worldwide success in the late eighties and early nineties with their radio-hits "Be With You", "Green-tinted Sixties Mind", "Wild World" etc. Especially in Japan Mr.Big enjoyed huge success. But Mr.Big was not the only band for Paul Gilbert - as a matter of fact his career started to take off even earlier, when he was guitarist in a power heavy metal band called Racer X. Racer X never enjoyed the same kind of success here in Europe as Mr.Big, but back in their home country of USA and (of course) in Japan as well, Racer X were more than just an underground act. Racer X was put on a hold when Paul joined Mr.Big - the drummer, Scott Travis, joined Judas Priest - vocalist Jeff Martin joined Badlands (as a drummer!) and bassist John Alderete has been playing with more or less anybody in the technical hard rock scene. Now in the beginning of the new millennium Racer X has reunited, and what is more appropriate than throwing a couple of questions at Paul Gilbert to hear about the band as well as get to know some more about his solo-career.
Interview by Claus Jensen and Erik Pauner |
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How did you decide to re-unite Racer X? Did the label put pressure on you, or was it out of "free-will"?
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"I wanted to record the song "Fire of Rock"! I wanted to play some REAL heavy metal. I knew that we would have FUN working together. I wanted to play REALLY FAST GUITAR!"
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Was it difficult to get the personal back together?
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"Everybody was excited about it, so it came together easily! It was actually John Alderete and Scott Travis that had the initial idea!"
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I assume that the band members came up with the rather .... pathetic/corny (hehe) characters on "Superheroes" - did Mascot records have any objections towards that, or did they support your idea at once ?
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"Mascot knows better than to tell us how to dress! Seriously, we've all done so many photo sessions where everyone dresses in black and frowns at the camera trying to look mean ... I would have felt sillier doing that!"
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Are you going to show up on stage looking like that?
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"I just hope we can do some shows. As long as I'm wearing a guitar, I'm happy. I'm half Polish, so I've been thinking about wearing a Polish military uniform on stage. Does Poland have an army?"
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Is there a special story about the selection of your alter-ego's?
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"We built our costumes on a Sunday. The regular costume store was closed so we had to improvise. The hardware store and the local S&M sex shop were the only places open. You have seen the results."
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How does your solo project relate to Racer X - are the tracks on "Alligator Farm" spin offs from Racer X or completely disconnected?
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"Technical Difficulties" inspired me to make "Alligator Farm" a bit heavier than it might have been otherwise. Racer X reminded me how much I like to ROCK! The songs were written very separately though."
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The tracks on "AF" seems like a mixed bag of different rock influences, are there still tracks with roots back to MR. BIG or are they all written within the same time frame?
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""Alligator Farm" is all new songs. It was amazing writing so many songs so quickly. Jeff Martin's drumming and attitude were a big inspiration as well."
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If Paul Gilbert and Racer X would be playing at the same gig - who would be support?
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"I prefer to keep them separate. Plus, I'm spoiled with Japanese shows where there are no support bands and you get to control the whole show!"
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Who came up with the idea of including the Blue Oyster Cult track, "Godzilla", and are there any special story connected to that?
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"We used to use the riff as a show opener in the 80's. The song really came together when I tuned my guitar down superlow and Jeff sang it up an octave!"
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From "Technical Difficulties" to "Superheroes" I see a development from an experiment to a committed band effort where the Racer X sound gets unique, comments?
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"I really wanted the whole band to be involved the songwriting of Superheroes. "Technical Difficulties" was more individual songs, or a couple guys together. Superheroes was written as a band. It was great to do this and not have the usual fights that many bands have!"
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Racer X used to be quite a success in Japan in the late eighties, with several live albums out over there - is this still your main market?
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"The fans in Japan have been great. I wish I knew the secret to the success I've had there. I'm just glad it's there! It bought my studio!"
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Using the Racer X vocalist as drummer on your solo-album seems like a unique idea. I know that he is a brilliant drummer (he used to play with Badlands, right?), but is he more comfortable doing drumming than vocals?
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"Jeff Martin and Scott Travis are both fantastic drummers, but they have completely different styles. I like to use Jeff for my solo CDs because I know it will keep my music separate from the sound of Racer X. Jeff does both jobs extremely well. I think he'd prefer singing live now, just because he hasn't had a chance to do it in a while."
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Are there any other members in Racer X who can play other instruments?
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"I play drums pretty well and keyboards a little bit. Jeff can play harmonica!"
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Of all the albums you've made in the past (solo albums, Racer X, Mr.Big, tribute stuff etc.), which is your personal favorite - and why?
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"Early Racer X: "Frenzy", "Into the Night" - Mr. Big: "Green Tinted Sixties Mind", "To Be With You" - Solo: "Girls Who Can Read Your Mind", "Kate is a Star", "Gilberto Concerto", "Individually Twisted", "Six Billion People" - New Racer X: "Fire of Rock", "B.R.O.", "Superheroes", "Viking Kong" …. Why? It's only rock and roll, but I like it!!!"
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Thank you for doing this interview Paul …
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"Thanks!"
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