GREAT WHITE…Shark Is Rising !

Interview with Michael Lardie
 
1) Hello guys, what had you been doing all this time before your new album release? We really lost your signals.
.

We were all pursuing other projects in between 2001 and 2007, Michael was a member of Night Ranger for 4 years, Jack And Mark put out solo records. We had been away from each other long enough to have a very fresh perspective, we are very excited to be working together again

2) Are you still facing any legal issues with Rhode Island tragic event ? How do you feel now after time has passed ?

As far as we know, the legal issues have been resolved, how do we feel, we will never be the same, we not only lost some of our friends, they were our dear friends as well.
One can only hope, there will be something positive we learn from the tragedy

3) You have a new album out. Let me know about all the details…

The album is titled Rising, recorded at Audie Desbrow’s house, mixed at Michael Lardie’s studio total time approx 65 days !!!

4) I think that the speed is slowing down in this album and you prefer a more melodic road towards Blues and Southern Rock.

Every album we do is hopefully a mirror of where we are at that time, as artists, we would feel very unsatisfied to make the SAME record year after year. Great White has so many diverse influences, I am happy to say, every record to us is different

5) How did you thought about adding a new cover of Rolling Stones “Let’s Spend The Night Together”. Do you have any plans of releasing it as a CD Single? Generally are there any plans for singles releasing from this album?

The Rolling Stones are one of our main influences and doing a cover is paying respect to that. As far as a single, I don’t see that as a choice, as we get feedback from the record, that will give us a better idea of what to release as a single

6) Is there any concept in this album ?

If anything comes leaping out of the record it would be one of cleansing, a cathartic journey
Rising up !!!

7) What’s the meaning behind the album title “Rising” , is it a band’s statement ?

An idea that no matter what you are faced with in life you can rise above

8) How the things have changed for Great White after all these years?

 Closer as friends and more appreciative of each others contribution

9) Why did you replace Sean McNabb ? Is it truth tha back in 2000 – 2001 era
that Sean McNabb was fired for going to management and asking to see the accounting books?

Absolutely not true !!! he conspired with other members to not show up for a show
in Sturgis , South Dakota. It took us years to repair the relationship with the bike rally.
We felt that this was reason enough to part ways with Sean at the time

10) Does Jack face any issues with alcohol and other stuff right now ?

Jack has addictions to Alchohol and drugs, as an addict, he faces these issues every day.
I am happy to say, he is very focused and happy and sober now !!!

11) How do you predict the future of music industry right now?

The Major record companies are changing the way they do business with the advent of the internet, fans are likely to get greater choice in music based on how music is delivered now

12) How easy or hard is for the band to survive based in the CD sales and touring? Did the latest issues of the global economy have influenced you in any way?

We have been very lucky to not be hit hard by the economy, our touring season this year is very full !!

13) What’s your next move in music ?

To go out and support the new record, Rising, many shows, many smiles !!

14) When are we going to see a live Great White DVD coming out ?

We are hoping to record a couple of shows this year in order to extract footage and audio for a DVD release sometime in 2010

15) Do you consider Great White a hair metal band ?

Never have. Always thought we were a blues rock band

16) 1989 – 1991 era used to include many one-hit wonders based mainly in power ballads that climbed the Billboard. Do you think is there any space for one-hit wonders these days? Any predictions for a new “power ballad wave” of bands ?

It seems there are many one hit wonders these days, as far as the next wave of power ballad hits, I couldn’t speculate who that might be, I’m sure we’ll all see someday

17) What kind of sacrifices have you done in order to devote yourself in music ?

Many personal relationships have been sacrificed in the name of career, but no regrets !!

18) Do you watch any MTV, VH1 ? What’s your opinion about music television in general?

I watch Vh1 occasionally , I always though music television was going to change music forever and not in a good way

19) Why do you think that artists like Bon Jovi still touring in large arenas on their own and bands such as Def Leppard / Cheap Trick / Poison choose to tour together in order to play in arenas ?

I am just grateful that our genre of music still has a place in the music conciousness
However the billings are, those bands that still perform for the fans are truly blessed !!!

20) Do you think that video games such as “Guitar Hero” have refreshed the interest for 80s hard rock music?

I think it has refreshed the 80’s music, I just hope that inspires young people to really learn instruments to rock with !!!

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